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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

2nd Session Day 14 18th Assembly

HANSARD

Friday, June 3, 2016

Pages 361 – 394

The Honourable Jackson Lafferty, Speaker Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories Members of the Legislative Assembly

Speaker Hon. Jackson Lafferty (Monfwi)

______

Hon. Glen Abernethy Hon. Bob McLeod Mr. Kevin O’Reilly (Great Slave) (Yellowknife South) (Frame Lake) Government House Leader Premier Minister of Health and Social Minister of the Executive Services; Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Hon. Wally Schumann Minister of Human Resources; Intergovernmental Relations (Hay River South) Minister responsible for Seniors; Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Minister of Environment and Natural Minister responsible for Persons with Investment Resources Disabilities Minister responsible for the Public Minister of Transportation Utilities Board Mr. Tom Beaulieu Hon. Louis Sebert (Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh) Hon. Robert C. McLeod (Thebacha) (Inuvik Twin Lakes) Minister of Justice Mr. Frederick Blake Deputy Premier Minister responsible for the Minister of Finance (Mackenzie Delta) Northwest Territories Power Minister of Lands Corporation Minister of Municipal and Community Minister responsible for the Workers’ Hon. Caroline Cochrane Affairs Safety and Compensation (Range Lake) Commission Minister responsible for the Mr. Daniel McNeely Northwest Territories Housing (Sahtu) Mr. R.J. Simpson Corporation Minister of Public Works and (Hay River North) Services Hon. Alfred Moses Minister responsible for the Status of (Inuvik Boot Lake) Mr. Kieron Testart Women Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (Kam Lake) Minister responsible for Youth Ms. Julie Green Mr. Shane Thompson (Yellowknife Centre) Mr. Michael Nadli (Nahendeh) (Deh Cho) Mr. Cory Vanthuyne Mr. Herbert Nakimayak (Yellowknife North) (Nunakput)

______Officers Clerk of the Legislative Assembly Mr. Tim Mercer

Deputy Clerk Mr. Doug Mr. Michael BallPrincipal Ms. Gail BennettLaw Clerks SchauertePrincipal Clerk, Clerk, Ms. Sheila MacPherson Committees and Public Corporate and Mr. Glen Rutland Affairs Interparliamentary Affairs ______Box 1320 Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Tel: (867) 767-9010 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 ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRAYER...... 361

MINISTERS’ STATEMENTS...... 361

34-18(2) – 2016 Wildland Fire Season (Schumann)...... 361

35-18(2) – Investments to Advance Tourism-Tourism Week (B. McLeod)...361

36-18(2) – Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway (Schumann)...... 362

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS...... 363

First Nations Land Surveyors (Nadli)...... 363

Supports for Small Business and Economic Diversification (Vanthuyne).....363

“Day of Pink” Support for LGBTQ (Thompson)...... 364

Aboriginal Representation in GNWT Public Service (Beaulieu)...... 364

Support for Nunavut MP Hunter Tootoo (Simpson)...... 365

Inuvialuit Day 2016 (Nakimayak)...... 365

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (Green)...... 365

Annual Increase to Income Assistance Benefits (O’Reilly)...... 366

Colville Lake Solar Power Pilot Project (McNeely)...... 367

Community Wildland Fire Protection Plans (Blake)...... 367

Condolences on the Passing of Jimmy Schaefer (Sebert)...... 367

ORAL QUESTIONS...... 370

TABLING OF DOCUMENTS...... 376

CONSIDERATION IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE OF BILLS AND OTHER MATTERS...... 376

REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE...... 392 ORDERS OF THE DAY...... 392 ii June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 7

YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Friday, June 3, 2016 Members Present Hon. Glen Abernethy, Mr. Beaulieu, Mr. Blake, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Ms. Green, Hon. Jackson Lafferty, Hon. Bob McLeod, Hon. Robert McLeod, Mr. McNeely, Hon. Alfred Moses, Mr. Nadli, Mr. Nakimayak, Mr. O’Reilly, Hon. Wally Schumann, Hon. Louis Sebert, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Vanthuyne

The House met at 10:00 a.m. for above normal temperatures and near normal precipitation. The 20-year Prayer average for fires and area burned for this time of year is three fires and 46 ---Prayer hectares burned. At this time last year, SPEAKER (Hon. Jackson Lafferty): 31 wildland fires had been reported with Masi. Ministers’ statements. Minister of just over 7,100 hectares burned. Even Environment and Natural Resources. with only two wildland fires to date, there is potential for another bad fire season Ministers’ Statements this year. While lightning accounts for 90 per cent of fire start in the Northwest MINISTER’S STATEMENT 34-18(2): Territories, the 10 per cent caused by 2016 WILDLAND FIRE SEASON people can be prevented. Everyone has HON. WALLY SCHUMANN: Thank a responsibility to prevent and protect you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am their homes, cabins and communities pleased to report that this year’s from wildland fires. People must be wildland fire season is off to a slow start careful when using fire in these dry compared to the previous two years. As conditions. Only use campfires if they of May 30th, there have only been two are necessary for cooking and warmth. wildland fires reported in the Northwest Bonfires are not required for these Territories. All indications are the eight- purposes. Get the appropriate burn hectare fire near Madeline Lake, along permit for any other fires such as the Ingraham Trail, was a holdover from burning grass and/or brush. Do not last fire season, which smouldered leave any fire unattended and make underground all winter. It is a strong sure the fire is completely out before indication of just how dry forests are in leaving it. Property owners and North Slave region. The second fire, 16 communities should use FireSmart tools kilometres from Kakisa, was person- to reduce their risk of loss from wildland caused. It was started by an abandoned fires. Our 35 four-person fire-fighting campfire. We are still in a drought crews are on strength as are our air situation in many parts of the Northwest tanker groups and rotary-wing aircraft. Territories and the long term seasonal The department will assess any new forecast for the next three months calls wildland fire starts for potential risk to Page 8 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 values and take measures, as to build partnerships to support, among appropriate, with resource capacity and other things, culturally-based tourism. expected fire risk in high value areas. The tourism sector offers the potential for direct and indirect economic growth Mr. Speaker, the cooler weather in many of our communities and the conditions early in the season have possibility for diversification and growth allowed our government to provide of regional economies. As we look to the much needed fire personnel to help with future, we can be assured that our the Fort McMurray fire and other fires in government’s strategic approach to the northern part of Alberta. To date, we tourism development is already working. have exported two 21-person wildland In 2010, we introduced the Tourism fire crews and agencies representatives, 2015 Plan with an ambitious goal of two radio operators, three supply unit building the NWT tourism sector to a leaders, one situation unit leader, one $30-million industry by 2015. Today, Mr. section chief trainee and one logistics Speaker, I can report that we achieved chief trainee to Alberta. Our Electra air our goal and more, when visitor tanker, a bird dog aircraft, air attack spending reached an all-time-high of officer and crews saw duty in Alberta. $146.6 million for the 2014-2015 fiscal The Northwest Territories also provided year. This is particularly heartening as 55 water pumps and 700 lengths of fire we prepare to introduce Tourism 2020, hose to Fort McMurray. We are our next strategic plan for tourism honoured to be able to provide development in the Northwest assistance to other Canadian Territories. Under Tourism 2020 we will jurisdictions as many of them have continue to invest in our tourism sector helped us in our time of need during the in response to our mandate 2013, 2014 and 2015 wildland fire commitments by building on key areas seasons. This year, Environment and of program and financial investment Natural Resources has begun the including visitor attraction and process to update community wildland experience, community tourism fire protection plans, and is drafting development, skills development, and proposed amendments to modernize tourism research. forest protection legislation, one of the commitments made in the Government Our Tourism 2020 plan also includes a of the Northwest Territories mandate. new area of investment and growth: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Aboriginal Culture Tourism, developed in partnership with the Aboriginal MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Ministers’ Tourism Champions Advisory Council statements. Minister of Industry, and now a foundational part of our plan Tourism and Investment. to increase the value of our tourism industry to $207 million annually by MINISTER’S STATEMENT 35-18(2): 2021. Partnerships have been central to INVESTMENTS TO ADVANCE our success in tourism over the last five TOURISM – TOURISM WEEK years and I am happy to announce that HON. BOB MCLEOD: Mr. Speaker, the the department has reached agreement Government of the Northwest Territories with the Canadian Executive Service has made a commitment in its mandate Organization to expand its role in our June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 9

Tourism Business Mentorship Program. afternoon when rock trucks driven by The organization brings the pedigree of Beaufort-Delta residents met at facilitating more than 47,000 successful kilometre 45.3 and linked the north and mentorship initiatives in 122 countries south construction spreads. An exciting around the world, including work in over and proud achievement was reached in 80 per cent of all Aboriginal northern history that afternoon when communities in Canada. We welcome crews placed approximately 48 cubic this expertise and look forward to the metres of gravel toward the final four new perspectives it will bring to our kilometres of embankment on Canada’s budding tourism sector and the talented, first public highway to the Arctic coast. energetic operators across the The contractor focused on hauling Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, approximately 26,000 cubic metres of there are few better ways to celebrate material per day to place approximately the ingenuity in our tourism industry 97 per cent of the granular material than our annual Tourism Week. This required for the highway’s embankment. year’s celebration will be concluding this When construction wrapped up at the weekend with a number of events end of April 2016, approximately 116 across our five regions designed to build kilometres of new embankment were awareness and interest in local tourism. fully constructed and the first lift was As we mark Tourism Week in this placed on the remaining 3.5 kilometres. Assembly today, I would like to Crews were also able to finish six of the recognize the continued partnership of eight required bridges and install pilings Northwest Territories Tourism and the for the final two bridges. The dedication and hard work of our vibrant Department of Transportation and the family of industry operators and service contractor are enthusiastic and prepared providers. Few areas of our economy to make a final push to complete the have been as bright as tourism over the project. I’m pleased to report that the last five years. We will continue to find project employed over 500 people at the ways to promote the Northwest peak of this winter’s construction Territories’ natural beauty and unique season. Approximately 74 per cent of northern spirit in a way that will allow our the workforce came from the Beaufort- tourism sector to thrive and grow. Thank Delta region and other NWT you, Mr. Speaker. communities, once again fulfilling the goal of substantially contributing to MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Ministers' northern employment opportunities and statements. Minister of Transportation. delivering jobs where they’re needed most. MINISTER’S STATEMENT 36-18(2): INUVIK TO TUKTOYAKTUK At the same time, the project continues HIGHWAY to contribute to developing a skilled northern workforce by delivering HON. WALLY SCHUMANN: Mr. meaningful training opportunities and Speaker, it’s an honour to report on the employability. These valuable third successful winter of construction opportunities enable apprentices in a on the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway wide variety of trades to earn work project. I will start by referring back to experience hours toward certification Thursday, April 7, 2016, an historic Page 10 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 and improving their economic mobility. since the beginning of history. Land Mr. Speaker, the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk surveyors have a key role in most Highway construction project is also construction projects as well as contributing to circumpolar research transportation, communications, aimed at improving construction mapping, and defining legal boundaries techniques in permafrost conditions. In for land ownership. It is an important April, the Department of Transportation tool for research in many other areas. held a Permafrost Summit where world Mr. Speaker, a little recognized fact is experts in cold region civil engineering how much the Northwest Territories and northern construction had the owes to the First Nations land surveyors opportunity to observe the unique who took on this role in the early days of construction methods used to build the our communities. I want to take this highway and visit two research and opportunity to recognize my constituent, development test sites sponsored by Louie Constant of Fort Providence, who Transport Canada. Mr. Speaker, I am worked throughout the Northwest pleased to once again confirm that the Territories surveying communities and Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway highways. Louie, like a number of young construction project remains on high school graduates, began working schedule and within the approved as surveyor, learning on the job and budget of $299 million dollars. As we working on various projects. Unlike approach the end of the construction qualified and professional surveyors, phase of the project, the Department of guys like Louie demonstrated their Transportation is beginning to plan an knowledge and skills of surveying by appropriate celebration to mark the working alongside their formally-trained opening of the highway in the fall of colleagues and proved their worth by 2017 as anticipated. I look forward to playing a significant role in laying the celebrating this achievement in northern foundation for roads and residential construction history with the opening of areas in most of our current the northern-most segment of the communities. They built their skills on Mackenzie Valley Highway, bringing us keen eyes for the land and deep closer to achieving our goal of finally familiarity with its features. linking Canada from coast to coast to coast. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today land surveyors use a variety of high-tech instruments and any jobs MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Ministers' require professional training and Statements. Item 3, Members' certification. But we can build on the Statements. Member for Deh Cho. legacy of Louie Constant and other First Nation surveyors by incorporating Members’ Statements traditional knowledge into the development of new infrastructure and MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON promoting this profession among First FIRST NATIONS LAND Nations youth. I want to challenge the SURVEYORS Departments of Lands and Municipal MR. NADLI: Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. and Community Affairs to look at ways Speaker, surveying has been part of the to promote land surveying as a career development of the human environment among youth in the NWT and highlight June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 11 the role of traditional knowledge in procedures and policies at various planning our communities and the levels of government. The Canadian infrastructure that connects them. Federation of Independent Business Working with professional organizations Red Tape Report consistently gives the and private partners, the government Northwest Territories a failing grade for can look for opportunities to encourage inaction and lack of leadership. New and young people to choose a career in the young entrepreneurs experience field of survey work and land overlapping requirements and lengthy management through a scholarship or application and permitting processes on bursary program. Few people are as top of start-up costs and the steep familiar with the land today as Louie learning curve that comes naturally with Constant and his colleagues. Lifelong any new start-up business. The GNWT's Northerners have a wisdom of place and message of support for small business we have an opportunity to honour the conflicts with the hoops and ladders role of First Nation surveyors in the entrepreneurs encounter just to get their continuing evolution of the North. Thank enterprise off the ground. We only have you, Mr. Speaker. to look at the NWT Brewing Company and Woodyard Pub as an example. MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Members' While the GNWT has made some statements. Member for Yellowknife improvements with the Bizpal online North. service to help entrepreneurs navigate start-up and operation, the SEED MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON program is frequently oversubscribed SUPPORTS FOR SMALL and sometimes seems like the BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC government refers to it as the never- DIVERSIFICATION ending pot of gold for everyone's great MR. VANTHUYNE: Thank you, Mr. ideas. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, small business is Mr. Speaker, small business should be a key component of a strong diversified one of our key economic diversification economy. Any entrepreneur can tell you components. Dedicated and informed that operating an independent business staff at the front line play a key role in requires more hard work and supporting entrepreneurs who are trying determination than most people ever to put together the crucial pieces of their imagine. It also comes with immense operation. For example, the Hay River rewards, not only to the business egg producers searched worldwide for owners themselves, but to the months, Mr. Speaker, to find recyclable communities they serve. The small cardboard cartons for their eggs. The business environment is becoming government's approach to small increasingly challenging across Canada, business must reflect their values to our but especially in the Northwest communities. These operations are Territories. Like everywhere, northern often generational, cherished by the businesses are forced to compete with community for their character, dedicated big box stores, multinational to the people they serve and knowledge conglomerates, the explosion of online of their local market. These businesses services, as well as high costs, have no comparison to big box economies of scale and numerous Page 12 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 franchises of the world. We need to Like most things northern, people take work with small business sector toward on the task and make it better. It Gets a shared vision for what we want small Better Yellowknife organization was no business to look like in the North, and different. They developed a plan for a take strategic steps to get there. At the few extra ideas that worked well in appropriate time I'll have questions for Yellowknife and expanded a Day of Pink the Minister of Industry, Tourism and into Days of Pink, week-long Investment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. educational and artistic events that promoted conversations throughout MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Members' Yellowknife. statements. Member for Nahendeh. Mr. Speaker, the Days of Pink are about MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON talking honestly and openly with peers “DAY OF PINK” SUPPORT FOR about the bullying and violence that LGBTQ COMMUNITY people deal with when expressing their love and their gender. They believe that MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. when talking honestly and openly about Speaker. Today, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to these things they're able to educate follow-up on my Member's statement of themselves and fight ignorance in our Wednesday, February 24th about the communities. They address this by International Pink Shirt Day. As we asking questions about how they heard that day from a number of express their gender, what their gender Members and the Minister of Education, means to different people, how they Culture and Employment, bullying is a love, who they love, and how they can daily experience for many young people stop bullying and violence that people across the Northwest Territories and deal with when expressing their love in Canada. On February 26th, I received a their gender. I believe that a safe NWT letter from It Gets Better Yellowknife, an for everybody includes a safe place for outreach program to support queer and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two- trans youth in Yellowknife, informing me spirits, asexual, pansexual, and queer about the Canadian Centre for Gender people. Day of Pink is about more than and Sexual Diversity's Day of Pink, the just bullying, it is about examining and International Day Against Homophobia discussing the way the NWT can better and Transphobia and other types of support the LGBTQ community in our bullying. The Day of Pink, April 13, schools, workplaces and communities. It 2016, continues the work of Pink Shirt is my understanding that this group is Day by promoting active dialogue in developing a report of recommendations communities across Canada between to provide to the political leaders in the LGBTQ young people and leaders in NWT to make a better place to live. I their communities. Last November the look forward to seeing this report and Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual looking forward to seeing how we can Diversity approached the mayor of implement these recommendations. Yellowknife to organize the event, and Thank you, Mr. Speaker. the mayor reached out to It Gets Better Yellowknife to take on this event. Like MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Members' the Pink Shirt Day, the Day of Pink has statements. Member for Tu Nedhe- grown into a Canada-wide event in April. Wiilideh. June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 13

MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON that looks at this objective community by ABORIGINAL REPRESENTATION community and department by IN GNWT PUBLIC SERVICE department, because the holistic approach of trying to get to that number MR. BEAULIEU: Marci cho, Mr. across the territories is not working. Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like Speaker, it is my feeling that we can get to talk about the Aboriginal content in as close as possible to achieving this the GNWT public service. Mr. Speaker, goal by developing a good plan and the Minister responded to one of my having buy-in at the highest level of this questions this week on the percentage government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I of Priority 1 employees we have in the will have questions for the Minister of public service. His response was 32 to Human Resources today in question 33 per cent. I think the GNWT lead by period. Thank you. the Department of Human Resources must develop a strategy that will see the MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Members' public service get closer to the GNWT's statements. Member for Hay River goal of having a public service that is North. representative of the people we serve. In other words, try to get the public MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON service to as close to 51 per cent SUPPORT FOR NUNAVUT MP Priority 1 as possible. Mr. Speaker, I do HUNTER TOOTOO not believe that the current suite of MR. SIMPSON: Thank you, Mr. programs, policies and initiatives the Speaker. I'd like to speak briefly about GNWT is working with can achieve that the resignation of our fellow Northerner, goal. Mr. Speaker, currently we have 51 Hunter Tootoo, from his position as the per cent of our public service in federal Minister of Fisheries and Yellowknife. Of the public service that Oceans, and his decision to seek help work in Yellowknife, only 16.5 per cent for substance abuse issues. I do not are Priority 1 employees. Mr. Speaker, if know all the circumstances surrounding the goal is to have 51 per cent of GNWT his resignation, and likely, only the as Priority 1, I would say that goal would people closest to him do. I do know that be close to impossible to achieve. this decision must have been one of the Currently only 18.5 per cent of the most difficult of his life. He knew there people in Yellowknife that are in the would be extensive media coverage, participation rate would be considered that it would be discussed on every Priority 1 under the Affirmative Action channel, in every newspaper, and in Policy. I don't wish to go into the weeds thousands and thousands of private too far with this. Having said that, we conversations among his coworkers, in have communities where the his community, and around the country. participation rate of Priority 1 candidates He also knew that he was giving up a is 60 per cent; however only 35 per cent prestigious, highprofile Cabinet position, of the public service is Priority 1. Mr. one of the highest government positions Speaker, if the government continues on in Canada. Despite all this, Mr. Tootoo as they are currently for the next four made the decision to prioritize his health years, the numbers will not change. Our and wellbeing and the well-being of government needs to develop a strategy those close to him, and I have to Page 14 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 applaud him for his decision. It can be Committee for Original Peoples' difficult to talk about addiction. There is Entitlement formed in 1970. This group a stigma surrounding addiction that can included leaders, movers, and shakers leave people and their families to try and such as Agnes Semmler, Nellie hide their problems and feel ashamed. Cournoyea, Victor Allen, Brian Purdy, However, we all know that addiction Jim Koe, Bertha Allen, Jessie Amos, doesn't discriminate and anyone is Peter Green, Sam Raddi, Billy Day, susceptible. Admitting there is a Andy Carpenter, Wallace Goose, Mark problem and seeking help does not Noksana, and Kenneth Peeloolook. This make a person appear weak. It takes committee involved into a strong courage to make that decision, and it's a negotiating body that worked hard to choice that should be respected. I hope secure the Inuvialuit's rights to wildlife that those who need help and want help harvest and socio-economic initiatives will be inspired by Mr. Tootoo's decision, and full participation in wildlife and and I thank him for leading by example. environment managing regimes. These Information on how to access treatment rights extend over the territory of almost options can be found on the Health and half a million hectares in the Mackenzie Social Services website. Thank you, Mr. Delta, Beaufort Sea, and Amundsen Speaker. Gulf area, approximately 90,600 square kilometres of land and 12,980 square MR. SPEAKER: Members’ statements. kilometres of subsurface rights. Mineral Member for Nunakput. rights are owned by the Inuvialuit. The Inuvialuit Settlement Region MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON communities include Aklavik, Inuvik, INUVIALUIT DAY 2016 Paulatuk, Ulukhaktok, Sachs Harbour, MR. NAKIMAYAK: Thank you, Mr. and Tuktoyaktuk. The Inuvialuit Final Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today is Inuvialuit Agreement lays the foundation for future Day, so I am going to speak on that. Mr. powers and authority. The Inuvialuit, Speaker, June 5th is set aside in the Canada, and the GNWT are currently northern most part of our territory to negotiating an Inuvialuit selfgovernment celebrate Inuvialuit Day. June 5th marks agreement. Twelve different areas of the anniversary of the signing of the government, from heritage resources to Inuvialuit Final Agreement in 1984. The income support and training capacity day is celebrated throughout the building are included in the scope of the Inuvialuit settlement region with drum Inuvialuit Final Agreement. dancing, Inuit games, music, and local Mr. Speaker, the Inuvialuit Final country food such as muktuk, dry fish, Agreement is something Canada and all moose, caribou, and so on. The Northerners can celebrate. Other Inuvialuit Final Agreement came into countries are torn apart by civil wars effect July 25, 1984. It was the first over the very rights the Inuvialuit comprehensive land claim agreement tenaciously and we have peacefully signed in the NWT and only the second negotiated. Ecological provisions are ever in Canada at the time. Mr. upheld as a worldclass example of Speaker, the final agreement is a result integrated resource management of the determination and dedication of a system. Mr. Speaker, I encourage the group of Northerners initially called the June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 15 parties to continue negotiating, leading some dedicated staff time and an the way for the Northwest Territories information system linked to all NWT and Canada and selfgoverned pharmacies that can offer realtime agreements for Canada's Indigenous access to patients' prescription histories. peoples. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. In the meantime, the department is educating clinicians about appropriate MR. SPEAKER: Members’ statements. prescribing practices and teaching them Member for Yellowknife Centre. to identify patients who may be addicted or at risk of becoming addicted to MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON opioids and other drugs. I'm putting this PRESCRIPTION DRUG issue back on the table, Mr. Speaker. I MONITORING PROGRAM realize this budget doesn't include funds MS. GREEN: Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. for a prescription monitoring program. Speaker, the seizure of huge volumes of The Health department rightly takes the fentanyl in recent Yellowknife drug busts overall approach that prevention is the is an indication that at least some NWT surest path to patient health and that residents are turning to the black market prevention is less costly than treatment. to satisfy drug addictions. In some In the case of addiction in particular, any cases, these addictions are the result of steps to reduce the number of persons legitimate medical prescriptions. An who will ultimately need difficult and NWT coroner's report last year raised costly behavioural therapy will be a alarms over overuse and misuse of good investment. I'll have questions for prescriptions and how people are being the Minister on the current status of this prescribed potentially dangerous program and plans for kick starting it in amounts of legal drugs by seeking the next budget session. Mahsi, Mr. multiple prescriptions. One means of Speaker. reducing that supply for new and MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Members’ existing addicts is the creation of a statements. Member for Frame Lake. prescription drug monitoring program. The Department of Health and Social MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON Services has made some progress on ANNUAL INCREASE TO INCOME developing this idea, but it now appears ASSISTANCE BENEFITS. to be stalled. Obviously, any prescription monitoring program needs to be MR. O'REILLY: Merci, Monsieur le consistent with the new Electronic President. I will speak today about some Medical Record, or EMR system. of the least advantaged, and unfortunately, least politically influential At this time, the EMR system can't people in our society, those on income produce a valid prescription for a assistance. First, I want to congratulate pharmacist. Apparently, work is the Cabinet on its decision announced underway to make this possible within in the budget address that income from patient confidentiality requirements. The the Canada Child Benefit, and the main problem at the moment, though, Northwest Territories Child Benefit, and appears to be money. The Minister of spousal support will be excluded in the Health and Social Services points out calculation of income assistance that a monitoring program would require payments. I also applaud the Page 16 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 announcement of amendments to the available for Yellowknife. Costs have NWT Income Tax Act to enhance the increased on average by 1.6 per cent in NWT Child Benefit, including different the past year, and as much as four per benefit amounts for children under and cent in the area of food costs. Mr. over the age of six. Now, I'd like to see a Speaker, I seek and ask consent to similar approach to adopt an annual conclude my statement. increase to income assistance payments. Benefits were increased in Unanimous consent granted 2015. But before that, I believe benefits MR. O'REILLY: Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. All were last increased in 2009. There does of the above makes me wonder why not appear to be any mechanism for income assistance recipients are left out providing an annual increase in benefits of annual increases to meet the valid to offset increases in the cost of living, need of paying higher costs to stay fed, or even a mechanism to regularly clothed, and sheltered. In the absence assess whether benefits are adequate. of a guaranteed annual income, levels This is counter to most other programs of support provided by income of financial assistance providing benefits assistance cannot lift people out of that are adjusted to reflect the costs of poverty. I will have questions for the living. At the federal level, payments of Minister of Education, Culture and public service pensions, Old Age Employment. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Security, the Guaranteed Income MR. SPEAKER: Mahsi. Members’ Supplement, Canada Pension Plan, and statements. Member for Sahtu. Canada Pension Plan disability benefits are all indexed to inflation. Old Age MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON Security and Guaranteed Income COLVILLE LAKE SOLAR POWER Supplement benefit rates are adjusted PILOT PROJECT four times annually for inflation. Here in the Northwest Territories, Members MR. MCNEELY: Thank you, Mr. have recently been informed that the Speaker. Today, I would like to speak monthly payment rate for long-term care about the Colville Lake power pilot room and board has been adjusted to project. It is producing a huge amount of offset the increased costs as calculated significant results as the pilot project. by the Consumer Price Index, or CPI. After spending a number of years Not only that, if the CPI were to fall, I am growing up in that community, I have told that rates would not be decreased. come to realize it is this government's The NWT Senior Citizen Supplementary initiative that really helps the smaller Income Benefit is likewise indexed to communities in seeing and playing a CPI, and there are annual indexing part in the contribution to the provisions in a number of other GNWT consumption of fuel and gas emission cost of living support programs. In reductions and continuous Yukon, income assistance benefit rates independence with these little are annually adjusted to offset the cost communities, which are only seasonally of living. Certainly, there has been no supplied. Later on today, I will have decrease in the costs of living, some questions here for the Minister according to CPI figures, which are only responsible for the Power Corporation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 17

MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Members’ protect. I will have questions for the statements. Member for Mackenzie Minister of Environment and Natural Delta. Resources later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON COMMUNITY WILDLAND FIRE MR. SPEAKER: Members’ statements. PROTECTION PLANS Member for Thebacha. MR. BLAKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON Mr. Speaker, the forest fire season of CONDOLENCES ON THE 2014 is still strong in the memory of PASSING OF JIMMY SCHAEFER NWT residents. The GNWT spent $59 million fighting fires that year. Last MR. SEBERT: I would like to send year's fire season was also demanding, condolences to the family of the late the second worst on record. We are also Jimmy Schaefer of Fort Smith who aware of the recent wildfire that caused passed away last evening. Mr. Schaefer evacuation of Fort McMurray destroying was a former chief of the Salt River First ten per cent of the city. While the Nation and instrumental in some of their residents of Fort McMurray are slowly treaty negotiations, was a longtime being allowed to return to their homes, resident of the community, and related that wildfire is still burning out of control to many throughout the North including at more than 550,000 hectares. Here in his nephew and our colleague, Minister the Northwest Territories, the 2016 Schumann. Mr. Schaefer enjoyed a long season hasn't been busy as the Minister and useful life. He will be missed. Thank said earlier today. In fact, we have only you, Mr. Speaker. had two fires. Only eight hectares have MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Our condolences burned so far this year, Mr. Speaker. to the family as well. Members’ But Mr. Speaker, experts anticipate drier statements. Item 4, returns to oral weather and the increased fire risk that questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors comes with it. Now is the time to in the gallery. Item 6, acknowledgments. prepare, Mr. Speaker. In my riding, both Item 7, oral questions. Member for Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic are Yellowknife North. surrounded by dense forest. A fire break was planned for Fort McPherson, but Oral Questions two years ago, that project was put on hold. As I mentioned we have had many QUESTION 154-18(2): fires that year, and for that reason, that SUPPORTS FOR SMALL project was put on hold. We know that BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC taking preventive action works. In 2014, DIVERSIFICATION the community of Kakisa was saved MR. VANTHUYNE: Thank you, Mr. from fire damage thanks to their use of Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier, you fire smarting practices to clear the heard me talk about the need to work surrounding area of potential fuel. The with small business sectors toward a 201415 fire seasons may have been shared vision for what we want to see expensive, Mr. Speaker, but it is much small business look like in the North. My more expensive to rebuild than to question today is for the Minister of Page 18 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016

Industry, Tourism and Investment. Mr. MR. VANTHUYNE: Well then with that, I Speaker, can the Minister comment on guess I ask the Minister: does the what he sees as the main barriers to Department of Industry, Tourism and successful small business operations in Investment have a mechanism for the territory and how we might address collecting constructive feedback from them as a government? Thank you, Mr. small business to determine how Speaker. government programs might better serve their needs? MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. HON. BOB MCLEOD: Here in the Northwest Territories, we are very HON. BOB MCLEOD: Thank you, Mr. fortunate to have very strong Chambers Speaker. I guess the main barriers, as I of Commerce. We have the NWT see it, is the ability to develop business Chamber of Commerce and we have at plans and the access to financial least five or six chambers throughout assistance and aftercare so that the the Northwest Territories in every biggest barrier to being a successful region. We have a very close business is getting through the first year relationship, and the NWT Chamber of and surviving for five years, so any Commerce shares our view of the red aftercare we can provide. Thank you, tape report, and because of the fact that Mr. Speaker. we are a small jurisdiction, we can MR. VANTHUYNE: Thank you to the interact almost on a one-to-one basis Minister for his reply. I would also argue with businesses, especially when we that there are some challenges found travel to the regions. within dealing with our government as it MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. relates to the barriers that small Member for Yellowknife North. business face. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister comment on how the GNWT MR. VANTHUYNE: Thank you, Mr. might further reduce red tape for Speaker, and thank you to the Minister independent business and boost its for his reply. This will be my final grade in the Canadian Federation of question. Does the Department of Independent Business’s Red Tape Industry, Tourism, and Investment Report Card? regularly review and consider successful small business programs in other HON. BOB MCLEOD: Reducing red jurisdictions, and if so, are there tape is a constant priority of our examples that could be implemented in government and we spend a lot of time the Northwest Territories? Thank you, at it. I don't find the Canadian Mr. Speaker. Federation of Independent Business Red Tape Report card of much help or HON. BOB MCLEOD: As a assistance or very useful. I don't feel government, we participate in federal, that having somebody coming down provincial, and territorial meetings in a from Toronto once or twice a year and number of different areas. The giving us a failing grade and not making Department of Industry, Tourism and any suggestions on how to improve. Investment participates, FPTs and small They don't go to the communities. I don't business, so I always say that by find that report very helpful. participating, we gain a lot more than we June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 19 contribute in these FPT meetings MR. NAKIMAYAK: Thank you, Mr. because we get access to best practices Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my second in every jurisdiction in Canada. Just question is: what is included in the recently, British Columbia has outlined agreement-in-principle? what they're doing with small business. They have a round table for small HON. BOB MCLEOD: I will try to cover business in BC that they feel every that in a few short sentences. The province and territory can benefit from signing of the Inuvialuit SelfGovernment doing something similar, so this is Agreement-in-Principle marks an something that we have access to on a important step on the road towards regular basis. Aboriginal selfgovernment for the Inuvialuit. The agreement-in-principle MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. serves as the foundation for the Member for Nunakput. negotiation of a final Inuvialuit selfgovernment agreement. The QUESTION 155-18(2): agreement-in-principle deals with INUVIALUIT SELF- various matters such as culture and GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT-IN- language, health, social services, PRINCIPLE education, economic development, justice, and taxation. It also describes MR. NAKIMAYAK: Thank you, Mr. the Inuvialuit Government and its roles Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke and responsibilities, the structures of the about Inuvialuit Day. Today, my Inuvialuit Council, and the relationship questions are for the Minister of the Inuvialuit Government will have with Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Canada and the Government of the Relations. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned Northwest Territories. in my statement, the Inuvialuit are negotiating a selfgovernment agreement MR. NAKIMAYAK: Thank you, Mr. with the GNWT in Canada. My question Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my third question is: when was the agreement-in-principle is: what does the implementation of the signed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. agreement-in-principle mean for the GNWT Inuvialuit beneficiaries and MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Minister of Inuvialuit living outside the Inuvialuit Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Settlement Region. Relations. HON. BOB MCLEOD: Implementing the HON. BOB MCLEOD: Thank you, Mr. agreement-in-principle means that the Speaker. The Inuvialuit SelfGovernment parties will complete the negotiation of Agreement-in-Principle was signed by the final selfgovernment agreement and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the that all of the necessary arrangements Government of the Northwest and agreements that need to be in place Territories, and the federal government before the effective date of the on July 22 2015 in Inuvik. With the agreement are worked out and agreed signing of the Inuvialuit SelfGovernment to by all of the parties. The agreement- Agreement-in-Principle, the parties are in-principle sets out the structure of the actively working towards the timely Inuvialuit Government, an exclusive conclusion of a final Inuvialuit Aboriginal selfgovernment that will serve selfgovernment agreement. Page 20 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 and represent Inuvialuit citizens and like to ask the Minister: what is the deliver government programs and status of work towards building a fire services to Inuvialuit in the Western break in Fort McPherson? Thank you, Arctic region. Mr. Speaker. MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. MR. SPEAKER: Minister of Member for Nunakput. Environment and Natural Resources. MR. NAKIMAYAK: Thank you, Mr. HON. WALLY SCHUMANN: Thank Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my final question you, Mr. Speaker. I would have to look is: how do the agreement-in-principle into that particular community for the and current negotiations uphold the Member and get back to him on what United Nations Declaration of Rights of the status is for the Fort McPherson fire Indigenous Peoples? Quyanainni, Mr. break. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker. MR. BLAKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. HON. BOB MCLEOD: Mr. Speaker, as I Mr. Speaker, you know the latest said earlier this week, the successful NWTAC's meeting as well, they're in full conclusion of modern treaties and support of preparing all our communities selfgovernment agreements can be for with fire breaks and doing their part seen as the ultimate expression of free as well. I'd also like to ask the Minister: prior and informed consent among Tsiigehtchic's 2010 community wildland partners. The Government of Canada's fire protection plan recommends a recent adoption of the United Nations building of a new break. What is the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous status of that project as well? Peoples is an encouraging and tangible demonstration of the federal HON. WALLY SCHUMANN: Thank government's renewed commitment to you, Mr. Speaker, and same with that Canada's Aboriginal people. particular one. Wildland fire protection plans are a shared responsibility in MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. Northwest Territories. They are jointly Member for Mackenzie Delta. with the Department of Municipal… MACA, ENR, and also the local QUESTION 156-18(2): community governments, so I'll have to COMMUNITY WILDLAND FIRE confer with my colleague and see what PROTECTION PLANS the status is on that and with the local government. MR. BLAKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are a follow MR. BLAKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. up to my Member’s statement for the Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to thank the Minister of Environment and Natural department for reinstating the fire crew Resources. As I mentioned in my in Tsiigehtchic. It was out of commission Member statement, in 2014, the for a few years. It started last year, but community of Fort McPherson put in a people are working there once again, proposal for the fire break for the and I would like to thank them. I would community, as it is in the approval also like to ask the Minister, how is the process. Then the NWT was hit with department using this unusual quiet recordbreaking fires that year. I would June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 21 month to prepare the rest of the fire Minister of Municipal and Community season? Affairs did a Minister's statement about the Federal Infrastructure Funding HON. WALLY SCHUMANN: We have Program for the NWT community ongoing efforts to train and maintain our governments. It was great to hear the equipment and personnel for the fire department was able to access the season, so it's an ongoing effort that is small community funds which is part of continually working throughout the the New Building Canada Plan: seasons. Like I said in my Minister's Provincial- Territorial Infrastructure statement earlier today, we have taken Component. Mr. Speaker, thank God, the opportunity to send a number of our lots of words, can the Minister please personnel to Alberta to help in their provide this House on what the wildfire season, so it's a significant definition of a small community is contribution that the Government of the according to the New Building Canada Northwest Territories has done to help Plan: Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Alberta. We continue to work on them Component? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. on a daily basis. MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Minister of MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. Municipal and Community Affairs. Member for Mackenzie Delta. HON. ROBERT MCLEOD: Thank you, MR. BLAKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I Mr. Speaker. You know there are seven would like to ask the Minister: will the of us over here, right? Mr. Speaker, the community of Fort McPherson have to definition of a small community, as submit another proposal or will the defined by the federal government department just act on the proposal that under the Provincial-Territorial they had in 2014? Thank you, Mr. Infrastructure Component and Small Speaker. Communities Fund, is communities with HON. WALLY SCHUMANN: Thank a population of under $100,000… or you, Mr. Speaker. As I have stated 100,000 people. Thank you. earlier, I will have to confer with MACA MR. THOMPSON: I was getting excited, and the local government to see where there. $100,000, I don't think we could we are at on that process and have a afford to use this program at all. I thank look at it. the Minister for that answer. As a federal MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. program, there is a cost-sharing Member for Nahendeh. component to access them. Can the Minister provide the House with: what is QUESTION 157-18(2): the cost-share for this program in the SMALL COMMUNITY FUNDING communities and/or GNWT? IN NEW BUILD CANADA PLAN HON. ROBERT MCLEOD: I will just MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. clarify it's 100,000 people, not dollars, Speaker. I should ask this question to and the federal portion cannot exceed the Minister of ENR, but I'll address it to 75 per cent. Thank you. the Minister of Municipal and MR. THOMPSON: The federal Community Affairs. Yesterday the component, 75 per cent, I would like to Page 22 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 ask the Minister, what is the on a case-by-case basis, MACA can communities' share and/or the GNWT's provide advice through helping share? communities hire project managers, reviewing designs with them, and RFPs, HON. ROBERT MCLEOD: My and then the regional managers of apologies. The federal portion cannot capital planning will also help exceed 75 per cent. The communities' communities complete their quarterly share would obviously then be 25 per reports and claim forms. We provide a cent, but what a lot of communities will lot of assistance to the communities, use is the money that we give them to and they are very appreciative of that. I leverage a lot of the federal funding. We always like to say, at the end of the day, give out $28 million to communities to the final decision, the ultimate decision, help with their infrastructure, so they are is the communities to make, and we will able to use that to leverage. That's their support them in any way that we can. 25 per cent to leverage the other 75 per Thank you, Mr. Speaker. cent from the federal government. MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Member for Nahendeh. MR. THOMPSON: Mr. Speaker, I know QUESTION 158-18(2): that he's my favourite Minister. It seems ABORIGINAL REPRESENTATION this week I seem to be asking him a lot IN GNWT PUBLIC SERVICE of the questions. Next week, I'll find MR. BEAULIEU: Thank you, Mr. another one, maybe. Well, finance is Speaker. Today in my Member's next week, too. Sorry, he'll be back. statement I talked about the Priority 1 ---Laughter candidates in the GNWT, or employees in the GNWT. I would like to ask the In the Minister's statement, he spoke Minister of Human Resources, would about how Municipal and Community the Minister reexamine all the programs, Affairs will issue a call for the funding policies, and initiatives that are designed applications in the coming weeks and to increase the number of Priority 1 will support community governance employees in the GNWT to ensure their through the Canada application and efficiency? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. approval process. Can the Minister please explain what the department MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Minister of means by supporting community Human Resources. governance with this process? Thank HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, you. Mr. Speaker. Before I get to the HON. ROBERT MCLEOD: We provide question, I would like to just correct an support to the communities in a number answer that I made yesterday. I said of different ways. We help them with yesterday there was about 32 per cent completing applications for the small Aboriginal representation in the public community funding from co-ordinated service. Today currently we're actually work between our regional staff and at 30.8, so it's actually less than I had headquarters staff. For larger projects, indicated previously. I've been with the Department of Human Resources now June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 23 for about six months, and I have actually exact right term, and then try to give that already directed the department to begin committee a greater role in ensuring that looking at a number of the programs the Priority 1 candidates continue to that are available. For example, the increase in the GNWT. I think that's a Aboriginal Management Development very good committee, so I'd like to ask Program is targeted at senior the Minister if he's prepared to give a management in the public service, but greater role to that committee. we know there are a lot of individuals, Aboriginal individuals, at lower levels HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: The who want to transition up but going from Aboriginal Employees Advisory an officer level to a manager level may Committee is made up of Aboriginal not be appropriate. I've already asked, employees of the GNWT, and their role or rather directed, them to begin work is to provide some guidance and advice on seeing how we can broaden those to the Minister and the department on programs out to meet our needs. I've how to have a more responsive system, also directed the department to do some a system that is hiring more Aboriginal research for me on the effects of people, where appropriate. I do believe affirmative action since it came into they have a pretty solid role; I think place. Have we actually got any results they're doing some good work. As we by having an affirmative action program move forward and get some of the that is more passive and based on hiring statistical information and have a better as opposed to something that is more sense of where we are and how we active? I've already asked the have actually responded over time, I will department to begin that research, and have a conversation with committee and once I get that information, I'd love an we can talk about the advisory opportunity to sit down with committee committee and whether or not its role is and go through some of the details. We appropriate or not, but I think we need to have a number of programs out there do a little bit more work first and have a that are available where affirmative discussion with committee before we action applies, such as regional make any of those types of decisions. recruitment, the corrections training. MR. BEAULIEU: I recognize that the Some departments are doing some very Minister of Human Resources is not specific things. We are looking at these solely responsible for the Affirmative programs and, once we got more data, Action Policy. I would like to know if the as I said, I'd love to sit down with Minister is prepared to have a regular committee and have a heart-to-heart on role, maybe during committee or how we can move forward to improve anything, on a regular basis conferring the results around affirmative action in with other Ministers of other our government. departments to ensure that each MR. BEAULIEU: I'd like to thank the department has a human resources plan Minister for that response. I would like to that also has the contents of what is know if the Minister is prepared to needed in order to increase Priority 1 reexamine the role of the advisory hires in the GNWT. Thank you. committee on aboriginal employment in HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: This is a the GNWT, I don't know if that is the conversation we do have at the Cabinet Page 24 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 table. I regularly share the information HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: We do on where we are with respect to have the strategic plan, the 20/20, for affirmative action. That information is the Government of the Northwest available to the Ministers by department. Territories, which is focused on building I also continually push the different a public service that is responsive, programs and opportunities available to respectful, but also representative of the the individual departments, like the population we serve. I will commit to Regional Recruitment Program and working with each of the departments to things like the geographical hiring for try to find priorities and activities we can non-statutory jobs. I am happy to do within the individual departments. As continue to push this as a priority. I'm far as individual human resources plans, happy to help move this government I believe much of that work is already towards a public service that represents begun, or has existed in the past. We the population that it serves. We do will look to see if we can revitalize any of have challenges, Mr. Speaker. There that, but also need to focus in on: what are some departments that are doing is it really going to take to develop a better than others. There are some workforce that is representative of the departments that are doing worse than population? Our workforce isn't currently others. Some departments have a representative of the population. I think significant number of statutory the number of individuals who identify requirement positions where they need themselves in the workforce is not 50 or individuals with specific skills, which is 51 per cent Aboriginal. I think, once why we must work closely with again, we really need to work closely Education, Culture and Employment. with Education, Culture and The initiative that Education, Culture Employment, target those jobs that are and Employment is currently pursuing, out there, and move forward with Skills Skills 4 Success, will help us focus in on 4 Success, and the government has to the types of jobs that we need to train be a partner. We are a partner on Skills and work towards. I think it needs to be 4 Success, which will help us develop a partnership between education as well the workforce and improve our rates as all the departments. I know the here in the Government of the departments and the Ministers are Northwest Territories. eager to have a representative workforce as well, so we are working on MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. those things. Member for Yellowknife Centre. MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. QUESTION 159-18(2): Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. PRESCRIPTION DRUG MONITORING PROGRAM MR. BEAULIEU: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask if the MS. GREEN: Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My Minister would consider developing a questions are for the Minister of Health new strategy for increasing Priority 1 and Social Services. Can the Minister employees across the GNWT public tell us the status of the development of service, including the development of a the prescription drug monitoring human resources plan by each program and when we might expect to department. Thank you. see a recommendation that could be June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 25 shared with the social development works across the territory? To have their committee? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. buy-in, not just the technology. MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Minister of HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: As I Health and Social Services. indicated, at this time we don't actually have any recommendations from the HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, committee. The membership on that Mr. Speaker. We have developed a steering committee does include the steering committee, as the Member NWT Pharmacy Association, and we mentioned in her Member's statement, already collaborate with pharmacists to review options around prescription across the territories on a number of drug monitoring, and we've asked them initiatives. They are a critical and a key to come back with recommendations on component to making this a reality here best approaches that would be in the Northwest Territories. We will appropriate here in the Northwest continue to consult and work in Territories. We do know that the most collaboration with the pharmacies effective monitoring method needs to be across the Northwest Territories to consistent with the department's ensure that a program, when it is put in emerging suite of e-Health tools, such place, is both effective, efficient, and as electronic medical records. At this responsive to the needs of both time, there have not been any final clinicians, pharmacists, and most recommendations provided by the importantly the patients. committee on how to improve or implement a prescription drug MS. GREEN: Mr. Minister, this question monitoring program. However, it is still has to do with the project rolling forward. our intent, and we are still moving Obviously there will be a presentation of forward with that work to help curb plans when those are available, and I'm prescription drug abuse here in the wondering if there's any chance we can Northwest Territories and help us see them in the coming year's budget. advance the design of a monitoring program. However, given our current HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: The budget fiscal environment, it's not possible to is before the House. We are going state with any certainty when this will be through the budget. Hopefully we'll do able to move forward, but we are Health and Social Services in the next committed to moving forward and we couple of days. There is no money for are committed to getting that work done. the implementation of a prescription Thank you, Mr. Speaker. drug monitoring program in this budget, but we do have the steering committee. MS. GREEN: Thanks to the Minister for We do fund the work they're doing within that answer. I appreciate that the existing resources, and that work is electronic component is a significant going to continue. We are still moving dimension of this program. Can the forward; we are still quantifying what a Minister give us a brief description of prescription drug monitoring program how the linkage to the pharmacies will cost. We are looking at how to across the territory would be achieved incorporate e-Health and electronic and how we will partner with the medical records, and we are working pharmacists in ensuring that the system with pharmacies to find out how we're Page 26 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 going to make that linkage with them to provide us advice and guidance on that. make sure that the information is readily We will cost it out, and we are working available but not contravening things closely with the Pharmacy Association. like the Health Information Act. Unfortunately, as I've said, given our current fiscal environment, I'm not in a MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. position where I can actually say when Member for Yellowknife Centre. we will be able to roll that out. Needless MS. GREEN: Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My to say, though, we are still doing the last question deals with amalgamating work so that we can have a business this initiative into the work of the new case to present and discuss when single territorial board. Can the Minister appropriate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. comment on whether, and how, the MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. creation of the new board will affect Member for Sahtu. delivery of the electronic medical records system? Thank you. QUESTION 160-18(2): COLVILLE HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Moving to a LAKE SOLAR POWER PILOT single authority should actually help us PROJECT move this forward in a quicker manner MR. MCNEELY: Thank you, Mr. because we will be able to work as a Speaker. As mentioned in my Member's system as opposed to a fragmented statement, my question is directed to the group of authorities. With respect to Minister of the NWT Power Corporation planning for the system-wide EMR, it with respect to the pilot project that is, I began years ago and implementation is would probably say, completed and well under way. Four authorities are producing results here in the community currently using the EMR, representing a of Colville Lake. As you know, it's a significant portion of the NWT small-populated community similar to a populations; that's Yellowknife, Hay few others in our NWT area. Visualizing River, and Fort Smith, and system-wide and seeing the results, having spent a resources have already been identified couple of years in my growing up days to help move that forward. We are there and seeing and reading by candle hoping in 2016-17 to bring the Tulita, light now to solar powered-generated Sahtu, Deh Cho, and Beaufort-Delta in LED light bulbs is really a vast and as well. This is a huge step for us and significant change here and contribution this is an ability for those involved in a should be given to the previous circle of care of individuals to actually Assembly in doing so. My question see the records, so that individuals will today is, after realizing the repeated know what has been prescribed for an benefits, are those benefits going to be individual as long as they are in the reviewed and applied to other similar circle of care so that they don't over- communities of that size? Thank you, prescribe. It doesn't link in the Mr. Speaker. pharmacies, which is a key component of the prescription drug monitoring MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Minister program. That is something that we responsible for Northwest Territories need to do as well, and as I've indicated, Power Corporation. the steering committee is going to June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 27

HON. LOUIS SEBERT: Mr. Speaker, I the corporation, that's an additional was very pleased to attend with the benefit as well. Are we going to see Premier, several weeks ago, and other those benefits passed on to the staff from the Power Corporation and consumer or customer, and are they government officials, at the opening of going to realize in seeing that benefit on the solar battery diesel plant, grand a monthly-end bill? opening, official opening, in Colville Lake. There is a Solar Energy Strategy HON. LOUIS SEBERT: The prime that the Government rolled out in 2012, I objective of the Power Corporation is to believe, and so we are committed to supply customers with safe, reliable, looking at other projects. It appears that cost-effective energy. As part of this, we there will always be a need, obviously, are rolling out other projects that will in view of where we live to have a assist in us arriving at that end. I will combination of supplies, if I can put it say, though, at least initially, that often that way, of perhaps diesel, or including solar projects are quite expensive and diesel, but we wish to, in particular, look do not result in an immediate reduction at the diesel communities and hopefully in the amounts that people see at the replace them with solar alternatives to end-of-month bills. But there are other as high an extent as we can. There are benefits to solar. It reduces the expenses involved. The plant in Colville emissions that go into the atmosphere, Lake was not cheap, but it also built so again, the Power Corporation is capacity for the Power Corporation intent on delivering power, whether it's going forward. diesel or other means, at the cheapest possible price that we can, and MR. MCNEELY: My second question is: hopefully we will be able to pass what other communities are on the list benefits on to the ultimate customers. I on a move-forward basis? don't see that reflected in bills in the immediate future. Thank you, Mr. HON. LOUIS SEBERT: We are, of Speaker. course, as I mentioned previously looking at replacing diesel so that we MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. are looking at the thermal communities. Member for Frame Lake. I could perhaps undertake to provide a list of communities that we're looking at QUESTION 161-18(2): in the future. I don't have that list in front ANNUAL INCREASE TO INCOME of me now. ASSISTANCE BENEFITS MR. MCNEELY: With the savings that MR. O'REILLY: Mahsi. We've put one of we are realizing and seeing here, is the the Ministers at the end of the row to Power Corporation going to pass that work today, and I'd like to work with the savings on to the ratepayer or the other Minister opposite at the end of the customer? In addition to seeing the row. Earlier today I did commend the benefits that are being created by solar government for the changes that they've power in the small community of Colville made to income assistance, but I'd like then applied to the other communities to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and the recent reduction and and Employment whether income restructuring of the board of directors of Page 28 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 assistance payments were increased or reviewing our programs and services to not on April 1, 2016, and why. make sure that they meet the basic needs of our clients in the Northwest MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Minister of Territories. Currently about 15 per cent Education, Culture and Employment. of our department's budget is actually on HON. ALFRED MOSES: Thank you, income assistance. In 2014-15, we had Mr. Speaker. No, the income assistance over about 3,323 families on income was not increased on April 1, 2016. assistance. With the low economic However, they were increased on April downturn throughout the Northwest 1, 2015. The reason we didn't look at Territories, it is increasing and on the increase was, obviously, there was a occasion we do bring supplementary federal announcement of the child appropriations before the House for benefits and we wanted to look at our approval to offset some of those costs. regulations. The Member stated it very As I mentioned to the Member, the well in his Member's statement on why Northwest Territories, Yukon, and we were looking at delaying any type of Nunavut have created a northern market increases. Currently the GNWT does basket measure which was finalized in have a northern market basket 2014. We do base that on when we measure. We worked with the were reforming or changing the level of Governments of Yukon and Nunavut to benefits available from the income create this. All other jurisdictions across assistance programs. Last time it was Canada have a market basket measure done was April 1, 2015, and as I said, that represents a modest basic standard the department is always looking at of living in which they represent their reviewing our programs and services. income assistance. We've created one MR. O'REILLY: I want to thank the in 2014 for the northern territories, but Minister for helping me make the case that was the reason the federal for indexing of income assistance government did make an announcement payments. I'm wondering, though, if he with the federal child benefit and we're could commit to looking at this issue looking at how we can benefit from that, within the next year and bringing that and we are currently going through our back to the appropriate committee. regulations and changes right now. HON. ALFRED MOSES: The Member MR. O'REILLY: I thank the Minister for did bring up these questions during his response and the efforts that his business plans. We did direct the department is making, although I don't department to look at what other believe that an annual increase in jurisdictions are doing from 2014. The income assistance necessarily should Member did mention that Yukon is doing have been linked to things that were something similar, so we will look into happening with other governments and what Nunavut and Yukon are doing in sorting out things at our end. I'd like to terms of indexing to the cost of living. I ask the Minister if he is prepared to look think our northern market basket into the issue of indexing income measure is effective when we are assistance payments to cost of living. reviewing our programs, but we will see HON. ALFRED MOSES: Yes. The what Yukon and Nunavut are doing and department is always looking at June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 29 if they are in fact indexing their income QUESTION 162-18(2): assistance and programs. OPPORTUNITIES FOR FIRST NATION LAND SURVEYORS MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake. MR. NADLI: Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I spoke about young people working as MR. O'REILLY: Mahsi. I do appreciate surveyors, and these young people had the Minister's commitment on that and I a very great opportunity in the early look forward to sitting in on the stages of their careers in working with committee work on that particular issue. mentors that help refine their careers I do note, though, that we have a and their work as surveyors. My number of other income support questions today are for the Minister of systems in place where payments are Lands. Could the Minister provide some made to families and individuals. I'm examples of survey work that is wondering if the Minister could commit currently taking place in the NWT? to review whether we should be Mahsi. incorporating indexing into all of those programs as well. Thank you, Mr. MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Minister of Speaker. Lands. HON. ALFRED MOSES: Obviously as HON. ROBERT MCLEOD: Thank you, our Minister of Finance said, the best Mr. Speaker. I don't have any ones off social program is a job, having job the top of my head. I mean, I will follow creation. One thing that our department up on that and see if there is work that is has done was create five positions, ongoing right now, but I take the employment transition officers, and I Member's point and I appreciate his think it's the first year that they've gone comments about trying to get our young through it. We're trying to get people out people interested in the trades, of income assistance and relying on surveying and community property government and getting to the job assessment and that. It's a thought that workforce, and it's been very successful we've shared, and if we can encourage so far. We're hoping to continue to our young people to take those types of support people getting into employment. training, then there could be some In terms of bringing income assistance, opportunities available for them. we are going to be going through an income assistance review and how we MR. NADLI: I'm glad the Minister didn't work through those, and we will be go on an obtuse tangent, but he obviously taking the information from committed to the idea of the point. standing committee and I look forward Would the Minister agree or commit to to our discussions moving forward. work with the Department of Municipal Thank you, Mr. Speaker. and Community Affairs, municipalities, and other departments as required to MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. find meaningful ways to recognize the Member for Deh Cho. work of First Nations surveyors in building our current communities? Mahsi. Page 30 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016

HON. ROBERT MCLEOD: I'll refrain land can enhance future professional from going on another tangent that the skills? Member speaks of. I will be very diplomatic in my answers. Mr. Speaker, HON. ROBERT MCLEOD: We started could I ask the Member to repeat that the process during this exchange, where question please? we're promoting trying to get those interested in surveying to take up the ---Laughter trade. I think one of the first things we do is have to identify where some of our MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. needs are for training. If we can identify Member for Deh Cho. those, and if there are opportunities for MR. NADLI: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I us to put some training programs think that was a 360. Would the Minister together, work with Education, work with agree to work with the Department of the School of Community Government Municipal and Community Affairs, and try to get some opportunities municipalities, and other departments as available. But I think, with the exchange required to find meaningful ways to we just had today, that's a good start in recognize the work of First Nations promoting the desire to get our people surveyors in building our current interested in the trade, and that way communities? Mahsi. they would have a fairly good occupation where there always seems HON. ROBERT MCLEOD: I could have to be a demand for that type of trade. just said yes in answer to his question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will work with the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. We all MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. know that he can be difficult to work with Member for Hay River North. sometimes, but I will commit to working with him and seeing what kind of QUESTION 163-18(2): ACCESS TO opportunities we can put together for FEDERAL FUNDING FOR people. I have been looking through a HOMELESSNESS PROGRAMS number of courses offered through other MR. SIMPSON: Thank you, Mr. institutions and looking at what the Speaker. Yesterday the Minister requirements are, and there is no responsible for Addressing reason why we can't maybe look at Homelessness announced various making some of those opportunities funding commitments related to the available here. Again, the first part of it $16.6 million in federal funding this is to try to get our people across the government has received for housing. I Northwest Territories interested in this have questions for her related to those type of occupation. There will be announcements. Like the rest of the opportunities for them. territory, Hay River has a growing MR. NADLI: I'd like to thank the Minister problem with homelessness. Since Hay for his reply. What is the Department of River does not have an emergency Lands prepared to do in terms of shelter, are we ineligible for any of the promoting careers in surveying and $600,000 that was announced geomatics among First Nations youth, yesterday for semi-independent housing highlighting how spending time on the June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 31 units within emergency shelters? Thank definition of “small community,” thereby you, Mr. Speaker. making it eligible to receive some of the benefits of the $1.2 million being put MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Minister towards single units to address small responsible for Homelessness. community homelessness that was HON. CAROLINE COCHRANE: Thank announced yesterday? you, Mr. Speaker. Homelessness is a HON. CAROLINE COCHRANE: serious issue within the whole Anything outside of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and it’s a priority th actually, meets the definition of “small of the 18 Legislative Assembly and a communities.” There are some projects personal issue for myself, a professional that we're doing. There are things issue, so I am committed to addressing already in place, the Northern Pathways homelessness during my tenure here. to Housing; the Small Community The $600,000 specifically, though, is to Homelessness Fund which gives food, work with the resident or the homeless et cetera; transitional supportive shelters within the Yellowknife area housing; public housing, everybody's because of the need, the amount of aware of; Homelessness Assistance homeless people in the community. Fund. Then the Small Community Once that is finished, then we would be Homelessness Fund, like I say, provides looking to work within the other mostly meals, foods, and you can get, in communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. the south it's up to $10,000 and in the MR. SIMPSON: I understand that northern regions it's up to $15,000. Yellowknife is almost a magnet MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. community for homelessness, so I Member for Hay River North. understand there is a great need here. Could the Minister elaborate on the MR. SIMPSON: Thank you, Mr. $750,000 thirdparty social housing, the Speaker. Finally, I would just like to ask money going to social housing, who in the department is working within thirdparty social housing providers? Hay River to develop a plan for Who are these providers and what type homelessness, to address of social housing are they providing, and homelessness in Hay River. I'd like to be is there any of that in Hay River? of any assistance I can. I'd like to offer that to the Minister. Thank you, Mr. HON. CAROLINE COCHRANE: I can't Speaker. say directly if there's any in Hay River. I will get back to the Member on that HON. CAROLINE COCHRANE: My question. My background is in awareness, right now in Hay River we're Yellowknife, so thirdparty housing working with the Small Community providers are things like Rock Hill or the Homelessness Fund in providing Bailey House or Lynn's Place places, support to the Hay River Soup Kitchen, that provide social housing to the the Hay River committee for people with communities and that we support them disabilities and the Family Support as well. Centre. As I said, once we have been strategic in what we're doing in the MR. SIMPSON: I'd like to know: does capital area, then we'll be reaching out Hay River meet the department's to the communities. One thing I should Page 32 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 have said also is that we are building MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Tabling of small units within other communities in documents. Item 16, notices of motion. the North, so we're not only focusing on Item 17, notices of motion of first Yellowknife. We are taking a holistic reading of bills. Item 18, motions. Item approach. 19, first reading of bills. Item 20, second reading of bills. Item 21, consideration in MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Oral questions. Committee of the Whole of bills and Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns other matters with Member for Hay to written questions. Item 10, replies to River North in the chair. Commissioner's opening address. Item 11, replies to budget address, day 3 of Consideration in Committee of the Whole of 7. Item 12, petitions. Item 13, reports of Bills and Other Matters standing and special committee. Item 14, reports of committees on the review MR. SIMPSON: I now call Committee of of bills. Item 15, tabling of documents. the Whole to order. Mr. Beaulieu, what Minister of Justice. is the wish of committee?

Tabling of Documents MR. BEAULIEU: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, committee TABLED DOCUMENT 54-18(2): wishes to continue their consideration of NWT OFFICE OF THE the mains with the Department of REGULATOR OF OIL AND GAS Human Resources today. OPERATIONS ANNUAL CHAIRPERSON (Mr. Simpson): Are REPORT, 20152016 we agreed? HON. LOUIS SEBERT: Yes, Mr. SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled “NWT Office of the CHAIRPERSON (Mr. Simpson): We've Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations agreed to consider Tabled Document Annual Report 201516.” Thank you, Mr. 5018(2), Main Estimates, 20162017, Speaker. and we've agreed to begin consideration of the Department of Human Resources. MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Tabling of I'll turn to the Minister responsible for the documents. Member for Yellowknife department for opening comments, Centre. Minister Abernethy. TABLED DOCUMENT 55-18(2): HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, UNW ELECTRONIC PETITION Mr. Chair. I'm pleased to present the RESULTS - UNW PEOPLE’S 20162017 main estimates for the PETITION – BUDGET 2016 Department of Human Resources, and I'll do my best to keep my remarks brief. MS. GREEN: Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Overall, the department's estimates Speaker, I'd like to file a document propose a decrease of $680,000, which called “UNW Electronic Petition is about 2.8 per cent below the 201516 Results.” This petition did not meet the main estimates. These estimates limit standards to be submitted as a petition, nonprogram related expenditures and so I'm submitting it as a document. continue to support the longterm Thank you. sustainability of the fiscal framework. In June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 33 our role as a corporate service provider, CHAIRPERSON (Mr. Simpson): Thank $4.5 million or about 19 per cent of the you, Minister Abernethy. Would you like department's 201617 funding, is to bring witnesses into the Chamber? allocated for direct support to departments and agencies through HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, programs to address hiring, Mr. Chair. Usually we do take a break, development, and wellbeing of GNWT so my witnesses aren't here. I'm happy employees. to take the table and begin the discussions until the witnesses do Highlights of the proposed estimates arrive. include: CHAIRPERSON (Mr. Simpson): Thank  a reduction in compensation and you, Mr. Abernethy. What we can do is benefits due to the elimination of just take a break and then, when the three positions; witnesses arrive, we can continue.  a reduction in nonprogram related ---SHORT RECESS contracts. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank The Department of Human Resources you, Members. I would like to call the continues to provide leadership, Committee of the Whole to order. To direction, and support to the GNWT in start off with, thank you Mr. Minister. all areas of human resource Would you like to bring witnesses into management, which ultimately helps to the Chamber? facilitate the achievement of government HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, priorities by all departments. This Mr. Chair, I would. includes: CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank  modernizing legislation and policy for you, Mr. Minister. Sergeant-at-Arms, the GNWT as it relates to the could you please escort the witnesses management of the public service; into the Chamber, please. Would the and Minister please introduce his witnesses.  offering effective recruitment, HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, development, and retention of staff Mr. Chair. On my left is Bronwyn through quality GNWTwide Watters, who is the deputy minister of programs, services, and advice, Human Resources, and on my right, including working towards a truly Michelle Simpson, who is the director of representative, inclusive workforce; corporate affairs. and CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): We will  leading the governmentwide now proceed to consider the detail for initiatives for occupational health and the Department of Human Resources. I safety. will move on to this one. We will defer Thank you, Mr. Chair. That does departmental summary and review the conclude my opening remarks. estimates by activity summary, beginning at page 210. Human Resources, active position summary, Page 34 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 information item, do we have any CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): questions? Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Minister. MR. O’REILLY: Thanks, Mr. Chair. I HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, think this is the right section. I'm just Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, this is a significant wondering if our witnesses can tell us piece of legislation requiring a significant what's happening with safe disclosure amount of work. It will be done in the life legislation, which is also known as of this government. We don't anticipate whistleblower protection. Thanks, getting it in front of the House until 2018, Mr. Chair. which will allow us the time required to get this act into a modern state. In the CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): meantime, with respect to safe Thanks, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Minister. disclosure, we do have the safe HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, disclosure policy that was designed in Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, we do have a safe cooperation with UNW for individuals disclosure policy in place that was who wish to disclose information or have negotiated with the UNW, and they are concerns about things they see within part of the review committee on that. the public service, so 2018. When that agreement was put in place, CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank we did indicate that we were going to you, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly. move forward with some safe disclosure legislation here in the Northwest MR. O'REILLY: Thanks, Mr. Chair. We'll Territories. We did not move forward look forward to that in 2018. I had one with that in the last government. We other matter I wanted to pursue. It's the were monitoring the effectiveness of the Safe Advantage program, which I think safe disclosure policy that we did put in is run through our Workers' Safety and place, and we had very, very few Compensation Commission. I think, individuals who actually took up and overall, GNWT has had some problems utilized that policy. It doesn't mean we with our compliance and ratings and don't need the legislation, and what we have had to pay a number of fines in the are doing moving forward is we are past as a result of, I guess, our not very incorporating the safe disclosure good performance. What kind of legislation within the new Public Service assurance can the Minister provide? Or Act which is being worked on currently tell us what's happening in terms of the in the Department of Human Resources. Safe Advantage program. Thanks, It will all be part of one act as opposed Mr. Chair. to two separate acts. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): you, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Minister. Mr. O'Reilly. HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, MR. O’REILLY: Thanks, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, we are committed When can we expect to see the to a safe workplace for all of our staff. amendments to the Public Service Act Our people are our most valuable asset, come forward? Thanks, Mr. Chair. and we need to make sure that they are working in safe environments. To that end, the Department of Human June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 35

Resources does provide assistance to through this evaluation. Can the Minister all the departments who have commit to provide that report to the established individual occupational House? Thanks, Mr. Chair. health and safety committees throughout most of the work sites and CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank most of the departments through the you, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Minister. GNWT, most of the departments, not HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, necessarily every work site. I can tell Mr. Chair. Yes, we do get a report and a you that through the Safe Advantage summary from the WSCC, who is program there have been years where administering the Safe Advantage we have got fines. There was, when the program. I can say that this year we program was first put in place, we got actually did pretty good with respect to fined a number of years in a row. The our results. We compiled its March fines are dependent on a couple of 201516 management questionnaire and things. They are dependent on our submitted a response: 92 per cent on claims history over a given year. They part one and 100 per cent on part two. are dependent upon how we respond to We did pretty good and we did all right a questionnaire that is provided to us, on the interview, which resulted in no and our claims history, and then also a fine. We will provide the report, when we site visit or a telephone call to a location. get it, to committee. I can tell you that for this year we have passed, and there is no claim or no fine CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank going to be levelled against the you, Mr. Minister. Mr. O'Reilly. Government of the Northwest MR. O'REILLY: Mr. Chair, I think it's Territories. I believe last year we were good that the report will be provided to also fine free. But we have had years committee, but I guess I'm hoping that where we have been fined, and this is the Minister will commit to table the something that the Department of document in the House. I think we want Human Resources as well as every to show that we're leading by example, other department in the Government of so I'd ask if he could table the report in the Northwest Territories must stay on the House. Thanks, Mr. Chair. top of, must ensure that we do have the safe work sites that we want for our CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Mr. employees. Minister. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, you, Mr. Minister. Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, before I commit to tabling that document, I would like to MR. O'REILLY: Thanks, Mr. Chair. obviously talk to the Minister responsible That's certainly good news to hear that for the WSCC. It's really their report to we passed this year and that there were table, but given that our information's in no fines because, of course, as we want there I will certainly have a conversation to set a good example as one of the with the Minister responsible for the main employers in the Northwest WSCC. Territories and particularly as a public government. I presume that there's CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank some sort of report that will come you, Mr. Minister. Any further questions? Page 36 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016

I see none. Human Resources, CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank directorate, operations expenditures you. Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister. summary, activity total, $4,547,000 on page 212. Agreed? HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, Mr. Chair. If you look onto page 213 SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. you'll also notice that there's a position reduction within the directorate, and one CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Mr. of the positions that was eliminated was Thompson? the assistant deputy minister of Human MR. THOMPSON: Thank you. I guess Resources. Some of those costs are everybody wants to agree to get out of directly related to the reduction of that here earlier. position. ---Laughter CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson. Sorry, I must apologize to the Minister. I have a few questions on this page. MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. Policies and communications, you didn't Chair. In regards to the expenditure have any money at all in the last two category, computer hardware and fiscal years, but you have a $975,000 software, you only have $6,000 in that increase in this. Can you explain the area, and there's $105,000 the previous rationale to this please? year, so we're not expecting any upgrades or new computers or anything CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank like that? Thank you, Mr. Chair. you, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Minister. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister. Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, in complying with the information required in these HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, different main estimates, we have done Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, for the specifics on some reorganization to try and make that detail I will go to Michelle, or Ms. things a little bit more clear. You'll notice Simpson, my apologies. that the corporate affairs line was CHAIRPERSON (Ms. McNeely): Thank significantly larger in previous years. We you, Mr. Minister. Ms. Simpson. have done some reorganization to make it a little bit more effective and a little bit MS. SIMPSON: Thank you, Mr. Chair. more clear. That $975,000 was in that In previous years, the department was area previously in corporate affairs. totally evergreened and all of our systems are up to date, so funds were CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank internally reallocated this year to cover you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson. compensation and benefits because the MR. THOMPSON: Thank you. evergreening for all of the computer Directorate, there was a $231,000 systems was done in previous years. decrease in it. Was that also part of the Thank you, Mr. Chair. policy and communication or was some CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank savings elsewhere? Thank you, Mr. you, Ms. Simpson. Mr. Thompson. Chair. June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 37

MR. THOMPSON: My last question MR. THOMPSON: Thank you. potentially on this page. I notice in travel more than 50 per cent is cut, so could CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): No they explain what the reduction in travel further questions. Calling Human is and how this cost-saving measure is Resources, directorate, operations going to be implemented. Thank you, expenditure summary, activity total, Mr. Chair. $4,547,000. Agreed? CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, Moving onto page 213, Human Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the budget in the Resources, directorate, active positions, area was reduced to reflect historical information item. Any questions? Mr. expenditures, what we actually spend in Thompson, go ahead. that area. Thank you, Mr. Chair. MR. THOMPSON: I agree to ask a CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank question. The Ministers talked about the you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson. assistant deputy minister being removed, was this part of the cost MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. reductions or is this part of retirement or Chair. I guess then historical, but the what was it? Was it planned or not head increase was $86,000 previous planned? Thank you, Mr. Chair. years, revised and main, so how is it historical if this was the main… like the CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank budget? Just I'm a little confused in this you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister. matter. Thank you, Mr. Chair. HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the elimination of you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister. that position is part of the reduction exercise. The position was vacant and HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, has been vacant for some time. Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I'm not sure what the rationale was for the increase in the CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank main estimates in 2015-16. We'll have to you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson. go to Michelle for some detail on that. MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. But what I was indicating is we've Chair. reduced the amount to what we actually spend and traditionally spend over time CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Any in this particular area. We may have had further questions? Mr. Vanthuyne. a spike in one year. I'm not sure what MR. VANTHUYNE: Thank you, Mr. the rationale was there, I wasn't around Chair. As it was in directorate and it at that time, but our traditional appears to be here in labour relations, expenditures, what we actually spend, is over the last couple of years there about $35,000. seems to be an increase in contract CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank services and just quickly jumping ahead you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson. in management recruitment services, there seems to be a significant increase Page 38 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 under contract services. I wonder if the CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Minister can please give an explanation Agreed. Mr. Thompson. to the House as to why the department's overall contract services appear to be MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. going up and maybe we can get a Chair. I agree to ask more questions. In description on what Human Resources regards to your fees and payments, I requires contract services for. Thank notice a reduction, almost a 60 per cent you. reduction, in your amount of money here. What is the rationale for that? CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Mr. Minister. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister. HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, if we were to take HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, the main estimates and spread them out Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the fees and over a long period of time, you would payments program management budget notice in the Department of Human were re-profiled to support increased Resources in this particular area every compensation and benefits, so you'll see four years or so you'll see an increase in a slight increase in that area. There was the amount of contract services. It is also a decrease to the budget which directly related to collective bargaining. reflects the historical expenditures once The Government of Northwest again what we're budgeted for Territories is currently involved in a compared to what we spent. We were number of collective bargaining moving to have these more in line with discussions with the UNW, the NWTTA, what we have spent traditionally or the medical association, although it's not historically. completely related here, but those costs CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank will spike every couple of years as those you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson. negotiations come to the end of their term and we have to get the experts, the MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. lawyers, and others that are going to Chair. Historically, is that over the help us through the negotiating process. number of years or just last year? Thank That is what that is specifically for. They you, Mr. Chair. will likely go down if and when we CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank conclude our negotiations for a couple you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister. years depending on the length of the negotiated terms, and then they might HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: The spike back up again. department looked at past actuals over a number of years to try to determine CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank what we're actually spending as you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Vanthuyne. opposed to what was budgeted and Questions? I see none. Moving on to there was some variances, so we've page 215. Human Resources, labour moved them down accordingly. relations, operations expenditures summary, activity total, $3,310,000. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank Questions? you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson. SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 39

MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Yes and we Chair. I notice about an $18,000 do see a rise in the number of increase in travel in this one. In the investigations and complaints that need other section there was reduction in to be investigated which is driving our travel, so could the Minister explain why need to travel out and do worksite and the increase in travel in this area? workplace investigations and site Thank you, Mr. Chair. inspections. With the more investigations, the more travel. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you. Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson? HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, this is the division MR. THOMPSON: In regards to that does investigations and works with investigations, is there a reason for the the UNW on resolving grievances and increase in it? Is it just people more whatnot, so there is some travel and aware or is it better promotion on your there's also a requirement to do some guys' part or what's the rationale for site investigations. Our positions and this? our employees are throughout the Northwest Territories so these CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank individuals do have to travel. In you, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Minister. reviewing the actuals, we did notice that HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: There are a this is one of the areas under travel number of reasons, but the reason we where are numbers were higher than think that we've seen the greatest they were, say, in the directorate, so increase is the Harassment Free and we've had to increase it accordingly in Respectful Workplace Policy that we order to accommodate the have put in has resulted in a number of investigations and other work that this files and investigations that we need to division is doing. do increasing. It's a fairly new policy, CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank new program, and I think we expected you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson. some ramp up as we're implementing it and we have seen that. MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. Chair. If I understand this correctly, the CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank actuals are… We're saying travel has you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson. been more in this area throughout the MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. years because I mean I'm looking at Chair. Just with this policy, do you guys actuals in 2014 at 38, they almost submit a report to committee on not the doubled in 2015-16 and now 2016-17 specific incidents but the number of we're at another $18,000, so I'm seeing incidents and what the costs are and a steady increase in here. Is that just what it involves? Thank you, Mr. Chair. because of the work that's been involved? Thank you, Mr. Chair. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you. Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister. HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: I don’t believe that we have provided a report Page 40 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 but there's no reason we can't so I will get a completely different document that commit to providing committee with a I guess is not really as detailed or well summary, a written summary, and if you laid out as the business plans, but we're want to have a meeting we can do that, trying to probe and get some issues too, but I'll start with a written summary onto the table. It's not always clear to to committee. me where they arise in the main estimates, so that might be an CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank observation I offer in my reply to the you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson. budget address. The issue of staffing MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. appeals, it's my understanding that Chair. staffing appeals, the numbers have been going down, but also the length of CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): time that an appeal can be filed has also Further questions. I see none. Human been reduced in regulations. There's a Resources, labour relations, operations whole number of reasons why people expenditure summary, activity total, are excluded from even appealing a $3,310,000. Agreed? staffing action, so I guess the issue is SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. one of fairness. How is the department looking at the issue of fairness in CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): staffing appeals, particularly by parties? Moving on, page 216, Human How many may not be government Resources, labour relations, active employees because I think we want to positions, information item. Any make sure that we have a robust system questions? of hiring folks and that people don’t feel that there's bias in any way in the hiring SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. process. But if you're not even eligible to CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): file an appeal or you have a very Agreed. Page 218, Human Resources, restricted right to file an appeal, people management and recruitment services, start to lose, or could lose, confidence in operation expenditures summary, the hiring process itself. I'm wondering if activity total, $4,734,000. Questions? the Minister can just tell me how the Mr. O'Reilly. department has considered these issues in the context of staffing appeals. Thank MR. O'REILLY: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I you, Mr. Chair. think I heard a mouse in the Chamber squeaking something from over there. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Minister. ---Laughter HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, I think the Minister wants to take an Mr. Chair. Staffing appeals give early weekend, but I think this is the candidates with appeal rights an place where I should be asking opportunity to be heard if they feel that a questions about staffing appeals. What I procedural error has been made during find difficult in this process is we've the competition process that might already been through the business negatively affect how they were plans, there has been some really good considered as a candidate. With respect discussion back and forth, and then we to independence, the staffing appeals June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 41 are reviewed by an independent staffing who can actually file an appeal are very, review officer who is appointed by the very limited which I think can lead to Minister of Human Resources and is not issues of credibility of our hiring a government employee. Amendments process. What is the department doing made by the staffing appeal regulations in terms of the fairness of staffing which are outlined in the Public Service appeals to ensure that we can maintain Act clearly on page one of appendix, credibility and confidence in our staffing well it's on page one of the regulations, processes? Thanks, Mr. Chair. they clearly outline who is eligible and who is not eligible for appeal rights. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank These amendments to the staffing you, O'Reilly. Mr. Minister. appeal regulations came into force on HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, July 15, 2015. The changes were Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the parties who expected to improve the timeliness and have appeal rights include any person efficiency of the staffing process and eligible for priority consideration under previous timelines in the staffing the Affirmative Action Policy and any process allowed I think it was 10 days current GNWT employee. There are response time when a candidate was some scenarios where appointments to notified by e-mail or fax. Due to the positions may not be appealed under immediate nature of e-mails or faxes, regulations and those are clearly candidates can immediately receive or outlined within the policy and respond to staffing appeals. Changes to regulations. That's a person with a the regulations now require candidates staffing priority status under the Staff to appeal rights within five days instead Retention Policy, any position of 10 days recognizing technology and considered an executive position as the ease of communications. determined by the job evaluation Amendments were also provided to system, and teacher and/or principal provide additional clarity on if and when jobs. With respect to fairness, I mean a staffing review officer may actually we want to be fair, we want to be open. dismiss an appeal, but the changes did Anybody can apply on jobs, but there not affect an individual's ability to are some limitations on who can appeal. appeal. GNWT employees who are And I mean we'll certainly continue to applying to GNWT jobs have the right to look at this to make sure that it's fair and appeal, Indigenous Aboriginal reasonable, and I'd certainly like any candidates have the right to appeal; it insight the Member might have, but at isn’t just GNWT employees. There’s a this time, I mean we weren't going to do few other criteria that I can't remember any additional review of the appeal off the top of my head. process given that a review was done in CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank the last Assembly and came into force in you, Mr. Minister. Mr. O'Reilly. July 2015. MR. O'REILLY: Thank you, Mr. Chair. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank And I appreciate the explanation. I'm all you, Mr. Minister. Mr. O'Reilly. for efficiency, but I don’t want that at the MR. O'REILLY: Thank you, Mr. Chair. expense of fairness. It's my I'll take the Minister up on his offer and understanding is that the grounds and put together some thoughts on this and Page 42 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 pass those back to him because I think HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, there are ways that we could ensure Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chair, there are three that we can maintain confidence in our positions being eliminated within the staffing process by ensuring that we Department of Human Resources, all of have a fair appeal process. Thank you, them were vacant, and they are a result Mr. Chair, and thanks to the Minister for of the reduction. As a result of being so open and transparent. eliminating some of these positions, especially the area around strategic CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank human resources, we've had to do some you, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Minister. reorganization within the department. HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: I'm looking The re-allocation of the marketing and forward to that conversation, but in light communication budget from the of that conversation I will point out that strategic human resources section, most of the employers throughout which was about $212,000, as well as Canada, in fact many places throughout some internal re-allocation of budget the world, don’t have appeal rights at all. from purchase services to better align This is something that we felt was us with historical expenditures in this appropriate given things like our area have resulted in that change. Affirmative Action Policy and our desire That’s a matter of taking out of the to work with Northerners to employ strategic human resources section, put it Northerners. Most employers don’t have here because those positions have been an appeal mechanism at all for job eliminated and some adjustments based competitions and we have I think in on historical expenditures. many ways gone quite a distance to CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank work with residents of the Northwest you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson. Territories. We’re always looking for ways to improve obviously and I look MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. forward to that conversation. Chair. If I get this correct, we lost three positions, now we're reallocating money CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank here, and are these contract services you, Mr. Minister. Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. doing the work of these three positions Thompson? or is it other contracts that are going to MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. be done? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Chair. I thought Mr. Beaulieu was ahead CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank of me. We're on page 218, correct? I you. Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister. just want to make sure because yesterday I was a couple pages ahead HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, sometimes. In regards to contract Mr. Chair. No, I guess I didn't explain it services, I see a huge increase from clearly. The positions have been $8,000 to $350,000. Can the Minister eliminated, that's part of our reduction explain why there's this huge jump and exercise, but some of the programs and discrepancy in money since it was services they're delivering continue to $8,000 last year? Thank you, Mr. Chair. exist, but because those positions don’t exist and that section has been CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank changed, those services are now going you, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Minister. to be delivered in a different area. June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 43

They're now going to be delivered in HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Sorry, I'm a management and recruitment services. little confused. I thought we were talking The dollars that are coming out of the about the fees and payment line. Which $212,000 are part of the marketing and line are we talking about? communications budget, not the staff salary budget but the services or the CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Mr. programs they provided. Thompson? CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, yes, I've you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson. now moved on. Sorry, Minister. You gave me the answer and I accepted that MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. answer and so now I've gone onto Chair. In regards to fees and payments, purchase services. I notice that there is it's dropped by $19,000. You know, it a huge decline that's actually more than was up by 18 and then it's down by 19, 50 per cent. Is this historical or is this is there a rationale for this? part of the reduction process? Thank you. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister? CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister. HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, this is going to HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: I'm going to sound like a really repetitive answer, but go to Michelle on this one for the detail. in this particular area we really dug deep Thank you, Mr. Chair. into the department trying to figure out what we're actually spending, and CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank compare it to what our budgets were, you, Mr. Minister. Ms. Simpson. and realign our budgets with actual MS. SIMPSON: Thank you, Mr. Chair. expenditures rather than historic This is part of the reallocation of the budgets. And this is one of the areas marketing communications budget from that, you know, we felt we needed to strategic human resources, so the align in order to capture the fact that contract services went up to 212 as the some of the fees and payments that Minister indicated, and then we had we're making out there with respect to internal re-allocations for the purchased some of our software, our human- services budget to move up into the resource-specific software, have contract services as well. The answer is escalated and changed over time. both. It is part of historical expenditures, CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank as well as re-aligning some of the you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson? funding to re-allocate those services into an area management recruitment MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. services from strategic human Chair. This purchased services the resources. Thank you, Mr. Chair. reduction to 135, is this actual historical or is this a reduction in services? Thank CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you. you, Ms. Simpson. Mr. Thompson? CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank MR. THOMPSON: We're good. you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister. Page 44 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016

CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Okay, encouraging the Members to have their Next we have Mr. Beaulieu. constituents who approach them who have concerns about, you know, their MR. BEAULIEU: Thank you, Mr. inability to get a job with the Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I want to just Government of Northwest Territories to dig a little deeper into the appeal get in touch with some of the individual process. I recognize that the appeal client service managers that exist within process is appealing procedural errors, the Department of Human Resources. but many of the people that actually These individuals are prepared and launch the appeal thing to appeal ready and willing and able to give advice process is something else, sometimes on interviews and how the interview like perhaps maybe feeling that they process works and the Government of weren't being treated fairly or that there the Northwest Territories helps them is a bias in the process because the understand the types of things that they individual that just happens to be the might want to do to be prepared. They casual that comes out to be the best are also available to give some advice candidate for the job most times which and guidance on resume writing, on the is kind of indicating to us that maybe if types of things that they'll be looking for you get your foot in the door and you during the competitions, the staffing learn a little bit about the job you can officers and the hiring departments were probably beat everybody else in the job. looking for in resumes so that people When there's an appeal requested and can be better prepared. Our client individuals launch an appeal the officer service team and managers are happy looks at only the procedure. Usually to meet with people and give that after this many competitions the advice. We want to work with government's not making procedural Northerners to employ as many, but as errors, so most times the decision is far as the appeal process it is a upheld and individuals lose the appeal. I procedural review. want to know if there's going to be any system in place moving forward that CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank looks at things other than just the appeal you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Beaulieu. process, I mean, sorry, just the procedural process. MR. BEAULIEU: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman. I recognize CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank that that is the role of the appeal officers you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Minister. to look at potential procedural errors. What I'm asking is, is there anything HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, aside from procedural errors that makes Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the appeal process the appeal process almost redundant? If is fairly strict and I mean fairly thorough you're only looking at procedural errors as the Member's indicating and it is and you're not looking at anything based on procedure. I think the outside of that, this appeal process is… Member's talking about something else You know, as the Minister indicated we and I don’t believe at this time we're may be the only jurisdiction to have that putting any mechanisms to have that type of process because it's probably discussion. However, having said that, not effective because it looks at just I'm a strong advocate and I'm procedures. What I want to know is are June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 45 there any potential or future plans to MR. BEAULIEU: What I am saying is a look at an individual that applies for a qualified Priority 1 candidate goes to job that appears to be a Priority 1 interview and does fail the interview, it candidate that appears to have all of the has nothing to do with the procedure of qualifications that are laid out in the job it, went through all of the procedure, but ad, and then the individual puts their the individual is feeling that whether it name in and they lose the job, so they was the written assignment that, appeal it and they said procedurally according to the individual, was not everything was fine. But they're not given a fair assessment on the written looking at the fact that maybe he was assignment, or that during the interview the most qualified person for the job but the individual was not considered to be yet was not considered. That's what I'm a good candidate by the people doing asking is there anything outside of just the interview and got a failing grade. A this procedural appeal that could give person that doesn't have a priority status people an opportunity that should have wins the job over the person. The been getting jobs to get those jobs. person is feeling that that is what the Thank you. issue is. It has nothing to do with procedures. Where could that individual CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank go to launch any sort of appeal? you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Minister. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Minister. Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, if a P1 candidate applies for the job and is the most HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, qualified and isn't offered the job, it Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I think I have a would have to be based on something, better understanding. I think the either procedural error or the person did Member might be talking about systemic not pass a component of the barriers or other things that may exist competition. The person would have the within the system and how we work to appeal rights if they failed the address that. We do have an Affirmative competition or failed the interview. I am Action Policy that all departments are not sure what the Member is getting at. bound to utilize and apply. We do have We want to be fair. We want to be open. the appeal process where an individual, We want to be transparent. We are if an error in process has occurred, they encouraging people to be ready. We are can appeal. I would suggest that if the happy to help them be ready. When it Member is aware of situations where comes to a competition, every individual somebody is claiming that they were not still has to meet the qualifications, pass given the credit that they deserve the interview, and in turn be offered the because they are P1, that is a job. I am not sure exactly what the discussion that I would like to have with Member is getting at. If the Member the Member. If he has some individuals could maybe be a little bit more clear that he can identify, I would certainly be and help me understand that, it would willing to have that conversation with be great. him. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Beaulieu. you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Beaulieu. Page 46 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016

MR. BEAULIEU: Rather than bringing it Member is suggesting that casual hires up for a political sense and discussing it are being used to train individuals who with the Minister, there is nothing in then get jobs, as opposed to the other place, then, to ensure that Priority 1 candidates who might be applying, candidates applying for jobs, who are which may not be fair. I have heard qualified, are given every opportunity similar things. It is anecdotal. into getting a job. Right now, as I understand it, whether you are a What I will commit to do is have the qualified Priority 1 candidate or not, you department do a bit of a review over the go through the steps that... I cannot talk past year or two. Going back further about specific cases here, but I will talk than that might be difficult, identifying directly to the Minister about the specific how many casuals in turn ended up cases. If a Priority 1 individual is going directly in positions, through the to apply for a job where there is actually competition process, that they had been an individual filling that position as a occupying as casual. That will start casual, that is not a Priority 1 candidate, giving us some numbers and start often that person gets the job. I don't maybe taking this from anecdote to want to start drawing upon the numbers reality, at which point we can have a of times I have had that happen with me more fulsome discussion. I apologize if I since I became an MLA nine years ago. missed it, but I think what the Member is What I am saying is, is there any way of talking about to some degree is about protecting or is there anything in the some of the systemic barriers that may system that will allow a Priority 1 exist within our system. Individuals may candidate to be given preference in fact meet the criteria on paper, but because this is what this is about. they may then result in not passing a Affirmative action is about preferential competition, not passing a written hiring. Is there any way that this type of assignment, not passing the oral portion appeal process would pick up anything of an interview. It may be based on that the candidates coming forward feel systemic barriers. We are currently is unfair treatment, not necessarily reviewing job descriptions and how we procedural error treatment, but unfair write job descriptions to try to remove treatment, or not, given the full some of the systemic barriers that have opportunity to present themselves as a been inadvertently placed within our job good candidate for this job? Thank you. descriptions to make them a little bit easier to understand and assess. The CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank catch is interviews are based on what is you, Mr. Beaulieu. I am going to in job descriptions. If we start removing recognize a reply to that, and the ten some of those barriers that we put in, it minutes is up. Mr. Minister. should make it more competitive and fair for individuals who are applying on jobs HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, who might have language barriers or Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair there are a couple other challenges they are being faced of things I would like to talk to. There is with. the allegation that some departments are utilizing casuals. I may be not We are also constantly looking for ways paraphrasing this exactly right. If I don't to improve our interview process to nail it, I apologize. It sounds like the recognize some of these systemic June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 47 barriers, language being one of them, CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): that sometimes can be an impediment Agreed. Page 221. Human Resources, to passing an interview. As a territory regional operations, operations that supports eleven official languages, expenditure summary, activity total, that is not something that we want to $3,799,000. Mr. Thompson. accept or tolerate. We are looking for ways to improve our interview process. MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. At the end of the day, individuals have Chair. Just five or six agreeable to be assessed on something. The questions. The first one is when we talk resumes that are submitted are just one about human resources planning. Has tool. They have to be interviewed. They the government looked at talking about have to, in some cases, do written summer employment? I realize each assignments. People do have to pass it. department has priority or has to make If they are not passing, we need to the decision. But can the Minister please understand why. We are trying to break provide a commitment or a working tool down some of those systemic barriers so that it becomes part of our mandate that we may have inadvertently created or our policy that we will look at over time. As far as the appeal process, employing summer students and that we it also has to be based on something. It have a goal in each department and can't be based on opinion. It has to be every department is given a goal so that based on something that is structured, they can fulfil that mandate so that we which is why the appeal process itself is see summer students come back so that based on procedures. I am happy to we show that we care about them and work with committee to try to find ways that we want them to continue on to get to break down some of these systemic educated and come back north. Thank barriers we may have inadvertently you, Mr. Chair. created. I am not sure that an opinion CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank portion of an appeal mechanism makes you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister. any sense as far as the structure. HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Department of you, Mr. Minister. Questions? Seeing Human Resources helps facilitate none. Human Resources, management summer student hires. Ultimately, the and recruitment services, operations hire of any summer student is the expenditure summary, activity total, responsibility of the individual $4,734,000. departments, as the Member has SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. indicated. To help facilitate the hires so that the departments know who the CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): students are, know where they are, Agreed. Moving on. Page 219. Human know what types of skills they have, the Resources, management and Department of Human Resources does recruitment services, active positions, facilitate the application of our summer information item. Any questions? Seeing students into the summer student none. employment program. This is where all students can come and be registered. SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. As of June 2nd, we have 562 students Page 48 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 registered and 217 students hired, the resumes based on affirmative action which is a little down from where we of individuals who meet those particular were in previous years. The department skill sets. also does provide a couple of different programs. One of them is the CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank progressive experience program. One of you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson. them is the related experience program, MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. which does provide a little bit of financial Chair. I thank the Minister for the well assistance to the departments to thought out and well-planned answer. actually do some of the summer student All that information, I am well aware of. I hiring to help them offset the cost. understand the progressive funding out Departments are not funded for summer there and the department does a really students. In order to hire summer good job. However, I would really, really students, they have to rely on some of love to see this government work, and the money that they may have in the you take the lead, that the other budgets or as a result of vacancies or departments actually have a number in other things that are happening. Their place, and we have the money put aside ability to hire is limited by budgets and so that we can hire our summer whether or not they have some students so when they come back, they vacancies over time that can actually are guaranteed work, so they can help them carry some of the students. A continue to go on to school. I number of months ago, I had a understand that through ECE, we have conversation with the Premier, who an increase in funding for their tuition indicated that he would like the and that. It still costs a lot of money to departments to at least meet the types go to school. I am hoping that this of targets they had last year. On his department can take the lead and come behalf, I did send out an e-mail to the up with a mandate, working with the Ministers and the departments Premier, because the Premier is excited encouraging them to meet the numbers about this. I know in the past I have had that we attained last year. Yes, we are other Premiers stand in this House and still a little down, but hiring isn't over. make it a mandate that you will hire Earlier today, the Premier sent a follow- students. I am asking the government, up letter to all of the Ministers and the you as the lead department, to take this departments encouraging them to meet on your own or take the lead on it and their targets in recognition that we are a work with the departments to earmark little bit behind. Cabinet is aware. money in the budgets so that we can Cabinet is pushing the departments to hire summer students. Thank you, Mr. hire. The departments have to make the Chair. decisions based on what they actually have available as far as money. We CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank provide a little bit of money through you. Mr. Minister. those two programs, and we have a HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, complete database of all students who Mr. Chairperson. Mr. Chair, once again, are available. If they are looking for we have a significant number of students, and they say I want students students who apply. Last year, we had with this type of skill, we will send them 612 students apply, and we were able to June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 49 hire 341 of them by the end of what is or not putting dollars in there is considered the summer students hire something that we should be doing or period. We are committed to hiring as whether we should continue just trying many as we can. We do have money. to utilize the programs that exist. I am There is money. It is not all coming from sure that Cabinet is listening. I am the departments through their listening. Happy to have the vacancies. Through the progressive conversation if this is a priority of the experience program, we have enough Legislature. money to fund up to 80 positions. This is exactly what the Member is talking CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank about. Through the progressive you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson. experience program, we bring back the MR. THOMPSON: Thank you, Mr. same individuals who do the same jobs Chair. I am aware of my time here, so I on a regular basis in order to build upon will try to be succinct with my their education and continue to comments. Great job with the 80 with consolidate learning in a particular area. the progressive experience. Even a We have enough funding for 80 better job with the 24 with related positions. To all the departments, experience, which is in the health care funding provides a wage subsidy of system, which is great. Well done. But $330 a week per place of employment we are missing other fields, and we are to a maximum of $5,000 per student a missing this opportunity. I am not talking year. The departments do have to come about all students coming back north. I up with the additional money. The am talking about our P1s, and our P2s, related experience is a little more which are our priorities as government. focused. It is actually focused on 24 That is what we should be looking at placements for Health and Social doing. I am hoping that we can hear Services authorities to provide a wage something from you guys that we can subsidy of $525 per week for placement talk about it. I am hoping Cabinet listens to a maximum of $8,400 or 600 hours. and hears and the Premier hears the This is mostly for individuals that are message so that we can get this done. pursuing health careers. The intent You have shown a lot of leadership, and there is also to bring back the I applaud you for that. We are talking individuals throughout their education, 104 positions, which is important. We so they have an opportunity to are still short, and I am trying to see that consolidate learning for their education. the government looks at our youth, We are putting a good pot of money into which is our future. We want these supporting the departments already. On people back here. If we don't make the top of that, the departments do fund the incentive to bring them back… I know remainder through their internal that ECE has done some stuff, which I budgets. There isn't a pot of money just applaud them for that, but we want to for hiring summer students outside of get our youth back here. Waiting to get progressive or related experience them back here is to respect them and programming. If the committee give them the employment and show members feel this is something we need them that they have done well going to to invest in, this is a discussion we need school. I am hoping that you can do to have as an Assembly as to whether that. Can you provide us with a Page 50 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 breakdown of the communities, number thing, whether we should create a of jobs that are there? I know you have category of summer students and have made that are available in the past. Can them do temp-type work or random-type we get that information to committee? I work. But those would need to be think you say you do that every Monday, defined and evaluated and but can we get those things to us broke compensated. All of these things do down into our communities as well? come with a price tag. Every one of Thank you, Mr. Chair. these things comes with a price tag. Happy to have further discussion on CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank this. Happy to hear what the Members you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister, I am have to say. But as a caution, there are going to allow a reply. The ten minutes other employers. We only have so much is up. money. We are working hard to, at least, HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, meet previous year's numbers, and we Mr. Chair. Yes, I have committed to will continue to do so. getting those numbers. I can certainly CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank have it provided by communities you, Mr. Minister. Recognizing Mr. throughout the Northwest Territories. Beaulieu. Sometimes the numbers are one or two, so we want to be cautious about MR. BEAULIEU: Thank you, Mr. confidentiality, but we will get those Chairman. Mr. Chairman, under this numbers to you: as of June 2nd, 562 category I want to ask more questions applications, 217 hires. There are still about recruitments since this category some offers out there that aren't fully includes recruitment. I am not going to counted in that. I do hear the Member. I request to go back to the previous know the Ministers hear the Member. category, but I do have an additional We have to think about magnitude here. question on a Priority 1 candidate and There has to be work too. There has to the Affirmative Action Policy. Could the be meaningful work for these summer Minister advise me why it would be students to do. Hiring summer students necessary to go beyond interviewing and not having them do anything that is anyone else if you have Priority 1 going to help them develop a skill set or candidates that are qualified for the jobs help them build their resumes is not that they are applying for? Whether it be particularly helpful. The GNWT is not a Priority 1 candidate individual or the only employer out there. We have whether there be several Priority 1 lots of students coming back. We will candidates, why would we interview certainly do our best to hire as many as anyone else at all? According to the we can. There are some questions. I Affirmative Action Policy, should we not have heard a lot of individuals say we just go to the qualified Priority 1 are paying some of these summer candidates and interview them first? students incredible sums of money. We Thank you. are paying them based on the collective agreement that we have negotiated with CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Mr. the UNW base and the work that we are Minister. having them perform, there has been a HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, lot of discussions about those types of Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, when a job ad is June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 51 put out, the criteria is determined based CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank on what is identified in the job you, Mr. Minister. description. I have already indicated we are going to be going through job HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, descriptions trying to remove some of Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, if there was only the systemic barriers. Should a P1 one P1 candidate, we might actually candidate apply, and meet the criteria look at a P2 or P3 as well. However, if outlined within the job description, they the P1 passes, the P1 would be offered would be interviewed. If there were the job. That is to save time later should three P1s, they would be interviewed. If an individual not pass. The priority there were one P1 and one P2 and 40 would still go to the Indigenous P3s, we would interview the P1. If that Aboriginal candidate who is screened in person passed we wouldn't have to go and passes. any further. If that person did not pass CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank the interview, then we would look at the you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Beaulieu. P2. If that person did not pass the interview, then we would certainly be MR. BEAULIEU: Thank you. Mr. looking at P3s and other candidates. Chairman, that is where we run into The Affirmative Action Policy is pretty problems. If you have a qualified Priority clear that if there are P1 candidates who 1 candidate, but there is only one, meet the criteria established within the because for some reason the job description, they would be department makes a decision that it interviewed. If there are 40 P1s who would not be appropriate to only meet the criteria, we will try to identify interview one person, I wouldn't know the ones who have the highest ranking what the problem would be, but if that is as far as meeting the criteria. a decision made, as the Minister just indicated, there is a possibility of a CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank Priority 1 or non-priority candidate who you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Beaulieu. would be interviewed. And that is where MR. BEAULIEU: Thank you, Mr. the problem comes. With that scenario, Chairman. Yes. I had indicated in my then, if the Priority 1 candidate passes question that it was qualified Priority 1 the interview but is way behind in the candidates. Just to get this very clear scoring against the other two persons, and on the record, the Minister is Priority 2 and Priority 3, in that incidence indicating that if Priority 1 candidates who would get hired? are qualified in accordance with the job CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank description that is put out there, then you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Minister. they only interview the Priority 1 candidates in round one of interviews. HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: If the We will call it round one of interviews. It Indigenous Aboriginal candidate passes may not go beyond that. Is that what I the interview, the offer would be made am hearing? That only Priority 1 to the Indigenous Aboriginal candidate candidates will be interviewed? Thank as long as he or she passes the you. interview. Page 52 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016

CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank we need to hire. That was my response. you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Beaulieu. I don't know whatever happened with that. It was a question that was posed MR. BEAULIEU: Thank you. Mr. upon me. I would like to know if the Chairman, I have some questions on the exercise that we are going through right summer student program. I am a firm now has any impact on the hiring of believer in investing in our youth and summer students this year. Thank you. investing in students. Students are out getting their education. We need to CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank attract the person back. We need to you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Minister. treat that student with respect. When they come to the Government of HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, Northwest Territories, we should do all Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, through the we can to try to make positions available Premier, I gave direction and guidance for the students. I would not advocate to to the Ministers that the Premier would create a budget for summer students like to see us hire as many students as because, under normal circumstances, I we did last year. We looked at the numbers. We are down from last year do understand that we have a certain nd amount of turnover in our system. If we right now. As of June 2 , we hired 217. are turning over nine per cent of the Last year around this time, I think we public service, as an example, we will were up to 260-something. We are say 400 people roughly, at that point in certainly down from where we were last time in which it takes to recruit 400 year. As a result, the Premier has sent a people, there could be a two-month reminder letter to all the Ministers and lapse, say hypothetically. We have 400 the deputies today indicating that we people changing over approximately two have to get our numbers up. We are months. That creates quite a bit of a committed to getting to the same type of surplus in that area. That surplus is numbers that we had last year. I can't being used to hire summer students. speak for the other departments. But I This year, many summer students have have given direction to both my deputies been advised that, due to the budget that I would like to meet and, if possible, reductions in the exercise that we are exceed last year's number, but certainly currently going through right now, they meet. The Department of Human were not able to be hired because of Resources is very close to meeting our this budget reduction. I received a call numbers from last year. The from the media asking me what I know Department of Health and Social about that as a former Minister of Services is a little bit down, but we are Human Resources, and my response looking and we are trying to find ways to was we are on a status quo budget. We hire as many students as we can. The have an internal supply right now from Member is right. The departments do April 1st to June 30th. There should be no utilize some of their dollars through change in what is occurring this year vacancies to help fund some of the than what has occurred last year. casuals. If there are no vacancies, Departments are out there saying due to obviously it does make it difficult. But we the budget reduction exercises we are know that we run, at any given time, unable to hire the summer students that around 400 vacancies. It is constantly changing positions. But it is a similar June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 53 number, constantly changing positions. I have policies and procedures with don't know what some of the respect to staff who are affected. If a departments are saying to some of the position is going to be moved or summer students around the layoffs. If eliminated, we have a very thorough they are, I would suggest that that isn't process we follow in an attempt to retain consistent with the message that our staff as best as possible. We really Cabinet is giving the deputies. As I said, want to keep our staff, as opposed to the Premier has sent out an e-mail having our staff leave. Ultimately, today indicating that he would like all the position changes are brought to the departments to at least meet last year's attention of Human Resources, numbers. The summer is not over. We especially if an incumbent is involved. are still hiring. We are still looking to hire Ultimately, changes to established and we will continue to hire. We will positions do come through this House work hard to reach last year's numbers. so we all get to see them at some point. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Beaulieu. you, Mr. Minister. I recognize the next Member, Mr. Simpson. MR. BEAULIEU: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask the MR. SIMPSON: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Minister at the Department of Human The Ministers have in front of them how Resources is made aware by other many students have been hired. I was departments if other departments are wondering: would you be able to tell the considering reducing the amount of PYs committee the number of summer in any particular community, especially students hired in Hay River over the the small communities. I would like to past couple of years compared to a know if the Ministers have an obligation similarly sized Inuvik and Fort Smith? to advise this Minister or the Premier when they are reducing PYs, not CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank necessarily people, but the position in you, Mr. Simpson. Mr. Minister. various communities. Thank you, Mr. HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, Chairman. Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I don't have the CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank numbers in front of me for previous you, Mr. Beaulieu. I am going to years other than last year. I can tell you recognize reply. Our time is up. last year was one of the highest number of summer students that we were able HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, to hire. Fort Smith, this year, as of June Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, to change a PY in 2nd, we have 23 students hired. Last the Government of the Northwest year at this time, we had 33 students Territories, it is a funded position. It hired in Fort Smith. At the end of the requires us to go through the mains summer student season, we had a total process that we are going through of 41 summer students hired in Fort today, which means the Members do Smith. In Hay River, between the Hay have an opportunity to see any funded River and the Hay River Reserve, we positions that are being moved from one have 21 students hired as of yesterday region to another or being eliminated. in Hay River/Hay River Reserve. Last As with our policies and procedures, we year, we had 21, so we are a little up Page 54 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 from where we were last year at this collective agreement and, I mean, we time. In total, we only had 25 summer don't crack their summer student hires, students hired during the whole summer so we have no numbers here for any student period last year compared to the summer students being hired within the 41 in Fort Smith. I believe the other Hay River Health and Social Services community you asked for was Inuvik. As Authority. That might account for some of yesterday, we have 21 summer of it, but I don't know. I will get in touch students hired in Inuvik. Last year at the with the Minister and Health and Social same date, we had 25. We are a little Services and see if we can get some down in Inuvik. Our total hire as of information from the Hay River Health August 14th, which is basically the end of and Social Services Authority to see the summer student period, last year what kind of numbers of summer was 38. We are a little behind in Inuvik students they've hired. I will certainly from where we were last year, but we provide that to the Member and are still working. Was that it? Was that committee. the communities the Member wanted? CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Simpson. you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Simpson. MR. SIMPSON: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I MR. SIMPSON: Thank you, Minister. think, overall, the health and social Yes, and I see that traditionally Hay services authority accounts for a River has far fewer summer students relatively small number of overall hires, than either Fort Smith or Inuvik, despite so I don't think that would account for having a larger population, significantly the quite large difference between the larger, especially including the reserve communities. Just a concern… I've had when it's compared to Fort Smith. Why lots of people in Hay River concerned is that? Is it a reflection of the fewer about the lack of jobs for summer number of overall government positions students. We, know, like the other or is there some issue that needs to be Members have elaborated on, we're addressed regarding summer student trying to bring students back and we're hiring in Hay River specifically? Thank trying to do the same thing in Hay River. you, Mr. Chair. I'll just leave it at that and I'll follow that up with the Minister at another time. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank Thank you, Mr. Chair. you, Mr. Simpson. Mr. Minister. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, you, Mr. Simpson. Mr. Minister, Mr. Chair. It's a good question. I couldn't comments? say 100 per cent what the reason is. But I can say that in all the other community HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Yes, thank and region numbers they do include you. In August 2014, Yellowknife Health numbers for Health and Social Services. and Social Services hired 17, Stanton Whereas, in Hay River and Hay River hired 17 summer students, Beaufort- Reserve, they don't because the Hay Delta hired eleven, Fort Smith hired River Authority currently is outside the seven, Deh Cho hired one, Sahtu hired public service. They're bound by the one, and the TCSA hired one. There is same terms and conditions of our actually a fair amount of hiring of June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 55 summer students happening in the MR. SIMPSON: Thank you for that offer. health authorities. I will get that I look forward to some collaboration on information for the Member. I will just that front. Thank you, Mr. Chair. No point out that I mean, yes, our numbers further questions. are lower than they were last year, but in some places we're doing a little bit CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank better. In Hay River… It happens to be you, Mr. Simpson. Closing comments, one of the communities; we're actually Mr. Minister? doing a little bit better than we did last HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you. year. I do take the Member's point on the number and how it doesn't compare CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): to other communities of similar size. I Questions. Seeing none. Human will get the numbers on the health Resources, regional operations, centre to see what kind of hiring they're operations expenditure summary, doing, and we'll have a bigger picture of activity total, $3,799,000. where we are in Hay River. SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Still CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Page time for follow-up, Mr. Simpson. 222, Human Resources, regional MR. SIMPSON: Thank you, Mr. Chair. operations, active positions, information Human Resources, are they in contact item. Any questions? Seeing none. Mr. with the Hay River Health and Social Beaulieu. Services Authority regarding summer MR. BEAULIEU: Thank you, Mr. students? Is there any sort of Chairman. Mr. Chairman, during encouragement to hire summer question period I asked the Minister of students? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Human Resources just briefly on the CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank human resource plans. The strategic you, Mr. Simpson. Mr. Minister. human resources, I'm kind of reading a bit of the activity here and I'm seeing HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: No, we workforce planning as a part of it. I just have not. Technically, they are outside want to ask a question maybe about the the public service. They have their own human resource plans that the collective agreement; they have their departments would have. I want to own terms and conditions of know: what the status is of the human employment. I'm happy to reach out to resource plans from the departments? I Hay River. I'll talk to the public just want to know roughly the administrator to see how they're percentage of departments that actually proceeding with summer student hires. have human resource plans for their If they want access to our database, I'm staff. certainly happy to allow them access to our database. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Minister. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Simpson. HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, all departments either have them or are developing Page 56 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016 them, and I can't tell you the exact CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank number of the variance, which ones are you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Minister. done and which ones are still in process. I will commit to getting that HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you. information and sharing it with the I've already committed to providing sort committee. of an update of where we are, which ones are completed, which ones aren't. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank Is the Member looking for something you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Beaulieu. different than that or is that what the Member is looking for? MR. BEAULIEU: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to ask CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank the Minister who's responsible, which you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Beaulieu, on Minister or is it the Premier, that's clarity. responsible to give direction to the Ministers to ensure that their MR. BEAULIEU: No, that's what I'm departments do have human resource looking for. Thank you. plans? CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Minister. you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Minister. HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Yes, HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, absolutely, I'll get it. Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, ultimately the CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Ministers do have some responsibility Anything further, Mr. Beaulieu? encouraging their departments to Strategic human resources, operations complete and prepare their human expenditure summary, activity total, resource plans. The deputies report to $7,254,000. the Premier who also is responsible for giving the direction to them to meet SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. those conditions. It's kind of a shared CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Page responsibility, Mr. Chair. I mean, I work 225, strategic human resources, active with both the Department of Health and positions, information item. Any Social Services and Human Resources questions? Mr. O'Reilly. to make sure that they are developing theirs, and I know the Ministers are MR. O'REILLY: Thanks, Mr. Chair. Can doing the same, but it's a shared the Minister explain? There's a loss of responsibility. two jobs. What were those two positions and are they currently filled or what? CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank Thanks, Mr. Chair. you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Beaulieu. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank MR. BEAULIEU: Thank you, Mr. you, Mr. Mr. Minister. Chairman. Mr. Chairperson, I would like to ask the Minister if the Minister can HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, provide a status report on that particular Mr. Chair. As part of the reduction item and provide it to committee. exercises and looking into how the department is doing or providing June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 57 services, three positions in total were CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): I will eliminated; one in the directorate, two in now rise and report progress. the strategic human resources division, for a total of three positions. The MR. SPEAKER: May I have the report, positions within the strategic human Member for Sahtu? resources division were the director of Report of Committee of the Whole strategic human resources and an admin assistant, strategic human MR. MCNEELY: Thank you, Mr. resources, both of which were vacant. Speaker. Your committee has been CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank considering Tabled Document 50-18(2), you, Mr. Minister. Mr. O'Reilly? None? Main Estimates, 2016-2017, and would Questions? Seeing none. Agreed? like to report progress. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. the Whole be concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): We shall return to page 209. Human MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Do I have a Resources, department total seconder? Member for Great Slave. $23,644,000. Motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. favour? All those opposed? Motion CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): carried. Masi. Agreed. Does the committee agree that ---Carried consideration of the Department of Human Resources is completed? Item 23, third reading of bills. Item 24, orders of the day. Mr. Clerk. SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): Thank Orders of the Day you, Minister. Thanks to your witnesses, CLERK OF THE HOUSE (Mr. Mercer): for appearing before us. Do you have Orders of the day for Monday, June 6, any closing comments? Sergeant-at- 2016, at 1:30 p.m. Arms, please escort the witnesses from the Chamber. What is the wish of 1. Prayer committee? Mr. Beaulieu. 2. Ministers’ Statements MR. BEAULIEU: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we report progress. 3. Members’ Statements CHAIRPERSON (Mr. McNeely): I move 4. Returns to Oral Questions that we report progress. A motion is on 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery the floor to report progress. The motion is in order and is non-debatable. All 6. Acknowledgements those in favour? All those opposed? 7. Oral Questions Motion is carried on both sides. 8. Written Questions ---Carried 9. Returns to Written Questions Page 58 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD February 19, 2016

10.Replies to the Opening Address 11.Replies to Budget Address (Day 4 of 7) 12.Petitions 13.Reports of Standing and Special Committees 14.Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills 15.Tabling of Documents 16.Notices of Motion 17.Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills 18.Motions 19.First Reading of Bills 20.Second Reading of Bills 21.Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters  Tabled Document 50-18(2), Main Estimates, 2016-2017 22.Report of Committee of the Whole 23.Third Reading of Bills 24.Orders of the Day MR. SPEAKER: Masi, Mr. Clerk. The House adjourns until Monday, June 6, at 1:30 p.m. ---ADJOURNMENT The House adjourned at 1:59 p.m. June 3, 2016 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 59

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