Yukon Legislative Assembly Number 224 1st Session 33rd Legislature HANSARD Wednesday, October 28, 2015 — 1:00 p.m. Speaker: The Honourable David Laxton YUKON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER — Hon. David Laxton, MLA, Porter Creek Centre DEPUTY SPEAKER — Patti McLeod, MLA, Watson Lake CABINET MINISTERS NAME CONSTITUENCY PORTFOLIO Hon. Darrell Pasloski Mountainview Premier Minister responsible for Finance; Executive Council Office Hon. Elaine Taylor Whitehorse West Deputy Premier Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture; Women’s Directorate; French Language Services Directorate Hon. Brad Cathers Lake Laberge Minister responsible for Justice; Yukon Development Corporation/ Yukon Energy Corporation Hon. Doug Graham Porter Creek North Minister responsible for Education Hon. Scott Kent Riverdale North Minister responsible for Energy, Mines and Resources; Highways and Public Works Hon. Currie Dixon Copperbelt North Minister responsible for Community Services; Public Service Commission Hon. Wade Istchenko Kluane Minister responsible for Environment Hon. Mike Nixon Porter Creek South Minister responsible for Health and Social Services; Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board Hon. Stacey Hassard Pelly-Nisutlin Minister responsible for Economic Development; Yukon Housing Corporation; Yukon Liquor Corporation GOVERNMENT PRIVATE MEMBERS Yukon Party Darius Elias Government House Leader Vuntut Gwitchin Hon. David Laxton Porter Creek Centre Patti McLeod Watson Lake OPPOSITION MEMBERS New Democratic Party Elizabeth Hanson Leader of the Official Opposition Whitehorse Centre Jan Stick Official Opposition House Leader Riverdale South Kevin Barr Mount Lorne-Southern Lakes Lois Moorcroft Copperbelt South Jim Tredger Mayo-Tatchun Kate White Takhini-Kopper King Liberal Party Sandy Silver Leader of the Third Party Klondike LEGISLATIVE STAFF Clerk of the Assembly Floyd McCormick Deputy Clerk Linda Kolody Clerk of Committees Allison Lloyd Sergeant-at-Arms Rudy Couture Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Doris McLean Hansard Administrator Deana Lemke Published under the authority of the Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly October 28, 2015 HANSARD 6713 Yukon Legislative Assembly agreement; former negotiator and former Kwanlin Dün Chief Whitehorse, Yukon Mike Smith and former Chief Rick O’Brien. To all the leaders Wednesday, October 28, 2015 — 1:00 p.m. I have mentioned and the countless others who played a role, we thank you. Speaker: I will now call the House to order. We will You have each played different roles over the years, but proceed at this time with prayers. what was consistent throughout all of those roles was the dedication to the health and the well-being of your citizens. Prayers You and your commitment to strengthening not only your communities, but all of Yukon is greatly appreciative. From DAILY ROUTINE the presentation of Together Today for Our Children Speaker: We will proceed with the Order Paper. Tomorrow in 1973 to the signing of the Umbrella Final Tributes. Agreement in 1993 to the settlement of your land claims and the signing of your agreements in 2005, the road to finalizing TRIBUTES these agreements has been long and it has been at times In recognition of Kwanlin Dün and Carcross/Tagish challenging. First Nation final and self-government agreements It involved years of difficult negotiation and hard work of 10th anniversary many, many visionary leaders. When the delegation of Yukon Hon. Mr. Pasloski: It’s an honour and a privilege First Nation chiefs presented Together Today for Our today to rise in recognition of the Kwanlin Dün and Children Tomorrow to Prime Minister Trudeau in 1973, Carcross/Tagish First Nations and the 10-year anniversary of Elijah Smith said, “We are not here for a handout. We are here their final and self-government agreements this year. with a plan.” The final and self-government agreements are As many of you know, Kwanlin Dün First Nation held a that plan. They provide all the governments in Yukon with a celebration of the 10-year anniversary as part of their general road map that frames our government-to-government assembly this past weekend. Additionally, October 22 was the relationships and charts the way to a better future for all 10-year anniversary of the signing of the Carcross/Tagish First citizens and all Yukoners. These agreements are the Nation final and self-government agreements. foundation of how we organize ourselves politically, how we These 10-year anniversaries could not have been reached work to build capacity and find innovative solutions to shared without the dedication of many remarkable leaders, and some issues. of those leaders are with us here today. First, I would like to Although there are challenges, there is very much to pay tribute to Kwanlin Dün Chief Doris Bill and celebrate. I had the honour of attending Kwanlin Dün’s Carcross/Tagish Khà Shâde Héni Dan Cresswell, who are here anniversary gala over the weekend and what an incredible today. celebration that was. It was symbolic to celebrate the I also would ask my fellow members and the public who milestone at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. The cultural are here today in the Legislative Assembly to join me in also centre, the wharf and the restoration of historic buildings are welcoming from Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Roxanne some of the 16 projects that have been completed since 2008 Vallevand and Eileen Duchesne who are here — and then take as part of the revitalization of the Whitehorse waterfront and the opportunity to also acknowledge the Assistant Deputy are just some of the tangible examples of what was envisioned Minister of Aboriginal Relations, Stephen Mills, and his team by the final and self-government agreements and the immense who are also here today. benefits that have come from these agreements and working I would like to pay tribute to some of the many past together through partnerships. leaders who may not be here today, but to whom we owe a The Single Track to Success mountain bike trails and the great deal. Chief Jim Boss was known as the father of the revitalizations of the Carcross waterfront, including the Yukon land claims, as he was the first to petition the Carcross Commons, the Carcross pedestrian bridge, the government for compensation for the loss of his peoples’ land waterfront landscaping, and the Bennett Lake viewing deck and hunting grounds in the early 1900s. There was also are further examples of community-driven economic Elijah Smith, Dan Johnson, and Johnny Smith, who were development that creates employment, builds capacity and instrumental in the development and the presentation of provides training and new opportunities for youth. Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow, which is The positive impacts of the final and self-government considered to be the document that launched the land claims agreements can be seen and felt across this territory. The process; former Carcross/Tagish Khà Shâde Héni, return of community-level decision-making, the priority that is Mark Wedge, who signed off on the agreements in 2005; placed on education and health, and the increased economic Johnny Johns and the members of the final negotiating team opportunities are just some of the visible indicators. for Carcross/Tagish First Nation — Art Johns, Ted Hall, The calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Clara Schinkel, Anne Wally, Colleen James, Darrell Beattie, Commission report highlighted for all Canadians that the Beverley Sembsmoen and Frank James; Kwanlin Dün settlement and implementation of land claims are an important councillor Judy Gingell, who was the chair of the Council of step on the path to reconciliation with aboriginal people. Yukon First Nations during the negotiation of the final Today, 11 of Yukon’s 14 First Nations have final and self- 6714 HANSARD October 28, 2015 government agreements. Yukon accounts for almost half of all years will bring, and that was echoed by Chief Bill on the self-governing First Nations in this country. It is a great weekend as well. source of pride for Yukon to be seen as a leader in land claim Once again, I would like to acknowledge the elders, implementation and self-government, both in Canada and chiefs, ladies and gentlemen. Congratulations on 10 years of internationally. self-government to Carcross-Tagish and Kwanlin Dün First I would like to reaffirm the Yukon government’s support Nations. of the final and self-government agreements. These Applause agreements contribute to the principles of reconciliation. They bring us toward a more equitable and inclusive society by Ms. Hanson: On behalf of the Yukon New Democratic putting power and autonomy back in the hands of First Nation Party Official Opposition, I am honoured to recognize the 10th governments. They give us a framework to work together as anniversary of the February 19, 2005 signing of the governments to close the gaps in social, health and economic Kwanlin Dün First Nation final and self-government outcomes that exist between aboriginal and non-aboriginal agreement and the October 22, 2005 Carcross/Tagish final populations. I believe that these agreements and the hard work agreement signing. I also join in recognizing the many, many of First Nation leaders have meant that the youth who are people who played a role in bringing the Kwanlin Dün and growing up today have a future that is full of opportunities. Carcross/Tagish First Nation agreements to successful They are empowered to make decisions about their future and ratification and signing. the future of their communities. They have a renewed sense of You know, Mr. Speaker, when I was told this morning pride in their rich culture and their heritage. As governments, that this tribute would be on the Order Paper for today, I this is what drives us. looked back at the signed agreements and, as I did so, I was We want to ensure that Yukon continues to prosper and flooded by many memories. The signatures of past First we want to build healthy and sustainable communities.