Mr. Speaker, a strong Canada needs a strong North.
There is a growing recognition across this country of the tremendous potential of the North from natural resources to water to distinctive arts and culture. This potential is not new. The people who live here see it every day. And yet successive governments, as well as residents and businesses, struggle to unlock this potential.
For too long, the North has been a fairytale for Canadian identity about snow and cold, dogsleds, and aurora. Fairytales are not real. The true story of the North lies with its people. The people who live here and know the vastness of Canada's northern landscape.
Meanwhile, as Northerners, we have been unable to overcome long known economic challenges including a historic lack of foundational infrastructure that contributes to high costs and holds back efficient construction of necessities like housing. Instead of networks of transportation and energy systems, we see these built in piecemeal increments. Sporadic development incentivizes protectionism as we each hold tight to the few big opportunities that seem to come along. This is inefficient, stifles innovation and keeps our collective opportunities from growing. This need not be our future.
Today's shifting and uncertain international landscape has forced Canada to look to its northern border with urgency. Assumptions that shaped the modern Canadian state are being challenged. External threats to our economy, sovereignty, and our values are growing. These global headwinds are blowing away old narratives of how this country allocates resources and understands nation-building.
Canada's Arctic is vulnerable to foreign actors moving into the region with impunity. Canada has recognized that it must strengthen its Arctic presence with dual-use infrastructure and supply chain resilience to counter the increasing influence of hostile powers in the region. This government, and all partners in the Northwest Territories, stand ready to work with the federal government to unlock our potential and strengthen Canada as a circumpolar country.
We must ensure that as the eyes of our nation look north, they do not see a fairytale but a living, thriving homeland where people already tell their own story with strength, honesty and pride.
Sovereignty must be expressed through people.
Our government cannot tell the stories of the people of the North or unlock the opportunities of this territory alone. Partnerships will be key to our future. This territory will be at its strongest when all governments, all leaders within the Northwest Territories, can marshal our voices and resources to seize upon these winds of change. Our collective willingness to share our stories, form partnerships, and work together will spread a strong story about the North.
Fortunately, partnerships across the territory are already adding to the momentum of change. For two autumns in a row, the NWT Council of Leaders traveled together to Ottawa to speak with one voice to the federal government. In addition, there are memorandums of understanding for collaboration now signed and collaboration underway to advance projects across the territory. These kinds of agreements reaffirm the core principles of our relationships and set out practical ways for us to work together.
Mr. Speaker, the message is clear: A strong Northwest Territories builds a stronger Canada. The momentum is in swing, the partnerships are forming, and the opportunities are knocking. This budget positions us not just to react to change, but to help shape it by supporting the people and communities who are the story of the North and who must be at the centre of every opportunity.
Mr. Speaker, Budget 2026 will continue to deliver on this government's priorities for affordable housing, a strong economic foundation, access to health care and safe residents and communities.
Like other governments in Canada, the GNWT is facing revenue volatility and economic uncertainty. The Northwest Territories has the added reality of a private sector economy dominated by a single mineral resource for the last twenty years but with one of those remaining diamond mines beginning its planned closure this year. Meanwhile, market forces are driving operating costs up and pushing demand for diamonds down, which affects the economics of the other two mines. Additionally, Imperial Oil's decision to cease operations in the Sahtu will have further negative economic consequences.
[Translation] The public sector plays an important role in the economy of the Northwest Territories.?? This contributes to maintains jobs and offers regular jobs.?? Nevertheless, the public sector competes with private employers for the same labour, and it's difficult to find personnel in a territory which already has a low??-- not enough population in age of working.?? A lack of housing also makes the problem worse.?? Mr. Speaker, our economic outlook nevertheless shows certain precise signals that??-- certain price opportunities that we have to seize during the past two years.?? A growth of the public sector is mostly focused inside the Indigenous government.?? This growth will develop a public service which contributes to move forward the agreements on land can claims and the governmental autonomy, as well as to participate in the development of resources, making these processes more effective and performance. [Translation Ends]
The resident labour force remains strong overall, including skilled and capable workers. The territory's population has shown its largest growth in several cycles, although a smaller share of the population is actively employed. Public and private sector employment has remained steady despite wider economic challenges. Workers in the Northwest Territories continue to earn more than the Canadian average, and wage growth remains positive, particularly in the public and services sectors.
The strategic, geopolitical role of the North cannot be overstated. To be a circumpolar nation, Canada must invest in the North: In foundational, enabling infrastructure, in defence capabilities and dual use capacities, and in the people. While the underlying impetus might be a bit grim, the opportunities this creates can bring positive contributions to our communities.
We are seeing growth in smaller economic sectors that make a disproportionate contribution to employment, particularly in small communities. Tourism is rebounding since the COVID pandemic as is the fishing sector. The higher fur prices are also encouraging. Our film and video sector has almost doubled in value since 2020. Each of these areas has further opportunity and room for growth.
Exploration spending appears to be shifting to deposit appraisals, meaning that projects are progressing from exploration towards production. This is happening not only for critical minerals, but also for base and precious metals.
Inflation has eased from previous highs, helping to stabilize household purchasing power, which in turn has boosted retail sales.
Business activity has shown a modest increase in the number of active enterprises although levels remain below pre-pandemic norms.
The structural challenges that weigh on our economy weigh also on our ability to raise revenues as a government. This in turn limits the GNWT's fiscal capacity and flexibility to deliver programs and services or make infrastructure investments. Our budgets have delivered stability, but we continue to face a lack of any economies of scale.
Limited fiscal capacity does not eliminate the responsibility of the GNWT to take action to meet the moment we find ourselves in. We have a responsibility to articulate the challenges we face and identify changes within our control. Given the challenges faced by Canada and across the North, it will be critical that the leadership of this territory and Canada pull together. Together we build momentum and together we have more power to seize opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, the increasing expenditure pressures to maintain service levels across the territory make fiscal management challenging. With limited options for significant revenue growth, fiscal discipline must remain a priority. Even in a climate of continuing external cost escalations, particularly for health services and transportation, we have held expenditure increases to less than 1 percent, just $22 million, from last year's budget.
We have shifted the focus of this budget away from trimming down towards improvements in service delivery and through the reallocation of existing resources to areas of highest need.
Over the course of this Assembly, we have reduced the number of active positions by half a percent across departments and agencies. Only in critical areas of need, as reflected in the priorities of this Assembly, are we seeing notable position growth, namely within housing and health care.
In this budget, we are proposing to realign resources through a review of long-standing vacancies, which are roles that have not been actively staffed for some time. This approach allows us to make thoughtful adjustments with minimal impact on current employees while responsibly redirecting $3.8 million to higher priority areas. Where adjustments may affect positions, we remain committed to our public servants and guided by our staff retention policy, and we will work to keep employees within the public service.
Through all of these efforts, operating spending remains below total revenues. Capital projects in the 2026-2027 Capital Budget will therefore advance using the available operating surplus. Operating surpluses only ever pay a portion of the capital expenses in a given year and there are, therefore, short-term borrowing needs that arise as part of our overall fiscal management. As such, our total debt will increase but remains within the debt management guidelines of the fiscal responsibility policy.
We continue to monitor fiscal risks and opportunities. As outlined in the borrowing plan, we are recommending shifting a portion of short-term debt to long-term instruments. This will reduce exposure to market fluctuations and helps keep debt affordable and predictable.
Budget 2026 also proposes to increase the supplementary reserve to $210 million, providing a more transparent operating surplus projection. This higher value better reflects the trend of the last several years of emergencies, cost pressures, and emerging needs. Allocating this sum upfront gives a clearer picture of where we expect to end the fiscal year; however, our focus remains on careful management to avoid drawing on the reserve wherever possible. With that change, we are also increasing the required threshold for departments when requesting supplementary funding.
Our work towards government efficiency includes ongoing efforts to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the healthcare system, recognizing its critical importance to residents and its significant impact on GNWT expenditures. It should be no surprise that healthcare costs continue to take up the greatest share of the overall operating budget. The healthcare system is large and complex with cost pressures driven by contractual obligations, rising service costs, and the need to maintain high standards of care. Through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Health and Social Services, the healthcare system sustainability unit and the public administrator of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority, we will act on these barriers and contain these pressures.
As part of this work, we are proposing $486,000 to launch a two-year pilot for medical travel case management. This project will establish three nurse case manager positions to provide dedicated case management with the goal to reduce avoidable medical travel costs. As well, because the program is expected to reduce patients being sent out of territory unnecessarily and improve the use of virtual patient, we expect to not only reduce costs but significantly improve the patient experience.
Other areas of effort for continual improvements and better efficiency include a proposal to provide the Department of Infrastructure with $828,000 to consolidate and oversee management of our vehicle fleet. As well, we propose to establish two positions in the Department of Finance to conduct workplace investigations and deliver harassment training to staff, which is a savings over the existing use of contracted services. We are currently working with other governments in Canada towards bulk purchase and economies of scale discounts, such as technology services product licensing. And, further, we are proposing $338,000 to streamline our information technology procurement and implement the GNWT's vendor performance management policy, which also helps support the GNWT's private sector contractors.
The priorities of the 20th Assembly remain guideposts that ensure our public resources meet the expectations of those we represent. Achieving these priorities will help the Northwest Territories meet the moment that we are in.
We are proposing $2.4 billion in departmental spending in 2026-2027, including $99 million for enhancements to existing programs and services. We are proposing $38 million in initiatives and other adjustments, the majority of which are supported by federal funding. Reductions and expiring programs reduce the overall proposed spending to just $22 million.
The Assembly's priorities put reconciliation at the forefront and will be best achieved through collaboration with other governments and other public and private sector institutions.
Following the guidance of the We Always Remember Circle, we propose $675,000 to commission and install a public monument honouring residential schools survivors and those who were lost to their families and communities. This project is a survivor-led initiative - a unique collaboration between survivors and the Government of the Northwest Territories and fulfills number 82 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.
We are also proposing $200,000 to advance negotiations for land and self-government agreements within the Northwest Territories.
Through the working group between the Northwest Territories Council of Leaders and the Department of Health and Social Services, the GNWT is ensuring community and Indigenous government involvement in healthcare decisions. Further, Community Wellness Plans offer financial flexibility for greater autonomy. Led by Indigenous governments, the mental wellness and addictions recovery fund increases access to culturally-based healing close to home.
We are working with Indigenous governments on a new strategic approach to Indigenous language revitalization. We are proposing $519,000 to address recruitment and retention challenges for junior kindergarten to Grade 12 Indigenous language instructors and to enhance support for Indigenous language instruction across the territory. As well, we propose $68,000 to enable the official languages board to fulfill its mandate under the Official Languages Act.
In addition, the mentor-apprentice program is now open. The program pairs a fluent Indigenous language speaker with a learner so that the apprentice can have the opportunity to live life in the language.
We are proposing $350,000 to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act action plan. This will help track progress and support the growth and development of action items.
Much of Canada continues to see high demand across the spectrum of housing needs. A lack of safe housing impacts the availability of labour, can cause a reduction in people's wellness, and increase community insecurity. We are taking steps across the housing spectrum through partnerships with communities and the non-profit sector.
The GNWT is expanding its support for housing-related infrastructure following the $74 million Canada Housing Infrastructure Funding Agreement by launching an open call for applications for priority projects planned for 2026 and 2027.
Housing NWT is at the forefront of housing innovation, working with the modular construction sector, and incubating a hybrid method for construction that supports local development and training opportunities. The agency is currently completing a demonstration project in Deline.
We are proposing $4 million to be shared between health and social services and executive and indigenous affairs to support transitional and supportive housing and family violence prevention programs administered by the non-profit sector.
In addition, through Housing NWT we are proposing to provide $8.3 million to more than triple the budgets for emergency shelters in Yellowknife, Hay River, Inuvik, and Fort Smith, and have added more resources for a new division within the agency to address homelessness. We are also re-profiling resources and increasing the budget for the Yellowknife Day Shelter and Sobering Centre by a net $460,000 to ensure a more realistic budget going forward.
When I delivered the budget address one year ago, an attack on Canada's economy by our closest trading partner had only just begun. Since then, the foundations of international trade continue to be eroded with no semblance of rational predictability. While the Northwest Territories is not a major exporter, our economy is tied to that of Canada, and our principal export is tied to global economic stability. Even so, we can support growth in our economy by removing the barriers that have long been a drag on the opportunities that exist across the Northwest Territories. Success will take effort not only by the GNWT but from partnership across the Northwest Territories.
The mineral resource sector continues to be a foundation for private sector activity, especially in transportation, wholesale trade, and construction. The GNWT is providing support to our diamond industry by increasing diamond valuations to move more product to markets, extending property tax relief, and providing support for Burgundy's successful federal tariff relief loan.
We are proposing $150,000 to support Indigenous participation in the resource sector by developing expertise in training, workshops, and networking. Empowering Indigenous communities to engage effectively will make regulatory proceedings more effective and timely.
Development of the Mineral Resources Act regulations are an example of GNWT collaboration with Indigenous governments through the Intergovernmental Council and through technical working groups with those outside the council. To advance responsible resource development with oversight developed within the territory, we are proposing $400,000 for the transition activities needed to bring the Act into force.
[Translation] The labour needs throughout the Northwest Territories are continuous.?? Levels of employment both in the sectors of public and private remain stable despite the competition of other regions of the country for recruitment.?? The Government of the Northwest Territories collaborates with??-- in order to provide training or job preparation, we work with the government Tlicho and the Dene First Nation Yellowknife to support workers impacted by recent changes in the sector of diamond extraction while establishing the basis for a more diversified economy.?? We have pleaded for the reestablishment of the program of immigrant candidates for 2025,?? and we've obtained an allocation in 2025.?? Moreover, we've worked with the Inuvialuit Development Corporation in order to offer training programs and workplace leading to certifications.?? Moreover, we're setting up a pilot project for vocational training at the Behchoko and Deline.??
[Translation Ends]
We also must take a long-term view for our residents and support their future opportunities and prosperity.
The GNWT invests over $10 million in the junior kindergarten to Grade 12 education system and consistently spends the most per student in Canada. We will continue to roll out the territorial adapted competency curriculum from British Columbia. Efforts in this space have already seen an increase of 6 percent in small community graduation rates this Assembly.
Last fall, we launched the temporary interim support assistants initiative to maintain educational supports. We will continue collaboration with the federal government to expand the healthy food for learning program and continue to advocate for the return of federal support for Jordan's Principle and Inuit Child First.
Greater economic diversity is a shield against downturns in individual sectors or commodities. Diversity can also reflect the individual strengths of our communities or regions around the Northwest Territories. Our efforts to stimulate the development of different sectors of the economy is led by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Our freshwater fish industry has vast untapped potential. To continue growth in the commercial fishery sector, we are proposing $2.9 million to support the Hay River Fish Plant. The plant is generating revenue but today's market prices for certain species of fish are low and inconnu sales to Russia were halted. However, the industry continues to establish itself, and we have seen the number of fishers increasing and their catch volumes growing. By the end of 2026, we expect to be fully certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and ready to take this industry directly to the international market.
Tourism also continues to see growth and holds the potential for so much more. We are proposing an additional $335,000 to support the GNWT's Tourism 2030: Sustainable Journeys Ahead strategic plan to make the territory a premiere destination for visitors from around the world. We are also proposing $474,000 to address increased costs in park contracts and utilities, ensuring our parks remain accessible and well maintained.
Tourism is a prime example of where success will depend on the private sector stepping up with innovative products to showcase the territory's abundance of spectacular nature and rich culture.
This spectacular backdrop has also led to growth in the film industry. We are proposing $345,000 to support the industry with permanent funding for the film officer at the Northwest Territories Film Commission and to restore the producers incentive program. These investments will help attract and leverage more dollars into the territory than what they cost.
One key requirement for economic activity, including housing construction and community development, is land. While still investing to support outstanding negotiations with Indigenous governments, we are also proposing $367,000 for the Department of Environment and Climate Change to accelerate our responsiveness to requests for the transfer of land tenure.
Relying on internal collaboration, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment will lead an initiative that will see reductions in existing GNWT regulatory processes, while executive and Indigenous affairs will lead an oversight policy to limit growth of new regulations. Municipal and community affairs will advance an initiative to explore an expanded set of regulated gaming options that better protects consumers from unregulated operators with a proposed $300,000.
Healthy people and healthy communities are a positive expression of sovereignty within the Northwest Territories and a critical foundation for prosperity by ensuring labour availability, enabling entrepreneurship, and ensuring communities can maintain a sustainable business ecosystem.
As the work to improve the operational efficiency of the healthcare system progresses, we are introducing measures aimed at right-sizing budgets and improving prevention and timely care to reduce financial pressure caused by higher needs later on.
The Liwegoati Building is an important component of the health campus in Yellowknife, providing primary care, outpatient rehabilitation, and long-term and extended care beds. After monitoring the traffic seen in the first year of the building's operations, we are proposing $1.7 million to establish eight new full-time equivalent positions to support the long-term and extended care beds and increase the capacity of the central reception area.
We are transitioning to a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week model for laboratory and diagnostic services at Stanton Territorial Hospital through a proposed $3.1 million investment. An evaluation shows that the current model is not sustainable for patients or staff. Demand has resulted in increased workloads and lengthened wait times, which are being addressed through costly emergency callbacks. The proposed investment will allow a change to the new 24/7 model with 21 new full-time positions to process tests and imaging faster and reduce the burden on staff and reliance on out-of-territory lab facilities.
We want to ensure the 8-1-1 health advice line remains available as it provides a vital resource for residents everywhere in the territory seeking immediate, valuable, credible and accessible health information and guidance and reduces pressure on frontline providers. We are proposing $740,000 in part to help manage increasing call volumes but also to fill a void left by cancelled federal funding.
Outpatient intravenous therapy at Stanton Territorial Hospital plays an important role providing treatment in a controlled outpatient setting that reduces pressure on acute care services by helping to avoid hospitalizations and emergency visits. Additionally, it supports early discharge by allowing patients to continue receiving necessary intravenous medications or therapies without taking up an inpatient bed. Through Budget 2026, we propose $549,000 to enhance this program.
We are proposing $287,000 for a time-limited project management position to lead the recommended changes from the small community model and care review that will further improve service delivery in small communities caused by nursing staff shortages.
We will tackle the $8 million shortfall in biomedical equipment essential for day-to-day healthcare operations in a systematic fashion. We are proposing an additional $562,000 for renewing these assets through a consistent and phased multi-year replacement schedule.
We are facing rising costs across several key contracts that require $1.9 million in proposed spending. This includes additional funding in Inuvik for adult residential care programs at the Charlotte Vehus Home and Billy Moore Group Home and service providers at the Inuvik Regional Hospital and funding for Avens, A Community for Seniors in Yellowknife. This funding will also address rising demand for, and increased costs of, blood products, increased costs for child and family services, legal contracts and legislated travel, and proper funding for essential health services program contracts.
Higher numbers of cancer patients and new treatments are increasing chemotherapy drug costs even with efforts to limit those costs through the health and social services department's product listing agreement with drug makers. As a result, we propose another $215,000 in this budget to ensure sustainable funding for cancer treatments.
We are formalizing one full-time position under the Medical Assistance in Dying, or MAID, program with a proposed $216,000 to ensure this service is available to patients.
We propose to meet all 32 recommendations from the security assessment at the Hay River Regional Health Centre through a $589,000 investment. The security assessment revealed vulnerabilities in physical security, surveillance, access control, and emergency preparedness, many of which are directly related to illicit drug activity. Addressing these vulnerabilities will protect patients, staff and visitors, and the integrity of care delivery.
We are expanding the school funding framework through a proposed $1.7 million to permanently support the school-based mental health and wellness program so that every child in every school across the Northwest Territories has access to a dedicated service provider. This builds on the success of the 2024-2025 pilot program that used schools as a conduit for mental health education, which produced increased student engagement and participation.
The Northwest Territories active living framework supports active wellness at all ages. Developed with territorial sport and recreation partners, we are in a phased expansion of this program to strengthen sport and recreation support across the territory through enhanced monitoring, improved data collection, and more coordinated funding practices. We propose $2.8 million in this budget to establish stable funding for core territorial and regional sport and recreation partners.
Enhancing the safety of our residents and communities supports the long-term stability of the Northwest Territories.
Let me assure everyone the government remains firmly committed to addressing lead in our water systems. While the 2026-2027 Budget does not include additional resources, when required we will seek the resources to expand testing and act wherever and whenever it is needed.
[Translation] Through the Minister of Justice, the Government of the Northwest Territories will continue the progress by working with coordinators and with Indigenous governments by putting in place a sharing that will exchange and implementing online knowledge sharing and will enable coordinators to share best practices from one to each other communities.?? Federal support is helping the Legal Aid Commission improve access to justice, increasing equitable service delivery for residents in every community.?? The department is able to do this without increasing its base budget of 2026-2027 by leveraging cost share arrangements.
[Translation Ends]
We are proposing to invest $8 million in additional resources to improve emergency wildfire response and mitigate potential risks. This includes adding $1.7 million to the Department of Environment and Climate Change for adaptation and preparedness training, flood hazards and biomass mapping, and wildland fire research. These supports complement the department's ongoing work to improve our response to wildfires, including planning for a longer wildfire season, more training for firefighters, and higher aviation costs.
We will expedite final recovery efforts for the disaster events over the past four years with a proposed $1.4 million to the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs to complete expense processing. This funding will improve supports for disaster-affected residents, support coordination with contractors to complete recovery work, and get through the paperwork needed to align with federal standards for assistance payments.
We are proposing $790,000 to make improvements to the Northwest Territories emergency management system. This will advance a multi-year plan to address recommendations in the 2023 Emergency Response After-Action Review to strengthen community support, advance legislative reform, and enhance training and communications.
We are proposing $519,000 to ensure the availability of paramedic services during community evacuations from wildfires to improve our ability to respond quickly and effectively in times of crisis and provide medical support to first responders. In addition to having trauma-informed personnel available for smaller communities in a crisis, paramedics are required to support responders during fire suppression efforts.
We are working to improve the relationship with community partners to support effective, territory-wide fire suppression. We propose an additional $270,000 next year for territory-wide training support for community-level emergency services and firefighter education and development. This would help smaller communities meet national fire protection association standards with localized training materials and provide first aid and emergency medical responder training to their volunteers.
The GNWT's funding for community governments to support essential municipal services and infrastructure will increase by $1.4 million to reflect continued inflationary pressures. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs also uses its core funding to help community governments maximize their access to federal programs and funding.
Mr. Speaker, with this budget we will shift from restraint to readiness. We will focus on building partnerships and empowering our residents, communities, regions and partners to be ready to find, create, build and contribute to opportunities amidst uncertainty.
The Arctic and subarctic regions of the world are in the geopolitical cross hairs. This brings many risks that the Northwest Territories cannot control and many opportunities that we do not have the financial or human resources to unlock on our own. Yet there is momentum around us that we must seize upon, not only as a government, but as a territory. The world will not wait for us, and so we must break down historic barriers and meet this moment to build the future of the territory. Together, we will build a more resilient, sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories for generations to come.
All levels of government in the Northwest Territories working together will offer a stronger foundation of healthy, educated citizens living in safe and sustainable communities ready to capture opportunities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Finance. We will take a short break.
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Mr. Speaker, in the Northwest Territories, the child and family services system holds extraordinary power over children in care with no real independent oversight. Every choice made affects a child's life, but there's no formal review process. And since young children cannot advocate for themselves, they need someone to speak up on their behalf.
As MLAs, we are meant to serve as advocates when systems are failing Northerners yet even we are limited when it comes to child and family services cases. Because health and social services is the legal guardian of these children, it alone decides whether they receive an advocate, and all too often the answer is no. Biological and foster parents come to my office together seeking help, and I frequently cannot open a file with the Minister because that authority rests solely with her. This is a failure of oversight, plain and simple.
Children in care are treated almost as a class of constituents who are not allowed to represent themselves. When I am fortunate enough to get even a shred of information for families, the Minister responds with whatever is convenient for their office, often in canned and cryptic statements. If a foster family is struggling, they are reminded that CFS is focused on reunification which really means the foster family's concerns can be dismissed because they are temporary and replaceable. If a biological family wants to be more involved, they are told there's a plan of care already in place and they must reach out on their own, which in practice means parents have no rights to look into these cases and raise concerns, and their MLAs are expected to step back.
Like all facets of government, child and family services needs oversight. The consequences of accountability are clear and have been represented in numerous findings of the auditor general. We are losing foster homes and we are adding trauma to everyone involved. Families who dedicate their life to caring for these children are all too often treated with suspicion meanwhile the system is not always succeeding in its most important goal - acting in the best interests of the children and youth in their care. If this Minister does not want every concern to become a political battle, then families must have someone they can turn to and speak up for them. The Northwest Territories desperately needs a child and youth advocate who is accountable to the families and reports independently to this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the end of 2022 the Mackenzie gas project's permits quietly expired. In that moment, we could hear across the North's economy an exhale, a collective sigh of grief. I was there in the earliest days, Mr. Speaker. I remember the buzz, how exciting it was. It wasn't just talk about pipelines and gas; it was a talk about prosperity across the North. We were talking about the bedrock of our future. There was hope, and then there wasn't.
In my first term, we were warned that diamonds weren't forever, and we knew nonrenewable resources had a shelf life. Well, here we are staring down the barrel of an economic reckoning while the music is starting to the fade. And what is the response of the government, of this Assembly? Government always knows best. But now the budget in front of us, where are the jobs to stimulate the economy? Where is industry being invested in to spur excitement? Where is the economy front and center of this budget? Is there an economy, one might ask.
An outsider looking in told me recently, Mr. Speaker, that the government's economic plan isn't a strategy; it appears to them more of a shelter in place policy. It took a page out of the safety manual. Nobody moves, nobody gets hurt.
Well, Northerners are hurting. The one taxpayer is wondering how they will ever survive. Cost of living is on the rise, hope is on the lows. Who will save us with this shrinking economy? But the demands keep rising. I had hopes if we dropped -- I had high hopes, Mr. Speaker, if we dropped the payroll tax it would have created a $50 million economic stimulus in our northern economy, local spending and local shops paying bills, rewarding hard work. Zero appetite to consider those types of ideas. If we continue to wait for a miracle, Mr. Speaker, history will remember this Cabinet as one thing - an economic strategy for keeping the lights on. Well done.
We need to telegraph to industry and the world that we are open for business. We need to set the table for a diverse GDP. Think of Alberta. They're frustrated. They're landlocked with their resources. And I recall former Premier Bob McLeod's vision about send it north, some of those resources. And even Prime Minister Carney says multifaceted projects with multi benefits is good. Tap into the Alberta economic MOU, build the Mackenzie Valley Highway project, and tie in the Mackenzie gas pipeline. There's opportunities for everyone. Hear, hear, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Members' statements. Member from the Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I spoke about the urgent need for the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the economic crisis facing the Sahtu and regions along the right of way. Today I want to speak about accountability, accountability to the mandate we committed to in this Assembly, and accountability to project campaign initiatives towards our federal colleagues.
The mandate of the 20th Assembly is clear. One of the core priorities is building a strong economic foundation. Within that priority, we committed to leveraging federal funding to close the infrastructure gap through investments in transportation, communication networks. Mr. Speaker, the Mackenzie Valley Highway is exactly this kind of critical infrastructure. Critical to project fruitions is Indigenous partnerships mentioned at the national level and at the territorial level. As I mentioned yesterday, Mr. Speaker, the modern treaties of the Gwich'in Tribal Council and the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, in chapters 20 and 21, give rights on access to that specific chapter.
Mr. Speaker, this is a fundamental provision to form this project partnership. But, Mr. Speaker, before we can discuss project construction execution plans, leveraging federal funding is a prerequisite.
Mr. Speaker, this project is in immediate need to conclude or in immediate position to conclude phase two environmental assessment. We are further ahead in that area than we know. Consider this, Mr. Speaker: Compile, organize the 2013 data submitted by this government to the review board in partnership with the Indigenous government declaring that the EA is complete or could be complete in recognition of the old data for phase two. Mr. Speaker, later I will have questions for the appropriate Minister. Mahsi.
Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Members' statements. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have an aging population as we know. More people are retiring from many years of service in either the GNWT or other industries in the Northwest Territories. As our cost of living continues to rise, more of our retired seniors and elderly people are being forced to work part-time or make the difficult decision to move south where the cost of living is lower. We have programs such as seniors' home repairs or seniors' fuel subsidy, but the income thresholds of these programs often leave many seniors out in the cold. It is time we look at these policies, Mr. Speaker, evaluating if the income thresholds have been increasing with our cost of living. And, Mr. Speaker, to put a cultural lens on these policies as well. Many seniors in my region often have children or grandchildren depending on them. It would be good to see, Mr. Speaker, a cost analysis to see what the cost would be to this government if we were to double that threshold, an amount, so more seniors could qualify and what that cost would actually be.
I think the majority who are applying, but don't meet the criteria based on income, desperately need this assistance to ensure they can retire in the community where they have lived and worked all their lives, Mr. Speaker. I have several examples in my community that I could name, seniors coming to my office and, you know, requesting that we look at these policies. They struggle. They maintain their own home. Oftentimes they have children or grandchildren living with them. And they just can't seem to get ahead or qualify for these policies, Mr. Speaker, and I'd like to see us look at how we can increase that so that folks that really need it can get this funding to allow them to stay home and not have to leave our territory, Mr. Speaker. I know folks that are -- I don't believe that folks who can afford it apply for it, but I do think that we need to look seriously at how we increase these subsidies to allow people to take advantage of them. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Member from Frame Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in March of last year, I tabled Alternatives North's proposal and policy summary towards a basic income guarantee in the Northwest Territories. There has been a lot of discussion in the 20th Assembly and previous Assemblies about the pitfalls and issues associated with income support. The 19th Assembly removed productive choices from the program, but now we are hearing from MLAs that this well-intentioned move is having negative consequences. It's deepening harmful cycles of dependency and disincentivizing people from working, preventing people from lifting themselves up and taking agency over their lives. For these reasons, I think it's important to think about how we could be doing things differently.
I want to be clear, Mr. Speaker, that I don't think there is a silver bullet to be found on these issues. No single solution is going to come to light that solves the complex problems which lead many people to rely on income support. We need a framework of approaches as diverse as the issues we are trying to solve. Education and skill development, creating employment opportunities, housing, health care, and support to keep people going when they fall through the cracks or their life circumstances don't fit into the wage economy.
What I am hoping to achieve by highlighting this proposal in the House is that I believe insights from the work Alternatives North did on this issue could be incorporated into our ongoing work on our framework of solutions. In particular, one aspect of the proposal where I see a lot of potential is their work on turndown thresholds and how these relate to disincentivizing work. The key problem with our current support model is that people avoid earning even small amounts of income for fear of losing their support. We need to utilize and build upon the work in this proposal to get us closer to striking the right balance and minimizing disincentives to working.
The proposal highlights a savings potential of $6.2 million from reduced administration of the current program and a balancing effect from increasing rental income for Housing NWT by $32 million. So it may be that changes suggested by this proposal could help resolve some of the key issues with the current program without significantly increasing costs for the GNWT.
Alternatives North isn't suggesting that they have hit upon a perfect solution. Rather, they are encouraging further work to build upon their findings, and that is exactly what I will be asking the Minister of ECE to do later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member from Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During her budget address, I heard the Minister of Finance say the true story of the NWT is its people. And that is true, and the true story of the GNWT is also its people.
One of my favourite headlines I think in recent years comes from a September 2022 Cabin Radio article which reads: GNWT job satisfaction increasingly resembles shrug emoji.
So now, after evacuation, fiscal restraint fears, and constant negative news filling our social media feeds, it's a second full-time job for every resident to wake up with hope and desire for a better future some days. Public servants by and large want to give their best expert work and advice for the benefit of all residents but work culture at the GNWT doesn't always align with those desires. No one's dream as a little kid is to wake up and do battle with eApprove.
So today I ask Cabinet to think on and start to action more than just plans to prioritize healthy relationships among teams, how to empower staff to succeed, and make new decisions. I am concerned that the pieces that are coming out of the 2023 Employee Engagement and Satisfaction Survey are less than what is needed, Mr. Speaker. And I don't have questions for the Minister today. I just want to reinforce today that on budget day, the way that we get this budget rolling, Mr. Speaker, is with our people. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Members' statements. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, challenges with medical travel and this Minister's resistance to change are the clearest evidence that this government is failing our people and failing to uphold our treaty rights. Medical transportation is becoming ever more vital to my people and health care. Rising vacancy rates leave my people waiting longer for critical diagnosis and treatment, forcing them to seek care down south. Meanwhile, a weakening primary care services reduction to community health centres means more people are losing access to preventative care and early interventions resulting in more health emergencies. Yet, flexibility in medical travel policy is nowhere to be seen because the Minister insists our people seek care in the North where access is increasingly limited. Our treaty rights do not depend on where health care is provided, yet the Minister is putting budgets concerns over health and efforts to her treaty obligation.
Early on, I realized that outdated policies are barriers to care. Right after my election in 2022, I had a constituent in Dettah who had an organ transplant. I had to fight with his family to get an escort approved with no success. He couldn't even have his wife by his side during a major surgery and, ultimately, I ended up paying for his flight to Edmonton myself. Since then, I almost lost track of how many similar situations have come to my office. For example, an elder suddenly lost vision in one eye. He was told he would improve on his own by the local doctors, but it didn't. He sought care in Alberta without a referral and discovered he had suffered a stroke. That appointment likely saved his life, but he received no support from the medical travel without a referral.
Another constituent's went weeks without the proper nutrition as her chronic symptoms worsened. Diagnosis appointments weren't available until 2027. She eventually secured care in Alberta where she looked for an appointment herself. Again, outside policy at a cost of thousands of dollars out of her own pocket.
If we worked on solutions together, this could be a very different situation. Until then, the health of my constituents treated is nothing more than a line item, a budget, by the Minister who receives how much millions of dollars from CIRNAC each year for Indigenous health care for natural people. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member's statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you. Thank you, colleagues. When the Minister spoke yesterday about administering NIHB, I asked myself what's the point of our funding going to the Minister who has so far denied my constituents the support they need. I need to know when the Minister will start prioritizing their needs and respecting their treaty rights. Because until then, I fear that every time my constituents ask for help, she will keep hiding behind the policies that override our treaties. I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you
Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife North.
Mr. Speaker, at budget time many of us turn our thoughts and worries to the economy because we have a vague sense that the economy is related to where our money's going to come from.
Economy is a word that gets thrown around a lot. The experts offer us graphs and charts and statistics, but most of us are not really sure how to interpret the numbers or the lines. What we know we care about is whether we can find a decent paying job. Some of us even care whether we can find meaningful work, where we can use our talents. And we want job security so we can feel confident buying a house or a big truck. We care about having choice when it comes to housing. We care about having local small businesses with enough regular customers to survive so they can supply us with the things and the services that we need, with unique local handicrafts and art, where we can get delicious fresh food and sources of entertainment. So where do we go to make all those things happen for us?
Usually, we go to two places. First stop, go ask the government. Communities go to the GNWT, and the GNWT goes to the federal government. Give us more money, and we will establish more government jobs, and we will build more public housing and we'll subsidize more small businesses. The second place we go is to mining companies. We send our leaders to schmooze at conferences down south, try to convince them to bring their business here. And we pay existing operators, even those close to bankruptcy, to stay just a little longer.
The problem is you can't buy a ready-made economy that serves people. You can't buy all those things that we want from a mining company, and you can't get it all wrapped up in a bow from Ottawa. You have to build it from the ground up.
I often think how is it possible that we keep hearing that there are hardly any jobs in many NWT communities, and yet in all those communities there is so much important work that needs to be done that is not being done even when there is available money to do it. How is it possible there is so much work not being done? The food that needs to be gathered, homes that need to be built and maintained and heated with wood, health services vacant, and yet we hear there are so few jobs. Mr. Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll simply conclude by saying when it comes to the economy, we have to start by looking at the work that already needs to be done in our communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member from Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Missing Persons Act for the Northwest Territories has just been recently legislated into law. This act gives all parties involved tools to retrieve evidence that will help finding missing persons within the Northwest Territories. This Act is welcomed by families throughout the NWT who are grieving for their loved ones who have gone missing and would like to bring closure for their own well-being.
Mr. Speaker, with the collaboration between the authorities and the families of the missing person, communication is very important to keep the dialogue open. Well, Mr. Speaker, this was not the case when Ms. Laura Kalinek, Frank Gruben's mom, called the Fort Smith detachment and attempted to ask questions about the investigation and where it's going since the Missing Persons Act was passed.
Mr. Speaker, a member from the Fort Smith detachment did not answer Ms. Kalinek's concern very politely. In fact, she was very rude and her tone of voice scared Ms. Kalinek where she had to end her call because of the state of her mind. Ms. Kalinek did not know where to turn to seek advice, so she put her ordeal on social media. Well-wishers from all over the NWT responded to her post and provided comfort and advice.
Mr. Speaker, this particular behaviour from the RCMP is not an isolated case. I was informed by a resident of Yellowknife where she was groped by an intoxicated person and had to fight him off. After this ordeal, the individual went to the Yellowknife detachment. Again, this lady was treated with no respect. She felt at fault and left the detachment more emotionally hurt than when she was attacked on the streets of Yellowknife.
Mr. Speaker, the Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Territories are often put at a disadvantage when dealing with different agencies to improve their lifestyle and status, but when the authorities place the blame back on the victim this is totally uncalled for. We are living in a new millennium. These types of behaviours from professionals should not be tolerated and will not be tolerated. Where the authorities are treating our Indigenous population with little to no respect, it is time for change and that change will happen today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Members' statements. Member from Monfwi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [Translation] This item I am going to talk about is regarding how the senior citizen are helped and supported.?? When an elder makes a certain amount of money, they are not helped, but in all the regions, the elders have been telling us that everything is so expensive.?? So that's what I am going to talk about.??[Translation Ends]. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, eligibility requirements of the seniors' home heating subsidy continues to disadvantage many elders in our smaller communities. While the program is intended to support low to modest income seniors with the high costs of heating their homes, the current income threshold simply do not keep pace with the realities of living in the more remote regions of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, we all know that the cost of living in our remote communities is higher than in our regional centres. Cost of heating fuels, electricity, transportation of goods, and the challenges of maintaining aging homes in harsh weather conditions all add pressure to household budgets. As a result, seniors with modest or moderate incomes are finding it difficult to afford essential heating costs, particularly during the long winter months when temperatures have dropped well below minus 40. Despite these changes to the program's income threshold, they remain too low for many elders who are facing real financial strain.
Seniors who have spent their lives contributing to their communities through cultural leadership, caregiving, and countless unpaid roles are now being told their income is too high, even when that income is quickly consumed by basic necessities in a high costs' environment.
Mr. Speaker, we cannot allow program threshold to become barriers that prevent our elders from receiving the support they need. I'm calling on the government to reevaluate the seniors' home heating subsidies income levels with the actual cost of living in smaller communities in mind. In a place where warmth is survival, our elders deserve programs that truly reflect the North and protect their rights to live safely and with dignity. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have questions for ECE Minister. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Members' statements.
Colleagues, today I am going to celebrate the life of Donald Havioyak, a man whose journey began on June 11th, 1950, and whose passing on November 20, 2025, leaves a deep mark on all our hearts.
Donald was one of 11 children of Edward and Mary Havioyak. I had the pleasure of meeting Donald on December 5th, 1987, in Coppermine. He was the assistant SAO for the Hamlet. What I found out quickly, he always was willing to help and soon we became good friends. Throughout the years of getting to know him, I can tell you Donald's life was rooted in the strengths of the land and the connections of community. He grew up learning the values that guided him throughout his life - respect, kindness, patience, and service. Whether he was on the land, with family or among friends, Donald carried those values with quiet dignity and an ever-present sense of humour.
He was known for his wisdom and generosity, always ready to lend a hand or share a story. Those who spent time with him often came away feeling lighter, wiser, and more grounded. His deep respect for culture and tradition was matched only by his love for his family, especially his wife, children and grandchildren, who were his greatest pride and joy.
Donald's life was not measured in possessions or titles but in the countless ways he lifted others up. He taught lessons not by speech but by example through his work, his laughter, and his humble way of living. He showed that true strength lies in kindness and that leadership is found in service, and that love is best expressed through action.
Donald was about serving his community and elected to the first Nunavut Assembly in 1999, serving one term as a Minister. After that term, he served as the Kitikmeot Inuit Association president from 2005-2008. In both roles, Donald was a well-respected advocate for the preservation and promotion of Inuit Language and legacy of public service.
While his passing leaves a space that cannot be filled, his spirit remains in the stories we tell and the values he passed down and the land he cherished. Today, we do not only mourn his loss, but we honour his life, a life that touches many and continues to inspire us all.
May we continue to carry his teachings forward with compassion and with humour and with gratitude for the time we shared. Donald's spirit is now part of the land, the wind, and the stories that will live on long after us.
Unfortunately, Donald's illness took him away from the community to Ottawa and then Rankin Inlet. The staff at both facilities made his life comfortable, and the family would like to thank them for their service. His wife and children were able to be with him on his passing. Rest in peace, my friend. You will always be remembered for the love and respect.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to recognize my page Sarah Gacula, and I'm sorry if I said your name wrong. I'm very happy to have you here, and I hope you have a future in politics if that's what you want. Have a good time at your Assembly. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Jake Heron. He's the chief negotiator for the NWT Metis Nation. I just want to welcome him to the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Thebacha.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Alexa Crawford today, a young constituent from Thebacha. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Thebacha. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. I did see your arm this time, Member from great -- Kam Lake.
I like great Kam Lake; that sounds really good. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Rita Mueller who is the president of the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association. I've had the privilege of knowing her for about 25 years. I first met her when she was principal of Chief Jimmy Bruneau School. And I'd also like to recognize my youngest child who chose to come spend his afternoon here, and that's Dalan Bowden. Thank you.
Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first, I'd like to first say I'd like to recognize all the pages. I had a chance over the lunch hour to say hi to them very quickly and tell them that I started off as a page so don't think that -- you know, it's an inspiring role to come here, and you too, all of you, could become MLAs maybe one day. It's a great opportunity.
So specific, Mr. Speaker, to the Yellowknife Centre riding, I'd like to acknowledge Nicolas McDonald and Jasmine Rosbottom, both students at St. Joe's middle school. Thank you very much for your work. Thank you.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. I'd also like to recognize Rita Mueller. I got to meet her a little bit before she became principal in Chief Bruneau school. She used to be the travelling -- well, was our aquatics coordinator and then our travelling aquatics coordinator, and then she went off and been teacher in Chief Jimmy Bruneau. So I welcome you here to the Assembly. As well as my wife's favourite non-child, Dalan Bowden who has touched her heart. And if I didn't recognize him in the House, I would answer for that tonight. So welcome to our House.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we have missed anyone in the gallery today, we welcome you to your chambers. We thank you very much for giving us the honour to represent the people of the Northwest Territories for this short period of time. I hope you enjoy the proceedings. It's always nice to see people in the gallery.
