Another year is done, and it was a big one for northern politics — a new government in the N.W.T., duelling rebukes in the Yukon legislature, and a 25-year-old elected MP in Nunavut were just a few of the stories making headlines this year.
Now, with a new government in Ottawa and no territorial elections on the horizon, it’s time for northern politicians to get down to governing.
Here are just a few of the stories we’re watching this year.
Nunavut
Nunavut’s fifth assembly is over halfway through its term, and residents are expecting to see progress from their politicians in the coming year.
When the legislature sits again in February, Health Minister George Hickes is expected to bring forward new legislation to update Nunavut’s Mental Health Act.
Bill 36 asks for government-provided addictions treatment, reporting of suicide and traumatic events, and a clear outline of the rights of a person accessing mental health services.
The new bill comes from community consultations four years ago that found residents wanted to see elder involvement, support for families, minimization of trauma and Inuktut terminology included in the act.
The Nunavut Legislature. The government plans to take action this summer on long called-for improvements to in-territory elder care.
This year should also see an investigations officer hired to give independent oversight to Nunavut Corrections. That officer will focus on the care of inmates, but will also have final say on cases related to segregation.
Last year, the government passed a new Corrections Act in Nunavut. But that legislation won’t come fully into force until an oversight officer is hired and policy is written to reflect the new act.
Nunavut residents will also be waiting for the Standing Committee on Legislation to give their feedback on amendments to the Education Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act. That’s following public hearings held in late November.
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the Nunavut Teachers’ Association and the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities all oppose the bill. A similar bill by the previous government died on the order table.
Nunavut Health Minister George Hickes at the legislature on Oct. 22. ‘Too many of our people are sent out of Nunavut for treatment,’ he said. (Beth Brown/CBC)
Finally, the government plans to take action this summer on long called-for improvements to in-territory elder care. Plans are to break ground on a 24-bed elder care facility in Rankin Inlet that would serve the Kivalliq region.
The plan caused concern among regular MLAs, who thought it could lead to the closure of existing care facilities.
“It’s essential that we get moving on constructing an elder care facility in Rankin Inlet,” Health Minister Hickes said at the time. “Too many of our people are sent out of Nunavut for treatment.”
Northwest Territories
It’s hard to predict exactly what 2020 will bring in the N.W.T., as the territorial government still hasn’t produced its mandate.
Elected in early October, the territory’s 19 MLAs — including 12 newcomers — spent only three days in session in 2019.
That means one of the first orders of business will be to draft the mandate based on a list of wildly ambitious priorities drafted in the fall.
A file photo of the N.W.T. Legislature. Elected in early October, the territory’s 19 MLAs — including 12 newcomers — spent only three days in session in 2019. (Laura Busch/CBC)
That should contain more specifics on how the government will carry out some of its commitments — like negotiating new modern treaties, or ensuring the territory’s educational outcomes are the same as “the rest of Canada.”
But when it comes to signing final agreements, briefing notes issued to ministers in the previous government suggest the territory expects some feet-dragging from both federal and Indigenous partners.
The mandate letter to the federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett suggests even if a much-maligned framework for the recognition of Indigenous rights no longer complicates negotiations, the federal government still plans to develop consistent, national policies on resource sharing, self-government, and inherent rights.
Not much progress can be made on major outstanding agreements, like those in the Akaitcho and Dehcho regions, or on renegotiating old ones, if the feds are actively reworking their position.
One briefing also suggests the territory believes Indigenous leadership could hold up agreements in the hopes the federal government unveils new, direct funding for First Nations — something it notes would be bad news for the territory’s diminishing coffers.
The N.W.T. Legislature. So be it in negotiations, education, or anything else, 2020 is sure to be a year when the federal government looms large in the lives of N.W.T. residents. (Chantal Dubuc/CBC)
On education, the way forward for the government isn’t much clearer. But it will have some help determining its priorities.
As it did with child and family services in 2018, the federal Office of the Auditor General will air the dirty laundry of the territory’s schools in a system-wide audit in the spring.
And while the Education Department isn’t reportedly losing children or exposing them to mistreatment, its findings could still be damning. The territory’s new premier, Caroline Cochrane, said the system was failing children as she exited her former role as education minister, and a similar audit in Yukon last year was excoriating.
So be it in negotiations, education, or anything else, 2020 is sure to be a year when the federal government looms large in the lives of N.W.T. residents.
Yukon
For the Yukon Liberal government, declaring a climate change emergency and issuing a strategy to convert the economy to greener energy were relatively easy.
Putting the plan in motion will be the tricky part.
The territory is squeezed between a growing need for electricity, courtesy of an uptick in the mining sector and a booming population. At the same time, the Yukon Energy Corporation finds itself constrained by the political imperative of increasing supply without also increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
A diesel generator at Yukon Energy facilities in Whitehorse. The government wants to slash the use of diesel for power generation in off-grid communities by 30 per cent, generate 40 per cent of heat via renewables. (Mike Rudyk/CBC)
The vast majority of Yukon’s power comes from three hydroelectric plants at Whitehorse, Mayo and Aishihik. But it isn’t enough to power the whole territory (Old Crow, one of a handful of off-grid communities, is powered mostly by diesel but is in the process of building a nearly one-megawatt solar array).
Meanwhile, the government’s draft Our Clean Future strategy aims to slash emissions by 30 per cent below 2010 levels by 2030. To do that, the government wants to cut the use of diesel for power generation in off-grid communities by 30 per cent, generate 40 per cent of heat via renewables (much of that will come from electricity, but some will also come from biomass), and cut transportation emissions by getting up to 6,000 electric vehicles on Yukon roads, all in 10 years.
Compounding the problem, Yukon has faced two dry years in a row that undercut the productivity of Yukon Energy’s hydro grid. In 2018, Yukon produced 92 per cent of its electricity with hydro. Through the end of October 2019, that figure is below 82 per cent.
The situation has Yukon Energy casting about for both short- and long-term answers. For one, it’s attempting to squeeze out as much power it can from the existing hydro system.
Legislature building in Whitehorse in 2016. The government is still taking the public’s feedback on its climate change strategy, with a finalized version promised some time early this year. (Cheryl Kawaja/CBC)
Yukon Energy President Andrew Hall said the utility is replacing turbines and generators at the Whitehorse dam over the next couple of years. That will provide up to four megawatts of new capacity. By comparison, hourly demand during a mid-November day topped out at nearly 76 megawatts.
A panel of experts toured the territory this fall to hear from residents about electricity issues.
Yukon Energy said it plans to release a draft renewable energy strategy later this month. And the government is still taking the public’s feedback on its climate change strategy, with a finalized version promised some time early this year.
New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)
Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.
Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.
In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.
As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.
Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.
Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.
Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.
Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.
With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.
Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.
The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
