Thank you. And I appreciate the Minister's advocacy. Good luck with that government, unfortunately, Mr. Speaker. So I mean, if -- instead of waiting to convince the political -- or waiting for one Minister from the Northwest Territories to make the political and climate in Alberta change, which is unlikely, no offence to the Minister, can we just enter into this agreement to get trans youth who need these surgeries, who need this gender affirming care, in other jurisdictions? We know Ontario has developed a bit of a specialty here. Can she reach out and make an agreement with Ontario so we can -- my constituent's child can get the care that they so desperately deserve? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned -- and I don't want to keep going but it -- you know, with youth under 18, if they are looking for top surgeries, that is the route that we are looking at right now, if that is an insured services that Canada does provide, we will find the routes to do that and the department has been directed to begin looking at that.
One thing I would like to say, though, is although, you know, there is direction from the government, it is the health care people that actually are on the floor of -- you know, when our residents do, it's the nurses. We have nurses that come here from Alberta. We have doctors that come here from Alberta. You know, they have to work within that system that they live there, but they are the ones that are caring and taking care of our patients and I know that, you know, they will respect and care. Those are the people that I would ensure that, you know, have patients as a health care provider, the patients are, you know, who we -- who we care of the most. So, again, I may not be able to change law in there but I know that I will continue to work and advocate for the Northwest Territories residents, youth, elders, all residents. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, six months ago, this Assembly stopped at nothing to approve an initiative brought forward by the Indigenous governments, and their proposal, I believe, was called the NWTPFP -- I'm not sure why it's actually specifically called project finance permanence. But that said, must matter. So there was $375 million being offered, and the NWT government potentially could stand in the way if we had dragged our heels. In short, Mr. Speaker, it was about a project of lands and keepers of the land, and I'm giving a simple description of it, but it's never been approved federally. So my question to the Minister is where is it today, and what advocacy is our government doing to get this money approved so it can come into the Northwest Territories to protect the land? Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Our Land for the Future project has had a lot of significant work done. From the partners' table, all of the preparatory work in order to advance this initiative at the federal level has been complete, and we are currently waiting on an opportunity to meet with the federal government in the coming weeks. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, is this initiative still really on the table, or is it just -- we'll call it a paper exercise? So in other words, what indication is the Minister getting that this is going to be eventually approved? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this initiative has had significant conversation with the Indigenous leaders and Indigenous governments across the Northwest Territories as well as our Cabinet table. I did speak with our new MP, and she was very aware of the importance of this initiative to the Northwest Territories in general, to conservation, and to our Indigenous governments and organizations that are our partners in this endeavour, and we are certainly -- have this top of mind and will continue to lobby for its completion through the treasury board. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There was a lot out there unpacked. But I didn't hear that they're either in favour of it or against it, anticipate to approve it, or working to approve it, anything of that nature. Can the Minister be clear on that initiative; what's the ultimate goal and direction that this department is going to proceed with? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the federal government has just sworn in their new Cabinet. Our indications are that they are in favour of -- or continuing with this initiative, and as I said, Cabinet will be visiting Ottawa in the coming weeks to continue the discussion and ensure that we get this very important funding approved. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pursuant to Rule 7.27, I have received follow-up information for the following oral questions: 473-20(1), 529-20(1), and 560-20(1). Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further to the response provided to the Member for Great Slave on February 10, 2025, the following additional information is provided:
Parameters around early learning and child care fees that can be charged to NWT families are found in the Early Learning and Child Care Act and Canada-NWT Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. The Act requires that all operators charge no more than the maximum “child care fees” to families approved by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, so that the Government of the Northwest Territories is able to meet the required average of $10 a day child care fees in the Agreement.
The Act defines “child care fees” as all fees charged for the care, instruction or supervision of a child, and forbids operators from charging anything other than “child care fees” to parents of children attending the facility. Neither the Agreement nor the Act prevents operators from receiving voluntary donations, fundraising or third-party funding. These are all viable revenue sources available to early learning and child care facilities should they wish to explore them. Any additional donation or fundraising requests to families must be voluntary and may not affect the care or programming that the family experiences should they opt not to voluntarily donate to the operator. Any negative consequences or impacts to the level of service being offered would require they be considered mandatory “child care fees” and, as such, prohibited under the Act and Agreement.
The Department sent an email to licensed early learning and child care operators on April 22, 2025, confirming their ability to request and receive voluntary donations and services from families; specifically donations, fundraising, and third-party funding as outlined above. This information will be made available to the public on the GNWT website.
Further to the response provided to the Member for Great Slave on February 25, 2025, the following additional information is provided:
During our exchange, we were discussing the Strengthening the Non-Profit and Charitable Sector External Advisory Committee Report and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) commitment to new and updated efforts to support the Non-Governmental sector.
I have written to the Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Development and offered a briefing and would also like to take this opportunity to expand on these efforts and the next steps.
This project is broadly linked to the implementation of Integrated Service Delivery and the review and modernization of the Anti-Poverty and Non-Governmental Organizations, or NGO, Stabilization funds and focuses on strengthening GNWT relationships both at the NGO sector level and with individual organizations through the following steps:
Implementation of all recommendations outlined in the 2023 “Strengthening the Non-Profit and Charitable Sector External Advisory Committee – Final Report”;
Modernization, implementation and monitoring of the “GNWTs’ Program Mangers’ Guide for Funding NGOs”;
Refocusing and enhancing GNWT inter-departmental awareness and support to the NGO sector;
Identifying real and perceived barriers to changes needed to improve responsiveness;
Modernizing policy and procedures to support effective and efficient service delivery;
Training of appropriate GNWT staff in collaborative relations and community engagement; and
Fostering internal corporate change in attitudes, behaviours and practices.
I will continue to update the Standing Committee on Social Development on this work.
Mr. Speaker, I have a follow up to an Oral Question asked by the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake on February 27, 2025, regarding the Climate Change Action Plan. The Member also asked for additional information regarding the amount spent on contractors located in the NWT and the amount spent on southern-based contractors.
In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, ECC spent $3,465,000 on the NWT Climate Change Action plan. This included $2,517,000 in salaries and compensation, $378,000 in grants and contributions and $570,000 operations and maintenance, of which $486,461 was in contracting. This does not include expenditures for other GNWT departments working on climate change initiatives.
Mr. Speaker, from the amount spent on contracting, $88,000 was spent on northern businesses and $398,000 was spent on southern-based businesses. Many of the climate change-related contracts require specializations that are not available in the North. For example, Lidar, a remote sensing method that creates 3D models of landscapes used to inform infrastructure and permafrost mapping actions, can only be conducted by southern contractors. Additionally, an open Request For Proposals process selected a southern contractor with significant experience working in the NWT to conduct the independent evaluation of the Climate Change Strategic Framework.
The Department follows the GNWT Business Incentive Policy and makes every effort to support Northern and Canadian businesses.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: Northwest Territories Law Foundation 42nd Annual Report and Legal Aid Commission of the Northwest Territories Annual Report 2023-2024. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Justice. Tabling of documents. Member from Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the Statement of Consistency with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for Bill 26-21, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Okay, back to me. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, I will move the following motion:
Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that the supplemental recommendation of the Integrity Commissioner in Tabled Document 330-20(1) be accepted and that the Legislative Assembly partially reimburse Ms. Patterson for the legal costs she incurred. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Notices of motion. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, I will move the following motion:
Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Jessi Casebeer of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, be recommended to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories for appointment as a member of the Human Rights Adjudication Panel, effective June 1, 2025, for a term of four years.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will seek unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today. Thank you.
Thank you. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with motion given notice earlier today. Are there any nays? There are no nays, the Member may proceed with the motion.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,
WHEREAS Section 48.(2) of the Human Rights Act provides for the establishment of an adjudication panel composed of at least three persons appointed by the Commissioner on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly;.
AND WHEREAS Section 49.(1) of the NWT Human Rights Act provides that a member of the adjudication panel holds office during good behaviour for a period of four years and may be reappointed for subsequent terms;.
AND WHEREAS the board of management is tasked with recommending individuals to the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Assembly is prepared to make a recommendation to the Commissioner.
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Jessi Casebeer of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, be recommended to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories for appointment as a member of the Human Rights Adjudication Panel effective June 1, 2025, for a period of four years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. In regards to the motion.
Question.
Question has been called. I'm moving ahead here. All those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions? Motion passed.
---Carried
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, I will present Bill 28, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, No. 2, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Member from Range Lake.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, I will present to the House Bill 29, First Responders Workers' Compensation Amendment Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills.
Colleagues, being cognitive of the time, we're going to take a brief break to give the translators a break here. Thank you.
---SHORT RECESS
Thank you, colleagues. Member from Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask for unanimous consent to return to number 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.
Okay, thank you. Member is seeking unanimous consent. Member from Yellowknife North.
