Yukon Legislative Assembly Number 2 2nd Session 34th Legislature HANSARD Monday, April 24, 2017 — 1:00 p.m. Speaker: The Honourable Nils Clarke YUKON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 2017 Spring 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 Liz Hanson Leader of the Third Party Whitehorse Centre Kate White Third Party House Leader Takhini-Kopper King LEGISLATIVE STAFF Clerk of the Assembly Floyd McCormick Deputy Clerk Linda Kolody Clerk of Committees Allison Lloyd Sergeant-at-Arms Doris McLean Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Karina Watson Hansard Administrator Deana Lemke Published under the authority of the Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly April 24, 2017 HANSARD 9 Yukon Legislative Assembly Mr. Speaker, all agreed he had a wry sense of humour. Also, Whitehorse, Yukon he was a modest person — modest about his many and Monday, April 24, 2017 — 1:00 p.m. profound contributions to this territory. Mr. Speaker, Yukon is a much better place for Jim Speaker: I will now call the House to order. At this Smith’s involvement in public life. His gifts to this territory time, we will proceed with prayers. are significant and they are enduring. On behalf of our caucus and the Government of Yukon, I extend to Mr. Smith’s family Prayers our deepest sympathies for the loss of your devoted husband, father and grandfather. DAILY ROUTINE At this time, I would like to ask all of my colleagues to Speaker: We will proceed at this time with the Order join me in welcoming to the gallery today Dorothy Smith, Jim Paper. Smith’s wife of 74 years. Tributes. Applause TRIBUTES Hon. Mr. Silver: Also with us here today: Marilyn In remembrance of Jim Smith Smith, daughter; Alex Murdoch — Mr. Smith’s grandson — Hon. Mr. Silver: I rise this afternoon to pay tribute to and I have to say, I’m not supposed to pick favorites as an ex- the late Jim Smith, a man who shared his responsibilities with teacher, but you’re one of my favorites for sure, Mr. Murdoch; the whole of Yukon so generously. also Eric Smith, Jim Smith’s son; Darrell Alexander who is Mr. Smith came to the north as a young man. He settled Marilyn’s partner; Trevor Alexander, their son; and also first in Atlin, BC, where he met and married Dorothy Matson, Natasha Alexander, daughter. Thank you. his wife of 74 years. In 1947, the Smiths moved to Yukon, Applause made their home and raised their family in Whitehorse. Jim Smith was active in local affairs. He was president of the Ms. Van Bibber: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce and served a term on of the Official Opposition, I rise to pay tribute to Mr. Jim Whitehorse City Council. In 1958, Mr. Smith was elected to Smith. Jim Smith was born in New Westminster, BC on New the Legislative Assembly or, as it was known at that time, the Year’s Eve, 1919, but it has always been felt he was Yukon’s “Territorial Council”. son. After graduating from high school and with the war on, He saw the mandate of the 1958 council as laying the Jim was on the search for a job. He started work at a butcher foundation for responsible government here in the Yukon. He shop and quickly learned the trade. An opening for a butcher genuinely believed the future of Yukon should be determined came up in Atlin and he agreed to give the place a try. The by the people who live there. As Commissioner from 1966 to store advanced his fare and up the coast he came, arriving in 1976, he carried on with this mandate. In 1970, the Executive 1940 to a bustling town. He met and married a local girl, Committee, a forerunner to the present-day Cabinet, was Dorothy Matson, in 1942. Then they moved from Atlin to created with two elected representatives involved in the Whitehorse in 1947. running of government. Tourist Services was a huge complex where the current Mr. Smith believed in good government for Yukoners. As Yukon Inn complex is now, and Jim Smith was hired as the Commissioner, he worked hard over many years to reorganize manager. I still remember the wonders of that modern grocery the territorial administration into a modern governance store, where the doors opened automatically. During this structure. Mr. Smith made many other contributions to Yukon period, Jim was encouraged to become involved in local life, both in the territory and also beyond its borders. He co- organizations, which eventually led to politics. He was city founded the Arctic Winter Games with Stuart Hodgson, the alderman, then a member of the Territorial Council. Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, and also In 1958, there were five elected councillors: Ray Governor Walter Hickel of Alaska. He worked with Premier McKamy from Mayo; John Livesey from Carmacks-Kluane; Dave Barrett of British Columbia and Governor Bill Egan of George Shaw, Dawson; Charlie Taylor, Whitehorse East; and Alaska to secure approval for construction to the South James Smith, Whitehorse West. The Commissioner of Yukon Klondike Highway from Carcross to Skagway. was selected and given instructions by the Indian and He played a critical role in the establishment of Kluane Northern Affairs minister and, well, basically ran the territory. National Park and the Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site. The council really had no power — but were local elected After 10 years as Commissioner, Mr. Smith went on to executives from the communities to help the Commissioner in head the northern Canadian power corporation, a pre-cursor to his direction for Yukon. Jim quickly realized things needed to today’s Yukon Energy Corporation. change — to have a Yukon with Yukon decisions. Throughout his public life, he never lost his common After Commissioner Gordon Campbell finished his term, touch, and his interest in and affection for the Yukon people. there was a hunt on for a new Commissioner. There were Many knew him simply as Jimmy; many — like our current interviews given to a few candidates, and Jim was one of Commissioner Doug Phillips — insisted on calling the man those candidates. DIAND minister, Arthur Laing, arrived in “Mr. Smith” out of respect and adoration. Either way, the territory carrying a briefcase with the name of our new 10 HANSARD April 24, 2017 Commissioner. Remember, communications were not like at the level of the provinces. We had a smaller population and they are today. In that briefcase was the name “James Smith”. did not have access to facilities and the means to many Yukoners were pleased. He was well-liked and everyone structured sports. He had an idea for a northern games that knew he would be fair and speak up for Yukoners. He was was the best idea since the invention of 7UP. now in charge. He lobbied Commissioner Smith, who then contacted the He was the longest sitting Commissioner in Yukon’s Commissioner of Northwest Territories, Stuart Hodgson, and history. He served two five-year terms from October 15, 1966 the DIAND Minister, Arthur Laing, and they thought it was a to June 30, 1976. He began a legacy that is amazing. He smashing idea. One call to the west from Jim, and Governor formed the first budget program committee in 1968 so that the Walter Hickel was also on board. The first games were held in territory had a better handle on the money allotted to it. He 1970 and had three teams: Northwest Territories, Alaska and was starting responsible government for and by locals. In Yukon. 1974, he changed the name from Council of Yukon Territory He was also the father of Yukon grants to help students to the Yukon Legislative Assembly. He said — and I quote: who had to travel Outside to further their education. That was “The Commissioner had to be a dyed-in-the-wool politician. If a help to so many families. I had stopped and paid attention to the controversy, we never During those years, the territory was booming. Clinton would have done anything.” Creek mine, Anvil Range, Cassiar, United Keno Hill Mines all The beautiful land of Yukon was something to be helped drive the economy. recognized and enjoyed for generations. He assisted in the He eventually resigned after his 10 years as establishment of the Kluane National Park and Reserve, had Commissioner and, after a brief regrouping, he worked for the Chilkoot Trail designated as a national historic site and NCPC, as the Premier mentioned, and then fully retired from encouraged the construction of the south Klondike Highway public life.