Northwest Territories News

YELLOWKNIFE (October 31, 2014) – The Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link took another positive step today with the announcement by Finance Minister J. Michael Miltenberger that the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC) have signed an agreement to allow for the construction and operation of the project on Gwich’in Settlement Lands.

The fibre link 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 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 tele-health and education to the communities it will connect.

“The signing of the agreement between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Gwich’in Tribal Council demonstrates a committed working relationship,” said GTC Acting President Norman Snowshoe.

With the majority of the installation occurring within the existing right-of-way, the significant link for the project was connecting the section between Fort Good Hope and Inuvik. “Reaching an agreement with the Gwich’in Tribal Council is a major milestone in the development of the MVFL project,” said Minister Miltenberger. “This is a transformative project that will benefit the NWT for years to come. Reaching an agreement demonstrates that the Gwich’in share that vision.”

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 of mid-2016 would see construction starting in early January 2015.
For more information:

Wayne Drury
Gwich’in Tribal Council
Tel: (867)777-7900

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

YELLOWKNIFE (October 30, 2014) – In response to media interest about Japanese tourism statistics and activities in the Northwest Territories, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is providing the attached information.

Questions related to ongoing search efforts for missing Japanese tourist, Atsumi Yoshikubo, should be directed to the Yellowknife RCMP.

Backgrounder – Japanese Tourism

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

Mr. Speaker, as we head into this year’s heating season, I would like to take this opportunity to update Members on the energy conservation work that the Department of Public Works and Services has been doing.

As Members know, with our northern environment, energy conservation and management are important elements in controlling costs and supporting effective and efficient program delivery in all communities of the Northwest Territories. Our government’s investments in energy efficiency and alternative energy solutions are reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, lowering our operating costs and are helping us meet our greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. Public Works and Services helps the GNWT achieve its energy efficiency goals by leading the adoption of energy conservation and renewable energy technologies.

Earlier this year we published our 2013-2014 Energy Conservation Projects Annual Report and I would like to share some of the highlights from that report.

Last year Mr. Speaker, the GNWT reduced its consumption of fossil fuels by over 2.8 million litres, with 33 percent of the total energy being used in public buildings managed by the Department coming from renewable energy sources. We have done this primarily through early adoption and continued support of biomass technology.

In keeping with commitments to bring biomass systems to our communities and further support the sustainability of this emerging industry, I am happy to report that three new wood pellet boiler systems are now up and running in Norman Wells, including at the Mackenzie Mountain School, the Air Terminal Building and the Department of Transportation’s Combined Services Building. With these systems, the GNWT is ready for this year’s heating season and is supporting the adoption of wood pellet technology in the Sahtu region.

New biomass projects are in the design and construction phases for Hay River, Yellowknife, Norman Wells, Fort Resolution, and Fort Providence. In addition, the biomass systems approved for the Chief Albert Wright School in Tulita, and the Chief T’Selehye School in Fort Good Hope are moving to the design phase while feasibility studies to identify other potential biomass projects are also underway at the Ethseo Ayha School in Deline, and the Deh Cho Region Education Building in Fort Simpson.

It’s not enough to switch to biomass, Mr. Speaker. We also need to conserve energy. To that end, we are doing envelope upgrades and energy efficient lighting projects in schools in Ulukhaktok, Hay River and Sachs Harbour. We also just completed energy retrofits to the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School, the Milton Building, the Mackenzie Mountain School and have pilot projects for LED lighting at the GNWT Warehouse in Yellowknife and LED runway lights in Lutselk’e.

I am pleased to advise Members that 40 percent of the utility savings generated in 2013-14 were a result of energy conservation and building retrofit activities completed by Public Works and Services under the GNWT’s Capital Asset Retrofit Fund program over the past five years.  Permanent savings generated through these energy conservation initiatives will continue to be used to fund the Capital Asset Retrofit Fund program and future investments in energy reduction projects.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud of our government’s continued commitment to pursue energy efficiency and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2007, energy conservation projects delivered by Public Works and Services have reduced the government’s need for the equivalent of 12.85 million litres of heating oil in total. This equates to a reduction of more than 35,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Conservation efforts have allowed us to re-profile $1.48 million in utility funding and we are projecting to reach $1.72 million by the end of 2014-15.

I look forward to building on this success by finding more opportunities to expand the use of renewable energy such as biomass for space heating of public infrastructure wherever feasible. Not only are we saving the government money, but we are supporting the development of a viable market for alternative energy in our territory that could help to lower energy costs for the private sector and homeowners. We are also helping reduce the NWT’s dependence on expensive diesel and reducing associated greenhouse gas emissions. Our focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy makes the GNWT a more effective and efficient government.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, wild fur from the NWT, branded and sold under our Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Label, is world-renowned for its high quality and obtains top prices at auction. Our trappers are experts in proper fur handling and preparation and have earned a reputation as some of the best in their trade.

I would like to congratulate the recipients of this year’s Trappers Awards.  These awards include four categories: highest sales, most pelts, and the senior and junior trappers of the year. I would like to recognize the talents of the trappers who received the awards for the highest number of pelts in each region: Mr. Sheldon Boucher in the South Slave, Mr. Jimmy Pierre Mantla in the North Slave, Mr. Mark Kochon in the Sahtu, Mr. Alfred Nande in the Dehcho, and Mr. Jim Elias in the Beaufort Delta. I am also happy to share that this year we have also introduced a Return to Roots Award, which is presented to someone who is reentering the trapping industry.  The award recipient has not yet been notified and we look forward to making this presentation at a later date.

This year we also saw the premiere of the reality television series, Fur Harvesters NWT, which followsHay River resident trapper Mr. Andrew Stanley.  This series showcases Mr. Stanley’s immense skill and increases awareness and understanding of our traditional economy.

Mr. Speaker, this government recognizes the importance of the traditional economy in contributing to a strong, thriving economy that provides opportunities and jobs for our people.  We continue to support this sector by providing support to local trappers through programs and services, like the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program, the Hide Procurement Program and the Take a Kid Trapping and Harvesting Programs.

The Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program offers NWT trappers one-window access to the international fur auction market and ITI works closely with the Fur Harvesters Auction to promote NWT fur.

Over the past year we have seen volatility in some of our major markets around the world, including Russia and the Ukraine.  Market instability demonstrates why the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program and marketing service is vital to this sector and that it works as intended by absorbing losses when necessary.

This program consists of three elements to best support trappers.

The Guaranteed Advance ensures trappers have sufficient funds to continue trapping while fur is awaiting sale at auction. ITI provides trappers with advances based on anticipated market performance. If the furs sell for less than the advance at auction, the program absorbs the cost.

The Prime Fur Bonus is an additional payment that trappers receive if their furs sell for more than the advance. It provides an incentive to deliver high quality, well-handled pelts.

Annual grubstakes are provided to defray start-up costs at the beginning of each trapping season.  The amount provided to each trapper is determined by the previous year’s pelt numbers. This year, over $100,000 in grubstakes was delivered to eligible trappers in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, with each passing year the Hide Procurement Program continues to evolve to better support our hardworking trappers. In May, the program was expanded to include muskox hides and qiviut.  More recently we have increased the price paid for seal skins from $55 to $70 per skin.

The increased price paid for seal skins is in response to the recommendation in the Economic Opportunities Strategy to expand procurement to support growth in the arts and crafts sector. While the European Union has a ban on seal skins, here in the NWT we cannot keep up with the demand for seal pelts from our talented arts and crafts community.

In order to pass skills and knowledge on to the next generation, we are working to introduce youth to the traditional practices of hunting, trapping, fishing and outdoor survival. The Take a Kid Trapping and Harvesting Programs, offered in partnership with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, were developed out of concern that the average age of a trapper/harvester was 60. Today we are proud to say that just over 1,700 students took part in these programs in the 2013/14 fiscal year.

Mr. Speaker, our people have a long proud history of self-reliance and self-sufficiency. The sustainable harvest of renewable resources for domestic consumption and use is a leading economic activity in the NWT.  ITI continues to support and promote excellence in our traditional economy to strengthen and diversify our economy, a priority of this Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to advise this House that the government has listened to the feedback we have received to date from Members about Junior Kindergarten.

In an effort to respond to what Members have told us, while at the same time not wanting to disrupt parents and schools that are in the midst of delivering Junior Kindergarten we have made the following decision.

Without changing the current funding approach to Junior Kindergarten, it will be completely voluntary for any of the 23 communities now offering Junior Kindergarten to continue with the program this year.  If they choose, they will also be able to offer it in the next school year.  Any of the 23 communities could stop offering the program now if they so choose.

The government will undertake a thorough review of the implementation of Junior Kindergarten in the 23 communities.   The government will also reach out to all other education authorities, Aboriginal Head Start, licensed daycare and day home operators, parents and the general public to hear their views about whether Junior Kindergarten should be offered in the future and, if so, how.The review will be undertaken over the next eight months and its findings will be summarized and provided to the 18th Legislative Assembly as part of transition.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories will not offer Junior Kindergarten in any of the regional centres or Yellowknife until this review has been completed and presented to the 18th Legislative Assembly for their decision.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 29, 2014) – Northerners were recognized for promoting and preserving NWT culture and heritage atthe 2014 Minister’s Culture and Heritage Circle awards ceremony hosted by Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty today.

“The annual Culture and Heritage Circle awards celebrate the role Northerners play in promoting and preserving the arts, culture and heritage of the NWT,” said Minister Lafferty. “As northerners, our cultures and heritage wrap around everything we do. Hunting and trapping, artwork and craftsmanship, and traditional values and languages are all part of who we are as individuals and as a territory and it is important that we promote, preserve and celebrate them.”

The Minister’s Culture and Heritage Circle recognizes contributors at the local, regional, and territorial level, with four categories of recognition:

o   Youth Category – Persons 25 years and under who demonstrate a strong commitment to participating in the arts, cultural learning and cultural practices. 2014 Recipient – Janelle Nitsiza.

o   Individual Category – Persons who demonstrate a strong commitment to the promotion and preservation of culture through participation in various arts, cultural or heritage related activities. 2014 Recipient – Rene Fumoleau.

o   Elder Category – Persons more than 50 years old and recognized as cultural leaders by their community respected for their guidance, leadership and vision in promoting the arts, culture and heritage. 2014 Recipient – Camilla Tutcho.

o   Group or Organization Category – Any organization, corporation, institution, committee or social club that plays a lead role in the development and support of activities that celebrate, promote or preserve the arts, culture and heritage. 2014 Recipient – Foster Family Coalition of the NWT.

A Minister’s Choice Awardis also given to a person or group at the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment’s discretion. 2014 Recipient – Deninu K’ue First Nation.

For more information, please visit www.ece.gov.nt.ca.

Media inquiries:
Jacqueline McKinnon
Education, Culture and Employment
Tel: (867) 920-6222
Email: jacqueline_mckinnon@gov.nt.ca

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment’s work to promote and preserve the culture, heritage and languages of the NWT.

As a northern people, our culture is rooted in the land and created in the places where we live and practice our daily lives.  Northern culture is unique, woven together from our diverse experiences and incorporates our heritage, stories, spirituality, traditional knowledge, languages and creativity.

Mr. Speaker, ECE is entrusted with the crucial role of ensuring our languages, culture and heritage are transmitted to future generations.

To ensure we fulfill that trust, ECE is developing a government-wide, 10-year Culture and Heritage Strategic Framework. This initiative will focus the GNWT’s work around a set of common culture and heritage priorities for the next decade and was mandated by the Premier. Aboriginal Governments, multicultural and heritage organizations, youth, Elders, artists and many other partners will be involved in helping us develop the framework.   A draft Framework is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2015, followed by an action plan.    

Mr. Speaker, our goal is not to duplicate strategies, but find common themes between them that will let us better coordinate our efforts in many related areas.  For example, the priorities identified in the NWT Arts Strategy will inform our work towards a broader framework. Likewise, we hope to work with groups like the NWT Arts Council and the Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute to create a Framework that builds on our individual efforts and supports our shared purpose of promoting NWT culture and heritage.

Mr. Speaker, as you know, one of our initiatives is the Culture and Heritage Circle, established in 2011 to recognize those who have contributed to preserving and promoting the arts, cultures and heritage in our territory. At a celebration earlier today we honoured this year’s recipients: Camilla Tutcho: Elder category; Rene Fumoleau: Individual; Janelle Nitsiza: Youth; Foster Family Coalition of the NWT: Group; and Deninu Kue First Nation: Minister’s Choice category. I look forward to recognizing the recipients in the Gallery later today.

Congratulations to all of you and the valuable contributions you have made to the cultures and heritage of the Northwest Territories.

Masi, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, building a safe and effective transportation system is vital to support the development of a sustainable economy and meeting the social needs of NWT residents.  Goals identified by Members of the 17th Assembly express the significance of improving transportation services across the NWT to reduce the cost of living in communities and to create employment and business opportunities for residents.

To this end, the Department of Transportation is updating its NWT Transportation Strategy to guide further development of our integrated air, road, rail, and marine systems over the next 25 years.  I am pleased to report that we have made significant progress on this initiative.

The new Strategy will update the first territory-wide multi-modal transportation strategy completed in 1990.  Much has been accomplished in the 25 years since the first strategy was released and we know that our transportation system will continue to evolve significantly over the next 25 years.  We are preparing for the future by considering what challenges and opportunities lay ahead of us and where our priorities are best placed to benefit all northerners.

But our priorities can’t be placed without first hearing from the people who live and work here. That is why the Department of Transportation has been busy this past summer and fall gathering perspectives on the transportation system from stakeholders across the territory.

In June, the Department launched an online survey that gave residents the opportunity to submit comments on transportation services and related areas, including support for economic development and protection of the environment.

Mr. Speaker, the strong level of public interest in our transportation network was evident.  The Department received over 500 responses to the survey from residents and other transportation stakeholders.  I would like to thank everyone for their participation.

We also met with key stakeholder organizations from within the NWT and from southern Canada who conduct business in the North to hear their concerns and ideas.  These meetings confirmed the strong role that transportation plays in supporting industries and organizations that provide essential services to our residents and contribute to economic growth for our territory.

The Department also conducted interviews with NWT political leaders including MLA’s and Aboriginal leaders to hear their thoughts on priorities for transportation in the North.

Staff from the Department have read and reviewed every single one of the responses to the online survey. Those responses, along with the information gathered from stakeholder meetings and interviews with political leaders will inform the development of the updated strategy. Other GNWT strategies, such as the Economic Opportunities Strategy and the Mineral Development Strategy, have been reviewed to ensure our government is focused and our priorities coordinated.

Mr. Speaker, managing the growth and development of all parts of the NWT’s transportation system is essential to long-term and sustainable prosperity for our residents.  A comprehensive multi-modal strategy that considers safety, the environment, economic development, and social needs alongside current and future infrastructure investment needs will be a critical tool for us.

Once the strategy has been drafted, we will again be calling upon residents to ensure that we have clearly heard and reflected their ideas.  Public meetings will be held in regional centers this winter to review the draft and determine if there are additional priorities to consider.  I encourage Northerners to take part with the same level of enthusiasm that we saw with the online survey and to once again ensure their voices are heard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker:  I am pleased to report that earlier this month the Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories launched the Wellness Court, supported by a new Department of Justice Wellness Court Program.

The Wellness Court is an alternative to conventional court that focuses on the offender rather than the offence.  This court, and the supporting program, provides intensive supervision and targeted programing for chronic offenders who have mental health issues, addictions or cognitive challenges that contribute to their criminal behaviour.  With this program we hope to help offenders develop a healthier life and move away from re-offending.

In a conventional court, a person who is charged comes before a judge who will look at the offence, listen to all the evidence and make a ruling based on the case and information before them.

In the Wellness Court, a person who is charged also comes before a judge, but their sentencing is delayed so that they can participate in the Wellness Court Program.  In this program, a case manager and team provide intensive support and supervision to the offender as they work to make positive changes.  The team helps them access services such as housing and income support, as well as mental health and addiction programs.

To participate in the Wellness Court and its associated programs, the accused must be ready to make changes in their life, accept responsibility for their actions, and plead guilty to at least one charge.  The defense lawyer will work with the accused and the Crown Prosecutor to see if the case can be referred to the Wellness Court.  If referred, a case manager will assess the accused to determine suitability with the program.  If accepted, an individual wellness plan will be developed.

While completing their wellness plan, the offender must maintain this commitment to change and appear regularly before the judge who will oversee the entire process. During this phase, the case manager and team provide intensive supervision and support to the individual.

Offenders who participate in this program are subject to conditions to guide them.  If they break these conditions, they will return to the court for sentencing unless they work with their case manager to remain in the program.

If they complete their plan, the offender will appear before the Judge for sentencing, taking into consideration the work and progress they have made in the Wellness Court Program. After sentencing, the team will arrange after-care to ensure continued support for the offender.

Mr. Speaker,  by having a person accept responsibility for their actions and supporting them as they do the hard work necessary for change, specialized courts in other jurisdictions have demonstrated chronic offenders can not only succeed, but can successfully change their behaviours. We have seen success through the Domestic Violence Treatment Option Court, and we expect similar success from the Wellness Court.

The Territorial Court is critical in the implementation and operation of this specialized court.  Without this, the Wellness Court and supporting program would not have been possible.

The Department has also worked very closely with the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority, and the Department of Health and Social Services in setting up the Wellness Court Program.  The RCMP, Legal Services Board, the NWT Bar and staff from the Public Prosecution Service of Canada have also made important contributions.

Mr. Speaker, our thanks go out to each of these partners for the role they played in the development of this project and will continue to play to ensure the success of the Wellness Court.  This is a new initiative and we expect that both the court and the supporting program will evolve over time.

Our government is committed to ensuring that NWT residents get the programs and services they need to be healthy, educated and self-reliant.  This alternative form of justice is another positive step towards giving people the tools they need to make good choices for themselves that will help us to reduce crime and build safer communities.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 28, 2014) – The Government of the Northwest Territories is responding to numbers released by Yellowknife Catholic Schools (YCS) and the Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (YK1) last week showing the apparent cost of Junior Kindergarten (JK) and its impact on their schools. The boards’ press release contained critical factual errors that risk adding to the existing confusion about the implementation of JK in Yellowknife.

“While I welcome continuing public debate on something as important as public education, I am troubled by the erroneous numbers used in YK1’s and YCS’s press release,” said Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty. “I think it is our collective responsibility to ensure we support a well-informed debate about who should have access to education and how it should be funded by providing objective and correct facts,” said Minister Lafferty.

The department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) and YK1 and YCS staff agreed some time ago to the financial impacts of JK in Yellowknife and signed off on the correct figures. In a follow-up meeting between department officials and board staff today, boards agreed that there were errors in their release.

Where the error occurred in YK1 and YCS’s conservative enrolment scenario calculations

ECE continues to work with the boards and remains confident that reductions can be absorbed by YK1 and YCS without notable negative impacts on K-12 programs.

Media inquiries:

Jacqueline McKinnon
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Tel: (867) 920-6222
Email: jacqueline_mckinnon@gov.nt.ca

Mr. Speaker, the 2014 forest fire season is officially over.

This year, a total of 3.4 million hectares of forested land were affected by 385 wildland fires.  This was composed of six reported fires in the Inuvik Region, 32 in the Sahtu Region, 52 in the Dehcho Region, 143 in the North Slave Region, and 152 in the South Slave Region.  An estimated 60 million dollars were spent fighting fires in the 2014 forest fire season.

In keeping with established policies, action was taken on 126, or 33 percent, of reported fires to protect values-at-risk.  Wildland fire responses were required on eight large complex fires that had the potential to affect communities and other major infrastructure.

The 25-year average annual fire load is 262 fires affecting 528,000 hectares of northern forest lands.

Core support to the fire program this year included six helicopters and four air tanker groups from both Territorial and other Canadian aircraft contracting companies.  Several short-term casual helicopters and fixed wing aircraft were hired through the fire season to supplement the core program. Additional tanker groups were imported from other provinces through the Mutual Aid Resources Sharing Agreement, or MARS Agreement to assist with the heavy fire load.

Twenty-eight Type 1 government and contract wildland fire crews were located across the NWT to provide initial attack capacity.  Another 175 seasonal and permanent personnel provided direct support to the fire program.

Several additional national resources were brought on over the fire season to help with ongoing fires and initial attack during severe burning conditions.

Four hundred and eighty five EFF’s, or Extra Fire Fighters, were hired in 2014 for training purposes or in support of fire operations.  This included the initial EFF’s hired at the start of the season, and the additional training camps held in various communities to bring more EFF’s on board to cope with the length and severity of the season.

Four hundred and sixty eight Type 1 wildland firefighting personal were imported from outside the NWT under the Mutual Aid Resources Sharing Agreement.   These imports consisted of crews, aircraft and overhead resources.  These crews were composed of eight Canadian provinces and the State of Alaska.

In addition, nine Incident Management Teams consisting of five to fifteen people were necessary to coordinate the fire response.  There were five from Ontario, two from Alberta, one from British Columbia and one from Nova Scotia/New Brunswick.

Several single resources were also imported to assist with the heavy workload.  These included Planning Specialists, Fire Behavior Specialists, Warehouse Personnel, two Community Protection Specialist teams, and five Air Attack Officers.

Training for the 2014 fire season included seasonal refresher training of Type 1 crews, S-100 basic fire fighter training, fireline leadership, fuel system training, and fire reporting training for fire clerks, warehouse staff and duty officers as required.

As Members are aware, this was a particularly challenging season for fire crews.  The NWT experienced long-term above average seasonal conditions including above average seasonal temperatures, and below average precipitation.  This resulted in extreme drought conditions that lasted much of the 2014 wildland fire season.

Given the extreme conditions, limited resources and large complex fires, Mr. Speaker, I would consider this a successful fire season in that there was no loss of life, no significant injuries, and no significant damage done to any community.

As well as 3.4 million hectares of our northern forests affected, there were, unfortunately some structural losses, Mr. Speaker.  In early July, a home on the Hoarfrost River was lost due to fire.  High winds and extreme fire conditions caused the fire to switch directions and destroy a home and some outbuildings on the Hoarfrost River.

Again, during the weekend of  August 16th, strong southwest winds and explosive fire behavior conditions caused a fire to jump Moraine Bay and resulted in the loss of the Moraine Point Lodge on the west side of Great Slave Lake.  While the Moraine Pointe Lodge and outbuildings were lost, the fire did not reach the commercial fish processing plan on Moraine Bay.

While the above losses were significant, we must not overlook the effects and losses traditional harvesters are bearing from this past season; approximately fifteen cabins including a community complex at Lake 690 North of Fort Providence, and trapping areas removed from use for five to seven years while the land recovers. Our government expects to assist a number of harvesters under our Harvesters Fire Damage Assistance program.

Fires of note in 2014 include the Kakisa complex, which began in late May.  This fire was very difficult to contain and spread to 100,000 hectares.  The fire caused the voluntary evacuation of the community in July and help from several crews from Alberta, NWT, Saskatchewan, Yukon and Ontario managing this complex over a two month period.

Due to the communities’ significant work FireSmarting around Kakisa and the commendable efforts of the firefighters and airtankers there were no structural losses and residents were able to return to their community with little to no damage.

The Birch Lake Complex, composed of over six fires between Behchokö  and Fort Providence resulted in periodic closure of Highway No. 3 mainly due to extreme smoke conditions.  Most of the work on this fire consisted of the construction of dozer guards on the south side of the fire to restrict growth towards Fort Providence and the Forest Management Agreement areas.  Four different Incident Management Teams from the NWT and Ontario managed this complex over a two month period.  The Birch Lake Complex is estimated to be 650,000 hectares in size.

The Reid Lake Complex started from a fire in the Consolation Lake area.  The fire was first actioned by fire crews to protect values in the area.  It eventually threatened values in the Highway No. 4 Ingraham Trail area and caused the closure of the Reid Lake Territorial Park for a few weeks while crews were stationed at the campground.  Incident Management Team’s from Ontario, Nova Scotia, and the NWT managed the complex over a six week period from mid-June through to the end of July. The fire is 365,000 hectares in size.

ZF-085, the fire that was approximately 30 kilometres from Yellowknife and 7 kilometres from Highway No. 3 caused the voluntary evacuation of residents along the Yellowknife Highway and a number of public safety updates.  The fire burned approximately 15,000 hectares.

Mr. Speaker, over the coming months, ENR will be engaging stakeholders to determine stakeholder values and priorities, FireSmart and value protection, is part of our annual comprehensive review.  The Department will also administer applications for compensation to renewable resource harvesters with re-establishing their livelihood under the Harvester Fire Damage Assistance Program for possible replacement of lost cabins or for clearing trails affected by wildfires.

The Department conducts maintenance activities for air tanker and fire bases, fixed detection sites, fuel systems, the lightning detection network, the automatic fire weather station network, and radio communications.

Environment and Natural Resources also completed construction of the Enterprise fixed detection tower which will be operational in the summer of 2015.

Under normal seasonal fall weather, cooler and wetter conditions would wet the deeper forest layers and reset drought values.  Without sufficient fall rain as well as significant over-winter precipitations, drought conditions may persist into the 2015 fire season.

I would also like to take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank you to the men and woman from the Northwest Territories, across Canada and Alaska who fought fires on the ground and in the air this summer.  They worked tirelessly to protect us, our homes, our communities and our values during the toughest fire season on record.  They faced intense, often grueling conditions, and I am very proud of the professionalism and courage they displayed in our time of need.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, in the 2013/2014 fiscal year, there was a tremendous increase in the number of visitors and visitor spending in the Northwest Territories, and today I would like to share details of this exciting growth with Members.

Last year, we welcomed over 90,000 visitors.  This is our highest number of visitors in the last decade and an increase of 20 percent from the previous year.

Visitor spending also rose by 24 percent to $132.5 million.

Tourism is this territory’s largest renewable resource-based sector and these numbers demonstrate that this government, and our partners, are on the right track to promoting the NWT as a spectacular destination.

Last year, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment increased funding to NWT Tourism, the GNWT’s destination marketing organization, by $1.2 million. The visitor numbers I just shared with you demonstrate that increased investment in marketing achieves results.

The two largest factors for this increase are aurora viewing and business travel.  The number of aurora viewing visitors has been on the rise over the last five years, with a substantial 38 percent increase last year.

The NWT is known as the Aurora Capital of the World and clearly this message is reaching far beyond our borders.  Our marketing efforts overseas, particularly in China, Japan and Korea, are paying off, and we expect the demand for aurora tourism to continue to increase.

The number of business travellers also grew by an unprecedented 47 percent and the GNWT is well-positioned to strike while the iron is hot.  As I shared with you last week, the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy recommended we establish a conference bureau to support business travel. We took action on this recommendation and signed a contribution agreement with NWT Tourism to establish this bureau last June.

NWT Tourism now provides support to conference planners looking to host events in this territory. Not only will this strengthen our business travel sector, but it will provide spin-off benefits for all sectors, including transportation suppliers, hotels, restaurants, artisans and tour operators in all regions. NWT Tourism has already assisted conference planners who are interested in holding conferences here, and is working to attract new ones.

We are also working with our partners and lodge operators to strengthen those areas of tourism that have experienced a decline, such as the number of fishing visitors from the United States.  Through better research and the launch of a marketing campaign, we are working to improve these numbers.

Mr. Speaker, last year’s numbers bode well for the future of tourism in the NWT and ITI is dedicated to seeing all sectors and all communities thrive.  With a dedicated industry and focused strategies in place, tourism will continue to provide great economic benefits for the NWT and contribute to a diversified and sustainable economy for our residents.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I want to assure you that I have been listening carefully to Members during the recent debate around Junior Kindergarten. I also want to assure you that the Government of the Northwest Territories remains committed to the principle that focused, targeted support during their first years of life will help our children reach their full potential and become healthy, educated, successful adults. Our government has introduced Junior Kindergarten, a program designed to achieve just this result, Mr. Speaker, and have already rolled it out successfully to 23 communities.

I believe that the people of the Northwest Territories agree with this government that our children deserve the best support possible to give them the right start in life. At the same time, I recognize that people have reservations about the way the program is being implemented. The Government of the Northwest Territories respects those concerns and I want to reassure Members and the public today that we are listening carefully to what they are saying.

We planned for a phased roll-out of Junior Kindergarten, Mr. Speaker, to ensure we would have the opportunity to review and adjust the program implementation, and that is what we will do. I want to be clear with Members that before our government goes ahead with years two and three of the Junior Kindergarten roll-out, we will do a thorough review of our implementation plans.

That review will allow us to assess the success of the program in the 23 communities already delivering it and to address any issues identified during the first months of program delivery. It will also allow us to hear again from parents, educators, communities and other stakeholders on their views and concerns. I commit to returning to the Assembly with the results of that review and any required changes to the implementation plans during the coming Winter Session.

Clearly we need to do more for our children, Mr. Speaker and Junior Kindergarten is the way to do it. But it is also clear from the current public debate, that our government needs to do more in planning for the continued roll-out of this program, particularly in the area of engaging parents, educators and the public.

We remain committed to Junior Kindergarten, Mr. Speaker. We still believe it is the right program for all those parents across the NWT who chose JK for their 4 year-olds. We will look to move forward in a way that is sensitive to the concerns of parents, educators, day care operators, Aboriginal Head Start programs and other stakeholders.

Implementing this program will require changes, we need to be clear about that, but the children of the NWT deserve the support and the advantages that Junior Kindergarten will give them.

Masi, Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker, supporting a diversified economy that provides all communities and regions with opportunities and choices is one of the main purposes of Forest Management Agreements.

The first two agreements were signed this year with Timberworks in Fort Resolution and Digaa Enterprises in Fort Providence, jointly owned Aboriginal development corporations in each community.

Timberworks is owned by the Deninu Kue First Nation and the Fort Resolution Métis Council and Digaa Enterprises is owned by the Deh Gáh Got’ie First Nation and the Fort Providence Métis Council

These are the first of several Agreements this Government hopes to sign with local Aboriginal corporations in areas where there is a sustainable supply of timber for harvest and a viable commercial use for the wood.

Mr. Speaker, this is a new concept in forest tenure for the Northwest Territories that provides for the kind of integrated, multiple use of forest land that is compatible with sustainable forest harvesting.

Forest Management Agreements give a local Aboriginal corporation non-exclusive rights to harvest timber from Crown lands for the purpose of sustainable forest business development and growth.

Agreements respect settled land, resource and self-government agreements, interim measures agreements and land use plans.  They do not affect the rights of persons to harvest or use the forest for subsistence or traditional practices. The agreements require the parties to follow all established regulatory processes and obtain necessary authorizations.

Forest Management Agreements benefit communities by supporting the development of profitable, locally managed businesses and increasing training and job opportunities for local people.  Communities will be able to determine the growth of their business based on markets and their capabilities.

They also support the use of woody biomass as an alternative energy source, and an economic opportunity for the community.  An increased use of wood and wood pellets as an alternative source of energy supports the Government of the Northwest Territories’ goal of an environment that will sustain present and future generations.

The agreements also offer opportunities to transfer knowledge about forest management planning and operations, the sustainable development and cooperative management of our northern forests, and long term access to timber supply in support of forest industry development.

Mr. Speaker, communities wishing to develop a Forest Management Agreement must establish an Aboriginal corporation to negotiate terms with our Government.  The corporation should be community-based and include engagement with local Aboriginal groups.

It needs to establish a wood fibre supply agreement with a wood products facility and both the corporation and the community need to participate in the development of a timber harvest plan for the agreed area.

Aurora Wood Pellets, a wood pellet mill to be located north of Enterprise is expected to create an annual demand for 125,000 cubic meters of wood.

More than 40 people will be employed at the Enterprise site with the potential to create additional jobs in the region.

This northern owned and operated business will purchase sustainably harvested timber from Timberworks and Digaa Enterprises and contribute towards a sustainable northern economy.

As a result, timber will be harvested, turned into pellets and directly supplied to residents and businesses right here in the Northwest Territories.

The timber harvest plan provides a framework for the sustainable management of the timber resources and takes other values, such as biodiversity, into consideration.

Work is underway now to help Timberworks and Digaa Enterprises develop a strong business model and to work together in building a timber harvest plan.

Forest Management Agreements are a major tool that will help us encourage and support a viable forest industry that encompasses the full range of forest values.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, over the past few years, we have seen remarkable political development in the Northwest Territories. Land, resources and self-government agreements are being negotiated and settled. In April we concluded devolution and have seen the smooth transition of federal powers to the Government of the Northwest Territories.  As a result of these efforts, northerners have taken greater control over their social, economic and political destinies, have found new ways to work together and have greater national prominence than ever before.

Each summer, Canada’s Premiers meet to discuss matters of common concern.  At this year’s meeting in Charlottetown, Premiers discussed the aging population and infrastructure, along with energy, developing a skilled workforce, and Aboriginal child welfare.  At this meeting, the Northwest Territories led the discussion on the benefits created by access to stable and affordable housing for Canadians, families and communities. Premiers called on the Federal government to reinvest in social housing and emphasized the need for strengthened collaboration among the federal, provincial and territorial governments to address this important issue.

While there, Premiers meet with leaders from the five National Aboriginal Organizations. Work with the National Aboriginal Organizations continues throughout the year in the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group, which includes National Aboriginal Organizations and Ministers of Aboriginal Affairs from all provinces and territories. The Northwest Territories formally assumed the chair of this Working Group in Charlottetown and agreed to co-lead some progressive work on Aboriginal Children in Care with Manitoba.

I look forward to leading a national dialogue on issues impacting Aboriginal peoples across the country through the working group and sharing some of the successful ways that our government is engaging and partnering with Aboriginal governments in the Northwest Territories.

Missing and murdered Aboriginal women is an important area of concern for the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group. Through Canada’s Premiers, the Government of the Northwest Territories has supported a national Round Table discussion on missing and murdered Aboriginal women and we are encouraged by the Federal government’s apparent willingness to participate. This initiative is being led by the National Aboriginal Organizations and our government recently agreed to help host a round table in conjunction with Aboriginal Affairs Working Group Meetings next February.

The overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in child welfare systems is another area where Canada’s Premiers and the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group has focussed their attention. Together with Manitoba’s Minister of Family Services, we will develop action-oriented solutions that seek to reduce the number of children in care and improve the situation of Aboriginal children and families across Canada.

Other Ministers are also taking leadership roles at both the national and international levels. Nationally, Minister Lafferty co-chairs the Aboriginal Education Initiative on behalf of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada. This initiative is aimed at improving Aboriginal educational achievement and Minister Lafferty’s position reflects both his experience and the ground-breaking work our government and the Government of Nunavut did on the residential schools curriculum.

Internationally, Minister Ramsay recently took on the presidency of PNWER, the Pacific North West Economic Region. This forum brings together government and businesses from several US states and Canadian provinces and Territories in the pacific northwest to promote common economic interests. Minister Ramsay’s leadership of this forum will be an important opportunity to advance awareness of the Northwest Territories’ economic potential and take advantage of the relationships and partnerships we continue to build with our neighbours of the Pacific North West Economic Region.

Maintaining a strong relationship with our neighbours, like the western provinces, is also important to ensuring that regional issues are identified and addressed. The Western Premiers’ Conference, held in Iqaluit this past July, gave Premiers from the seven western jurisdictions an opportunity to discuss Aboriginal child welfare, developing the labour market, exploring solutions for off-grid communities, disaster management and assistance, improving access to markets, and modernizing internal trade. Given the importance of housing for northerners, I was pleased to again lead the discussion on this topic.

Because we share similar circumstances and issues, strengthening pan-territorial relationships is a key intergovernmental relations activity. This year the Northwest Territories hosted the 12th annual Northern Premiers’ Forum. Discussion included how to move forward on a range of issues important to northerners, such as mental wellness, housing, energy options for northern Canada, infrastructure, climate change, and the work of the Arctic Council.

At this year’s Forum we launched A Northern Vision: Building a Better North, which updates the collaborative vision of the three territories originally released in 2007.  A Northern Vision outlines how our three territories will work together to develop the North as a region of vibrant, healthy communities with economies that offer sound investment and diverse employment opportunities, a flourishing private sector and protection of the environment for future generations. We also renewed the Northern Cooperation Accord, which formalizes our commitment to work together to advance shared northern interests.

Strengthening relationships with Aboriginal governments is one of this Assembly’s priorities. Devolution has given us a new forum for building relationships in the Intergovernmental Council, which enables the Government of the Northwest Territories and Aboriginal governments who have signed onto devolution to collaborate on matters related to lands and resource management. This Council allows Northwest Territories governments to share ideas and discuss common priorities and interests, and will greatly benefit the Government of the Northwest Territories as it considers potential changes to lands and resources management in the Northwest Territories. This approach is unique in Canada.

The Intergovernmental Council held its first meeting on September 19. Leaders and officials gathered in Yellowknife and talked about processes for future meetings and priority areas for work in the coming year. With this first meeting of the Intergovernmental Council, we are seeing a new, and very welcome, era of cooperation between the Government of the Northwest Territories and Aboriginal governments.

Mr. Speaker, northerners have worked hard to ensure they have control over their daily lives, and to highlight the unique circumstances of the North at the regional and national levels.  We are seeing improved collaboration and cooperation with Aboriginal governments through our work in the Northwest Territories. We have positive lessons to share with our partners at the national level.  We do some things differently with made in the North approaches, and can offer a model for intergovernmental relations with Aboriginal governments other areas of Canada can learn from. We are seeing the results of hard work undertaken by the Government of the Northwest Territories and we look forward to sharing our successes with a greater leadership role at the national level. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

FORT PROVIDENCE (October 24, 2014) – Minister of Environment and Natural Resources J. Michael Miltenberger signed a Forest Management Agreement (FMA) for the community of Fort Providence today with Digaa Enterprises Limited President Michael Vandell and Director James Christie.  Deh Gah Got’ie First Nation Chief Joachim Bonnetrouge, Fort Providence Métis President Clifford McLeod, Premier Bob McLeod and MLA Michael Nadli signed as witnesses.  The FMA will provide business, employment and training opportunities in the forest industry for residents of Fort Providence.

“This agreement is a unique opportunity for the people of Fort Providence to get in on the ground floor in the on-going development of a growing northern biomass industry,” said Minister Miltenberger.  “It provides Digaa Enterprises with tenure for enough timber volume and access to create a viable forest industry for the community of Fort Providence”

Digaa Enterprises is an Aboriginal development corporation established by the Deh Gah Got’ie First Nation and the Fort Providence Métis Council.  As the FMA holder, Digaa Enterprises will have non-exclusive access rights to harvest timber from Crown lands in a prescribed area for sustainable business development and growth.

Under the agreement, Digaa Enterprises will be responsible for preparing timber harvest plans, making wood available for appropriate uses, building local capacity in the forest business; and, complying with forest legislation and other applicable laws.

Timber harvest plans are intended to meet community timber harvesting objectives and require community participation to address the needs of multiple stakeholders such as wildlife managers and traditional land users. A 25-year timber harvest plan for Fort Providence is scheduled to be completed in 2014.

ENR is providing guidance on timber harvest planning and business planning to Digaa Enterprises.

The term of the Digaa Enterprises FMA is for 25 years.

Media inquiries:

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

YELLOWKNIFE (October 23, 2014) – Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay today issued a call for nominations for oil and gas development on Territorial Reserve Lands north of 60° in the Central Mackenzie Valley and the Mackenzie Delta/Arctic Islands. All Aboriginal sub-surface lands established pursuant to land claim agreements are excluded.

All nominations must be received by 4:00 p.m. (MST) on November 21, 2014.

A call for bids for nominated blocks may be launched in December 2014 should nominations be received.

Oil and Gas Call for Nominations

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

Mr. Speaker, we are just over 16 months away from the next Arctic Winter Games being hosted in Nuuk, Greenland.  As you know, there are six sports which Greenland is unable to host (Dog Mushing, Gymnastics, Curling, Speed Skating, Figure Skating and Midget Hockey).  Today, I am pleased to announce that Whitehorse, Yukon has agreed to host an “alternative multi-sport event”; the Arctic X Games, to coincide with the 2016 Arctic Winter Games in Greenland.

Mr. Speaker, this is great news for our athletes and Territorial Sport Organizations affected by the exclusion of some sports from the 2016 Arctic Winter Games.  They now have an event to train for and compete in, which will ultimately contribute to further development within their sport.

For many of our athletes the Arctic Winter Games is the pinnacle of their competitive career.  For others, the Games provide an opportunity to use this as a stepping stone in their development.  Many of our athletes continue on to the Canada Winter Games and some have even continued onto the international stage including the Olympics.

Mr. Speaker, can you imagine Michael Gilday and Brendan Green not having participated in the Arctic Winter Games and how that may have affected their development as the athletes and people they have become? The opportunities and experiences provided through their participation in the Arctic Winter Games certainly helped them to represent our territory and country at many national and international events, including the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics.

Mr. Speaker, the 2016 Arctic Winter Games and the Arctic X Games will assist with the development of our athletes as the Northwest Territories prepares to host the 2018 Arctic Winter Games and send teams to both the 2015 and 2019 Canada Winter Games.

The Department is committed to work with the Territorial Sport Organizations and the Sport North Federation to prepare and send athletes to the Arctic Winter Games in Nuuk, Greenland and the Arctic X Games in Whitehorse, Yukon in March of 2016.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank   the Government of the Yukon and their Sport Partners for committing to host the Arctic X Games and the permanent members of the Arctic Winter Games International Committee for their commitment to send their teams to these Games in Whitehorse.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, later today, I will be tabling the Northwest Territories Coroner Service 2013 Annual Report.  This report sets out some information on the history of the Coroner’s service, the role and structure of the office and some information on their work in 2013.  This report reminds us that in the Northwest Territories, we have a number of dedicated volunteers who are deeply committed to assisting those in their communities at times of tragedy.  They work with circumstances and situations that most of us are unable or unwilling to face.

Coroners play a vital role in our justice system.  They are at the forefront of investigations of deaths.  Their jobs are stressful and difficult, as many of their investigations involve people that they knew within their home communities. They are all too often called out in the middle of the night to deal with scenes that most of us could not face.  They must have the strength to deal with the partners, children and parents who are now at the worst moments of their lives. Yet despite these profound challenges, they will tell you that they find their positions extremely rewarding, as they play an important role in helping to bring closure for most families, and they help prevent tragedies in the future.

Mr. Speaker, each Coroner has within their mandate the ability to conduct investigations into deaths when required, and based on what they learn to make recommendations that will assist in preventing serious injuries or deaths from occurring in the future. They remind us to be safer and to critically re-examine our own practices. The role they play can never be understated.

Tomorrow, we will see NWT Coroners from 15 communities come together for the next three days to train.  They will become familiar with the latest techniques and technologies in their field, and have discussions with peers and professionals who best understand the work they do.

We have Coroners who have been performing their duties for many years, and are coming to a time when they are ready to pass their knowledge to others. Currently, we have openings in several communities and we expect that in the near future, there will be more.  If you are aware of people in your communities who are inquisitive, courageous and community minded, and are looking for truly rewarding work, have them speak with their local coroner, or the Chief Coroner of the NWT located here in Yellowknife, to be part of a proud tradition.

For the Coroners making the trip to learn and share over the next three days, we hope that they are able to be rejuvenated and return with new skills of value to their understanding and delivery of the services they provide. Most importantly, Mr. Speaker I want to express gratitude on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories for the thorough and professional jobs Coroners do.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, now that the Government of the Northwest Territories is responsible for administering the territory’s onshore petroleum resources, we are looking ahead to effectively plan and manage the NWT’s world-class oil and gas potential for the benefit of all residents.

To encourage future exploration and responsible development of oil and gas reserves in the territory, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is preparing for its first-ever Call Cycle for Oil and Gas Exploration Rights.

Mr. Speaker, at this stage, the petroleum rights issuance process is moving forward with the Call for Nominations, which may then be followed by a Call for Bids.  During the Call for Nominations phase, interested parties have four weeks to recommend parcels of land to the GNWT that should be made available for oil and gas exploration. Once the results of these submissions have been assessed, the government will decide which parcels will be made available to prospective bidders in a Call for Bids. The Petroleum Resources Act requires that the Call for Bids must remain open for a minimum of 120 days.

I want to emphasize, Mr. Speaker, that receiving a nomination for a particular parcel does not automatically mean that the GNWT will offer it up for future oil and gas exploration or a Call for Bids.  Nominations are a first step in a broader call cycle process, which can take up to a year for the entire process to be completed, including the issuance of exploration licences. The process allows our government to manage the pace and scale of oil and gas development in our territory in a clear and consistent way that reflects northern priorities. At the same time, the certainty provided by clear processes helps promote the territory’s competitive position and improves business and investor confidence.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT is careful to consider the views of the public, stakeholders and Aboriginal governments in its decisions on oil and gas development. With the NWT’s unique interests, ITI has engaged with Aboriginal governments and organizations that may be directly affected by new exploration projects. During the month of September, officials from the GNWT met with representatives of the Tulita, Deline, and K’asho Got’ine District Land Corporations, the Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Inuvialuit Game Council to seek their views on the issuance of petroleum exploration land in their respective areas. This is one of the more important and critical parts of preparing the Call for Nominations. The consultation and engagement process gave us a better understanding of what lands must not be opened up for development. We will continue to engage with Aboriginal governments and organizations in our decision-making, reflecting the crucial role they play in the future of the NWT.

In going through the consultation and community engagement and the Call for Nominations process, our government also learns more about the suitability of our lands for petroleum development and our level of attractiveness as a jurisdiction for industry investment that will help inform future plans and decisions.

The information gathered during the Call Cycle is also valuable as we proceed with the development of an NWT Oil and Gas Strategy, as recommended in the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy. The Oil and Gas Strategy will serve as the blueprint for oil and gas development in the territory for the next 20 years, and is a key component of this Government’s vision to build a strong and prosperous territory that provides opportunity to our regions.

Mr. Speaker, devolution was a major step for this government, one which could not have been completed without great effort and collaboration with our partners. The Call Cycle builds on these partnerships with a collaborative process that demonstrates this government’s ability to move forward and foster a supportive environment for responsible, sustainable development.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.