Northwest Territories News

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has a vision of a strong, prosperous North. We know that creating this North starts with healthy, safe communities where people can prosper, free from the fear of violence.

October 5–11, 2014 was the 14th annual Family Violence Awareness Week. There were several events held across the Northwest Territories to bring attention to the serious ongoing problem we have with family violence among our residents. These events included a radio phone-in show in Fort Good Hope, school presentations with elders and youth in Tuktoyaktuk, workshops on the Hay River Reserve, four events in Fort Liard including a community potluck, Fort Simpson high school students decorated and displayed anti-violence t-shirts and Inuvik held a scavenger hunt and barbeque. I want to congratulate all the communities who participated in these and other activities.

Northwest Territories Family Violence Awareness Week draws attention to the issue of domestic violence and encourages residents to stand together to stop the violence. This year’s focus was on the bystander in family violence, co-workers, friends, family members and neighbours.

This is challenging, Mr. Speaker. How do individuals and government respond to what is often viewed as a private family matter or a matter for the police?   I believe the role of government is to provide programs and supports to help prevent family violence and treat its impacts and to also demonstrate leadership.

The Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Justice provide many of the programs and services our residents need to prevent and to deal with family violence. Their work is often guided by the advice and input from the Coalition Against Family Violence.  Members will recall that the Coalition is a multi- agency group working collectively to reduce the incidence of, and to more effectively respond to, family violence in the Northwest Territories.

It has been through the work of the Coalition that many of the more innovative approaches to addressing family violence have been developed, including emergency protection orders and the men’s healing program. I want to thank all members of the Coalition for their ongoing commitment and dedication, in particular the Status of Women Council, which chairs and provides administration for the Coalition.

Government leaders also have a role in stopping family violence. Earlier this month, I met with the Northwest Territories MétisNation and with the Tłįchǫ Government.  We discussed the impact family violence has on our communities and how we need to demonstrate leadership and take a stand against family violence as governments.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to stopping family violence.  It is a serious problem that impacts all Northerners and I will continue to raise this issue with all of our Aboriginal government partners in the weeks and months ahead.

We are all affected by family violence which means we all have an interest in stopping it.  By working together with the Coalition Against Family Violence, with our Aboriginal government partners and with communities, the Government of the Northwest Territories is dedicated to improving the safety, security and well-being of all of our residents.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, it has been a challenging summer for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.  During this past summer the Taltson hydroelectric plant and the transmission lines between the Snare plants and Yellowknife were threatened by forest fires.  Fortunately, all major infrastructure was preserved however, these same fires were responsible for half of the power outages experienced on the Snare system.

The same drought conditions that contributed to this being one of the worst forest fires years in history, is also responsible for low water on the Snare system.  Water levels at Snare are at a 64-year low and prompted the Corporation to apply for a 3.7 cent rate rider to cover the additional 16 million litres of fuel it anticipates burning up until June 2015 – at a cost of about $20 million.  This government recognized that customers could not afford an increase in power costs and agreed to cover this unavoidable expense.

Mr. Speaker, the Corporation recognizes the current way of operating is no longer sustainable – rates have reached their limit of affordability.  What occurred this past summer, while an environmental anomaly, has been a catalyst that has initiated serious discussion on potentially game-changing direction and focus.

We look forward to the upcoming Energy Charrette as it will provide direction and guidance for the future of power generation in the territory.  NTPC and the Government of Northwest Territories are open and willing to consider any generation option that is sustainable and reliable, and that does not increase the cost of power to the customer.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to a new direction, this government also needs to look at what it can do to invest in infrastructure to keep power affordable.  While an interconnecting transmission grid, both within the territory and to the southern grid, is still a long-term goal, it is not attainable in the short or medium term.  Instead, this government and NTPC will continue to work together to investigate, research and test alternative options that will lower the cost of generating power, reduce dependence on diesel – especially in the thermal communities – and that will potentially create opportunities for economic development in the process.

The ongoing collaboration between the Corporation and this government is a great improvement and is continually strengthened through projects like heat sales in the South Slave Region.  GNWT and South Slave towns will be offered surplus energy from the Taltson system at reduced rates with all revenues going to support conservation efforts and renewable energy projects.

Mr. Speaker, NTPC has made inroads in alternative energy and conservation this year. Construction of the solar farm in Colville Lake started in August with completion expected this month; more than 800 of the thermal zone’s 2000 streetlights have been converted to LED; and the net metering program was launched in April – giving residents the opportunity to install alternative power generation systems on their property and receive credit for power they produce.  This is just a sample of the work being done – more information will be available on the “Energy Alternatives” section of NTPC’s website in the coming days.

Conservation as our lowest cost alternative to building additional generation is an important area of focus for NTPC. The corporation is working at developing an extensive conservation section to their website as a first step in informing customers about the way they presently consume electricity and how they can be more efficient with energy use. Beyond their website, NTPC will also be sending out conservation information with customer bills along with running a conservation campaign later this fall.

Mr. Speaker, the Corporation continues to build capacity in the territory through its hiring local people into apprenticeships and this year has hired an additional three Northerners in positions where they are developing skills on-the-job and have full time employment.

As we move into the last year of this government’s mandate, Mr. Speaker, it is important to keep moving forward; making thoughtful, educated decisions that are in the long-term best interest of the residents of the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, small businesses and entrepreneurs are the backbone of our community and regional economies.

To encourage economic diversity and sustainability, the Government of the Northwest Territories has long supported the interests and growth of this highly valued segment of the North’s economic community through a variety of programs and services.

As we mark Small Business Week this year, the GNWT is moving forward with the implementation of its NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy.  This Strategy offers a plan to expand and diversify the NWT economy outside of its rich resource sector, in areas such as agriculture, tourism, fishing, manufacturing and the traditional economies.

Later today, I will be tabling the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy Implementation Plan that maps out the priorities, methods and resources to address the Strategy’s 117 recommended actions.

It reflects, in part, our commitment to improve supports to NWT businesses and to grow a stable and attractive entrepreneurial environment.

The work of ITI, along with our partners, has confirmed that there are great opportunities for us to balance and diversify our economy in all regions and in all sectors.  Our partners, including the NWT Chamber of Commerce, the NWT Association of Communities, the Northern Aboriginal Business Association, and Canada’s Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), will be integral as we work to implement the Strategy’s recommendations.

The engagement process that informed the Economic Opportunities Strategy also offered valuable insights into how we deliver business support programs and services.  We are now addressing many of the challenges and barriers that were identified and acting on the initiatives and ideas that were identified.

We are addressing issues of red tape.  Our planned actions on 11 of the recommendations identified in the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy are designed to better target, streamline and coordinate government programs and services.

We are also finding ways to better target government resources and funding to realize identified regional priorities; to do a better job of promoting and marketing programs and services that are available through government to support NWT businesses; and to deliver more of our information and services on line.

Though this Strategy is in its early days, we are already seeing its benefits.

Our destination marketing organization, NWT Tourism, is operating the newly established Conference Bureau, which was a recommendation of the Strategy. The Conference Bureau better positions this territory to attract more business travellers and provide spin-off benefits for transportation suppliers, hotels, restaurants, artisans and tour operators.

The Economic Opportunities Strategy also recommended working to expand the export and domestic market of Great Slave Lake Fish.  With industry feedback, we have created a new brand, point of purchase materials, packaging, and promotional items for producers and retailers to help market the NWT’s fresh fish product.  We are also proposing $1.5 million in 2015-16, and will be looking for partners to replace the fishing industry’s out-dated federal infrastructure, and to generate new capital to stimulate an era of self-sufficiency for our commercial fishing industry.

Economic diversity and sustainability is, foremost, reliant on a competitive business environment in which NWT residents have the tools to invest, overcome challenges, and prosper.

On April 1, the Business Development and Investment Corporation will celebrate its 10th anniversary.  Over the last decade, the BDIC has been serving small businesses across the NWT – offering loans, grants, business information, and support.

In the coming years, the BDIC will spearhead a number of services to further assist small businesses.  Initiatives include developing a framework that will connect NWT businesses with opportunities around the globe, and expanding its small business training and counselling services.  These services will provide small businesses with national and cross-border networking, trade opportunities, and business mentorship.

Through the evolution of business support programs and services, ITI and the BDIC will continue to excel as essential resources for economic development in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, the responsibility of developing a competitive economic environment belongs to us all as we work to achieve our goal of a diversified economy that provides all communities with opportunities and choices.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 20, 2014) – October 19-26 marks Small Business Week in Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is highlighting services and programs available to local businesses.

“Entrepreneurs and small businesses are integral to growing the territorial economy,” said Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) David Ramsay, who is also the Minister Responsible for the Business Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC). “Earlier this year, the GNWT began implementing the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy. This strategy supports our ongoing efforts to create business opportunities and grow an attractive entrepreneurial environment throughout the NWT.”

The GNWT assists local businesses through programs run by ITI and with loans, grants, business information and support offered by the BDIC.

The BDIC has a number of free seminars that will take place throughout Small Business Week. A complete schedule of the BDIC and Canada Business NWT’s Small Business Week events can be found online at BDIC.ca/sbw.

Through collaboration between ITI and the BDIC and implementation of the Economic Opportunities Strategy, the GNWT is working to build a diversified economy.

Media inquiries:

Leslie Campbell
Senior Communications Officer
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 920-3343
www.iti.gov.nt.ca

Brad Poulter
Manager Communications and Board Support
NWT Business Development and Investment Corporation
Tel: (867) 920-6452
www.bdic.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (October 20, 2014) – Minister of Justice David Ramsay joined his federal, provincial and territorial colleagues in Banff last week to discuss a range of public safety and justice issues, including several of interest to NWT residents.

Ministers talked about the progress that has been made on addressing violence against Aboriginal women and girls and agreed to the release of a progress report outlining specific activities underway as well as further commitments for action.  Ministers also discussed countering violent extremism, implementation of the proposed Victims Bill of Rights, further collaboration on access to justice issues and shared information on initiatives to support offender reintegration.

Minister Ramsay, and his fellow territorial ministers pressed the federal government for enhanced funding under the First Nations Policing Program.  “This is a long-standing issue for the North,” said the Minister. “Extension of the program to the Northwest Territories would significantly advance our efforts to meet the policing needs of our communities and allow the NWT to invest in addressing issues like cultural diversity and orientation of members, language issues, policing remote Aboriginal communities and the steady increase in the costs of policing.”

During the meetings Minister Ramsay also had the opportunity to sit down with colleagues from Yukon and Nunavut to talk about specialized courts, securing funding from the federal government under the First Nations Policing Program and other areas of common concern.

“This was a great opportunity to meet Public Safety and Justice Ministers from across the country and to learn more about the issues that they face,” added Minister Ramsay. “I look forward to building on these relationships for the benefit of public safety and justice programs and services in the NWT.”

Media inquiries:

Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2302
Email: brenda_norris@gov.nt.ca

Mr. Speaker, investing in the health and well-being of our people and our communities and building prosperity in the Northwest Territories is at the heart of this Assembly’s priorities.   But it is not our priority alone.  Mr. Speaker, these goals are shared by many non-governmental organizations in our territory, by our citizens and by our employees.

The United Way NWT is one such organization and I am pleased today to stand as the United Way’s NWT Government of the Northwest Territories Workplace Campaign Honourary Chair to announce the kick-off of this year’s staff payroll campaign.

Mr. Speaker, the United Way NWT began about 14 years ago as United Way Yellowknife but has expanded to provide support across the territory.  Over the past three years, more than $180,000 was allocated to various charities across the Northwest Territories.

Like this Assembly, the United Way NWT is committed to building strong and healthy communities through their three areas of focus:

•  From poverty to possibility – moving people out of poverty and meeting basic human needs.
•  All that kids can be – improving access to early childhood and development learning programs, helping kids to do well and complete high school and supporting the healthy transition into adulthood and post-secondary education.
• Healthy people, strong communities – improving access to social and health-related support services; supporting resident and community engagement and supporting community integration and settlement.

Each year, Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has a month-long United Way Workplace Campaign. During this month, employees and Members of the Legislative Assembly and Ministers can sign up for payroll deductions and hold fundraising events. Payroll deductions are an easy way to support the United Way and other registered non-profit organizations that are based in and focused on the Northwest Territories. A few dollars off each pay cheque will go a long way towards supporting non-profits and probably will not even be missed. I challenge all my colleagues here in the Assembly who do not already participate to sign up.

This is the 12th year of the Government of the Northwest Territories Workplace Campaign.  Many Members of this Assembly are donors or volunteers and our Government of the Northwest Territories staff have been generous contributors to the United Way.  This year, Mr. Speaker, through the Workplace Campaign, we hope to increase the number of Government of the Northwest Territories staff who currently donate by payroll deduction to 10% of our employees.  This would be a tremendous boost to the community and territorial organizations that United Way NWT supports.

Mr. Speaker, I have said many times before that Northerners need to work together to create the kind of strong, prosperous and environmentally sustainable territory that we want. The United Way NWT has taken up that challenge and is an important partner with us in supporting beneficial programs and services across the Northwest Territories. The Government of the Northwest Territories payroll campaign begins today and will end on November 21st.

I understand departmental coordinators are organizing events that will occur throughout the month and that Deputy Ministers are leading a government-wide interdepartmental challenge that will feature a number of friendly fund-raising events.

I want to thank the United Way NWT and its volunteer chair, Tracy St. Denis of Industry, Tourism and Investment, our Government of the Northwest Territories Workplace Campaign departmental coordinators and all the staff that are donating and signing up for payroll deductions. Your efforts make a real difference in the lives of our fellow Northerners and I am very proud to be your Honourary Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to provide this House with an update on the  Med-Response system.

Med-Response is the first program of its kind in Canada – or anywhere else, as far as we know.  Other jurisdictions have call centres to coordinate air ambulance triage and dispatch, or call centres to provide clinical consultation, but Med-Response is breaking new ground by combining these functions into one operation.

Mr. Speaker, Med-Response has the potential to transform how we provide care to patients who are injured or critically ill.  Today, we have a patchwork of protocols and processes that govern how we deal with urgent situations in communities outside Yellowknife.  When a Community Health Nurse wants to arrange an air ambulance, he or she may have to make five or six phone calls.  They have to contact a regional nurse in charge, a medical director, the medical travel office, and possibly other clinical experts.  They do all this while trying to care for a patient who may well need urgent attention. They can be on hold for minutes or even an hour waiting to speak to a physician.

Med-Response will change all that.  There will be one dedicated 1-800 number for all health care workers to call when they need an air ambulance, or when they need advice or consultation that is beyond the capacity of local expertise.  When a call is received, an Emergency Medical Coordinator will immediately assess the urgency of the patient’s condition, and then take the appropriate action.  That might include getting a dispatcher to start arranging a medevac, or patching in an ER physician or specialist to provide advice and support.  Both these things can happen at once.  The phone system provides for up to nine callers to be involved, so that everyone with a role to play understands what is happening in real time.

Another benefit of Med-Response is that it provides an immediate support for new staff, casual staff and locum staff that may be dealing with an emergency situation but not be familiar with our system.  In some cases, having immediate access to specialized clinical support may help to avoid having to medevac a patient.

Because all calls will be recorded, Med-Response will introduce a new level of quality assurance into our system.  The data tracking capacity will allow us to monitor air ambulance usage, and regional patterns, providing the basis for future program improvement.

Mr. Speaker, I have heard concerns about the delayed implementation of this innovative system.  But it’s more important to do it right than to do it right now.  The team at Stanton Territorial Hospital is in place and has been working through looking at programs in other jurisdictions, customizing the phone system and dispatch software, training staff, and developing operating procedures.  We are now getting into the final stages of implementation, which involve reaching out to practitioners in every region to ensure that systems are thorough and accurate, and that nothing has been forgotten in the design.

In the very near future the team will kick off two weeks of intensive scenario testing as the final step before the system goes live early in the new calendar  year.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will recognize in the gallery the dedicated team of professionals who are working to make Med-Response realize its potential.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to update Members and the public on our fiscal situation and discuss the ways we are addressing our challenges during the remaining life of this Assembly.

To date, 2014-15 has included a number of fiscal challenges.  The most severe fire season in NWT history has cost $55 million, or 3% of this year’s budget.  A record 64 year low water levels at Snare Hydro required the Government to intervene with a $20 million contribution to the NWT Power Corporation to ensure higher electricity costs of 13% are not passed onto NWT residents and businesses. On the revenue side, total gross revenues forecast for next number of years are expected to grow at less than 1% annually.  Resource revenues are expected to be slightly lower than originally estimated last December, averaging approximately $113 million annually over the next five years, down from $120 million annually and they are extremely volatile in that the expected revenue stream could fluctuate by as much $30 million from the expected annual average.  Resource revenues are also finite in the sense that we cannot rely on receiving them from the same sources forever.  These two facts are the reason why this Government has decided to not include resource revenues in our operations and maintenance budget to fund programs and services.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) will only use resource revenues to fund infrastructure, pay down debt and invest in the NWT Heritage Fund.

As a Government we will remain fiscally vigilant because average annual revenue growth over the next five years is expected to be significantly lower than historical growth rates.  The fiscal reality is that we depend on the Territorial Formula Financing Grant to provide the majority of our revenues.  Over the next five years, the Grant is projected to grow about 2% annually due to a declining NWT population and reduced provincial and local government spending as provinces attempt to balance their budgets.

Next week I will be tabling the GNWT Public Accounts for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.  The annual report from the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) on the Public Accounts is positive overall, a clean opinion, noting significant progress by GNWT over prior years.  One such indicator of progress is the OAG cost of the audit has decreased approximately 20% from the prior year, which is a decrease from $929,000 to $756,000.  This is mainly due to the fact that there were fewer errors and audit issues noted during the course of the audit, which resulted in improved efficiencies on the part of both GNWT management and the OAG audit team.  Additionally, the GNWT has managed to shorten the Public Account timeframes by continuously improving reporting and quality over the last three fiscal years.  As the 17th Assembly prepares its final budget, the fiscal objective remains the same: hold the line on expenditure growth to allow us to make the investments necessary to protect our infrastructure and grow the economy.  The achievement of this objective are reflected in 2015-16 Capital Estimates tabled in the Legislative Assembly yesterday.  Including the proposed housing investment, the total planned infrastructure investment in 2015-16 will be $314 million.

Being fiscally vigilant also means returning to a reduced capital plan after the 2015-16 Capital Estimates.  This reduction will be difficult given the Government’s current infrastructure deficit, the contribution public infrastructure spending makes to local economies, and the fact that we need critical infrastructure to grow our economy.

NWT economic activity is only three-quarters of what it was eight years ago because resource production is declining and business capital investment is significantly lower. The lower levels of economic activity are one important reason why the NWT population is declining.

We are attempting to grow the NWT economy through a number of strategies that complement each other. As announced in this year’s Budget, our target is to increase the NWT population by 2,000 people over the next five years and we are taking steps to grow the NWT economy through important initiatives such as Industry, Tourism and Investment’s Economic Opportunity Strategy and Mineral Development Strategy and Education and Culture and Employment’s work to attract skilled immigrant workers along with providing training opportunities for NWT residents take the jobs here in the NWT.

A robust economy combined with an increased population is key to our fiscal sustainability. The NWT population has not increased significantly since 2004 when the NWT was experiencing very strong economic growth while the rest of Canada was not. The NWT is competing with booming economies, especially in Western Canada.  The Department of Human Resources is continuing to take steps to improve our internal recruitment and retention actions and through Industry, Tourism and Investment’s “Come Make Your Mark” program, we are working with the private sector to support their recruitment and retention efforts.  On October 8, 2014 I met the senior management of NWT’s three operating diamond mines, the NWT Chamber of Mines and the NWT Chamber of Commerce to continue our discussion on labour market challenges faced by the private sector, particularly the mining industry and in doing so we are gaining a better understanding about what companies are doing to encourage more NWT resident labour and how the GNWT can work with the companies to make their actions in this regard more successful.

These economic development strategies will depend on transformational investments such as the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Optic Link, the Mackenzie Valley Highway and addressing our energy challenges.  We need to focus on these strategic investments, and other investments, to lower costs for residents and businesses and open corridors to previously inaccessible markets and resources.

Funding these strategic investments require operating surpluses.  Given the medium term revenue outlook, these operating surpluses will only be achieved through making choices about what programs we fund and how much we fund them.

With respect to energy costs, we know that the GNWT cannot sustain its investment in subsidizing power rates.  Since the beginning of the 17th Assembly, our government has provided $58 million in subsidies in order to shield NWT residents and businesses from ever increasing electrical costs.

As you heard from the Premier yesterday, this level of subsidy cannot continue and the GNWT will be holding a second Energy Charrette November 3rd and 4th in Yellowknife where people from across the NWT will be invited to discuss their ideas on how best to address our energy challenges.

Going forward, the next Assembly will face the same difficult challenges we are currently addressing.  That is why we will use the last annual public budget tour for the 17th Legislative Assembly this fall to discuss the GNWT fiscal situation, fiscal objectives and strategy with NWT residents.  The information and feedback we collect will be a key piece in the transition to the 18th Legislative Assembly.

Since the first budget of this Assembly, we have successfully worked to maintain a stable fiscal environment while managing the fiscal risks of the many things outside of our control.  Our prudent management of expenditure growth has meant that we have achieved the fiscal targets that permitted increased infrastructure investments for 2014‑15 and 2015-16. Our commitment to fiscal discipline gives us the assurance that we will have the fiscal flexibility to address our challenges as they arise.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will table “Building Stronger Families – An Action Plan to Transform Child and Family Services”as well as the formal response to Committee Report 6-17(5).  This Government is committed to a fundamental shift in how we deliver child and family services in the Northwest Territories. The Action Plan will guide necessary and transformational changes to improve the overall quality of these services, and achieve better outcomes for children and their families when they require services under the Child and Family Services Act.

In the past four years, over 100 recommendations have been made with respect to legislation, policies and practice in child and family services.  The Standing Committee on Social Programs of the 16th Legislative Assembly undertook a comprehensive review of the Child and Family Services Act, and in March 2014 the Office of the Auditor General of Canada’s report was tabled in the Legislative Assembly.  This was followed by the report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations, which was tabled in the last Session.

“Building Stronger Families: An Action Plan to Transform Child and Family Services” forms the Government’s comprehensive response to the Auditor General of Canada’s report on Child and Family Services and the report from the Standing Committee on Government Operations.

The Action Plan outlines three overarching goals of increasing accountability between Health Authorities and the Department, improving service delivery, and better assisting children and families in our communities.  The Plan identifies three significant areas of reform.  The first will be to make changes to service delivery and child protection practices.  The second will focus on risk management and quality assurance; and the third will be to improve program administration and management.

We need to find ways to reduce the number of children taken into care, and at the same time we need to protect children and put their interests first.  To accomplish this, child protection workers will receive additional training to assess risk, determine the strengths and needs of each family and develop responses that are appropriate to each individual situation. This fundamental change to child protection practice will ensure that children and families are provided with appropriate support.

To improve risk management and quality assurance, the Department has already completed and implemented a number of items outlined in the Action Plan.  The

2013-2014 Report of the Director of Child and Family Services will be tabled later this Session. The format for new quarterly performance reports from Authorities to the Department has been designed, and reporting activity begins this month.  The quarterly report covering October through December 2014 is due in January 2015.  We have developed audit teams and a common audit tool for use by both the Department and Authorities when auditing child protection and foster care files.  Annual auditing of each authority starts in January 2015.

Information is key to case management and service delivery planning.  This year 3.5 million dollars in capital funding was approved to replace the Child and Family Services Information System.   This project spans three years and the Department is currently engaging professional services to oversee the development and implementation of a new electronic case management, information and data system.

Changes to program administration and management include the development of an improved Accountability Framework and the appointment of all Health and Social Services Authority Chief Executive Officers as Assistant Directors under the Act, creating clearer accountability in the system.  The CEOs were trained and appointed in July 2014.  We have also undertaken legislative amendments to the Child and Family Services Act that will support more community and Aboriginal involvement in child protection matters including prevention and the development of a plan when we need to step in and assist families under the Act.

In addition, the Department has contracted the Child Welfare League of Canada to undertake a review of child protection caseloads and workloads in order to ensure we have the resources needed to provide adequate and essential programming across the NWT.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, “Building Stronger Families” acknowledges the role Aboriginal governments play in the delivery of programs and services and recognizes their future interests in this program area.  We are committed to working together and to understanding the unique interests and challenges of each region and community as we improve our delivery of child and family services.

I look forward to working with Members as we transform child and family services in the NWT.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome all Members back for the resumption of the Fifth Session of the 17th Legislative Assembly.

Last month, Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories announced that it would cover the expected $20 million dollars in increased operating costs that the Northwest Territories Power Corporation faces due to extremely low water levels in the Snare Hydro System.

Our government took this extraordinary step because we are serious about addressing the high cost of living people in the Northwest Territories face. Without this decision, the added cost of using diesel to supplement hydro generation on the Snare system would have been paid by electricity users in every community of the Northwest Territories.

As an Assembly, we share a vision of a strong, environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories that provides opportunities for all its residents. Making the Northwest Territories an attractive place to live, work and do business is an essential part of achieving that vision. We cannot achieve that unless we address the high cost of living, and doing business, in our communities. Energy is one of the biggest components of that cost and we have to do what we can to make it more affordable.

But we have to be clear, Mr. Speaker, that subsidizing consumers by taking on the additional costs of generating and distributing energy is not an effective, or affordable, long-term solution. If we really want to address the high costs of energy in the Northwest Territories, we need to make fundamental changes to how we approach energy specifically and how we think, more generally, as a government.

Identifying and harnessing new ideas is why the Government of the Northwest Territories will be hosting a second Energy Charrette early next month. The first Energy Charrette brought a broad range of energy experts and stakeholders together, including representatives from communities and Aboriginal governments. Together they discussed a long-term energy future for the Northwest Territories that resulted in an Energy Action Plan and a Power System Plan released late last year.

While those documents set out a long-term energy vision for the Northwest Territories, it is clear from recent circumstances that we also need to identify some more immediate and less expensive actions for addressing the high costs of generating and distributing energy right now. Our communities and businesses need the relief and it will be critical to growing a strong, diversified economy.

A second Energy Charrette will give us the opportunity to identify those solutions, while accessing the input of stakeholders and good advice of energy experts. To help focus the discussion on finding practical solutions, we will be putting three questions forward:

• Is there more that the Government of the Northwest Territories can do in the short term to help Northwest Territories residents and businesses cope with rising costs?
•  Are there new projects, programs or technological solutions that could be effective in the immediate term?
•  What should be the approach to transforming our energy systems to ensure they are affordable and sustainable in the long-term?

This Charrette will look at generation options, rather than the large-scale transmission projects that emerged from the last one. We need to find ways to meet our energy needs closer to home, making better use of alternative energies like wind, biomass and solar. With ongoing advances in alternative energy technology, small-scale generation projects in communities, and even homes, are an affordable and feasible way we can help meet some of the demand, particularly in the North Slave where our current systems are at full capacity.

We need to do things differently, and the Charrette will give us an opportunity to make a start in an area that is of great concern to all Northerners.

Mr. Speaker, energy is not the only area where the Government of the Northwest Territories needs to be doing things differently. We continue to face challenges that limit the choices we can make as an Assembly and hamper our ability to create the prosperous future we want for our residents. Even with devolution, the unpredictability of resource revenues will always affect our fiscal plans. Climate change will continue to affect our infrastructure and create challenges like longer fire seasons and low water levels at hydro facilities, placing more demands on our budgets and our people. Personal challenges like irregular school attendance leading to low educational attainment levels and mental health and addictions will continue to hold our people back.

We will only be able to realize our vision of a strong, sustainable and prosperous territory if we make some fundamental changes that free us from these external limits. We need to grow GDP and government revenues by transforming the territorial economy, creating something more diversified and less dependent on volatile resource revenues. We need to address the high costs of factors like energy that continue to be a drag on our economy and affect the standard of living of our residents. We need to effect social change that creates an environment our people can thrive and prosper in.

More money is not the answer. Increased flexibility in the form of a higher borrowing limit or more revenues would help address these challenges, but we cannot simply depend on finding more money that just may not be there. Increasingly, we need to realize that we will have to make managed and strategic investments calculated to make the fundamental changes we need for a successful future. At the same time, we need to maintain fiscal discipline, ensuring that we are not mortgaging our future at the same time as we are trying to transform it.

The growth and health of our economy depends on many factors. It depends on a skilled and educated workforce. It depends on competitive tax and royalty rates. It depends on affordable housing, energy and other costs that make it attractive for businesses to locate and stay here. It depends on vibrant, sustainable communities offering the kind of infrastructure and services residents and businesses need.

With so many factors in play, it is clear that we need to think creatively and broadly if we want to promote the kind of change in our economy that will create long-term, sustainable prosperity for our residents.

That is the kind of thinking that underlies our decisions to develop and implement an Economic Opportunities Strategy and Mineral Development Strategy. It informs our decision to make strategic investments in infrastructure like the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway and Mackenzie Valley Fibre Optic Line that will help support economic growth and development. It is what is behind our decentralization initiative and our objective to grow the Northwest Territories population to help sustain economic growth in all communities and regions.

At the same time, we continue to actively seek partnerships, recognizing that economic development is broader than just the Government of the Northwest Territories alone. We are particularly interested in seeking the opportunities that might come from engaging with forums that link governments and businesses with a shared interest in sustainable economic development and prosperity in our region.

Examples include the Arctic Economic Council, recently established by Minister Leona Aglukkaq in her capacity as Chair of the Arctic Council, and PNWER, or the Pacific Northwest Economic Region. The Northwest Territories recently took over the Presidency of PNWER, giving us a unique platform for promoting the economic potential of our region to a broad range of business and political leaders from several US states and Canadian provinces and territories in the Pacific Northwest and to gain the benefit of their experience.

New thinking and new ways of doing things are not just being applied to the economy. Our government is also taking new approaches designed to promote the same kind of fundamental, positive changes for the territory and its residents in the areas of education and health and wellness.

If we want the people of this territory to live healthy, educated lives free from poverty, we cannot simply address symptoms, we have to address causes. We have to create change at a fundamental level that positions our residents for success and we have to do it early on.

That is why our government has introduced the Early Childhood Development Initiative, Mr. Speaker. We know that the right kind of support provided to children in the years before they are five will pay off exponentially with long term success in later years and reduce demands for more intensive and expensive interventions later.

The need to do things differently is also driving education renewal across the territory. We need to ensure our youth are prepared for the challenges of the future and ready to take advantage of the opportunities that a thriving economy will provide for them. Education renewal is working with our citizens to re-imagine the structure of the education system so it better reflects Northern realities and leads to improved student achievement.

Our government has also been talking about the need to make fundamental change to the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services System. We need to make sure that we are providing the best care possible to the residents of the Northwest Territories and that we are doing everything we can to encourage them to make healthy choices. We also need to make sure that we are using our resources wisely and that our system is as effective and efficient as it can be. We have been talking to people around the territory, outlining our vision for an improved and integrated system that will help ensure best health, best care, for a better future.

Our government has also been pleased to support the establishment of a Wellness Court by the Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories. This alternative to conventional court has been created to help offenders deal with the underlying mental health, addictions and cognitive issues they struggle with. By addressing causes and contributing factors, we hope to create lasting change that will allow offenders lead healthier lives.

Mr. Speaker, these are just some examples of how the Government of the Northwest Territories is doing things differently to help create long-term social and economic prosperity for all the people of this territory. It is going to take sustained and focused effort to do things a different way, but it is what we have to do if we want to achieve this Assembly’s vision of a prosperous and sustainable territory with healthy, educated people and healthy environment. As we prepare for the remaining months of our term, I invite all Members of the Legislative Assembly to join with us in creating a better future for the people we serve.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 15, 2014) – Minister Responsible for Women Bob McLeod offered his congratulations to Malala Yousafzi on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize along with Kailash Satyarthi, Indian children’s rights advocate.

“Malala Yousafzi went against the accepted beliefs of some people in her society that says girls are of lesser value,” said Premier McLeod. “In doing so she became a target for life-threatening violence.”

An outspoken advocate for girls’ education, Yousafzi was critically injured in 2012, when a gunman shot her in the head while she was riding home on a school bus in Pakistan. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. Yousafzi now lives in England and according to media reports continues to receive death threats.

In a media interview after the prize was announced Malala Yousafzi said, “I had really two options. One was not to speak and wait to be killed. And the second was to speak up and then be killed.”

“And I chose the second one, because at that time there was terrorism; women were not allowed to go outside of their houses, ’cause education was totally banned. People were killed. At that time, I needed to raise my voice, because I wanted to go back to school.”

“Silencing the voices of women and girls can take many forms,” Premier McLeod said. “It ranges from overt violence to belittling comments and everything in between. Malala highlights for us how many females are struggling for personal safety.  We all have a role to play in ensuring women and girls have a voice and are free from violence.”

Premier McLeod recently spoke at the NWT launch of Family Violence Awareness Week and the Take Back the Night March. The Government of the Northwest Territories works in close partnership with the Coalition Against Family Violence (CAVF) which organized many of the Family Violence Awareness Week events.  CAFV is a territorial interagency group that brings together non-government and government agencies to share information and undertake projects that work to reduce the incidence of family violence in the NWT.

Media inquiries:

Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2302

Email: brenda_norris@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (October 14, 2014) – The Mackenzie Valley Fiberoptic Link (MVFL) took another positive step today with the announcement by Finance Minister J. Michael Miltenberger that the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the K’ahsho Got’ine District have signed an agreement to allow for the construction and operation of the project.

“The signing of the agreement today demonstrates the benefits of a strong working relationship between the GNWT and the K’ahsho Got’ine District (KGD),” said KGD Land Corporation President Edwin Erutse.

“With the majority of the installation occurring within the existing right-of-way, the significant link for the project was linking the section between Fort Good Hope and Inuvik,” said Minister Miltenberger. “Reaching an agreement with the K’ahsho Got’ine District is an important milestone in the development of the MVFL project, and demonstrates the K’ahsho Got’ine share in the vision of a prosperous NWT.”

In July 2014 the GNWT selected Northern Lights Fibre Limited Partnership (Northern Lights) as the preferred proponent to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the MVFL.  The GNWT and Northern Lights will continue to work closely with communities along the Mackenzie Valley to discuss project benefits and opportunities and with environmental regulatory authorities to ensure environmental requirements are met.

The GNWT planned in-service date for the MVFL of mid-2016 would see construction starting in early January 2015. The project anticipates applying to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board for permitting this month.

The MVFL will provide state of the art communication infrastructure through the Mackenzie Valley. It will provide new opportunities for businesses, including in the e-commerce and high-tech sectors, and will allow for the expansion of the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility, a leader in remote data sensing with international clients. The MVFL will also support more efficient and effective delivery of government services and programs such as telehealth and education to the communities it will connect.

For more information:

Edwin Erutse
President
K’ahsho Got’ine Lands Corporation
Tel: (867)598-2519

or

Sean Craig
Department of Finance
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 873-7124

YELLOWKNIFE (October 14, 2014) – Each year during National Fire Prevention Week Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs Robert C. McLeod recognizes members of the NWT Fire Service for their work in protecting our families and homes from the threat of fire by awarding the annual Fire Service Merit Awards.

“Firefighters and fire departments are an integral part of our community emergency response,” said Minister McLeod. “Recognizing those who selflessly protect our homes and families is important and these awards are one small way we can say thank you.”

NWT Fire Service Merit Awards are awarded based on nominations from community members and fire chiefs. They honour and recognize individuals and community fire departments for their significant contribution to fire safety and fire service across the territory.

The 2014 award recipients are:

• The Behchokö Volunteer Fire Department
• The Fort Smith Volunteer Fire Department
• Volunteer Firefighter Clarence Nasken of the Wekweètì Fire Department
• Volunteer Firefighter Norman Firth of the Fort McPherson Fire Department
• Volunteer Firefighter Vince McKay of the Hay River Fire Department

Recognizing the contributions and achievements of fire fighters is an important part of promoting and recognizing the NWT fire service and the vital education and protection services they provide in helping to make NWT communities sustainable, vibrant and safe, one of the goals of the 17th Legislative Assembly.

Media inquiries:             

David Maguire

Communications and Web Advisor
Municipal and Community Affairs
Phone: (867) 920-3092

YELLOWKNIFE (October 10, 2014) – Members of the Executive Councils of the Tłįchǫ Government and the 17th Legislative Assembly met this week as agreed to in Working Together – the Tłįchǫ Government/Government of the Northwest Territories Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding (Working Together).

Areas of discussion included:

• Shared interest in finding the resources to develop all-weather roads in the Tłįchǫ region.
• The Tłįchǫ Government shared a review of the economic impacts of the Tłįchǫ Agreement and its positive impact on the NWT GDP.
• How our governments can work together on the serious ecological, cultural and socio-economic problems of the Bathurst and Bluenose caribou population decline.
• The GNWT shared plans for a restructuring of the NWT Health and Social Services System.
• The importance of talking about family violence, as governments and in communities, and recognition of Family Violence Week.
• Shared interest in resolving housing concerns in the Tłįchǫ communities.

The Working Together agreement was also renewed for a 4 year term. This was the fourth meeting of the two governments since it was initially signed in June 2012. 

For more information:

Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2302

Jim Martin
Sr. Policy Advisor, Priorities & Planning
Tłįchǫ Government
Tel: 867-766-4003

The attached news release is being redistributed on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada.

CJG-NR Kenney NWT_V04 QC

YELLOWKNIFE (October 9, 2014) – The Northwest Territories’ (NWT) most productive trappers for the 2013/14 season were formally announced today. Individual trappers in each of the NWT’s five regions are recognized annually in four categories: highest sales, most pelts, and the senior and junior trappers of the year.

The annual award program is a component of the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur (GMVF) Program, which is delivered by the Departments of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) and Environment and Natural Resources (ENR).

“NWT trappers are globally recognized for their commitment to excellence, from preparation to market,” said Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) David Ramsay. “Congratulations to the award recipients for their hard work and dedication to this fundamental part of the traditional economy.”

With the 2014/15 trapping season set to open, Minister Ramsay notes that one trapper will be missing from his trap line outside of Colville Lake.

“The late Mark Kochon was a highly respected and regarded trapper regionally and nationally,” said Minister Ramsay. “As one of our country’s most productive marten trappers, he consistently delivered the highest valued marten at auction year in and year out.”

ITI and ENR will be giving the family of the late Mr. Kochon an award in recognition of his excellence as a trapper.

Through the responsible development of natural resources in the NWT, the GNWT is working to create a prosperous, diverse and sustainable economy which will benefit all NWT residents in all communities and regions for years to come.

Backgrounder – Top Trappers 2014

Media inquiries:

Leslie Campbell
Senior Communications Officer
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Tel: (867) 920-3343
Email: leslie_campbell@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (October 8, 2014) – Finance Minister J. Michael Miltenberger announced Budget Dialogue 2014: Taking Stock today. The Budget Dialogue will update the public on the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) fiscal outlook and hear from NWT residents on the GNWT’s financial management and fiscal strategy.

“This marks the last public budget dialogue for the 17th Legislative Assembly,” Minister Miltenberger noted. “These public discussions have helped shape earlier budgets, and we will use this year’s discussion to update residents on the on-going necessity for fiscal restraint and gather their views to help in the transition to the 18th Legislative Assembly.”

Residents across the NWT are invited to join in the discussion via public meetings, or by sending feedback in a letter or email to budgetdialogue@gov.nt.ca by December 15, 2014. Public meetings will be held in the following regional centres:

Fort Smith           Wed, Nov 12, Pelican Rapids Inn Blue Room

Behchokö            Thurs, Nov 13    Cultural Centre, Hall Area

Fort Simpson     Mon, Nov 17, Nahanni Inn Large Boardroom

Inuvik                    Tues, Nov 18, Mackenzie Hotel, Permafrost Room

Norman Wells   Wed, Nov 19, Heritage Hotel Boardroom

Yellowknife        Thurs, Nov 20, Explorer Hotel, Janvier Room

Hay River             Wed, Nov 26, Ptarmigan Inn, Louisa Alexandra Falls Room

All meetings will start at 7:30 p.m.

In 2012, NWT residents were asked for their views on spending priorities and for ways to make the GNWT more efficient. Last year’s budget dialogue focused on the GNWT’s approach to managing resource revenues, including how much resource revenue should be set aside for Heritage Fund contributions.

These public discussions continue this Assembly’s commitment to seek Northerners’ opinions on how this Government can achieve its vision of strong individuals, families and communities sharing the benefits and responsibilities of a prosperous, and environmentally sustainable, Northwest Territories.

Background material, contact information, and updated meeting schedules are available on the Department of Finance’s website.

Media inquiries:

Shaun Dean
Director, Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 669-2302
Email: shaun_dean@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (October 8, 2014) – Members of the Executive Councils of the Northwest Territory Métis Nation and the 17th Legislative Assembly met yesterday as agreed to in the Northwest Territory Métis Nation – GNWT Memorandum of Understanding.

Areas of discussion included:

•  human resources and economic development opportunities for Northwest Territory Métis communities and members, particularly as the result of devolution, related to housing development and power generation;
• the importance of talking about family violence as governments, and in communities, and recognition of Family Violence Week;
• concerns around the taxation of traditional use cabins;
• plans towards the upgrading of highways 5 and 6;
• the importance of early childhood education and ensuring children have a good start in pursuing lifelong education; and
• improving health and social services care through integration of health and social services delivery.

For more information:

Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Office of the Premier/Cabinet
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-669-2302

Earl Jacobson
Executive Director
Northwest Territory Metis Nation
Cell: 867-621-0616
Phone: 867-872-2770
Email: execassist.nwtmn@northwestel.net

FORT SIMPSON (October 7, 2014) – New developments at the Prairie Creek Mine will increase employment opportunities and promote economic growth in the Dehcho Region.

Responding to today’s announcement by Canadian Zinc Corporation (CZN) regarding the start-up of the Prairie Creek underground program as it moves towards full production, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) David Ramsay says he is pleased with what the development of a producing mine will mean for the residents of the Dehcho Region.

“This is the first mining project for the Dehcho and I look forward to residents and businesses seeing the benefits of a producing mine in their region,” said Minister Ramsay. “Canadian Zinc is committed to maximizing Aboriginal and local employment and creating opportunities for northern businesses.”

A socio-economic agreement (SEA) was signed between CZN and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) in 2011, which outlines commitments made by CZN for northern employment and procurement.

The GNWT believes that sustainable and environmentally responsible resource development projects will benefit NWT residents by strengthening and diversifying the economy as envisioned by the 17th Legislative Assembly and the Mineral Development Strategy.

Media inquiries:

Leslie Campbell
Senior Communications Officer
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Tel: (867) 920-3343
Email: leslie_campbell@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (October 7, 2014) – Seven NWT students have been awarded Northern Aviation Scholarships of up to $5,000 to support their full-time studies leading to northern aviation careers.

This scholarship develops a northern workforce by encouraging northerners to pursue careers in aviation and is sponsored by the Governments of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Discovery Air, Keewatin Air and North-Wright Air.

“Increasing northern employment in the aviation industry benefits us all,” said Minister of Transportation Tom Beaulieu. “Northerners understand how a more efficient transportation system improves our standard of living by reducing the cost of moving people and freight throughout the territory.”

All of the recipients are pursuing full-time studies leading to a northern aviation career:

• Owen MacDonald from Fort Smith ($5,000)
• Oliver Hodgins from Yellowknife  ($5,000)
• Sean Pennington from Hay River ($5,000)
• Walker Redshaw from Yellowknife (one semester: $2,500)
• Joshua Rose from Norman Wells ($5,000)
• Kylar Villebrun from Yellowknife ($5,000)
• Alexander White from Inuvik ($5,000)

This program provides training opportunities for people in all regions, encouraging people to enter the aviation industry and strengthening local economies,” said Minister Beaulieu. “Airports make remote areas more accessible, fuelling sustainable development and economic growth. They are a lifeline for everything from critical supplies to medevacs, and safe and efficient airports come from partnerships like those supporting this scholarship.”

The Northern Aviation Scholarship supports the priorities of the 17th Assembly to increase employment opportunities for residents and to encourage people to enter the workforce with the skills and training they require to meet northern employment opportunities.

A separate announcement from the Government of Nunavut will name Nunavummiut recipients.

Media inquiries:

Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 669-2302
Email: brenda_norris@gov.nt.ca