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Speaker:̳=
5; I
will now call the House to order. We will proceed at this time with prayers=
.
Prayers
By-election return to wr=
it
Speaker: I wish to inform the Ass=
embly
that I have received a letter from the Chief Electoral Officer respecting t=
he
by-election held in the Electoral District of Whitehorse Centre on
“The death on
“A writ of election to fill this vacancy was iss=
ued on
“I hereby advise that the returning officer for =
the
Electoral District of Whitehorse Centre has certified in the return to the =
writ
that Elizabeth Hanson has been elected as the member to represent that
electoral district in the Legislative Assembly.
“Sincerely,
“Jo-Ann Waugh
“Chief Electoral Officer”
New member takes seat
Mr. Cardiff: =
Mr. Speaker, I have the hon=
our to
present Elizabeth Hanson, representing the Electoral District of Whitehorse
Centre, who has taken the required oaths and now claims the right to take h=
er
seat.
Speaker: The member may now take her=
seat.
Mr.
Cardiff escorts Ms. Hanson to her seat
Introduction of pages
Speaker: It gives me great pleasure =
to
announce that the following students will be serving the House as legislati=
ve
pages for the 2011 spring sitting. They are Kellina Benoit, Alyssa Blanchar=
d,
Shermaine Chua, Liam Finnegan, Sruthee Govindaraj, Kevin McLachlan and Kate
Power from Vanier Catholic Secondary School, and Katie Doerksen from Porter
Creek Secondary School.
T=
oday we
have with us Alyssa Blanchard and Sruthee Govindaraj. I would ask the membe=
rs to
welcome them to the House at this time, please.
Applause
Withdrawal of motions
Speaker: The Chair wishes to inform =
the
House of changes that have been made to the Order Paper. The following moti=
ons
have been removed from the Order Paper because they are outdated: Motions N=
o.
241, 1094, 1230 and 1234, standing in the name of the Leader of the Official
Opposition; Motion No. 835, standing in the name of the Member for Klondike;
Motions No. 995, 996, 998, 1003 and 1189, standing in the name of the Member
for Lake Laberge; Motions No. 1019, 1039, 1093 and 1148, standing in the na=
me
of the Member for Mount Lorne; and Motion No. 1100, standing in the name of=
the
Member for Kluane.
A=
lso, the
following motions have been removed from the Order Paper, as the action
requested in the motion has been fulfilled in whole or in part: Motion No. =
671,
standing in the name of the Member for
DAILY ROUTINE
Speaker: We will now proceed with th=
e Order
Paper.
A=
re there
any tributes?
TRIBUTES
In recognition of World = Cancer Day
Hon. Mr.
Hart: On behalf of the House, I rise toda=
y in
honour of World Cancer Day, which is tomorrow. I want to pay tribute to the
hard-working men and women around the world who devote so much of their time
and energy to the eradication of this disease. The World Health Organization
supports the International Union Against Cancer in its call to promote ways=
to
ease the global burden of cancer.
This year the World Health Organization is emphasizing the value of =
physical
activity in the prevention of cancers, especially breast and colon cancers.=
The World Health Organization supports the Internation=
al
Union Against Cancer in its call to promote ways to ease the global burden =
of
cancer. This year, the WHO is emphasizing the value of physical activity in=
the
prevention of cancers, especially breast and colon cancers.
Closer to home, the Canadian Cancer Society states that
cancer is the leading cause of premature death in
Pour sa part, la Société canadienne du c=
ancer
indique que le cancer est la principale cause de décès
prématuré au
Every s=
even
minutes, two Canadians are diagnosed with cancer and one dies from it every
seven-and-a-half minutes.
The goo=
d news is
that there have been amazing strides in the fight against all forms of canc=
er.
Many cancers can be prevented by encouraging a physically active lifestyle,
healthy eating habits and simple preventive measures such as covering up in=
the
sun and not smoking.
Next to
prevention, self-awareness is the best way to catch cancer early, mitigate =
its
effects, prolong life and even cure the disease. Early detection of cancer =
is
the best indicator of successful treatment of cancer. We know our bodies be=
st.
That’s why there is so much information in the media encouraging us t=
o go
see our doctors if we notice unusual changes in our bodies.
C’=
;est nous
qui connaissons le mieux notre corps. C’est pourquoi les médias
nous encouragent tellement à aller chez le médecin dès=
que
nous constatons des changements inhabituels.
In clos=
ing, Mr.
Speaker, I would like to encourage all Yukoners to adopt a healthy lifestyl=
e to
help prevent cancer and to get themselves checked out regularly.
Thank y=
ou, Mr.
Speaker.
In recognition of Heart and = Stroke Month
Ms. Hanson:= 8195; Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the Legislative Assembly to pay tribute to this month, February, as Heart and Stroke Month.
Nearly 10 years ago the Romanow Report on th= e Future of Health Care was released. Unfortunately, this prophetic document has= been largely ignored. One of the main thrusts in the report is the recommendatio= n to put greater human and financial resources into the prevention of disease, rather than the present emphasis on a curative system. Prevention not only saves money, it saves lives.
The World Health Organization estimates that non-communicable diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases, cont= ribute to 60 percent of global death and 40 percent of the global burden of diseas= e. These diseases are more common among the elderly and, as the Canadian population ages, it is projected that the overall burden posed by them will grow.
Health
As with cancer and other non-communicable diseases, cardio-vascular problems are linked to known risk factors. The main risk factors are inadequate dietary intake of fruits and vegetables, lessened physical activity patterns and tobacco use. Public education is of great importance in controlling these risk factors, but we must also look at infl= uences outside of individuals.
A restructured system for primary health care is our b=
est
vehicle for reaching healthy people in their communities. Interventions
designed to decrease risk factors before disease takes hold can be available
through collaborative primary care health clinics that educate the public a=
nd
offer preventive measures. Systemic change is long overdue and has been
researched in pilot projects across
We must also look beyond the health system. Prevention= of heart and stroke disease and other non-communicable conditions will be most effective if the need for healthy public policy is considered in several sectors, in addition to health. These include the environment, agriculture, sports and recreation, finance and education, among others. In addition to improving our ability to monitor and control non-communicable diseases, suc= h as cardiovascular conditions, we must also focus on the broader issues that af= fect health, especially poverty, affordable housing and low literacy.
T=
he
principles of disease prevention, health promotion and protection, and heal=
thy
public policy should be paramount in our minds. If we want to save money and
lives and truly believe in the fact that a healthy population makes for a p=
roductive
In recognition of
Mr. Fairclough: <=
span
lang=3DEN-US style=3D'mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> I rise on behalf of the Ass=
embly to
give tribute to all participants, organizers, sponsors and volunteers who h=
ave
made Yukon Quest a resounding success over the years.
T=
his
international dogsled race has been run every year since 1984 and is consid=
ered
a true symbol of
Y=
ukoners
embrace the spirit and self-determination and have shown their love for all
participants in this race, both human and canine, through their countless h=
ours
of volunteer hours and the financial contribution that they have dedicated =
to
this event. The Yukon Quest is a race that shows deep appreciation and resp=
ect
for the natural world. Dog and musher are equal partners in working togethe=
r to
survive against the elements in this journey. This mutual respect and
dependency are evident in the way the dogs are cared for and loved by all i=
nvolved
in this event.
T=
he 2011
Yukon Quest official start will take place in front of the
<= o:p>
Speaker: Are there any further tribu=
tes?
H=
earing
none, are there any visitors to be introduced?
INTRODUCTION OF VISITO= RS
Ms. Hanson:= 8195; I’d like the House to join me in welcoming several visitors to the gallery. First, I’d like to introduce my family: my husband Doug Mowat and my daughter Paula Mowat. I think we all recognize that families are incredibly important at all stages of our lives and no more so than when we undertake to engage in public service. I very much appreciate their presence here this afternoon.
There are some other friends and colleagues and people=
who
are active in the community
— Mr. and Mrs. DeBlanco, who are well known to this House for their
community activism, Council of Canadians and elders functions; Ms. Beverley
Whitehouse, a long-time Whitehorse Centre resident; and there are many othe=
rs.
I just wanted to say that it’s a wonder to see such a good turnout to=
the
Legislature today.
Applause
<= o:p>
Speaker: Are there any other visitor=
s to be
introduced?
TABLING RETURNS AND DOCUMENTS
Speaker: Under tabling of returns and
documents, the Chair has for tabling the letter from the Chief Electoral Of=
ficer
respecting the by-election held in the electoral district of Whitehorse Cen=
tre
that the House was informed of earlier today.
T=
he Chair
also has for tabling a report from the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly on=
the
absence of members from sittings of the Legislative Assembly and its
committees, dated
A=
re there
further returns or documents for tabling?
<= o:p>
Hon. Mr. Kenyon:
I have for tabling on behalf of the Yukon Housing Corporation the annual re=
port
for the year ended March 31, 2010.
<= o:p>
Speaker: Are there any further docum=
ents for
tabling?
A=
re there
any reports of committees?
A=
re there
any petitions?
A=
re there
any bills to be introduced?
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS<= o:p>
Bill No. 23: Introduction and First=
Hon. Mr.
Fentie: I move that Bill No. 23,
entitled Third Appropriation Act, 2010-11, be now introduced and rea=
d a
first time.
Speaker:̳= 5; It has been moved by the Hon. Premier that Bill No. 23, entitled Third Appropriation Act, 2010-11, be now introduced and read a first time.
Motion for introduction and first reading of Bill N=
o. 23
agreed to
Bill No. 24: Introductio=
n and
First
Hon. Mr. Fent= ie: I move that Bill No. 24, entitled First Appropriation Act, 2011-1= 2, be now introduced and read a first time.
Speaker:̳= 5; It has been moved by the Hon. Premier that Bill No. 24, entitled First Appropriation Act, 2011-12, be now introduced and read a first time.
Motion for introduction and first reading of Bill N= o. 24 agreed to
Bill No. 94: Introductio=
n and
First
Hon. Ms. Horn= e: I move that Bill No. 94, enti= tled Act to Amend the Judicature Act (Trade Orders), be now introduced and read a first time.
Speaker:̳= 5; It has been moved by the Minister of Justice that Bill No. 94, entitled = Act to Amend the Judicature Act (Trade Orders), be now introduced and read a first time.
Motion for introduction and first reading of Bill N=
o. 94
agreed to
Speaker:̳= 5; Are there further bills for introduction?
Hearing none, are there notices of motion?
NOTICES OF MOTION
Hon. Ms. Taylor: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give notice of the following motion:
THAT, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual prac=
tices
of this House, on
THAT upon completion of the Address, the House shall continue with the business before it;
THAT the Address and introductory and related remarks = shall be printed in Hansard for that day and form part of the records of t= his House; and
THAT the media recording and transmission of such Addr= ess, introductory and related remarks be authorized pursuant to established guidelines for such occasions.
Mr. Nordick:&= #8195; I rise today to give notice o= f the following motion:
THAT this House urges the Government of Yukon to forwa= rd a copy of its surplus 2011-12 budget to the federal Minister of Finance, the = Hon. Jim Flaherty, in order to fulfill its obligation as the first government in Canada to table a surplus budget, meeting the national commitment by federal government and all provinces and territories to return to balanced budgets = as soon as possible, and request that the federal Finance minister not penalize the Yukon government in any way because of its healthy surplus and balanced budgets being projected to 2014-15.
I also give notice of the following motion:
THAT this House urges all members of this House and all
governments in Yukon to recognize and respect chapter 11, “Land Use
Planning”, of the Umbrella Final Agreement, the objectives of
which are to:
(=
1)
encourage the development of a common
(=
2)
minimize actual or potential land use conflicts, both within settlement land
and non-settlement land and between settlement land and non-settlement land=
;
(=
3)
recognize and promote the cultural values of the Yukon Indian people;
(=
4) utilize
the knowledge and experience of Yukon Indian people in order to achieve
effective land use planning;
(=
5)
recognize the Yukon First Nations’ responsibilities pursuant to
settlement agreements for the use and management of settlement land; and
(=
6) ensure
that social, cultural, economic and environmental policies are applied to
management, protection and use of land, water and resources in an integrated
and coordinated manner so as to ensure sustainable development.
<= o:p>
I=
also give
notice of the following motion:
T=
HAT this
House urges the Government of Yukon through the Department of Community
Services to develop an implementation plan in response to the findings repo=
rt
of the Municipal Fiscal Framework Review Committee in the “
<= o:p>
I=
also give
notice of the following motion:
T=
HAT this
House congratulates the three territorial governments for their successes in
having their critically important territorial financing agreement reinstate=
d,
which the previous federal Liberal government scrapped, and urges the curre=
nt
federal government to ensure the three territories are treated fairly in
accordance with the individual circumstances in relation to other
federal-territorial agreements, such as the territorial health system
sustainability initiative and devolution transfer agreements.
<= o:p>
I=
also give
notice of the following motion:
T=
HAT this
House urges the Yukon private sector contractors to review the Government of
Yukon’s multi-year capital plan contained in the 2011-12 budget that
identifies capital priorities and their related expenditures over the next =
four
years, including the three-year plan of core expenditures concerning
information technology of $6.5 million and capital building maintenance of =
$12
million, as well as the $42 million for land development and a minimum of $=
46
million for highways and airports in order to obtain maximum benefit for th=
eir
companies and employees through the certainty provided by these stable,
predictable, long-term government investments in identified key sectors.
<= o:p>
I=
also give
notice of the following motion:
T=
HAT this
House urges the Government of Yukon to develop an implementation plan to
respond to the recommendations contained in the report: Sharing Common
Ground — Review of Yukon’s Police Force.
<= o:p>
Mr. Mitchell:
I give notice today of the
following motion:
T=
HAT this
House urges the Government of Yukon to implement the evidence-based
recommendations brought forward by the Task Force on Acutely Intoxicated
Persons at Risk, including developing a downtown co-located shelter/soberin=
g centre/detoxification
facility.
<= o:p>
I=
also give
notice of the following motion:
T=
HAT this
House urges the Yukon government to expeditiously undertake to ensure that
Yukoners receive fair and enduring benefits from mining in the territory by
working collaboratively with Yukon First Nations and negotiating an improved
resource royalty sharing agreement with the Government of Canada.
<= o:p>
Mr. McRobb: I give notice of the follow=
ing
motion:
T=
HAT this
House urges the
(=
1)
encourages a vibrant resource development sector in the
(=
2)
recognizes the industry’s need for infrastructure such as roads, hous=
ing
and energy supply; and
(=
3)
establishes a dedicated industrial development fund from which resource
industry participants may apply and receive funding for infrastructure-rela=
ted
expenses.
<= o:p>
I=
also give
notice of the following motion:
T=
HAT this
House urges the Yukon government to immediately take constructive steps to
alleviate the housing shortage that impairs people working in the mining
industry, and which forces lengthy commutes for those who live outside the =
territory,
who want to work here but can’t because they have no place to live.
<= o:p>
Mr. Fairclough: <=
span
lang=3DEN-US style=3D'mso-ansi-language:EN-US'> I give notice of the follow=
ing
motion:
T=
HAT this
House urges the
<= o:p>
Ms. Hanson: I give notice of the following moti=
on:
T=
HAT this
House urges the Minister of Health and Social Services to immediately imple=
ment
the recommendations of the final report of the Task Force on Acutely
Intoxicated Persons at Risk, which was completed and submitted December 31,
2010, by:
(=
1) working
with the Yukon Hospital Corporation to alleviate the staffing and physical
resource crisis of care in the emergency department of Whitehorse General<=
/st1:PlaceName>
(=
2)
establishing programs of standards of care, performance evaluation and
professional training in addictions medicine for everyone providing care for
acutely intoxicated persons, in order to ensure that all persons under their
care are assessed and treated with best practices and with compassion and
dignity in a non-judgmental manner;
<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> (3) identifying, analyzing and addr=
essing
gaps between services for acutely intoxicated persons, including but not li=
mited
to the RCMP, medical, detoxification and treatment facilities, outreach wor=
kers
and local and First Nation governments;
(=
4)
bringing forward legislation that authorizes non-criminal detention for
intoxication which reflects current social mores and accepted human rights,=
and
includes reasons for detention and the parameters under which detention cea=
ses;
(=
5)
creating a sobering centre in downtown Whitehorse with quality medical care=
and
easy access to other supportive services for detaining and treating acutely
intoxicated persons;
(=
6) creating
a nighttime shelter in close proximity to the sobering centre;
(=
7)
creating supportive housing for persons with a history of acute intoxication
who are seeking assistance to change their lives;
(=
8)
expanding the detoxification level of care at the current detoxification un=
it
to provide medical detoxification;
(=
9)
establishing an intervention team to respond to calls for service to deal w=
ith
acutely intoxicated persons within
(=
10)
developing and implementing realistic programs of addiction prevention, harm
reduction and after-care in order to support persons who desire to remain or
become sober, productive
<= o:p>
I give notice of a further motion:
THAT this House urges the Minister of Health and Social Services and the minister responsible for Yukon Housing Corporation to:
1) immediately assess the individual and family situat=
ions
of over 20 residents of the hotel in downtown
2) immediately determine the availability of accommoda=
tion
in
3) on the basis of the assessments, to secure accommod= ation and relocate those individuals and families in need of support; and
4) immediately begin the process of planning and devel= opment for construction or subsidization of adequate social housing units to meet = the demands of the 142 people currently on the Housing Corporation’s wait-list.
Finally, I give notice of the following motion:
THAT this House, upon proceeding to the Orders of the = Day on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, shall resolve into Committee of the Whole; and<= /p>
THAT Sheila Fraser, Auditor General of
Mr. Cathers:<= /b> I rise today to give notice o= f the following motion:
T=
HAT this
House urges the Yukon government to take the next steps to implement the
functional plan for upgrading the Hot Springs Road by funding the next phas=
e of
the project to widen and repave the road, create cycle lanes and develop tr=
ails
on both sides of the road.
<= o:p>
I=
give
notice of the following motion:
T=
HAT this
House urges the Yukon government to take the next steps toward making
improvements to Takhini River Road, including fixing the dangerous hill wes=
t of
river-level properties, by completing engineering for this project as soon =
as
possible.
<= o:p>
I=
give
notice of the following motion:
T=
HAT this
House urges the Yukon government to seek a new agreement with the federal g=
overnment
on resource revenue-sharing to have the cap on Yukon’s share of resou=
rce
revenues raised from the current paltry level of $3 million per year, which=
the
then Liberal federal government and the then Liberal territorial government
agreed to set it at.
<= o:p>
Speaker: Are there any further notic=
es of
motion?
H=
earing
none, is there a statement by a minister?
H=
earing
none, that brings us to Question Period.
QUESTION PERIOD
Question re: Fiscal
management =
Mr. Mitchell:
I have questions for the Fina=
nce
minister on the budget documents he tabled just minutes ago. For the fiscal
year ending
L=
ast March,
when the Premier presented this budget, he said it would be a surplus; it is
not. Will the Premier confirm for the record there is a deficit for the year
ending
Hon. Mr. Fentie: =
Mr. Speaker, I don’t =
think I
need to confirm what’s already tabled in budget documents, but I will
reconfirm for the Liberal leader that, having created a savings account, the
Yukon found itself in the fortunate position to be able to meet emerging ne=
eds
during a global economic meltdown, which we have managed our way through qu=
ite
well.
W=
e were
able to meet needs for Yukoners with physician claims and hospital claims. =
We
were able to meet the needs of the Hospital Corporation and the college with
respect to solvency issues, with pension funds. Mr. Speaker, we were able to
escalate projects like the Kwanlin Dun cultural centre and the new Correcti=
onal
Centre, because they are ahead of schedule. This is why we created a savings
account. These are the areas where we spent down the savings account. If the
Liberal leader takes exception to that, he should tell Yukoners why he would
not have met those emerging needs in the course of a fiscal year.
Mr. Mitchell:
Mr. Speaker, the Premier knew=
full
well what the world economic conditions were when he tabled the budget
projecting a surplus, but he tabled it that way nevertheless.
N=
ow, Mr.
Speaker, the Premier has also made public the spending plans for the upcomi=
ng
fiscal year. It’s no surprise the Premier is presenting this as a sur=
plus
budget — there is an election coming after all. Of course, the Premier
said the same thing last year and the year before and we know how both those
budgets ended: in the red. Trust is based on past performance. In the past =
two
years, this government has promised surpluses and delivered deficits. Now t=
he
Premier, on the eve of an election, is once again asking Yukoners to trust =
this
government. Given what was promised and what was delivered in the last two
budgets, why would anyone trust this government?
Hon. Mr. Fentie: =
Mr. Speaker, at the risk of=
seeming
somewhat facetious, I think the Liberal leader is getting a little ahead of
himself. We are actually in a budget sitting, here in the spring, in the =
span> S=
econdly,
trust is an issue. This Liberal leader continued to articulate to the Mr. Mitchell:
Well, Mr. Speaker, the normal
routine in here is that we ask the questions and the Premier answers, but s=
ince
he’s asking questions, the simple answer is for two years we said the
budget would be in deficit, not surplus and for two years we’ve been
right. Y=
ukoners
don’t believe the government’s numbers and why should they? For=
the
past two years, the government has promised surplus budgets and instead
delivered deficits. The budget the Premier just tabled projects it will cost
less to operate the Government of Yukon this year. Year after year, under t=
he
Yukon Party, the cost of operations has gone up, not down. Yet in this elec=
tion
budget the government is forecasting a $10-million drop in operation spendi=
ng.
It’s completely unrealistic. We don’t believe this government a=
nd
neither will Yukoners. W=
hy should
anyone trust this government and these numbers? Hon. Mr. Fentie: =
Here we go again. The Liber=
al
leader is now inferring that those hard-working officials, accountants and
professionals in all departments, including the Department of Finance, who
construct these budgets, who provide that sage advice to ministers of this
government, are actually providing information that is not correct. We̵=
7;ll
leave that to the Auditor General to determine, not the Liberal leader. We =
have
no advice to take from the Liberal leader on trust. He said this territory =
was
broke. Instead, this government met health care needs for Yukoners, solvency
issues for pension funds, stimulated our economy, put this territory=
in
the lead in the country. I’d say the Yukoners will trust that versus
someone who thinks this place is broke. Question re: Acutely =
Intoxicated
Persons at Risk, Task Force report on Mr. Mitchell:
The Hon. Mr. Hart=
:
I thank the member opposite f=
or the
question. With regard to dealing with the report just handed in recently by=
Dr.
Beaton and Chief James Allen, we are reviewing the information provided by
those individuals. We are looking at what the possibilities are, what issue=
s we
can address immediately and in the future to address some of the recommenda=
tions
put forth by the task force. We are in that process right now. In fact, we =
are
engaging with the co-chairs to ensure that we follow along their guidelines=
, with
the aspect of trying to improve the work and the assistance provided to tho=
se
in need because of the chronic inebriates. Mr. Mitchell:
The task force that was co-ch=
aired
by Chief Allen and Dr. Beaton brought forward its recommendations based on =
the
belief that severely intoxicated individuals are not just the responsibilit=
y of
law enforcement; instead, health care and social services agencies must now
play a greater role. T=
he task
force specifically called for a comprehensive downtown facility where people
can sober up and, if they want to, stay for longer term detox services. To =
be
effective, that same downtown facility must also include or be adjacent to a
shelter capable of accepting people who are severely intoxicated. W=
hy
aren’t these downtown sobering centres, detox facilities and shelter
complexes in the budget? Hon. Mr. Hart: I again thank the member opposite f=
or the
question. As I stated earlier, we are working on the situation to try to see
what options are available to the government in order to provide immediate
services based on the recommendations in the report that we can achieve rig=
ht
away. We’re also working with the co-chairs to ensure what we can pro=
vide
in the long term.
A=
lot of
their recommendations do provide situations that are going to protract over=
a
period of time. That’s the position we are in and we are in that to l=
ook
at. Members opposite were at a facility in
Mr. Mitchell:
Mr. Speaker, the task force w=
as
clear: our community needs a secure sobering centre with medical care avail=
able
downtown.
T= his government has brought forward its budget quite a bit earlier this year and they explained that the work of preparation was done early, they could do it early. Perhaps they should have spent more time implementing this report. <= o:p>
N=
ow,
further, based on significant research, analysis and insight, this downtown
facility should be here and keep people within the social and treatment
communities that are necessary for long-term recovery. It’s also down=
town
where many of the chronically addicted persons are likely to have been deta=
ined
in the first place. The report’s recommendations specifically said the
facility should not be located at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre but the
government decided to build one there anyway.
T=
he government
has asked these experts for help. Why is it now ignoring their explicit adv=
ice?
Hon. Mr. Hart: I spoke with the co-chair specifica=
lly on
this aspect. He has indicated that he has spoken with those involved at the
Whitehorse Correctional Centre and that this facility that will be there,
although not the ideal situation, will meet the requirements of the task gr=
oup
and will provide the much-needed medical facilities when the facility is
completed. It will also provide the RCMP with action and will also reduce t=
he
pressure on our ER.
Question re: Mental health services
<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Ms.
Hanson:
O=
n the
first day of this sitting, I want to give the minister an opportunity to
explain what’s happening. Will jobs be cut in mental health services =
and,
if so, which programs will be affected?
Hon. Mr. Hart: Mr. Speaker, for the member opposit=
e and
all the members opposite with regard to this question, the Premier — =
the
Minister of Finance — will be providing a short outlay of the budget =
for
2011-12. There will be no cuts in the funding for Health and Social Service=
s.
In fact, the member opposite will be pleased to note that we are going to be
taking the lion’s share of the increase with regard to funding for He=
alth
and Social Services. We will be increasing funding substantially.
W=
e have
also asked our officials to look across all their departments to ensure tha=
t we
can find the additional funding required so that we can not only maintain t=
he
facilities that we had in the past under THAF — that is for the mental
health services, which was created under THAF; however, that funding was co=
ming
to an end in 2011. As such, we had duties that we had to follow along with,=
but
I’m here to say, Mr. Speaker, that my officials have been able to find
the additional funding required to maintain those services, and we will not
only be maintaining the mental health services for those individuals in the
rural areas, we intend to enhance them.
Ms. Hanson: I guess I’d like to c=
larify
if we’re talking about a permanent extension, or a one-year extension=
, as
has been rumoured. If it is one year, I would like to hear clearly from the
minister the length of time this program will be extended, because the last
time I checked, the experts are still saying that one in five of us, one in
five Canadians — look around this room. That means one in five of us =
here
will suffer from some form of mental illness in their lifetime. This will be
the case one year from now and five years from now. So if there is an exten=
sion
or a stay of execution, I think we need to know how long this stay of execu=
tion
will be in place.
I=
’m
concerned that having made the announcement — or, it having gone thro=
ugh
the media before being conveyed to the staff, we’ve already seen an
exodus of highly skilled mental health staff leaving for other employment. I
wonder what the likelihood is of getting these highly skilled workers
reassigned for one-year temporary assignments. Or, can we get an assurance =
from
the minister today that there will be ongoing support for these programs?
Hon. Mr. Hart: If the member opposite wishes to li=
sten
to the Premier’s speech here shortly, he will provide a very in-depth
response to that question, and we plan to follow through with that process =
to
ensure that services are available to all Yukoners for all mental health
issues.
Ms. Hanson: That didn’t quite answer the
question I had raised. Perhaps as a new member, I’m only relying upon=
the
information provided by this government, so I’m mindful that, four ye=
ars
ago, this government announced with great fanfare that it was making
improvements to mental health services at the community level. I’m
tabling their own press release. In that press release, they talk about a
mental health clinician to be hired for Dawson
A=
t that
time, the minister said these changes are part of a plan for long-lasting
improvements to mental health services that will benefit those
A=
fter
deciding on making major cuts, I’m assuming the minister, under press=
ure
from the media and families, announces today a reversal of direction or per=
haps
a stay of execution. When can we get a confirmation that Yukoners can expec=
t to
have the services they require and need for healthy mental health throughout
the territory?
Hon. Mr. Hart: Maybe the member opposite is new, b=
ut I
think she has picked up on what questions to ask fairly quickly.
W=
ith regard
to the question, we are providing assistance to mental health, as I indicat=
ed,
and with the help of my officials, we have been able to provide secure fund=
ing
for that program to ensure that we provide for all of the services the memb=
er
opposite referred to, and we plan to provide it for years to come.
Question re: <=
span
class=3DHeading1Char>Landlord and Tenant Act
Mr. Cardiff: My question is f=
or the
Minister of Community Services. He, as well as other members of the governm=
ent
caucus, supported an NDP motion to establish an all-party committee to rece=
ive
the views and opinions of
On
Hon. Mr. Lang: I would have to agree with the memb=
er
opposite on the question. We did go through the process. We did get an
extension on the actual report. I would have to get back to him on timeline=
s on
when the government could see itself going forward with the actual new L=
andlord
and Tenant Act. I haven’t got that at my fingertips at the moment=
.
Mr. Cardiff: =
Mr. Speaker, if you go back=
to the
original motion, there was actually going to be legislation tabled very sho=
rtly
afterward.
T=
he members
of the all-party committee on the Landlord and Tenant Act worked long
and hard to gather input from Yukoners on whether or not the 40-years-plus =
law
should be reviewed and updated. They received written submissions, they pos=
ted
a questionnaire and they held public hearings. The public response was crys=
tal
clear: the current act is not fair, it’s not equitable and it fails to
clearly lay out the rights and the responsibilities of all parties.
O=
n November
9, the committee presented its report in the House, including eight
recommendations to the members of this Legislative Assembly. When will the
government honour the wishes of the
Hon. Mr. Lang: I will repeat what I just said to t=
he
member opposite. I committed to get back to the member opposite with the
timelines. That’s all I can do in this House, Mr. Speaker — get
back to the member opposite with some timelines.
Mr. Cardiff: =
Well, when this was discuss=
ed, they
were prepared to bring the legislation in post haste — right away.
I=
wrote to
the minister about this on December 9, and on January 14 the minister said
this: “Before making changes to the legislation, I want to ensure the
community is engaged and provided with an opportunity to provide input.R=
21;
W=
ell, they
were, Mr. Speaker, and I’m very disappointed. What I’m hearing =
from
Yukoners, from my constituents, is that they’re disappointed in his
response too.
T=
his
government has a bad habit of asking people for their opinions and then tur=
ning
around and ignoring or rejecting their input. It has done this now with the=
Health
Act review, Yukon’s Child and Family Services Act, the Peel
land use planning commission report, Task Force on Acutely Intoxicated Pers=
ons
at Risk, Select Committee on Whistle-blower Protection, and the list goes on and on. I don’=
;t
know what to say.
T=
he
minister says in his letter that he is committed to working toward enhancin=
g a
positive environment for landlords and tenants.
Speaker: Ask the question, please.
Mr. Cardiff: =
Why won’t the ministe=
r make
bringing legislation to this sitting of the Assembly a priority?
Mr. Nordick: With regard to the Landlord and =
Tenant
Act, I would like to thank the members opposite for their participation=
on
the committee. It’s an example of how when all parties work together =
we
can come to solutions that work better for Yukoners. What the member opposi=
te
is forgetting is that we have to go out and consult with Yukoners. Governme=
nt is
still obligated to consult with Yukoners, First Nation governments,
municipalities and stakeholders. We cannot rush things, like the member opp=
osite
would like us to, and get it wrong. It has to be done right.
Question re: Social housing
Mr. McRobb: I have some questions for t=
he
minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation. Just three days bef=
ore
this past Christmas, the minister’s colleague released a report called
the Whitehorse Housing Adequacy Study. This study was undertaken to =
help
us better understand the breadth and depth of the issues facing the homeless
and those who are precariously housed. It also provided the information all=
of
us require in order to make informed decisions.
T=
his study
provides hard evidence that homelessness and the lack of low-income housing=
is
a major problem in our community. More evidence of that is clear with the
closing of rooms at the Roadhouse last week. This week, Yukoners discovered
that the Housing Corporation is sitting on 30 empty rooms at the former
athletes village. Why is this government not using these rooms to house peo=
ple?
Hon. Mr. Kenyon:
We are looking at that report and digesting it. It’s a good report an=
d we
appreciate all the hard work that went into it. Also, we are trying to catc=
h up
with building social housing units. We have added almost 40 percent; we will
soon be over 600 units. I reflect back on the very short-lived Liberal
government that, in 22 months, built not a single one. Before anyone starts
smiling, two NDP governments before that also built none — zero.
We have over 600, or will have soon, and we’ve increased that capacity by 40 percent. It’s an ongoing process and we’re working very, very hard.
In terms of the final part of the question, I do hope = that the member opposite will think better on what he’s saying to recommen= d, perhaps, that we go against building code and house people in unsafe environments.
Mr. McRobb:= 8195; Once again, this government is focused on the rear-view mirror. The report released by the Minister of Health and Social Services just before Christmas outlined the seriousness of problems related to housing and homelessness in= our city. The report indicated that 43 percent of people surveyed felt their choices for housing were extremely limited. A number of factors appear to be limiting that choice, such as the fact that 58 percent of the respondents s= aid it was hard to find affordable rental accommodations and half said it was v= ery hard to find any vacancies. The minister responsible for the Housing Corpor= ation is sitting on 30 empty units, yet has no plans to use them. When will the minister open up these units for these and other homeless families?
Hon. Mr. Keny=
on:
First of all, I have to point out that the member opposite refers to these
rooms as “units”. They certainly aren’t. They have no
bathrooms. They have a common one down the hallway that was designed to be
removed to increase programming space.
T=
hey have
no kitchens; there are no restaurants in the area, and no shopping centres =
in
the area, other than the cafeteria. At the college, there are no facilities=
for
that. But I would also point out to the member opposite that the photograph
that appeared in one of our local advertising papers clearly shows that the
types of windows that are in there are totally against building code. They
would block egress and access for firefighters and the ability for tenants =
to
get out. They are against code, Mr. Speaker. They were never designed for t=
hat,
and I do hope that the member opposite is not seriously suggesting that we
house people in unsafe environments.
Mr. McRobb: Mr. Speaker, Yukon Housing =
Corporation
has more than 100 clients on its wait-list, yet it has empty rooms. A
spokesperson for the minister confirmed that the government has not even
considered using the vacant rooms at the former athletes village, and I quo=
te:
“We have not looked at that,” said the spokesperson. The obvious
question is: why not?
T=
he
families moving out of the Roadhouse, who are now looking for a place to li=
ve,
would like to know the answer to that question and so would many concerned =
Yukoners.
T=
he
minister has given some reasons why he feels these rooms cannot be used, Mr.
Speaker, but we have not heard enough.
C=
an the
minister explain why these rooms remain empty and why the government has not
looked at using them?
Hon. Mr. Kenyon:
I will repeat again: these rooms are not to code; it is not legal to house
people in them. The photograph I referred to earlier clearly shows slot win=
dows
at height. These are not legal to house people in. Residents could not get =
out
in a fire. They are against code.
I=
t was
reported in that article that the reporter didn’t know what that mean=
t.
For the member opposite, who obviously doesn’t know what that means
either, it is not legal; it is not safe; and I am not prepared to have to
answer questions in this House — should, God forbid, there be a fire =
or
accident — why people were injured or died. That is not a reasonable
solution, and I ask the member opposite to seriously think about what
he’s saying. It makes no sense.
Question re: Devolution negotiations
Mr. Mitchell:<=
/span> <=
/span>I
have questions for the Premier on the recent devolution agreement signed by=
our
neighbours to the east in the
A=
s new
mines open here in the
W=
hat
negotiations, if any, has the Premier had with
Hon. Mr. Fentie: =
Mr. Speaker, I would remind=
the
Liberal leader who signed us on to the existing agreement that dictates what
portion or share of non-renewable resource revenues
T=
hirdly,
we’ve been very clear for years that, should the N.W.T. receive a bet=
ter
agreement with
The first steps we are taking, though, are with First =
Nation
governments, because they have a sharing capacity with the
Mr. Mitchell:=
Well, I’m glad to hear =
that
the Premier recognizes that under chapter 23 of the Umbrella Final Agreement, there is actually a requirement to wo=
rk
with Yukon First Nations; nevertheless, we want to see and hear what exactly
has been done. Without a change to the royalty section of our devolution
agreement,
Hon. Mr. Fent=
ie:
When the government side says that we take a much broader approach to our fiscal relationship with=
T=
hat said,
another point to be made with respect to the royalties is it’s this
Liberal leader who constantly accuses this government of living by the larg=
esse
of the federal government. Here we have Yukoners who are returning a portio=
n of
what we earn back to this federation, including 70 cents of every dollar of=
our
own-source revenues. In other words, we are paying our way in this nation. =
The
member, the Liberal leader, says we live by the largesse. Mr. Speaker, the
facts are the
Mr. Mitchell: It’s
fine to be a contributor to
T=
he Liberal
Party believes that First Nation governments should be our partners in these
negotiations, not competitors. We also believe First Nation governments sho=
uld
receive a share of any increase in the amount of royalties that we receive,=
so
we’re urging the Premier to move forward with Yukon First Nations to
negotiate a better agreement with the Government of Canada that will see =
span>
Y=
es, the
mining industry is cyclical; what we’re talking about is maximizing o=
ur
benefit during the up-cycle.
W=
e should
all share in the increased wealth that comes from a rejuvenated mining sect=
or
and we will all have to spend money in support of the infrastructure needed=
for
that sector, so it’s only logical. Again I’ll ask: what has the
Premier requested from the Government of Canada and what has he heard in re=
sponse?
Hon. Mr. Fentie: =
Let me see if I can get this
straight. On the one hand, the Liberal leader says we get too much money fr=
om
T=
he Yukon
Party government believes in not going to
S=
econdly, I
want to repeat: it’s the Liberals of this territory that signed us on=
to
this agreement that the Liberal leader now finds great fault with. I would
remind the Liberal leader that back then, the one voice in this territory t=
hat
said, “Let’s not be too hasty on this devolution transfer
agreement”, was the Yukon Party. It’s on the public record.
L=
et me go
on. The Liberal leader is talking like we own these resources. We do not ha=
ve
provincehood. We do not own these resources; we manage them on behalf of
Yukoners and all Canadians. Mr. Speaker, we are getting our fair return from
the national wealth and treasury, but we are also putting back into that
treasury our justified return. That’s the Yukon Party’s approac=
h.
The Liberals would go there with their hand out and achieve nothing.
<= o:p>
Speaker: The time for Question Perio=
d has
now elapsed. We will proceed to Orders of the Day and government bills.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BILLS
Bill No. 24: First
Appropriation Act, 2011-12 — Second Reading
Clerk: Second reading, Bill No. 24,
standing in the name of the Hon. Mr. Fentie.
Hon. Mr. Fentie: =
Mr. Speaker, I move that Bi=
ll No.
24, entitled First Appropriation Act, 2011-12, be now read a second
time.
Speaker: It has been moved by the Ho=
n.
Premier that Bill No. 24, entitled First Appropriation Act, 2011-12,=
be
now read a second time.
Budget speech
Hon. Mr. Fentie: =
Mr. Speaker, honourable mem=
bers, it
is indeed my honour and privilege today to table the 2011-12 budget —=
a
surplus budget, the fifth budget of our second mandate and our ninth budget
overall since our government — the Yukon Party government — was
first elected in 2002.
T=
he eight
budgets we tabled previously were the building blocks of
The Government of Yukon’s budget for 2011-12 is =
$1 billion
and 89.580 million. The operation and maintenance totals $851.863 million, =
of
which $93.916 million is recoverable.
The capital budget is a total of $237.717 million, of =
which
$143.020 million is recoverable. It is interesting to note, by way of
comparison, that our first budget for the fiscal year 2003-04 was only $550
million. This is our third budget that exceeds the billion-dollar threshold=
. We
have utilized our previous budgets to help stimulate
Despite this obvious success, our government has been
criticized for utilizing our budgets in this way. Our critics would not and=
do
not support the
F=
irst of
all, the territory is only receiving its fair share of federal transfer
payments under the territorial formula financing agreement, which is based =
upon
the fundamental premise of comparable services for comparable levels of
taxation.
S=
econdly,
our “savings account” has been used to leverage the
government’s stimulus monies from the federal government to provide
necessary and much needed infrastructure while stimulating the economy. This
only made sense.
W=
hat is the
point of having a “savings account” if you cannot use it in tim=
e of
need? Our government reviewed our strategic capital investment plan with the
priority objective of delivering maximum benefit to
O=
ur critics
failed to recognize that the territory’s private sector is fast
approaching parity with government in contributing to the growth of the
O=
ur critics
certainly need not fear
T=
he 2011-12
budget replenishes the
T=
his is a
budget where our revenues exceed our expenditures. This budget shows a bala=
nce
between a whole range of competing priorities. Further, this budget, like o=
ur
previous budget, now includes a multi-year capital plan.
T=
he
T=
his plan
identifies our commitment to stable, predictable investments in key sectors=
of
our economy that enable
T=
his
includes a total of $6.5 million and a capital building maintenance program
especially made and tailored for smaller contractors of $12 million. In
addition, $41.921 million is provided for land development, and a minimum of
$46.633 million for highways and airports. Mr. Speaker, this is an investme=
nt
in
In
considering
T=
he 2011-12
surplus budget is also in keeping with
Today, the
Let me touch briefly on where we were back in 2002. Wh=
en our
government took office in 2002, the
T=
here was a
lack of investor confidence in Yukon=
st1:State>’s mining industry due=
in
large part to measures that tended to create an improper balance in governm=
ent
policy, regulation and legislation between the economy and the environment.=
I
want to be clear: this Yukon Party government believes in balance between t=
he
two. They do not conflict; they are compatible; they are our future.
U=
nsettled
land claims, a cumbersome, time-consuming Ottawa-based permitting regime, a=
nd
implementation of policies such as the
O=
ne of our
government’s first actions in January 2003 was to discontinue the
seriously flawed
W=
e also had
to address the conflicts created by previous governments in relation to min=
ing
claims, in the establishment of
T=
here is an
old adage that if you don’t learn from history, you are destined to
repeat history. This is why our government is taking a systematic, balanced
approach and a reasoned approach to land use planning in all regions of the
territory that we are obligated to do. We are following the processes as set
out in the Umbrella Final Agreement=
.
A=
chieving a
proper balance between the economy and the environment is as important toda=
y as
it was in 2002. It is interesting to note here that our government is the o=
nly
government to achieve a land use plan — the North Yukon Regional L=
and Use
Plan of 2009 — since the =
Umbrella
Final Agreement was ratified in 1993. Our government succeeded where all
other governments failed.
T=
he seven
years of economic decline exacted a heavy toll on the
T=
he
Women’s Directorate lost its stand-alone status. The Department of
Tourism was combined with small business and the Department of Economic
Development was disbanded completely. The community development fund was al=
so
significantly reduced.
T=
he bulk of
the 2,800 Yukoners who left the territory between 1995 and 2002 were in the=
25-
to 34-year-old age group. This was our future. This was our prime labour fo=
rce.
Mr. Speaker, it was back then that
A=
ccordingly,
rebuilding
Our government is now approaching the end of its second
mandate that commenced in 2006 and will run until October of 2011. This the
2011-12 budget is our final budget for this mandate. Comparing
B=
ack in
2002, when you compare that,
O=
ur
individual and small business tax rates are some of the lowest in the count=
ry
and we have neither territorial sales tax nor any payroll taxes. We also ha=
ve
the lowest fuel taxes by far in
We
streamlined regulatory processes and support of legislation together with
establishing a system of integrated resource management. During the period =
of
global economic uncertainty, we focused our efforts on diversification by
promoting natural resource development, by promoting tourism, promoting tra=
de,
arts and culture, film and sound, research and development, information and
technology, agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, trapping and outfitting, =
and
small business diversity.
T=
here is
economic strength in diversity. We invested heavily in transportation, ener=
gy,
communications, and information technology, as well as in the innovation and
knowledge sectors — the Shakwak project, Mayo B, the new mobile commu=
nications
solution, the Climate Change Research Centre of Excellence, and the Yukon C=
old
Climate Innovation Centre are but a few.
I=
n this
budget, we are investing some $38.58 million for a variety of work on the <=
/span>
I=
n 2010 our
government marked the opening of the Whitehorse,
O=
ur
government invested heavily in tourism marketing such as the 2007 Look Up N=
orth
marketing campaign and the 2010 Pan North Marketing Consortium Olympic
marketing initiative.
&=
#8220;Destination:
Yukon” builds on this momentum and the awareness generated by
Yukon’s participation a=
nd
targets the gateway cities of Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver with an eye on
Toronto for larger campaigns.
W=
e are also
continuing our investment in the tourism cooperative marketing fund that has
helped further increase awareness of the
O=
ur
government has also invested heavily in tourism, arts and cultural
infrastructure over the years. Let us look at some of the areas of strategic
investment. The Old Fire Hall and the roundhouse on the Whitehorse
T=
he 2011-12
budget will see more major investments in this regard: $4.523 million for t=
he
Champagne and Aishihik First Nations cultural centre with a total cost of s=
ome
$12 million; a $916,000 contribution for the Kluane First Nation cultural c=
entre
and $1.5 million for the $22.4 Kwanlin Dun cultural centre, together with t=
he
Whitehorse Public Library, which is a centrepiece in the revitalization of =
the
Whitehorse waterfront.
In
addition, $4.827 million is being invested in the
O=
ur government’s
continued marketing initiatives in China
In
addition, the Chinese zinc and lead producer Yunnan Chihong Zinc &
Germanium Co. Ltd. has established a joint venture with Selwyn Resources to
advance
A=
growing
economy also requires developed land, and our government invested some $15.1
million territory-wide in residential, commercial and industrial land devel=
opment
for last year. This year we are almost tripling that amount, to a total of
$41.921 million.
Where are we today, ending 2010? This brings us to tha=
t very
important point.
Mining exploration expenditures in 2010 are expected to
exceed the 2007 record of some $140 million by about another $10 million;
whereas, the value of mineral production for 2010 is expected to total some
$260 million. Remember those years ago upon taking office when
T=
ourism,
Y=
ear-to-date
figures for border crossings show an increase of 10 percent, marking 11
consecutive months of growth in border crossings to
T=
he
territory was not significantly impacted by global economic recession and, =
in
fact, has benefited from the increased capital spending by the governments =
of
M=
r. Deputy Speaker,
there is more. Now where are we headed in 2011-12? This budget, like its pr=
edecessors,
is based upon three pillars in addition to promoting a strong, diversified =
private
sector economy. Those are practising good government, protecting and preser=
ving
our environment and wildlife, and achieving a better quality of life for al=
l.
First, on practising good government: practising good =
government
is a hallmark of our government, especially in relation to the prudent fisc=
al
management of the territory’s financial resources. In my opening rema=
rks,
I noted how well off the
O=
ther major
good-government initiatives undertaken by the Yukon Party government since =
2002
cover the entire spectrum of government services in relation to education,
justice, the environment, energy, health and social services, and the econo=
my.
The education reform project final report of February 2008 has led to the
development of a new vision for education in
W=
ith the
Minister of Justice’s leadership and her department, the corrections
consultation that commenced in November 2004 and concluded in March 2006 has
resulted in a new philosophy of corrections that emphasizes the protection =
of
the public, holds offenders accountable and provides appropriate opportunit=
ies
for rehabilitation. This is reflected in the new Corrections Act =
and in our new facilities and
programs to be delivered in those facilities. The corrections consultation =
has
also led to the development of a Victims of Crime Strategy and the d=
evelopment
of the Victims of Crime Act.
T=
he Yukon
Substance Abuse Action Plan, which was outlined in our 2006 election
platform, has four strategic directions. They are harm reduction, prevention
and education, treatment and enforcement. As a consequence of this plan,
The safer communities and neighbourhoods office — SCAN — and the street c= rime reduction team, which has now been incorporated into the overall police services agreement, are two initiatives emanating from the Substance Abu= se Action Plan.
On
One of the key actions outlined in this plan, as well =
as in
our 2006 election platform commitments, was to establish a Yukon Climate Ch=
ange
Research Centre of Excellence at
A=
t the same
time, our government developed the Energy Strategy for Yukon in conc=
ert
with the Climate Change Action Plan. The Energy Strategy for Yuko=
n
was released on
O=
n
I=
n April
2008 our government established another major review, the Yukon Health C=
are
Review, which examined the sustainability of
O=
ne of the
actions for change emanating from the health care review was to develop a
wellness strategy focusing on children and youth, healthy aging and social
inclusion. One of the most difficult challenges in government is this portf=
olio,
and our minister is providing the leadership and these areas of recommendat=
ion
are well underway.
T=
he
investment in social inclusion initiatives that improve the well-being of
Yukoners have been a focus of our government for the past nine years.
L=
et me
touch on some of the highlights of government accomplishments in regard to =
the
following: increased social assistance rates by more than 25 percent in 200=
8.
The Liberals in this House opposed that; the NDP in this House opposed that=
. We
doubled and indexed the
Some Hon. Member: (Inaudible)
Point of order
Speaker: The Hon. Member for Kluane,=
on a
point of order.
Mr. McRobb: On a point of order, Mr. Sp=
eaker, I
would submit it’s a precedent in this House for the Finance minister,
when reading the budget speech, to stick to the text. Instead today he has
injected, on numerous occasions, ad-lib comments that raise political argum=
ents
to which we have no opportunity to respond.
Speaker’s ruling
Speaker: From the Chair’s pers=
pective,
there is no point of order. It is merely a dispute among members.
T=
he Hon.
Premier has the floor.
<= o:p>
Hon. Mr. Fentie: =
Mr. Speaker, another item: =
we increased
and indexed the pioneer utility grant. The Liberals of this House opposed t=
hat;
the New Democrats opposed that.
We
increased childcare subsidies — the Liberals of this House opposed th=
at;
the NDP of this House opposed that.
We
increased the
M=
r.
Speaker, we increased and indexed rates paid to foster parents who are cari=
ng
for
We
constructed a 32-unit, $8 million complex in Riverdale for single-parent
families. The Liberals and the NDP opposed that.
We built a new Habitat for Humanity triplex on the sit=
e of
the infamous
T=
he social
inclusion strategy will be one of the most significant policy initiatives in
the history of the
A=
nother
hallmark of good government is cooperative governance. Once again, the Yukon
Party government has excelled in this regard. Under our watch since 2002, t=
he
Kluane First Nation, the Kwanlin Dun First Nation and the Carcross-Tagish F=
irst
Nation have reached final agreements. Our government-to-government relation=
ship
with Yukon First Nations is based on mutual respect of our respective
jurisdictions, including the three First Nations who have not settled their
land claims to date. All this has produced positive results.
H=
ere are
some of them: the re-establishment of the intergovernmental forum involving=
the
governments of Canada, Yukon and all 14 Yukon First Nations; the creation of
the Yukon Forum, involving the Government of Yukon and all 14 Yukon First N=
ations
to discuss matters of mutual interest and common good; the allocation of
various federal funding programs, such as the $50-million northern housing
trust, the $40-million northern strategy fund and the $27-million strategic
investment and northern economic development.
T=
he
U=
nlike
previous
W=
e are
currently engaged with the federal government to seek a further extension to
coincide with the health care agreements with the provinces that terminate =
in
2014.
Mr. Speaker, perhaps our greatest accomplishment, howe=
ver,
was convincing the federal government to retain the territorial funding for=
mula
on a principle-based approach. This was for the three territories, and it has served
Yukoners well since it was introduced by the Hon. Erik Nielsen back in 1985.
The 2007 Canada Winter Games involving our two sister
territories was another major accomplishment that made all partners proud a=
nd
later led to the establishment of Northern House at the Vancouver 2010
Olympics. The 2010 Olympics and Paralympics were one of the largest marketi=
ng
initiatives ever to be undertaken by the
In our 2006 election platform we also made a commitmen=
t to
make the Yukon Legislative Assembly work better, and our government has
remained true to that commitment. There is no previous government in the
history of the Yukon Assembly that has passed more unanimous motions on mat=
ters
of importance to Yukoners than our Yukon Party government. We have done so
working in collaboration with the Official Opposition and the Third Party in
this House.
M=
oreover,
no previous Yukon government has established as many all-party committees of
the Legislature to conduct public consultation on matters of importance to
Yukoners, such as anti-smoking legislation, human rights, whistle-blower pr=
otection,
the Landlord and Tenant Act, the safe operation and use of off-road
vehicles and Bill No. 108, Legislative Renewal Act.
A=
ll members
of the 31st and 32nd Legislative Assemblies can indee=
d be
proud of the fact that they have set aside partisan differences to make the
Yukon Legislative Assembly work better for the common good of all Yukoners.=
Some Hon. Member: (Inaudible)
INTRODUCTION OF VISITO=
RS
Mr. Mitchell:
I would ask all members to jo=
in me
in welcoming a former member from
Applause
<= o:p>
Hon. Mr. Fentie: =
Another pillar of great imp=
ortance
to good government — protecting and preserving our environment and our
wildlife. The
O=
ur government
was the first government to be in the position to protect and preserve
U=
nder our
government’s stewardship, we have committed to identify the following=
six
areas as future territorial parks: Fishing Branch Wilderness Preserve
established in 2003; Fishing Branch Ecological Reserve established in 2003;=
the
Tombstone Natural Environment Park established in 2004; the Asi Keyi Natural
Environment Park identified in 2003, the Kusawa Natural Environment Park
identified in 2005; and the Agay Mene Natural Environment Park identified in
2005.
O=
ur
government has also worked with the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in
government and Holland America to construct a state-of-the-art Tombstone
visitor reception centre that serves as an economic catalyst encouraging
visitors to travel in the area and stay longer in the region. The centre was
fully operational last summer.
F=
urther,
under our government’s watch, seven habitat protection areas have bee=
n established
or identified as follows: the Fishing Branch Habitat Protection Area, which=
was
established in 2003; the Lhutsaw Wetland Habitat Protection Area was
established in 2007; the Old Crow Flats — east and west — Habit=
at
Protection Area was established in 2009; the Nordenskiold Wetland Habitat
Protection Area was established in 2010; the Pickhandle Lake Habitat Protec=
tion
Area was identified in 2003; the Lewes Marsh Habitat Protection Area was
identified in 2005, and the Tagish River Habitat Protection Area was identi=
fied
in 2005.
M=
r.
Speaker, these are all accomplishments, because the Yukon Party government =
had
the vision and the foresight to discontinue flawed processes, like the
protected areas strategy and follow our obligations under the Umbrella F=
inal
Agreement — success on both fronts. Balanced with our economy and=
the
environment, more protection for
We are the only government to have ever reached a conc= lusion in an actual land use plan. We have done so in concert with the Vuntut Gwit= chin government and have now established the North Yukon Regional Land Use Pl= an — another major accomplishment by following the process.
One of our early successes with respect to preservatio= n of our wildlife was the Chisana caribou recovery project. Left unattended, exp= erts agree that the herd would be extinct in seven to 10 years. This genetically distinct herd declined from 1,800 caribou to 300 and annually produced very= few calves. In March 2003 our government initiated an experimental pilot projec= t to test the feasibility of rearing caribou calves in a protective enclosure. T= his three-year project was a tremendous success, involving our government, the White River First Nation, the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board, the= Canadian Wildlife Service, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the United States National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It was indeed= a very successful model of international and intergovernmental cooperation. <= o:p>
M=
r.
Speaker, another very important commitment was supporting the initiatives of
the Vuntut Gwitchin government to ensure the integrity and the protection of
the Porcupine caribou herd and its critical habitat, especially the calving
grounds. By July 6, 2010, a historic agreement was reached on the Porcupine
caribou harvest management plan involving the Vuntut Gwitchin, the
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, the Na Cho Nyäk Dun, the Gwic=
h’in
Tribal Council, the Inuvialuit Game Council and the governments of Yukon, C=
anada
and the Northwest Territories.
T=
his very
important agreement provides a management framework that varies harvesting
practices dependent on the size of the herd and its population and applies =
to
all hunters. It establishes a mandatory reporting and bulls-only regime.
O=
ne of our
first actions as a government in 2003 was also to save another important le=
gacy
for and boreal ecology through =
the
creation of a centre of northern education, conservation and a research cen=
tre
of excellence.
A
multi-year agreement from 2009 to 2012 will provide the preserve with a tot=
al
of $1.8 million over three years to help the organization expand its progra=
ms
and seek other funding and investment opportunities. A further $1.9 million
over two years has been provided for the design and construction of an anim=
al
research and rehabilitation centre at the preserve, a critical step for
obtaining accreditation with the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums=
.
M=
ulti-year
research projects are underway on moose, caribou, grizzly bears and selected
fish populations. Information from this research informs our government and
wildlife management entities and other areas of use so we can make better a=
nd
more informed land use decisions.
U=
nder “practising
good government”, I’ve already mentioned our government’s
climate change strategy and action plan, as well as meeting our election
platform commitment to establish the Research Centre of Excellence at the
college. This newly established initiative is the Climate Change Secretariat
and is now coordinating our government’s response to at least 33 acti=
ons
outlined in our Climate Change Action Plan.
In
addition, we have provided funding support for the Yukon Cold Climate Innov=
ation
Centre, another very important research facility located at T=
he
Department of Environment, led by our minister, has also another major
responsibility and that is contaminated sites. The site assessment and
remediation unit was established in 2008 to manage Yukon-owned contaminated
sites. The unit was set up in response to recommendations by the Auditor
General of T=
he
abandonment and reclamation of the Faro mine is the most formidable
environmental challenge facing the territory that fortunately remains the
responsibility of the federal government. Our government took over the
management responsibility for the care and maintenance of this mine complex=
in
early March 2009 after reaching this consensus with Canada and affected Firs=
t Nations
on a preferred closure option, which is estimated to cost $30 million per y=
ear
for the 15-year construction phase and another $10 million per year for the
15-year period of adjustment. O=
n June 29,
2010, Canada and our government reached an agreement to fund the remediatio=
n of
the largest hydrocarbon contaminated site in Yukon, the Marwell tar pits he=
re
in Whitehorse — another major accomplishment. This has been an
environmental hazard left over from World War II and was left unattended for
all these years. It is now time to clean it up. This 10-year long project is
estimated to cost $6.8 million, with E=
nsuring
Yukoners have access to clean drinking water is another major 2006 commitme=
nt.
Our government has designated a considerable amount of financial resources =
to
meet that commitment. The Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation, the
Carcross-Tagish First Nation, the S=
imilarly,
water treatment options have been examined for Old Crow and a further $1.5
million is being invested this year to complete the project in Carmacks. T=
here is
the $21.768 million secondary waste treatment and district heating facility=
in M=
r.
Speaker, the last pillar: achieving a better quality of life. We are indeed
very proud of our track record in improving the quality of life for Yukoners
since taking office in 2002. There is no question that Yukoners and the
territory are better off today than those dark days ending in 2002. N=
o previous
government can claim to have done more. Our government is striving to achie=
ve a
better quality of life for our citizens by increasing education opportuniti=
es
and fostering healthy and safe communities through addressing drug and alco=
hol
abuse, promoting sports, art and culture. O=
ur
children are our future and education plays a key role in developing that f=
uture.
Our government has constructed a new school in Carmacks and is engaged in
another major school construction project, the replacement of O=
n T=
he
agreement came into effect O=
ur
government is also dedicated to increasing the number of apprentices and
skilled workers in the territory and in training Yukoners for I=
n February
2009, our government launched a four-year licensed practical nurse program =
at The LPN program builds on our $12.7 million health hum=
an
resource strategy which was launched in 2006 to assist in the recruiting and
retaining
Two more major reviews were completed at the end of De=
cember
2010: Sharing Common Ground, which is the report on the review of
T= his budget is providing another $7.414 million for the completion of the Correctional = Centre, one of the largest capital projects undertaken by our government and is bas= ed on the corrections philosophy outlined in the new Corrections Act. <= o:p>
O=
ur
government increased funding support for women with FASD and for women̵=
7;s
shelters such as Kaushee’s Place in
A=
lmost $11
million is being made available to non-government organizations to provide
services to Yukoners. In 2011-12, $487,000 is being provided for the
implementation of the Victims of Crime Strategy. This money extends
through to
S=
ince 2002,
our government has invested approximately $100 million in new affordable
housing for seniors, families and Yukoners in need. This investment, as the=
minister
responsible for Yukon Housing has stated earlier this afternoon, is an incr=
ease
of the Yukon Housing portfolio by some 40 percent — which, by the way,
Mr. Speaker, the opposition opposed and yet has the audacity to criticize t=
he
Yukon Party government for having done nothing — a 40-percent increas=
e in
housing availability for those in need.
M=
r.
Speaker, new seniors residences have been constructed at Yukon College in
Whitehorse as well as in Haines Junction, Watson Lake, Teslin and Faro. In
addition, a new building is being built on the
O=
ur
government also implemented the most comprehensive review of social assista=
nce
since the inception of the program. This review resulted in increasing the
rates, providing an incentive to encourage recipients to enter the workforce
and providing enhanced services for persons with severe disabilities. What =
is
clear is, once again, the T=
he 2011-12
budget provides $14.14 million for social assistance. Since 2002, Health and
Social Services expenditures have increased from $143 million to $262.611
million in this fiscal year, 2011-12. Our government provided $5 million in=
May
2007 for the next five years for childcare to improve the wages for childca=
re
workers and decrease the cost of childcare for low-income families. W=
e are
providing some $220,000 annually in long-term funding for three youth-servi=
ng
organizations: Bringing Youth Towards Equality, Youth of Today Society and =
the
Boys and Girls Clubs of Whitehorse. In
addition, our government has constructed a new children’s receiving h=
ome
in T=
he
government has also opened the remaining 12-bed unit at T=
he Yukon
Hospital Corporation is investing approximately $70 million for three major
infrastructure projects: the residence for visiting health care professiona=
ls
and staff office complex on O=
ne of our
government’s greatest health care accomplishments was the establishme=
nt
of the five-year, $150-million territorial health access fund. I need not
repeat what is already known, but that fund and its continued implementatio=
n in
the relationship with W=
e’ve
established new services to children with disabilities and funding for home
repairs for disabled workers. O=
ur
government established the C=
ommunity
infrastructure is also very important for contributing to the T=
he
historic heart of downtown is the S=
ports and
recreation are essential ingredients to improving the quality of life for
Yukoners. The successful hosting of the 2007 Canada Winter Games was one of=
Our government is continuing to invest in YukonersR=
17; participation
in various events; namely, the North American Indigenous Games being held i=
n So our government continues to reflect on our policies=
and
actions that are important to achieve a balanced society. While we develop =
S=
o, Mr.
Speaker, in conclusion, what does all this lead us to? It leads us to the
pathway to prosperity. There is only one pathway to prosperity and Yukoners=
are
currently on it. Beware those who are promising to change T=
his fall,
Yukoners will have a clear choice to make: do they wish to continue on this
pathway with the Yukon Party government as their guide? In making this
decision, we urge all Yukoners to consider what has been accomplished over =
the
last nine years and who best will be able to meet the challenges of the fut=
ure
— the tried, the tested and those who have delivered or those who are=
yet
to be tried, tested and have delivered nothing. R=
est
assured there will be challenges. The sustainability of O=
ur
government has a proven track record of nine years of accomplishments, of w=
hich
we are justifiably proud. These accomplishments were only achieved through =
all
the hard work of all departments, their officials, and through the leadersh=
ip
of our ministers. We provided the policy direction and they delivered the
goods. O=
ur eight
previous budgets, together with this budget, the 2011-12 budget, laid the
foundation, the cornerstones, for the pathway to prosperity.
I=
t is a
solid foundation and I commend the 2011-12 budget to the Liberals of this
House, to the NDP of this House, to the Independent member of this House, to
all members of this House and to all Yukoners. It is the future; it is the
pathway to prosperity.
Motion to adjourn debate<= /p>
Mr. Mitchell:
I move that debate on second
reading of Bill No. 24 be now adjourned.
Speaker: It has been moved by the Le=
ader of
the Official Opposition that debate on second reading of Bill No. 24 be now=
adjourned.
Motion
to adjourn debate on second reading of Bill No. 24 agreed to
<= o:p>
Hon. Ms. Tayl= or: Mr. Speaker, I move that the = House do now adjourn.
Speaker:̳= 5; It has been moved by the Government House Leader that the House do now adjo= urn.
Motion agreed to
Speaker: This House now stands
adjourned until
The
House adjourned at
The
following Sessional Papers were tabled
&=
nbsp;
1=
1-1-197
&=
nbsp;Election
of Elizabeth Hanson as Member for Whitehorse Centre, letter (dated December=
20,
2010) from Jo-Ann Waugh, Chief Electoral Officer of Yukon, to the Speaker&n=
bsp;
(Speaker Staffen)
&=
nbsp;
1=
1-1-198
A=
bsence of
Members from Sittings of the Legislative Assembly and its Committees: Repor=
t of
the Clerk of the Yukon Legislative Assembly (dated
&=
nbsp;
1=
1-1-199
Y=
ukon Housing
Corporation Annual Report for the year ended
7258 |
&nb=
sp; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; HANSARD &n=
bsp;  =
; &n=
bsp;  =
; <=
/span>
7245 |