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 makers themselves, they are cognizant of the terrible cost of Whitehorse, Yukon war. Thursday, November 7, 2019 — 1:00 p.m. In World War I, it is estimated that 61,000 Canadians were killed in action and another 172,000 were wounded. Canada’s Speaker: I will now call the House to order. population in 1914 when the war began was just eight million We will proceed at this time with prayers. citizens. In World War II, it is estimated that 42,000 Canadians were killed in action and another 55,000 wounded. Canada’s Prayers population in 1939 when World War II began was 11 million. By comparison, today our population is just over 37 million Speaker’s statement in recognition of Remembrance citizens. It is estimated that in both World Wars, well over Day one million citizens were involved directly or indirectly in the Speaker: Before the House proceeds with the Order war effort. The stunning enormity and brutality of these losses Paper, the Chair will make a few remarks. and the concept of a desperate, all-encompassing national war This coming Monday is Remembrance Day. It is a day effort is almost unfathomable today. when Canadians from coast to coast honour those who have While it is true that our casualties have been less than in served and continue to serve in the Canadian Forces, the subsequent battles, the danger to our citizens and to our towns RCMP, and other related agencies and remember those who and cities in a nuclear age is actually far more dire than it was were lost in the line of duty. in either of the World Wars. November 11 was declared a day of remembrance after the In discussing remembrance and the importance of end of World War I. Every Canadian child learns in school that remembrance with Yukon students, I try to stress the important the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 marked messages that war tells us. We need young people to avoid war the armistice that led to the end of the First World War. Across and seek alternative resolutions when there is conflict. War Canada, we continue to hold ceremonies to remember the men should never be a first or second choice; it should be the last and women who defended Canada during times of war and resort to settle disputes. continue to try to bring peace to many troubled parts of the Recently, the Department of Education has worked with world. the legion to help to increase the understanding of the cost of The first Remembrance Day was held in Canada on war. The six-part documentary series that was recently November 11, 1919 — 100 years ago this coming Monday. delivered to Yukon schools covers both Canadian men and Given the passage of time since the end of World War I, the last women in the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Canadian veteran of that war passed away a number of years the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War, the ago, and our remaining Canadian World War II veterans are Korean conflict, Afghanistan, and worldwide NATO missions. largely in their 90s. This important resource was started in 2016 in Saskatchewan What is remarkable is that Canadians still mark with the endorsement of the Royal Canadian Legion and has Remembrance Day in the millions, and in the Yukon, once spread across Canada from there. Educators across Yukon will again, thousands will mark this solemn occasion in ceremonies be able to engage students in meaningful discussions as to why across the territory. it is so important that we continue to honour the sacrifices of In 2018, we commemorated the 100th anniversary of Canadians. Canada’s 100 Days — a three-month series of Allied military Before I conclude my comments, I want to remind victories in the closing months of the First World War. We also members and our guests in the gallery today that tomorrow is commemorated the centenary of the armistice that finally ended National Aboriginal Veterans Day. In Yukon, we talk of the battles of the Great War, tragically mis-named “the war to reconciliation with indigenous citizens as a priority; however, end all wars”. we have a history of not recognizing the sacrifices of our While Remembrance Day has always been a day to indigenous servicemen and servicewomen who served in the remember those who have died in the service of Canada, we are military in the same way as we have recognized non-indigenous also more aware that the price paid by our servicemen and citizens. servicewomen sometimes extends beyond their time in It must be remembered that status Indians in Canada did uniform. We must remember this and continue to support these not have the right to vote or to be candidates for the House of fellow Canadians. Commons or the Yukon Territorial Council until 1961. In other I, along with my MLA colleagues, have once again had the words, Canada’s aboriginal soldiers, sailors, and Air Force honour of marking Remembrance Day in our territorial public personnel who fought in World War I, World War II, and in the schools. I know that I speak for all Yukoners: It is our fervent Korean conflict fought for rights that they themselves did not hope that our children never have to suffer the terrible costs of yet have. Reconciliation must occur in many ways and in many war and make the ultimate sacrifice that we have and continue areas, but the most urgent in the coming days should be those to ask some of our citizens to make during times of global indigenous veterans who served and, in many cases, are now conflict. However, it is important that they remember, entering the latter years of their lives. appreciate, and are aware so that, when they become decision- 582 HANSARD November 7, 2019 We also must continue to do better in recognizing the page — Josh Wanless, and also a former page, sacrifice of all of our citizens, regardless of their identifying Heather Mislang. gender or ethnic background. If the members could welcome this class. Thank you. As Members of the Legislative Assembly, we, like all Applause Canadians, are the beneficiaries of freedoms that have been provided to us by the sacrifices of others. These include the Hon. Mr. Streicker: I wonder if we could please rights of peaceful assembly, freedom of speech, and long- welcome past city councillor Mr. Dave Austin to the standing parliamentary privileges, all of which have been hard Legislature today. fought for. It is easy to take all of these for granted. Applause Lest we forget. Speaker: Are there any further introductions of visitors? DAILY ROUTINE Tributes. Speaker: We will proceed at this time with the Order TRIBUTES Paper. In recognition of Remembrance Day INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS Hon. Mr. Silver: I rise today in honour of Speaker: Under Introduction of Visitors, I have some Remembrance Day to pay tribute to our courageous Canadian guests in the Speaker’s gallery. Allow me to introduce World soldiers, sailors, airmen, and airwomen. War II veteran and retired Corporal Louise Miller. I believe Every year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th Corporal Miller was also the recipient of a Quilt of Valour month, Canadians join together in honour of our veterans. On within the last six months. As well, we have legion second vice- Monday, we will once again be gathered at memorial halls, president Terry Grabowski, and Stan Borud is also in the schools, community centres, and cenotaphs across Yukon.