Debates of Feb. 14th, 2005

This is page numbers 1191 - 1224 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library.

The word of the day was going .

Topics

Members Present

Item 1: Prayer

National Childcare Program

Secondary Diamond Industry

Need For Rental Controls

NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Cultural Awareness Training For Teachers

Recognition Of Nunakput Residents

Resource Revenue Sharing

Property Assessment And Taxation Act

Deline Seniors' Home

New Novel By Robert Alexie

Improved Communication From Public Service Required

Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Cultural Awareness Training For Teachers

Medical Travel Policies

NWT Childcare Spending

Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Revert To Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Petition 3-15(3): Rental Controls In The Nwt

Tabled Document 100-15(3): GNWT Business Plans, 2005-2008

Tabled Document 101-15(3): Aurora College Annual Report 2003-2004

Tabled Document 102-15(3): A Management Plan For The Bathurst Caribou Herd

Tabled Document 103-15(3): Letters Between Northern Premiers And Prime Minister Re Ballistic Missile Defence System

Appointments To Standing Committees And The Board Of Management

Motion To Amend Motion 26-15(3)

Bill 21:

An Act To Amend The Public Service Act

Bill 22:

An Act To Amend The Education Act

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole On Bills And Other Matters

Recommendation To Communicate Elements Of The 2006 Census

Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Item 23: Orders Of The Day

Members Present

Honourable Brendan Bell , Mr. Braden , Honourable Paul Delorey , Honourable Charles Dent , Mrs. Groenewegen , Honourable Joe Handley , Mr. Hawkins , Honourable David Krutko , Ms. Lee , Honourable Michael McLeod , Mr. McLeod, Mr. Menicoche , Honourable Michael Miltenberger , Mr. Pokiak , Mr. Ramsay , Honourable Floyd Roland , Mr. Villeneuve , Mr. Yakeleya , Mr. Zoe

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---Prayer

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Item 1: Prayer

Item 1: Prayer

Page 1191

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Good afternoon, colleagues. Happy Valentine's Day to all of you, especially to the Members from out of town who may not be at home with their favourite valentine this evening, including yours truly. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Range Lake , Ms. Lee .

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National Childcare Program

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1191

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak in favour of the National Childcare Program. Mr. Speaker, I am very excited about the debate going on across the country that has put this issue on top of the national agenda. This is long overdue, and I strongly urge the federal government and all provincial and territorial governments, including this government, to apply all of their energy and commitment necessary to make this happen once and for all.

Mr. Speaker, a recent survey has shown that, in Canada, more than 50 percent of children are taken care of by a person or persons other than their own parents; a huge jump in only a very short time. I venture to say that the percentage is even higher in a city like Yellowknife where the cost of living is very high and most families cannot afford to not have a double income and where most families do not have extended families to rely on for childcare needs.

Mr. Speaker, over the years, I have heard from my constituents and women of my generation about the need for the government to step in and give the working parents a financial break with the high cost of raising their children, whether they choose to do it themselves or obtain the service of others. I believe that any national childcare program must have appropriate flexibility for families to make the choices that work for them. Whatever this works out to be, it has to be one that puts in place good quality early child education, not just a babysitting service at a basic minimum level. In the end, Mr.

Speaker, I really believe this is about our society making it clear once and for all that we really value the importance of good early education for all of our children that we, as a society -- whether it is done by parents staying at home or by those who we pay to do it -- value the work of childcare because it is about our children and their future. The work of childcare and those who do it have been undervalued and underappreciated by the governments for too long, and it is time now to say no more, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I really see much opportunity for this in the North as well. I am sure Minister Dent and the Cabinet see it as well. We need to implement a spectrum of quality early childcare education that begins as early as...Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to finish my statement?

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National Childcare Program

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1191

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Ms. Lee .

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National Childcare Program

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1191

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. May I just conclude by saying that I really see this debate as an opportunity for all of us in the North. It is an opportunity to implement a spectrum of quality early childcare education that begins at the age of one, not at the age of five, so that we give our children a real head start in life. There is just no more important work for us to do. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I know that Minister Ken Dryden is a huge hero to the hockey fans all across Canada, but, oh boy, if he could score this one in the net, I know he will be a hero to all Canadians for ever and ever. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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National Childcare Program

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1191

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake , Mr. Ramsay .

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Secondary Diamond Industry

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1191

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am again going to use my Member's statement to talk about diamonds and the future of our secondary industry here in the Northwest Territories.

The Northwest Territories, as most of us know, produces 14 percent of the world's total production of diamonds by value. Our diamonds place Canada at number three in the world in terms of production by value. We have the diamonds. We must continue to forge ahead, trying to get all that we can for the economy and for the future of the Northwest Territories. I am still trying to understand why this government stood by and watched a deal to save Sirius go off the tracks. I would suggest, Mr. Speaker, that it is tantamount to leaving the scene of an accident. The GNWT stood by and watched the train wreck unfold.

I believe that BHP has reneged on all of its implied or specific obligations and undertakings to the Northwest Territories with respect to the secondary industry. It has never supplied the 10 percent share of its productions that it was committed to, often under the false excuse that the buying company did not have the financial wherewithal to complete the transaction.

The Sirius factory had initially negotiated a 5,000 carat monthly supply which was agreed to, but subsequently, that was unilaterally decreased to 2,500 carats a month by

the producer. The people of the Northwest Territories cannot and should not accept this behaviour by the diamond mines. One would have expected that the mines would be interested in maintaining a good working relationship with the Government of the Northwest Territories. I see us as partners in trying to develop the secondary industry here. No one is asking the producers to give away their diamonds. They have only been asked to sell diamonds to manufacturers who want to be here doing business in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Leviev wanted to be here, and now he won't be.

We are going to be paying a heavy price for it. It would seem clear that the producers here in the Northwest Territories are not interested in a successful secondary industry. Why does BHP Billiton charge local manufacturers some five to six percent higher prices for the goods in Yellowknife than they charge in Antwerp for comparable sales?

Mr. Speaker, I know I asked the Finance Minister questions on this topic last week. At the appropriate time on today's order paper, I will have some specific questions for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development . Thank you.

---Applause

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Secondary Diamond Industry

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1192

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik, Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod.

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Need For Rental Controls

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1192

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Later today, at the appropriate time, I will be tabling, on behalf of the residents of Inuvik, a petition related to the need for improved rent control legislation to protect the residents of the Northwest Territories from unreasonable rental increases. Our economy is booming, particularly in Inuvik and Yellowknife. With the boom, the price of rental accommodation is rising on an annual basis. Some of these increases are for legitimate things like power and electricity costs, but some increases, Mr. Speaker, seem to be only to take advantage of an over-stimulated economy.

One of the problems is that as rental rates rise more and more, the working people will have a problem in making their rent payments and may have to rely on the social safety network.

Mr. Speaker, for this reason and for others, I urge the Department of Justice to examine the Residential Tenancy Act and make sure that it protects tenants from unreasonable rent increases while ensuring that landlords have the ability to recover their costs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Need For Rental Controls

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1192

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh , Mr. Menicoche .

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NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1192

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk to you about the Housing Corporation mortgage guidelines. They aren't making sense. I think it is time the Housing Corporation reviews them. Mortgage within the Housing Corporation is based on income. If your income goes up, your mortgage goes up. A constituent of mine has a mortgage with the Housing Corporation. Last year, the constituent was fortunate enough to receive an arts grant of $5,000 from this government, Mr. Speaker. This raised her income and her mortgage went up.

My constituent went out and used the grant money to buy art supplies related to her art project; it wasn't used to supplement her income. The next year the Housing Corporation raises the mortgage and the grant money has all been spent. Now my constituent is deeper in the hole than before she got the grant.

Why is this government giving with one hand and taking with the other? Mortgages from the Housing Corporation should come with little warning signs, like cigarette packages, that say, "Warning, this mortgage may be detrimental to your financial health."

Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, if you own your own business, the better the business does, the higher your mortgage goes up. I have to wonder what incentive is there to work harder and try to make a better life for yourself in this country and territory. The higher your income, the more money the federal government will take and if you have a Housing Corporation mortgage, your mortgage will climb higher too.

Mr. Speaker, with these guidelines, isn't the Housing Corporation saying to people sit home on your hands and keep your income low, because the more money you earn the higher your mortgage will go? That is a real disincentive, Mr. Speaker, and that is real shame, because we all know that active, well-employed people make better lifestyle choices and, as a consequence, make better contributions to their community.

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NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1192

Some Hon. Members

Hear! Hear!

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NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1192

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

In honour of Valentine's Day, Mr. Speaker, I'm asking the government to have a heart.

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NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1192

Some Hon. Members

Have a heart.

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NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1192

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

It is time both the government and the Housing Corporation reviewed their financial policies and guidelines. Happy Valentine's Day and thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1192

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre , Mr. Hawkins .

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Cultural Awareness Training For Teachers

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1192

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many teachers who are new to the North get off to a very rough start in our northern communities, because they do not understand our northern culture. This is a highly stressful situation for them, Mr. Speaker, and it's often very disruptive to the community and the students-at-large. It prevents teachers from developing a relationship with parents, students in the community, and the general wellbeing of everyone, which causes a serious effect on the work that needs to be done. This is a highly negative situation that we need to learn from very quickly and to change.

Mr. Speaker, at present, there is no cross-cultural training program provided to the teachers by our government in

the communities. District education authorities and councils take on this task by themselves. This needs to be a government project led by the government in a way that we can ensure that our southern hires, although that sometimes has to happen, get cultural training for our northern people. We need this done.

Mr. Speaker, our government doesn't provide funding to district education councils directly related to funding to ensure that these teachers get cultural awareness training. Mr. Speaker, later this afternoon, I will have questions for the Minister appropriate with regard to implementing cultural training, not unlike the Government of the Yukon does as well as the Government of Alaska does to ensure that their teachers teach their students appropriately. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Cultural Awareness Training For Teachers

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1193

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput , Mr. Pokiak .

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Recognition Of Nunakput Residents

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1193

Calvin Pokiak

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would just like to wish my wife, Mrs. Pokiak , back home all the best for Valentine's Day, along with my family. It's really tough being away from home, but we are down here working for the people and representing people of the NWT and our constituents.

I got a call this morning, Mr. Speaker, with regard to a long-time resident of Holman, requesting that I recognize Mr. Gary Bristow, the former mayor of Holman. They will be recognizing him with a supper tonight. On behalf of the people in Holman, Gary Bristow, we wish you the best of luck in the future.

Also, as the Premier said on Friday, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize Mr. Andy Carpenter, Sr., who has done outstanding work for the Inuvialuit, both in negotiating for C.O.P.E. with regard to the environment and wildlife. Mr. Carpenter deserves something very special and I wish him well in his endeavours. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Recognition Of Nunakput Residents

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1193

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak . Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave , Mr. Braden .

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Resource Revenue Sharing

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1193

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. A brand new day, this is what Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams is proclaiming today.

During the ceremonies that were held earlier today, Mr. Speaker, to sign a new resource deal between his province and Ottawa, Prince Edward Island was also involved in that same historic deal, Mr. Speaker. After weeks of contentious debate, this province, Newfoundland and Labrador, is going to get $2 billion. Over the next eight years, they are going to be able to keep every dollar of their potentially enormous wealth coming off of their offshore energy fields. Mr.

Speaker, they are going to escape the dreaded clawback from Ottawa and they will even get to keep the coveted safety net of equalization payments if their economy falters. It's a great deal for Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island, Mr. Speaker, a bold and progressive step by the Prime Minister in recognizing the right and duty that each province has to protect their own resources.

How familiar this all sounds, for here we are in the NWT like those other two provinces watching billions of dollars, our legacy, shipped out of the NWT in the diamond packets and the oil and gas pipelines while Ottawa returns a paltry eight percent to us. Ottawa stands to reap billions from our lands over the next two decades. We are told that the Prime Minister understands our plight and that there are talks underway to redo the formula financing agreement and get a framework deal in place for resource revenue sharing by this spring.

I am concerned, Mr. Speaker, that with just about every other province now jumping on the bandwagon and declaring their demands for the same thing, that our situation is going to be left behind again in the face of overwhelming demands from other provinces.

On Friday, Mr. Speaker, the Premier said we must have a resource revenue sharing agreement in place before the pipeline is completed. I want to put my faith in the Premier and the Prime Minister to deliver, but we have a very brief time to make this work. In failing this, I am absolutely committed to supporting the words of our Premier in our interest for resource sharing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Resource Revenue Sharing

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1193

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden . Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South , Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Property Assessment And Taxation Act

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1193

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Property Assessment and Taxation Act is nearly 20 years old. A lot has happened in our territory since the act was passed in 1987. Land claim agreements have been signed, we've divided from Nunavut and there's been a tremendous surge in resource development with much more on the horizon. The Property Assessment and Taxation Act has not kept pace with these changes with our policy goals or with best practices across the country.

In the last few years, there seems to have been a general consensus that it needs to be rewritten and updated. There have been band-aid amendments from time to time to deal with specific issues, but the act has never been revisited. In March of last year, I welcomed indications to the Committee of the Whole that MACA would be doing a full review of the act.

Like other taxation legislation, PATA, as it's called, is a policy instrument. It needs to be designed to complement our view on things like what school and community programs and infrastructure we want to have and how we would pay for it, what share industry, small businesses and residents should pay and what defines agricultural land assessment and which sectors of our economy need a break so they can grow to their potential.

There was a need to bring clarity to the process of assessing larger parcels of land within the NWT, especially lands related to agriculture. Practically speaking, it needs to be written in a way that allows taxpayers and administrators to make sense of it. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time today, I will be asking the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs , for an update on this important initiative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Property Assessment And Taxation Act

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1194

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu , Mr. Yakeleya .

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Deline Seniors' Home

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1194

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the weekend, I had the pleasure and opportunity to meet and speak with some very special people. I visited the Aven Centre in Yellowknife, a place for elders. I would like to say hello to Art and the gang right now at the Aven Centre.

Mr. Speaker, what I witnessed at this place in Yellowknife is the elders are being looked after, programs are in place for them and the staff have the capacity to take care of the elders here in Yellowknife.

Mr. Speaker, we, in the Sahtu, have long waited to have such a home for elders in this capacity. Mr. Speaker, we have such a place in Deline. The Ministers responsible for the Housing Corporation and Health and Social Services are fully aware of the building. Mr. Speaker, we are spending thousands of dollars each year maintaining these beautiful facilities. We are sending elders out of the region to be looked after and, Mr. Speaker, we have our elders in some of the really good homes outside our region, however, it's about high time that we keep our elders at home in their region.

Mr. Speaker, our elders will continue to play an important role in our lives, either by advising us in our personal lives or providing guidance in our professional lives. Mr. Speaker, when will this government have a change of heart and let the people in the Sahtu, especially our elders, know that the Deline seniors' home will be in operation to take them and that we can keep them home like other regions do in the Northwest Territories? Mahsi.

---Applause

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Deline Seniors' Home

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1194

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta , Mr. Krutko .

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New Novel By Robert Alexie

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1194

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, I would like to announce that one of my former constituents, Robert Arthur Alexis, along with Penguin Books of Canada, will be releasing his second novel, The Pale Indian, this month. Robert was born and raised in Fort McPherson and served as sub-chief and then chief of Tetlit Gwich'in of Fort McPherson. Robert was also instrumental in assisting the Gwich'in to realize their claim in 1992. He served two terms on the Gwich'in Tribal Council as vice-president and is currently with the Gwich'in Land and Water Board in Inuvik.

Robert's first novel, Porcupines and China Dolls, which depicts the effects of residential school on a people, was published by Stoddart in 2002. The book received rave reviews across Canada. Unfortunately, Stoddart went into receivership shortly after. Porcupine and China Dolls did not get the exposure to the public that it should have.

The Pale Indian, so I'm told, takes place in the fictitious community of Aberdeen in the not-so-fictitious Northwest Territories. I have also been informed, Mr. Speaker, that Porcupines and China Dolls would be re-released sometime this year, also by Penguin.

At this time I would like to congratulate Robert on the hope he continues for many more years to come with his stories well into the future. With that, thank you very much.

---Applause

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New Novel By Robert Alexie

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1194

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe , Mr. Villeneuve .

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Improved Communication From Public Service Required

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1194

Robert Villeneuve

Tu Nedhe

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I just want to wish everybody in the House and the general public a happy Valentine's Day today, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today to speak about the need for improved communications within the government system and to the public in general from our public service, Mr. Speaker. I know this is not a new issue, but I'm particularly concerned about communications in departments like Education, Culture and Employment and Health and Social Services where the need to relocate to another community or perhaps down south is primarily determined by the type of communication that is received, be it positive or negative. These changes can have a large impact on people's lives here in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, I know that it is always in one's best interest to wait until a decision is received in writing from any government department that the request is being made to before making any decisions to either relocate, make changes to your employment status or whatever the case may be which could have a large impact on one's living arrangements or financial status. Mr.

Speaker, this is not always the case as there are situations that arise where people are not notified of their requests until the last minute, or in cases where members of the public decide to phone in to the department or visit the office and get a verbal response to their request. Many people take these as the final decisions and carry on only to find out later, after they have relocated or rearranged their lives based on this verbal confirmation, that this is not the decision that they have received by mail later on and it is, in fact, the very opposite of what they initially received verbally.

The point I want to make, Mr. Speaker, is we have to make sure that everyone in the government and public service who has a direct contact with the public to inform of their applications or requests are not communicating any misleading information to their clients and should inform the clients that they cannot make any rash decisions until they have formal written consent from the proper authorities. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Improved Communication From Public Service Required

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1195

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve . Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South , Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1195

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in follow up to my Member's statement about the Property Assessment and Taxation Act, I will direct my questions to the Honourable Michael McLeod , Minister of MACA . Mr. Speaker, in March 2001, the Territorial Farmers' Association received correspondence from this government indicating that a major overhaul was about to start sometime in 2002 and that the work would involve organizations like the Territorial Farmers' Association in that process. The TFA, Mr. Speaker, is still awaiting contact from this government on this issue. Mr.

Speaker, my question is can the Minister tell us whether the department is working on a comprehensive review of the Property Assessment and Taxation Act and will this work include input from organizations such as the Territorial Farmers' Association? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1195

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs , Mr. McLeod.

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Return To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1195

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have received several requests from communities to do a comprehensive review on the PATA. At this time, we intend to do a review over the long term. However, for the immediate future, we are only looking at doing several amendments. We are going to look at the issue of exemptions to land where land is granted through a land use permit and we are also looking at some technical amendments. We haven't been able to commit to when we will do a comprehensive evaluation or review on the whole act itself. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Return To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1195

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Supplementary To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1195

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the number of concerns I have heard about PATA over the years and indications that were given just one year ago that the department was working on a full review, I am surprised at the Minister's response. I would like to know why the department is backing away from a comprehensive review of this act. He referred to some minor amendments. I would like to know if any of those minor amendments will have a positive impact for those people using parcels of land that are indicated as agricultural. Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1195

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Mr. McLeod.

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Further Return To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1195

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are not backing away from the commitment of doing a review of PATA. We are intending to do it in the future. At this point, we have focussed on a couple of issues. We are still doing some research. We have hired a consultant to do some work on assessing some works and mobile equipment policies that need to be dealt with in that area. Again, at this point, we haven't made that commitment. We would like to see that done. There has been a request from a number of organizations and communities. So we realize it's a priority. However, we have still some discussion to do before we make that commitment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1195

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Supplementary To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1195

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Minister, for that response. The second part of my question was could the amendments that you are looking at to the act include a response to the concerns raised by people involved in agricultural activities south of the lake? There are some major impediments to them being involved in agriculture given the Property Assessment and Taxation Act as it stands now. Could amendments also encompass their concerns? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1195

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Mr. McLeod.

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Further Return To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1195

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this point, the amendments the Member is requesting us to take a look at haven't been included as part of what we are planning to do. My understanding is our department has been having discussions with the Territorial Farmers' Association, so I will certainly reconsider that request. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1195

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Your final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Supplementary To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1195

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is good to hear and when the consultant that has been hired is considering amendments to this, I would like to ask the Minister if he could commit to putting out a consultation paper or perhaps holding workshops in Hay River for meeting with the Territorial Farmers' Association to ensure that their input is registered and is reflected in any amendments that come forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1195

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Mr. McLeod.

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Further Return To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1196

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure if I can commit to having the consultant work on the request the Member is asking us to look at with the farmers; however, I will consider looking at it as a separate issue. I believe the consultants that have been brought online have already done a lot of work in one area and most of the report is concluded. So it would have to be a separate issue, but we certainly will look at it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Question 372-15(3): Property Assessment And Taxation Act Review

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1196

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake , Ms. Lee .

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Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1196

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to ask questions in furtherance today on day care programs, Mr. Speaker, and my questions go to Minister Dent . Mr. Speaker, we're all aware of the weekend meetings that were held with his provincial counterparts and other territorial Ministers responsible for day care, including the federal Minister Dryden. Could the Minister update us as to what transpired at that meeting and what seem to be the points of agreement that they still have to reach? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1196

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment , the Honourable Charles Dent .

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Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1196

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there was a good deal of progress made at the meetings on Friday. My provincial and territorial colleagues and the federal Minister went quite a ways towards finalizing what we think will be the wording in a draft agreement. What remains as the biggest stumbling block right now is the money, and without knowing what sort of commitment we're going to see in the federal budget, there was unwillingness for Ministers around the table to move the process any further. So really the stumbling block right now is money and its allocation. Thank you.

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Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1196

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Dent . Supplementary, Ms. Lee .

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Supplementary To Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1196

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can appreciate that the money might be a factor in something like this, but putting that aside I would like to get a more clear picture from the Minister as to what the GNWT's position is as to what this National Childcare Program should look like. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1196

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . Mr. Dent .

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Further Return To Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1196

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the NWT, like most jurisdictions, is willing to accept the accountability provisions as long as there is adequate money. The problem we face right now is if the money flows to us through the CST and comes only in a per capita basis, the costs to report on what we are doing would take up an awful lot of the amount of money that we would get. As Members of this House know, if we get funding flowed to us on a solely per capita basis, we will not get enough money to make a significant difference in the childcare field.

So our position is that there has to be base funding plus a per capita, and we're asking for base funding of .51 percent, which would amount to about $5 million. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1196

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Dent . Supplementary, Ms. Lee .

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Supplementary To Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1196

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I would like to know if the Minister was to get the money that he's looking for or somewhere near to that, what is the plan of this government in terms of putting in its own money? Is there any plan for the government to put in its own money? I'll leave it at that for this question. Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1196

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . Mr. Dent .

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Further Return To Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1196

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government already puts millions of dollars into early childhood programs and we will continue to invest in early childhood. Whether or not we would increase our funding is something we would have to take a look at. Without knowing what the amount of money is that we're looking at, it's difficult to advance any plans. We are quite ready to move forward and we had hoped that we would get some signals from the federal government on Friday that would help us advance our plans so that we would be prepared to move things forward.

The federal Minister has indicated that in all likelihood the money will ramp up. In other words, we won't start to see the money flow in equal amounts each year; it will be a gradual increase, which means that we will have some time to develop the plans to take advantage of the money as it starts to flow.

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Further Return To Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1196

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Dent . Your final supplementary, Ms. Lee .

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Supplementary To Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1196

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are so many questions to this and the details to work out and the debates to have, perhaps the Minister could make a statement in the House about where the government's position is. But in the interim, could I get the information from the Minister as to whether we're looking at a nationally run child day care program, or are we looking at tax benefits or are we looking at 50/50 funding?

Putting aside the dollar commitments that the federal government is willing to give, because we do hear numbers flowing around, what is this government's position as to what this childcare program will look like that will best benefit the people of the NWT? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1196

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . Mr. Dent .

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Further Return To Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, childcare is an area of exclusive provincial and territorial responsibility. We're not talking about a national system, we're not talking about something that would be the same in all jurisdictions. For instance, Quebec already has a system that is the envy of everybody else in Canada and they're putting billions of dollars into that. Our system is starting from a different point, as is every other system in Canada. So what we're talking about is a program where the federal government would assist the provinces and territories to improve on the systems that we currently have.

We've agreed on the vision as a national priority and what each of our systems should look like. Ours will continue to be an individual system and we will build on the strengths of the system that we have in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Question 373-15(3): Meetings With Ministers Responsible For Day Care

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Dent . Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Sahtu , Mr. Yakeleya .

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Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the elders' long-term care home facility in Deline has been closed for a number of years. To date the government continues to pay operating and maintenance costs on the facility, but have yet to determine its use. Mr. Speaker, it's really hard to imagine an empty building in a community when there are not enough buildings to administer programs and services that people have daily access to in larger centres. My question today is for the Minister of Health and Social Services . Will the Minister tell me why the elders' long-term care home facility in Deline is closed?

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Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . The Minister of Health and Social Services , the Honourable Mr. Miltenberger .

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Return To Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this goes back quite a few years, but there was a determination made sometime after the facility was built that it wasn't needed for the purpose it was designed. Therefore, it was no longer used. Thank you.

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Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya .

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Supplementary To Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister tell me what are the operating and maintenance costs associated with this facility? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . Mr. Miltenberger .

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Further Return To Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation , has just indicated to me that the mortgage payments are over $22,000 a month. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . Mr. Yakeleya , supplementary.

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Supplementary To Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister tell the Legislative Assembly what the department has considered for the use of this facility in Deline?

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Supplementary To Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . Mr. Miltenberger .

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Further Return To Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm aware of the interest in the region and in Deline for the use of that facility and, as a government, it's a facility that we built and we're funding to pay the mortgage on. We have looked at it with its potential for a long-term care facility and a number of months ago, as we were doing our review of facilities across the NWT, there was an initial review done of the facility where it was indicated to us that it would cost about $3 million to upgrade the facility to the current code and standards for a long-term care facility. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . Your final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya .

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Supplementary To Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, surrounding that, we have a long-term care facility in Deline. It is costing $22,000 a month, according to the Minister, for the mortgage and they are looking at it. Will the Minister tell me when the department expects to make a decision on the future use of this long-term care facility in Deline and have our people come to stay back in our region? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . Mr. Miltenberger .

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Further Return To Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1197

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the constructive use for that facility is on the government agenda. As I have discussed with the Member, if there is a clear understanding in the Sahtu region, for example, that there would be political support for one regional care centre, then that would go a long way to assist in making it clear for the government on what the wishes of the people in the Sahtu are. If every community in the Sahtu is going to be wishing or demanding or asking for a long-term care facility, then it will be a very difficult circumstance. Those are the circumstances at present. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Question 374-15(3): Long-term Care Facility In Deline

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1198

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave , Mr. Braden .

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Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1198

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions this afternoon are to the Premier , and they relate to the amazing deal that was signed earlier today with two of the Maritime provinces on their resource sharing deals. I wanted to ask, Mr. Speaker, just what parallels are there between the deals that Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island have and the deal that we are seeking with Ottawa for our resources? Where are the similarities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1198

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden . The honourable Premier , Mr. Handley .

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Return To Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1198

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The deal as signed today is actually with Newfoundland, Labrador and Nova Scotia, not P.E.I. P.E.I. is not involved in this. As the Member may remember or recall, several years ago, Premier Hamm in Nova Scotia was touring across Canada raising this issue of the unfair distribution of the off-shore tax royalties. This is an arrangement that was negotiated for several years, and it came to a head last June during the federal election. So it is a long-standing one. It did not go on, I don't believe, as long as our discussions on resource revenue and royalties sharing have, but it has gone on a long time.

In our case, we have, in this government, worked out an agreement with the Prime Minister to come to an agreement-in-principle this spring and a final agreement in 2006. As I have said before in the House, I intend to keep the Prime Minister to his word on that. If we begin to slip and start to see time passing, if we have no agreement-in-principle and that we can see that the federal government, for some reason, is dragging its feet on it, then, yes, there may be very close parallels to what the people in this territory would want to do and what happened in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland/Labrador. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Return To Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1198

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley . Supplementary, Mr. Braden .

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Supplementary To Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1198

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Premier 's correction. Indeed, it was not Prince Edward Island, but Nova Scotia that kind of also claimed that it has a brand new day. Mr. Speaker, I would like to continue following through with this. What we know to date, does this deal with these two provinces help the NWT's case or could it, in fact, hurt us? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1198

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden . The honourable Premier , Mr. Handley .

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Further Return To Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1198

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the face of it, it helps us because it sets a precedent that we can follow. But as the Member again may have noticed in the papers in the last few days, that Ontario are now raising some concern because they feel that the Prime Minister has done a one-off deal with two provinces that is unfair to Ontario, and that they're going to end up having to pay more than their share in equalization as a result of this. So on that front, there clearly has to be some discussion among the Premiers and with the Prime Minister to figure out how all of this is going to work.

There are other provinces that share the same kinds of concerns as we do. Saskatchewan, for example, has made it clear that they intend to try to work out a similar deal for themselves. So it helps us, but on the other hand it does create the possible imbalances that could work against us. But as far as I'm concerned, we have a deal with the Prime Minister -- a deal on devolution and resource revenue sharing -- and I intend that we will stick to that deal. We will honour it and we will trust him until he shows us, for some reason, that he's not going to live up to it. If that happens, then we're ready to take more drastic action. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1198

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley . Supplementary, Mr. Braden .

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Supplementary To Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1198

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. I do know -- and it's Valentine's Day so my heart is with the Premier and with the Prime Minister, too -- their promise is to see a deal that is going to mean net fiscal benefit. I've heard this from the Premier , I've heard this personally from the Prime Minister, that is where I want to go. But, Mr. Speaker, with suddenly these new demands coming from the provinces, there are many more provinces and they're a lot bigger than we are. While we have this understanding with the Prime Minister, do we also have this understanding with the provinces and are they going to keep us on their radar screen, as well? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1198

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden . The honourable Premier , Mr. Handley .

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Further Return To Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1198

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, we intend to stay on the radar screen. I can tell the Member that I am very much aware of what's happening. I spoke with Premier McGuinty on Saturday regarding Ontario's concerns, and I have his assurance that he's not trying to do anything that's going to undo our deal, nor is he trying to do anything that's going to somehow compromise what we're asking for. So I have registered our concerns with him and assured him that I'll be watching very closely what happens, and the arguments that Ontario is putting forward.

If they are in any way seeming to interfere in our agreement, then I'll certainly let him know further. But I will be in contact and continue to be in contact with Premier McGuinty and other Premiers as these various scenarios unfold. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1199

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley . Your final supplementary, Mr. Braden .

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Supplementary To Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1199

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, I applaud the Premier for taking the initiative to phone Premier McGuinty. That tells me that he's doing his job.

Where I wanted to follow through now is in the answer to a previous question. Mr. Speaker, the Premier said that we may need to take more drastic action. I wanted to ask what actions are available to us, or what courses of action are available to us to really ensure that we will stay on the radar screen and we will achieve a fair resource revenue sharing deal? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1199

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden . The honourable Premier , Mr. Handley .

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Further Return To Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1199

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, we have agreed to a process with the Prime Minister, we agreed to achieving an AIP this spring and a final deal in 2006. When that begins to fall apart, then we will look at what the alternatives might be.

At this point, Mr. Speaker, I don't want to start laying out possible scenarios; they're going to be seen as threats and I don't think our counterparts in this deal are going to view that very well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Question 375-15(3): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1199

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley . Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kam Lake , Mr. Ramsay .

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Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1199

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week I questioned the Finance Minister at length in terms of the Sirius deal that has gone off the tracks, and the potential loss to the Government of the Northwest Territories in that regard. Today I wanted to concentrate on the Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development angle in this fiasco. I know the Minister was listening intently last week when I was questioning the Finance Minister , so I would like to ask him some specific questions.

I guess the first one is what his department knew and specifically what the diamond projects division's involvement was with the proposal with the Leviev Group, with the receiver, any involvement that they might have had in this and why they didn't step in to try to help things out. Thank you.

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Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1199

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . The honourable Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development , Mr. Bell .

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Return To Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1199

Brendan Bell

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me first state that I share the Member's concern and disappointment that we weren't able to see a deal between the Leviev Group of Companies and BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto Diamonds. I was very enthusiastic when I learned of Leviev's interest. It is obviously a very credible world player. I think we are looking for stability in this local industry. I believe somebody of Leviev's calibre would be able to deliver that stability. Let me say that we have been involved in every stage of this process from soliciting interest in bids. We saw a number of those come forward.

The department did put together some discussions with various groups who had eventual interest in the assets for sale and the sale of the factory as a going concern. Then the receiver handled the valuation of the proposal stage and came back to Cabinet with a discussion around what the best proposals were. Obviously, Leviev came to the top.

From that stage, we were involved on a weekly basis in discussions. My division was with both Rio Tinto and BHP and the Leviev Group of Companies. We were very disappointed when the eventual deal was not to be made. I would like to remind Members that although we have the socioeconomic agreements, and although the producers have expressed their support for the industry, we cannot force the marriage of any two companies. This is, and will be, a commercial deal, when it is finally done. Our ability to influence the exact partnership is limited. Thank you.

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Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1199

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell . Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay .

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Supplementary To Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1199

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development why there is a six percent mark-up over what the producers charge here in Yellowknife, as opposed to sales of comparable goods in Antwerp. I would like to know why that six percent mark-up exists. Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1199

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . Mr. Bell .

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Further Return To Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1199

Brendan Bell

Yellowknife South

Thank you. One of the difficulties, obviously, with diamond pricing is that it is not as other commodities that are traded on an open system where you can see the actual value of product very easily. There have been some suggestions by the local industry that they believe they may be charged more than what customers in Antwerp are charged. We really have no way of knowing. The prices charged in Antwerp are commercial deals between site holders and the producers. They are confidential. We have no way to compare those prices to the prices that our local industry is being charged here.

I can't comment one way or another. I have no way to verify if, in fact, there is any difference in the pricing. Thank you.

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Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1199

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell . Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay .

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Supplementary To Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1199

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development about a consultant that the diamond projects division has in Europe, whose reason for being is to try to achieve our goal of more northern employees in the secondary diamond industry and also to

increase the potential of the Northwest Territories as a diamond centre. Mr. Speaker, I could speak of him by name, but I won't in the House. I am sure the Minister knows who I am talking about, but it is at a substantial cost to this government. If we are not receiving a benefit from having this consultant in place, then why do we retain this consultant? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1200

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . Mr. Bell .

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Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1200

Brendan Bell

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the Members of the House heard late last week the Finance Minister indicate that we had to take stock of our government's role in supporting the secondary industry, and make some determinations around how we can be most effective as a government to bolster the industry and to support every aspect of the industry. We aim to have that discussion and that analysis going forward. Obviously, we have had the immediate issues of the two factories to deal with here over the summer, into the fall and into the winter. So we have been working through that.

But we will have to make some determination around the amount of resources we need, the horsepower we need, the expertise and intelligence we need to draw on from the international community. This is an industry that is very much a global one. We do have to have some understanding of what is going on in Israel, India and in New York in order to effectively understand how we can crack this industry, not only for the Northwest Territories, but for the country.

So in the coming weeks and months, we will be taking stock of our resources and making a determination at that point as to what type of resources we need to employ. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1200

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell . Your final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay .

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Supplementary To Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1200

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister how many of these so-called diamond industry expert consultants have the diamond projects division and the Government of the Northwest Territories got on stream. Where are they located? How much is it costing the government to retain these consultants? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1200

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . Mr. Bell .

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Further Return To Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1200

Brendan Bell

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is a significant amount of detail that the Member is looking for. I will certainly provide that in writing in follow-up. Off the top of my head, the suggestion would be that, internationally, I think we have two diamond consultants who provide us with intelligence and also do some evaluation work for us and administer our certification program which is, as the Member knows, very important to the government. One is located in Israel, the other in Antwerp; and somewhere in the neighbourhood of $200,000 a year U.S. would be my best guess. I will get detailed information for the Member. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Question 376-15(3): Sale Of Diamond Processing Plant

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1200

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell . Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh , Mr. Menicoche .

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Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1200

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation . In my Member's statement, I spoke about some of the inconsistencies that the constituents are experiencing with how the Housing Corporation reviews and applies the level of rent scale. I am just wondering if the Minister can tell me what guidelines we are using today. How do we determine who pays what rent and at what levels, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

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Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1200

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . The Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation , the Honourable Mr. Krutko .

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Return To Question 377-15(3): Nwt Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1200

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with regard to the rent, it is based on format of thresholds for low income tenants who pay a lot less than people who are in the high income range. So it is based on the amount of income that you receive. It is calculated through a phase-in approach, that I mentioned, by way of the rate scale system that we have, which was supposed to be phased in over four years.

We are now in the second year of a four-year phase-in, so we are now looking at readjusting that to phase in over this year and next year, which, as it stands right now, is basically 30 percent this year and 10 percent next year, but I know that is an issue with the Member. That is the process of how we evaluate it. It is based on the amount of income that a tenant receives. The higher the income that you have, the higher the rent you pay.

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Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1200

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . Your supplementary, Mr. Menicoche .

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Supplementary To Question 377-15(3): Nwt Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1200

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. Perhaps the Minister can answer for me, when does the corporation expect to review some of the guidelines that currently exist to make it more reflective of the needs of today, of our constituents, and, indeed, of our clients who are using the Housing Corporation programs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 377-15(3): Nwt Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1200

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . Mr. Krutko .

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Further Return To Question 377-15(3): Nwt Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1200

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with regard to the way the Social Housing Program is delivered, it is a social program that is delivered through CMHC -- which are national programs that are delivered across Canada for social housing -- where, as an agent of CMHC, we, as the territories, along with Nunavut, probably have one of the leaner rate scales in the country. Again, it is a national standard that we follow. Again, this is social housing. It is designated for low income tenants, but also we accommodate people

who want to move into social housing with the awareness that, as a high earner, you will be paying more for those units. Social housing is for those clients who receive low income. That is why we have a rate scale that is set through income thresholds. That is how we determine your rates. It is a national program that is across Canada, which is delivered by way of social housing through CMHC. We are delivering the program similar to other jurisdictions in Canada.

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Further Return To Question 377-15(3): Nwt Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1201

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche .

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Supplementary To Question 377-15(3): Nwt Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1201

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm just wondering if the Minister was speaking about national guidelines as well. I guess I was looking more for how we get an appeals process going because that's the real problem here, Mr. Speaker. A lot of the issues I'm hearing are that the Housing Corporation is not responsive; how do we get them to understand my unique circumstances? Like in the case I was talking about in my Member's statement, Mr. Speaker, how does that person appeal the process, is the question. Thank you very much.

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Supplementary To Question 377-15(3): Nwt Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1201

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . Mr. Krutko .

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Further Return To Question 377-15(3): Nwt Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1201

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as everyone knows, rate increases are based on the tenant's act, which is

an act which is enforced through the Department of Justice. At this time, in order to increase any rent, you have to give three months' notice. If you're not satisfied with that decision, you appeal that to the tenancy officer who is there to oversee the tenant's act. That's the appeals process that you go through. You appeal a decision you don't like or an eviction that you receive through the tenancy officer who is responsible for enforcing the tenant's act. Again, that follows the Department of Justice.

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Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1201

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche .

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Supplementary To Question 377-15(3): Nwt Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1201

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I believe that some of the tenants are aware that if they do have rent problems, that there is a tenancy officer who they can deal with and bring their concerns to. But I was thinking of the Housing Corporation programs in general, Mr. Speaker. Is there an appeal process? I know our current housing act is very old, it's from about 1978. I believe it's time to review it. There's just no room for an appeals system in that current structure. I would just like to get the Minister's assurance that they will take the time to look at that act and review it and update that act is what I'm really after, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister do that? Thank you very much.

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Supplementary To Question 377-15(3): Nwt Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1201

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . Mr. Krutko .

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Further Return To Question 377-15(3): Nwt Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1201

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, presently we are reviewing the mandate of the Housing Corporation and this is one of the areas we can focus in. Because we haven't concluded that review, this is something we'll definitely bring back to the department to look at and see if there are ways we can revise how we determine rents and rates. I'll bring it back to the Member. Thank you.

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Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1201

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre , Mr. Hawkins .

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Question 378-15(3): Cultural Awareness Training For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1201

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise with the question with regard to cross-cultural training. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the day that we don't have to talk about southern hires versus northern hires, but, with that in note, Mr. Speaker, Alaska has a policy on new teachers coming to their territory to take Alaskan history. The Yukon territory has a policy and statutes that refer to Yukon history as a requirement for teachers to teach in their area. So, Mr.

Speaker, more specific to the Northwest Territories, if Alaska and the Yukon government can both do something like this, can the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment tell me if the Northwest Territories has a policy or any type of legislation mechanism that requires southern hire teachers to take a cultural awareness program and training? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 378-15(3): Cultural Awareness Training For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1201

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment , the Honourable Mr. Dent .

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Question 378-15(3): Cultural Awareness Training For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1201

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment does have a Teacher Induction Program, and one of the goals of that program is to transmit the culture of the system to the new and beginning teacher. So, yes, that is something that we do try and do through the department. That's also partly the responsibility of the various boards across the Territories. I have spoken to the chairs of all of the divisional education councils and the DEAs in Yellowknife about the importance of cultural awareness and cross-cultural training.

In fact, I've held up examples of where I have seen good examples of it practiced in the Northwest Territories, and we've discussed some of those examples around our tables when we meet twice a year. Thank you.

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Question 378-15(3): Cultural Awareness Training For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1201

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Dent . Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins .

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Supplementary To Question 378-15(3): Cultural Awareness Training For Teachers

Question 378-15(3): Cultural Awareness Training For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1201

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Minister, for that information. Mr. Speaker, my next question would be who funds this training at the divisional education authority level? Who is responsible for that? What consistent approach does the department have in

the creation of a module that would lead to a clear definition of cultural training for the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 378-15(3): Cultural Awareness Training For Teachers

Question 378-15(3): Cultural Awareness Training For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1202

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . Mr. Dent .

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Question 378-15(3): Cultural Awareness Training For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1202

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for instance, the Tlicho or Dogrib Community Services Board takes every teacher out on the land before school for a week for a community hunt. Almost all of the regions, in fact all of the regions do some form of cultural awareness. So it's best handled at the board level because each region has a different culture that needs to be appreciated. Each of the boards take the lead on providing the detailed cultural awareness programming and that's accommodated through the transfers they are provided to operate the boards in each region.

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Question 378-15(3): Cultural Awareness Training For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1202

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Dent . Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins .

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Supplementary To Question 378-15(3): Cultural Awareness Training For Teachers

Question 378-15(3): Cultural Awareness Training For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1202

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Not every region shows an excellent example, like the Tlicho region, I have to emphasize. Mr. Speaker, we don't have a mandated policy or module system that looks at the territory as a whole. We don't have anything that looks at the history of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, I am not talking about bringing southern people here and converting them. I just want to make sure they are aware of the cultural issues, aware of our history so they respect it. That's the issue of getting that base education, so when they go into a specific region they can get that. So, Mr.

Speaker, I guess really what responsibility does the territorial government have on this issue? Just a moment ago, you said we do this and now you are saying it's left in the hands of the education authorities. So who pays for this at the educational authority level in the example you said? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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