Yukon Legislative Assembly Number 20 3rd Session 34th Legislature HANSARD Thursday, November 7, 2019 — 1:00 p.m. Speaker: The Honourable Nils Clarke YUKON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 2019 Fall Sitting SPEAKER — Hon. Nils Clarke, MLA, Riverdale North DEPUTY SPEAKER and CHAIR OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE — Don Hutton, MLA, Mayo-Tatchun DEPUTY CHAIR OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE — Ted Adel, MLA, Copperbelt North CABINET MINISTERS NAME CONSTITUENCY PORTFOLIO Hon. Sandy Silver Klondike Premier Minister of the Executive Council Office; Finance Hon. Ranj Pillai Porter Creek South Deputy Premier Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources; Economic Development; Minister responsible for the Yukon Development Corporation and the Yukon Energy Corporation Hon. Tracy-Anne McPhee Riverdale South Government House Leader Minister of Education; Justice Hon. John Streicker Mount Lorne-Southern Lakes Minister of Community Services; Minister responsible for the French Language Services Directorate; Yukon Liquor Corporation and the Yukon Lottery Commission Hon. Pauline Frost Vuntut Gwitchin Minister of Health and Social Services; Environment; Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation Hon. Richard Mostyn Whitehorse West Minister of Highways and Public Works; the Public Service Commission Hon. Jeanie Dendys Mountainview Minister of Tourism and Culture; Minister responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board; Women’s Directorate GOVERNMENT PRIVATE MEMBERS Yukon Liberal Party Ted Adel Copperbelt North Paolo Gallina Porter Creek Centre Don Hutton Mayo-Tatchun OFFICIAL OPPOSITION Yukon Party Stacey Hassard Leader of the Official Opposition Scott Kent Official Opposition House Leader Pelly-Nisutlin Copperbelt South Brad Cathers Lake Laberge Patti McLeod Watson Lake Wade Istchenko Kluane Geraldine Van Bibber Porter Creek North THIRD PARTY New Democratic Party Kate White Leader of the Third Party Third Party House Leader Takhini-Kopper King Liz Hanson Whitehorse Centre LEGISLATIVE STAFF Clerk of the Assembly Dan Cable Deputy Clerk Linda Kolody Clerk of Committees Allison Lloyd Sergeant-at-Arms Karina Watson Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Harris Cox Hansard Administrator Deana Lemke Published under the authority of the Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly November 7, 2019 HANSARD 581 Yukon Legislative Assembly In World War I, it is estimated that 61,000 Canadians were Whitehorse, Yukon killed in action and another 172,000 were wounded. Canada’s Thursday, November 7, 2019 — 1:00 p.m. population in 1914 when the war began was just eight million citizens. In World War II, it is estimated that 42,000 Canadians Speaker: I will now call the House to order. were killed in action and another 55,000 wounded. Canada’s We will proceed at this time with prayers. population in 1939 when World War II began was 11 million. By comparison, today our population is just over 37 million Prayers citizens. It is estimated that in both World Wars, well over one million citizens were involved directly or indirectly in the In recognition of Remembrance Day war effort. The stunning enormity and brutality of these losses Speaker: Before the House proceeds with the Order and the concept of a desperate, all-encompassing national war Paper, the Chair will make a few remarks. effort is almost unfathomable today. This coming Monday is Remembrance Day. It is a day While it is true that our casualties have been less than in when Canadians from coast to coast honour those who have subsequent battles, the danger to our citizens and to our towns served and continue to serve in the Canadian Forces, the and cities in a nuclear age is actually far more dire than it was RCMP, and other related agencies and remember those who in either of the World Wars. were lost in the line of duty. In discussing remembrance and the importance of November 11 was declared a day of remembrance after the remembrance with Yukon students, I try to stress the important end of World War I. Every Canadian child learns in school that messages that war tells us. We need young people to avoid war the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 marked and seek alternative resolutions when there is conflict. War the armistice that led to the end of the First World War. Across should never be a first or second choice; it should be the last Canada, we continue to hold ceremonies to remember the men resort to settle disputes. and women who defended Canada during times of war and Recently, the Department of Education has worked with continue to try to bring peace to many troubled parts of the the legion to help to increase the understanding of the cost of world. war. The six-part documentary series that was recently The first Remembrance Day was held in Canada on delivered to Yukon schools covers both Canadian men and November 11, 1919 — 100 years ago this coming Monday. women in the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Given the passage of time since the end of World War I, the last the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War, the Canadian veteran of that war passed away a number of years Korean conflict, Afghanistan, and worldwide NATO missions. ago, and our remaining Canadian World War II veterans are This important resource was started in 2016 in Saskatchewan largely in their 90s. with the endorsement of the Royal Canadian Legion and has What is remarkable is that Canadians still mark spread across Canada from there. Educators across Yukon will Remembrance Day in the millions, and in the Yukon, once be able to engage students in meaningful discussions as to why again, thousands will mark this solemn occasion in ceremonies it is so important that we continue to honour the sacrifices of across the territory. Canadians. In 2018, we commemorated the 100th anniversary of Before I conclude my comments, I want to remind Canada’s 100 Days — a three-month series of Allied military members and our guests in the gallery today that tomorrow is victories in the closing months of the First World War. We also National Aboriginal Veterans Day. In Yukon, we talk of commemorated the centenary of the armistice that finally ended reconciliation with indigenous citizens as a priority; however, the battles of the Great War, tragically mis-named “the war to we have a history of not recognizing the sacrifices of our end all wars”. indigenous servicemen and servicewomen who served in the While Remembrance Day has always been a day to military in the same way as we have recognized non-indigenous remember those who have died in the service of Canada, we are citizens. also more aware that the price paid by our servicemen and It must be remembered that status Indians in Canada did servicewomen sometimes extends beyond their time in not have the right to vote or to be candidates for the House of uniform. We must remember this and continue to support these Commons or the Yukon Territorial Council until 1961. In other fellow Canadians. words, Canada’s aboriginal soldiers, sailors, and Air Force I, along with my MLA colleagues, have once again had the personnel who fought in World War I, World War II, and in the honour of marking Remembrance Day in our territorial public Korean conflict fought for rights that they themselves did not schools. I know that I speak for all Yukoners: It is our fervent yet have. Reconciliation must occur in many ways and in many hope that our children never have to suffer the terrible costs of areas, but the most urgent in the coming days should be those war and make the ultimate sacrifice that we have and continue indigenous veterans who served and, in many cases, are now to ask some of our citizens to make during times of global entering the latter years of their lives. conflict. However, it is important that they remember, We also must continue to do better in recognizing the appreciate, and are aware so that, when they become decision- sacrifice of all of our citizens, regardless of their identifying makers themselves, they are cognizant of the terrible cost of gender or ethnic background. war. 582 HANSARD November 7, 2019 As Members of the Legislative Assembly, we, like all Canadians, are the beneficiaries of freedoms that have been Hon. Mr. Streicker: I wonder if we could please provided to us by the sacrifices of others. These include the welcome past city councillor Mr. Dave Austin to the rights of peaceful assembly, freedom of speech, and long- Legislature today. standing parliamentary privileges, all of which have been hard Applause fought for. It is easy to take all of these for granted. Lest we forget. Speaker: Are there any further introductions of visitors? Tributes. DAILY ROUTINE TRIBUTES Speaker: We will proceed at this time with the Order Paper. In recognition of Remembrance Day Hon. Mr. Silver: I rise today in honour of INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS Remembrance Day to pay tribute to our courageous Canadian Speaker: Under Introduction of Visitors, I have some soldiers, sailors, airmen, and airwomen. guests in the Speaker’s gallery. Allow me to introduce World Every year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th War II veteran and retired Corporal Louise Miller. I believe month, Canadians join together in honour of our veterans. On Corporal Miller was also the recipient of a Quilt of Valour Monday, we will once again be gathered at memorial halls, within the last six months. As well, we have legion second vice- schools, community centres, and cenotaphs across Yukon. We president Terry Grabowski, and Stan Borud is also in the will bow our heads and reflect upon the more than 100,000 gallery supporting Ms. Miller — if we could recognize them.