Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So it sounds, though, that the Minister is saying that recommendations are being made by the incident command, but decisions are ultimately made by the Minister. Has the Minister already examined -- or perhaps changes have already been made that he can explain -- but how the lines of command during a state of emergency can be shortened and restructured to be more independent of the Minister's office? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The current structure already separates from the political side. The decisions are all made within the ICS system, and when it comes down to a Minister making a decision, it's through the legislation on what type of decision that may be. So sometimes it's signing off on an emergency evacuation order that a local state of emergency that has been declared. So it's not the Minister making the decision; it's following the recommendations of the trained staff. So basically the Minister's role is limited to making statutory declarations if a local state of emergency or something like that has been made. The Minister is not responsible for making decisions for the evacuation -- or for the emergency. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So has the Minister or the department done an analysis of what differences exist, if any, between the NWT system and stand-alone emergency management agencies elsewhere? And if there are differences in roles or gaps that can be found, how we might be able to change or rearrange or reassign current people that we have working within our system to make it more similar to the functions of stand-alone emergency management agencies elsewhere? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm sure everybody's aware over this last year what every province and territory has gone through, even just this last year. You know, and a lot of the problems that have been happening down south are similar to what we've been dealing with. So we really have to look at what we're doing with a standard, not with what other departments or what other agencies are doing, because it may not work up here. So every emergency is different. Every situation is different. That's why we follow the Incident Command System which is a standard. And it's important to follow that standard so that we are similar, operating-wise, to the other provinces and territories. Every emergency is going to be different, and how we operate during those emergencies all relates to the people that are trained in those positions to make those difficult decisions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Oral questions. Member from Monfwi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is for housing Minister. If I don't get the answer, can I redirect the same questions to the Minister of Finance, or?
Okay, then. This is for the Minister of housing.
So due to housing crisis, can the Minister commit to allocating additional 5, 10, 15, or 20 houses in Tlicho communities aside from what is already allocated in the budget? Thank you.
Thank you, member from Monfwi. Minister responsible for Housing NWT.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know one thing I love about MLA Weyallon-Armstrong? She don't hesitate to advocate for her region and riding at any time. So wonderful.
But in terms of the allocations for this go-around, the allocations have been set. But understanding there's a great need, especially in Behchoko, for further housing -- and I don't hesitate at any opportunity to talk about the need and use Behchoko and highlight it as we need more housing in Behchoko, in Inuvik, in Hay River, in Yellowknife, in Tuktoyaktuk. Like, looking at the unit condition rating, the age of the units, when the M and I, modernization and improvement, last had been completed. Like, these are numbers, and these are realities, and that's why the Territorial Housing Needs Assessment was so important. It's because the federal government will require data, will require statistics, will require analysis, and using that to provide a good argument to the federal government will strengthen our case.
But at this moment, those units have been allocated. But moving forward, I can't commit to more until we have more money, but understanding the need based on the waiting list. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Okay. She did say she cannot commit. So can I get back on the list so I can ask the Minister of Finance? Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Oral Questions. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thanks, Mr. Speaker. I'm always so excited.
Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Infrastructure. I almost said transportation. Sorry. I'm old school. It used to be transportation.
Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister. And the question really is built around a lot of people had talked about the emergencies, the evacuation that happened to my good colleague -- sadly, of course, in many of these ridings. And they said, you know, when people are driving down the highway, they don't have enough information given to them. And the question was posed to me as why isn't the government starting to look, do some analysis, and look and put these giant billboards that -- electronic billboards that you see in southern jurisdictions. And given the value of Starlink and the opportunity that can happen, we can update highway conditions almost in real time so people aren't caught off guard or driving down without the gas and going, Oh, goodness, I can't panic.
So, Mr. Speaker, my question's really built around that, is would the Minister be willing to look at perhaps doing some analysis on that challenge so we can help protect our Northerners as they travel along the highway? Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So this summer was obviously another difficult time with the fires and the smoke and the fog. It did cause some issues on our highways with visibility. And I hear the Member. Same concerns I had through this. I've talked to the department, and this is something that we're going to look at. You know, so any recommendations on how we can improve our emergency situations like this, I'd be happy to hear them.
So, yes, we are looking at how we can improve this. I know Drive NT has been one avenue that's been used, and they're trying to obviously stay on top of it, but it's not always easy. So, yes, we are -- something we're going to look at for this with the infrastructure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I gave a recommendation. He's giving me a recommendation. I'll give him one back, Mr. Speaker.
My first question is about could we do some analysis around that, Mr. Speaker. So not to repeat it, but, Mr. Speaker, he did say Drive NT. It only works if you're in cell phone range, and you're not allowed to use your cell phone when you're driving, just for the record. So that said, it's real-time information, Mr. Speaker. So the question, just clearly stated once again, is would the Minister be willing to do this type of analysis that we could have these big billboard systems so we can do real-time updates? If conditions are changing, we can make sure people know right as soon as possible. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sorry, I check Drive NT and road conditions before I leave my House. Sorry.
One thing I will say is we do have signs up on the highway. We have them in Enterprise. We have them at the junction to Whati. And those are updated for road conditions; however, I will take that from the Member, the recommendation from the Member, and we'll look at what we can do to improve that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Infrastructure. Final supplementary. Member from the Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Implying I don't check Drive NWT almost hurt my feelings. Not to the point of a point of order, but it kind of hurt a little bit.
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister be willing to commit to having some type of an update to the House before we start the February session? Because capital projects just don't happen overnight, respectfully, but it would be a good update to give people the following into the next session we head towards, the February-March. Could he do that? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I'll commit to having something to the House or for the Members here before the next session. Thank you.
Oral questions. Member from the Sahtu.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is to the Minister of Infrastructure based on some of our previous correspondence going back and forth on the barging season. Will the Minister provide an update on the progress that we've decided to submit a town hall session in Norman Wells and other Sahtu communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, so I know we've been trying to get into the Sahtu, and I committed to going to the Sahtu. We have plans, I believe, in the new year to try to go there because I think we'd like to get up there and not only go and meet about the barging season but also see the winter road and see how it is.
So I am committed to meeting with the residents of the Sahtu for the barging and anything else that we need to talk about. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thanks to the Minister for that reply here. Moving ahead here. In preparation for that trip there, we need a contract so the road can be built so we can drive on it. So will the Minister follow up on the requests put forward some weeks back by the local contractors? And I understand Cabinet approval was given, so now we just need to conclude and wrap up the negotiated contracts for the winter road construction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member. You got lucky with that last little bit of the question because you were going a different direction there. So Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, so I don't know if it's right to be talking about contracts in here. But I will follow up with the Member, and we'll have some discussions on what needs to be done there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Infrastructure. Final supplementary. Member from the Sahtu.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I believe the contractors are listening, so I think they take that really seriously. My question, if the Minister would send me an email so I can forward it on to the contractors that are waiting. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister of Infrastructure. Oral questions. Member from Range Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the structure of the GNWT, including the establishment policies for departments, rests with the Premier's office, as did the after-action report that was commissioned by TSI. We've been talking about the recommendation to create an emergency -- a dedicated emergency services agency. It could also be done by way of department. We've had conversation about this. But before rejecting that recommendation, did anyone involved with this on the government side of this report do the analysis of how we could cost-effectively create a new agency from our existing structure? Thank you.
Member, who are you pressing that question to? Sorry?
Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Mr. Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So the question is did we -- the question as I understand it is did the government do a cost analysis of creating a new emergency management department. And so earlier the Minister of MACA stated that the decision was made based on the capabilities that are currently in house. And so, you know, that's the information that I heard earlier today, and I believe that the Minister has committed to going back to the department, looking at the cost of doing something like this. So I think that that question has been answered today already and that further conversations will happen based on those commitments. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the reason I asked whether or not different options than just a full agency were done is because we've done this before. We have the Department of Infrastructure that's Transportation and Public Works. We have the Department of Finance that's Finance and HR. We've amalgamated departments to find cost savings. So what if we take justice and public safety? I don't want to ask a hypothetical. But were alternative options explored in how we could amalgamate existing resources to provide a dedicated department or agency, whatever you want to call it, but to meet that recommendation? That's the question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So I am not a big fan of amalgamating and separating departments. I've seen it happen during my time in Cabinet, and it takes a lot of energy, it takes a lot of resources, and it takes years for things to begin working smoothly. We have a system right now where there's a dedicated team of people who work on emergency management. There's training for government employees who can become part of that team when it is necessary. And so the decision was made, as I understand it, based on those factors. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Final supplementary. Member from Range Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, I mean, I'm going to respectfully disagree with the Premier. I mean, the findings were that the existing system proved ineffective during a large-scale disaster and that the system's not agile enough to deal with these things. And we have to take it on face value that the actions taken from then to now have actually resulted in all these improvements and we don't need anything else. Northerners want to see some movement on this. So will the Premier reverse this decision, accept the recommendation, and explore creative ways to bring a centralized response agency or department, whatever you have it -- I'm not going to be prescriptive. But will he reverse this decision? Do the right thing, accept the recommendation, and show Northerners that we could trust this government is prepared to deal with emergencies? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There were 35 recommendations in that report. 35. If you look at 34 of them, they say "agree". There is one where the department looked at internally the capacity and made the determination that this is what is appropriate for our northern context. I mean, we could farm out all decisions to contractors and to third parties and academics and experts from other places, but at some point, we have to govern and make decisions based on the learned experiences that we have as a government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pursuant to Rule 7.27, I have received follow-up information for the following oral questions from the First Session of the 20th Legislative Assembly. Oral question 439, 441, 502, 503, 574, 582, 628, 656, 693, 694, 706, 712, 733, 742, 746, 747, 749, 752, 757, 758, and Oral Question 764. These follow-ups will be delivered to Members and printed in full in today's Hansard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further to the response provided to the Member for Dehcho on February 6, 2025, the following additional information is provided:
In the Dehcho communities, the delivery of the Home Care program is organized to address the assessed needs of residents. In the Dehcho, the Home Care program is provided by two different health and social services authorities: Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority – Dehcho Region and Hay River Health and Social Services Authority.
Home care is provided based on an assessed need by a nurse, a health centre nurse or home care nurse, with oversight provided to the personal support workers.
Home Care services include personal care, light housekeeping, medication management, transportation, accompaniment to telehealth and doctor appointments, nursing assessments completed by Community Health Nurse or Nurse in Charge - Home Care, basic wound care, friendly visits, basic foot care, vital signs and weights, meal preparation and end of life care and home palliation
In the Dehcho Region, there is a Home Care Nurse in Charge position located in
Fort Simpson that travels to all regional communities to help with assessment and care planning and to provide oversight to the Personal Support Workers.
There are Community Health Nurses located in the community health centres that also provide some assessment and oversight. In the Dehcho region, home care is provided to all Dehcho communities.
In Fort Liard, there are two Person Support Workers available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm.
In Fort Providence, there is one Licensed Practical Nurse and two Personal Support Workers available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm.
In Fort Simpson, there is one Licensed Practical Nurse and three Personal Support Workers available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm, evenings and weekends.
In Jean-Marie River, there is one Personal Support Worker position that is currently vacant and assessed home care is provided by the Regional Home Care Nurse who travels from Fort Simpson.
In Kakisa, there is one Personal Support Worker position that is currently vacant and assessed home care is provided by a Regional Home Care Nurse who travels from Fort Simpson.
In Nahanni Butte, there is one Personal Support Worker position that is currently vacant and assessed home care is provided by a Regional Home Care Nurse who travels from Fort Simpson.
In Sambaa K’e, there is one Personal Support Worker available Monday to Friday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
In Wrigley, there is one Personal Support Worker available Monday to Friday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
In Kátł′odeeche First Nation, home care and health services are provided by two Health and Social Services Authorities, the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority and the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority.
The Hay River Health and Social Services Authority provides Home Care Nurses for nursing care and advanced wound care and the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority in the Dehcho Region provides funding to Kátł′odeeche First Nation for one Home Support Worker and one Community Health Representative, they are available Monday to Friday from 10:30am to 5:00pm.
In addition to Kátł′odeeche First Nation, the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority provides home care nursing and advanced wound care to Hay River and Enterprise.
Further to the response provided to the Member for Yellowknife North on February 12, 2025, the following additional information is provided:
Minister Wawzonek committed to provide information on whether the Government of the Northwest Territories has been able to recover any costs related to the plumbing issues that occurred just as the Legacy Hospital Building was set to open last year. On March 31, 2025, I was named the Minister for the Department of Infrastructure, and I am following up on this commitment.
The plumbing issues that occurred just as the Legacy Hospital Building was set to open in January 2024 were fully resolved by Ventura as part of its obligations under the lease agreement, with no additional cost to the government. To prevent further issues, Ventura installed, at its expense, a cabinet heater in the affected corridor and adjusted the ceiling grid to improve heat flow into the space.
