Debates of Oct. 16th, 2002

This is page numbers 947 - 980 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 5th 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 chairman .

Topics

Members Present

Item 1: Prayer

Dr. Joe Dragon

Passing Of Agnes Semmler

Removal Of The NWT Power Corporation Board Of Directors

Proposed Revisions To The Business Incentive Policy

Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal Awarded To Jane Arychuk

Health Care Concerns

Issues To Be Addressed During The Fall Session

Removal Of The NWT Power Corporation Board Of Directors

Official Launch Of The United Way Campaign

Withdrawal Of The NWT Power Corporation Single-rate Zone Application

Appreciation For The Care And Compassion Demonstrated During Recent Hospital Stay

Results From The North American Indigenous Games

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Return To Oral Question 268-14(5): North Slave Correctional Centre

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Determining Power Rate Structure

Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Tlicho And Akaitcho Boundary Dispute

Withdrawal Of The Single-rate Zone Application For Power Rates

Dissolution Of The Power Corporation Board Of Directors

Mechanism For Revoking Board Appointments

Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Return To Written Question 3-14(5): Application Of The Business Incentive Policy To Tendered Contracts

Return To Written Question 4-14(5): Initialling Of The Final Dogrib Claim

Return To Written Question 5-14(5): Financial Assistance For Students With Disabilities

Return To Written Question 6-14(5): Aurora College Nursing Program

Return To Written Question 7-14(5): Clawback Of Income Support Payments

Return To Written Question 9-14(5): Stanton Hospital Deficit Position

Surgical Unit Closure

Intensive Care Unit (icu) Closure

Physiotherapy Waiting Lists

Mammography Waiting List

Prior Years Accumulated Deficit

2001-2002 Surplus

Bill 16: Interjurisdictional Support Orders ActBill 21: Health Statutes Amendment Act

Bill 15:

An Act To Amend The Real Estate Agents' Licensing Act

Bill 18: Forgiveness Of Debts Act, 2002-2003Bill 19: Write-off Of Debts Act, 2002-2003

Tabled Document 53-14(5): Report Of The Auditor General Of Canada On "other Matters" For Fiscal Years 2000 And 2001

Tabled Document 54-14(5): Annual Report Of The Information And Privacy Commissioner, 2001-2002

Tabled Document 55-14(5): Northwest Territories 2001-2002 Public Accounts

Tabled Document 56-14(5): Application Of The Business Incentive Policy To Tendered Contracts, Pws 2001-2002

Tabled Document 57-14(5): Response To Petition 2-14(5): Funding For Education Bodies

Bill 24:

An Act To Amend The Workers' Compensation Act

Bill 25: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 2001-2002

Bill 26: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 2002-2003

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Members Present

Honourable Roger Allen , Honourable Jim Antoine , Mr. Bell , Mr. Braden , Mr. Delorey , Mr. Dent , Mrs. Groenewegen , Honourable Joe Handley , Honourable Stephen Kakfwi , Mr. Krutko , Mr. Lafferty , Ms. Lee , Mr. McLeod , Honourable Michael Miltenberger , Mr. Nitah , Honourable Jake Ootes , Mr. Roland , Honourable Vince Steen , Honourable Tony Whitford .

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-- Prayer

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Item 1: Prayer

Item 1: Prayer

Page 947

The Speaker

Please be seated. Good afternoon, colleagues. Colleagues, welcome to the fall session. After a summer of work for and in your constituencies. I trust that the next few weeks will be a busy and productive time for all of us.

On behalf of all Members, as Speaker I would like to acknowledge the passing of a former Member of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Mark Evaloarjuk in July of this year. Mr. Evaloarjuk was a three-term Member of this House from 1975 to 1993 and 1995 and 1999. He was also involved in land claims negotiations in Nunavut, a member of the Inuit Taparisat of Canada, vice president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and a businessperson in his home community of Igloolik. On behalf of all the Members, I would like to extend condolences to the family of the late Mark Evaloarjuk and to the people of Nunavut on their loss.

We were also saddened yesterday to hear of the passing of Mrs. Agnes Semmler of Inuvik. Mrs. Semmler served as Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories from 1984 to 1987. She was also the first aboriginal woman to hold that position. She also was the first president of the Committee for Original Peoples Entitlement and the first aboriginal woman to serve as a northern justice of the peace. These are just a few of the many accomplishments of this distinguished lady.

Myself as a young welder, I first met Mrs. Semmler in 1960 in East 3, which is now Inuvik, where she and her husband Slim ran her first store in that community. On behalf of all the Members of this Assembly, our sincere condolences go out to the family and the many, many friends of Mrs. Semmler.

Colleagues, I wish to advise the House that I have received the following message from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories:

Dear Mr. Speaker,

I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of Supplementary Appropriations Act, No. 4, 2001-2002 and the Supplementary Appropriations Act, No. 2, 2002-2003 during the Fifth Session of the 14th Legislative Assembly.

Signed,

Glenna F. HansenCommissioner

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development , Mr. Antoine .

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Minister's Statement 66-14(5): Dr. Joe Dragon

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 947

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to offer congratulations to a member of our public service, Mr. Joe Dragon, who recently received his doctorate of philosophy degree in wildlife ecology and management from the University of Alberta.

Born and raised in the Northwest Territories, Joe is a South Slave Metis from a well-known family in Fort Smith. Joe, or 'Pinto' Dragon, as he was known when he was growing up, is an accomplished hockey player who left the North to pursue a hockey career while maintaining his educational studies. He played Tier 2 Junior "A" hockey, followed by university, finally playing hockey in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. Dr. Dragon now coaches youth hockey in Yellowknife.

Joe knows about achieving excellence in school. He was awarded an academic scholarship to Cornell University. While in Ithaca, New York, Joe's focus was to get the most out of the four years that he could academically; noting any hockey success would be a bonus. Joe graduated from Cornell with a Bachelor of Science degree with a dual major in natural resources along with business management and marketing. In obtaining his Ph.D., Joe follows the footsteps of his cousin, Dr. Dan Dragon, who also studied wildlife ecology.

Joe, his wife Leslie and son Max moved back to the North several years ago as Joe continued his career with the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Today, Dr. Joe Dragon is the director of policy and communications for the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs for the Government of the Northwest Territories.

We should all be proud that one of our own has taken steps to continue their education at the highest level and the example he sets for future generations. Whether through our education leave program or student financial assistance program, our government has been able to provide options to our youth to advance their education. Additionally, our government has identified the employment of youth in areas that suit their educational background as a priority through our successful intern program and our ongoing summer student program. These programs provide our youth the opportunity to gain employment in their home communities while pursuing an education in the south.

We need to continue to offer opportunities to our youth to ensure that they return to our Territory to assist in building our future. I know that Joe has indicated on many occasions that his success has been based on the mentoring and support he received while working for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. I look forward to seeing more of our youth gain this level of education. They are our future and we should be proud of their accomplishments. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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Minister's Statement 66-14(5): Dr. Joe Dragon

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 948

The Speaker

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine . Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake , Mr. Roland .

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Passing Of Agnes Semmler

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 948

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I as well would like to make mention of the passing of Mrs. Agnes Semmler, and would like to thank you for your words of acknowledgement of her work in the Northwest Territories and for the Inuvialuit people and aboriginal people. She served as a positive example and role model to many residents of the Northwest Territories. Many of the leaders we have today in the region have been impacted by some of her work and followed some of her examples.

Mr. Speaker, she had a way of putting words to people that were straightforward and to the point, but she also had tact and diplomacy where she could say these things in a strong way but do it in a respectful way -- something we can all learn from in our role in government.

Mr. Speaker, her involvement has taken place and shown that commitment by an individual can have profound impacts on the people of the Northwest Territories and people within the Inuvialuit group. I would like to just recognize those efforts. Though she has passed, there are many examples that will continue forward for the people of the Beaufort Delta and Mackenzie Delta of the positive example that she put forward and that many of us will hopefully follow -- follow and portray her dedication to the people and also speaking up to the issues. I would like to let the family know that they are in our prayers. Thank you.

-- Applause

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Passing Of Agnes Semmler

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 948

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Roland . Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave , Mr. Lafferty .

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Removal Of The NWT Power Corporation Board Of Directors

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 948

Leon Lafferty

North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome everybody back to the House. Mr. Speaker, during the June session, I raised concerns about the way that Cabinet made decisions. I stated that Cabinet was creating strategies and documents without including all MLAs. I stated the practice of consensus government was not being followed in the process of decision making.

Mr. Speaker, in today's newspaper, I learned that Cabinet has fired the Northwest Territories Power Corporation board because the directors refused to withdraw an application for a flat rate. Mr. Speaker, the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation gave direction to the board to proceed for a one-rate zone. Another Minister planned to publicly lobby against this and then last week, the Premier told the board to drop the review.

Mr. Speaker, the lack of coordination among Cabinet is disturbing. Not only is it confusing, it short-changes Northerners, the 35,000 shareholders of the corporation. With the review shut down, Northerners will not have a chance to explore options for creating fair power rates.

Mr. Speaker, we lack input from the smaller communities who all depend on generated power and who also pay the highest rates in the Territories. This action taken by Cabinet is disturbing and disrespectful. It sends a message that a board must follow Cabinet's inconsistent and confusing direction, rather than act in the public interest.

Mr. Speaker, the board was working in the public interest but it appears that Cabinet is not. Perhaps Cabinet might have been better to consult with other communities and territorial leaders before halting this review. It is an about-face by Cabinet on the direction the Power Corporation needs to go in. People's reputations are harmed and careers are jeopardized.

As far as I am concerned, Mr. Speaker, any future boards might as well be made up of another set of deputy ministers that are tied to Cabinet. At the appropriate time, I will have questions on this matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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Removal Of The NWT Power Corporation Board Of Directors

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 948

The Speaker

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

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Removal Of The NWT Power Corporation Board Of Directors

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 948

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too have grave concerns regarding the removal of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation board by this government. The thing that frustrates me the most is the timing of this reaction by government, where a process was taken to allow for community input, to allow communities to have a say on what they think of the power rates in the Northwest Territories.

This is the first opportunity where small communities have really had a chance to voice their opinion on what is a fair process from small communities to large communities, communities on diesel generators and communities on hydro power. Mr. Speaker, the only way we could have found that result was to ensure public input. The only process that is available to the people of the Northwest Territories is through a Public Utility Board.

The application was put forth under the people whom I represent, especially the Mackenzie Delta, and the municipalities who want to have a say in regard to how power rates are set and have input into a process to determine what those rates will be.

Mr. Speaker, there is a list of interveners, some 60 people who put their names forth to intervene on this process. For me, that shows the public is interested in a one-rate zone process, regardless of if it is for or against. Allow for due process. The interference by this government to pull from under the people of the Northwest Territories and to can a board who did not have the same opinion of Cabinet and the Premier is unjust, unfair and undemocratic.

We are not in a communist state that determines who rules and who goes. We are in a position by this precedent that we have put in place which is a bad one for our boards, agencies and institutions of government, especially when it comes to a process that allows for public input.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I will be having questions for the Premier on this matter later. Thank you.

-- Applause

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Removal Of The NWT Power Corporation Board Of Directors

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 949

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River North , Mr. Delorey .

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Proposed Revisions To The Business Incentive Policy

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 949

Paul Delorey

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is nice to be back in the House with yourself and the rest of my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to raise an issue that this government is proposing; revisions to the Business Incentive Policy.

Mr. Speaker, back in 1992, the Business Incentive Policy was instituted by visionary politicians who wanted to give northern businesses an edge in obtaining contracts, and thus ultimately fostering home-grown businesses, capacity and expertise. There have been many examples of the BIP's success, evidenced by the number of northern businesses that have flourished and are operating throughout the Northwest Territories today.

There have also been many issues that have been raised over the years that have identified shortcomings within the BIP, as well as many suggestions made to show how the BIP could be improved. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, in many cases with regard to the BIP, what appears to be an advantage to one company is seen as a disadvantage to another. Since the revisions of the BIP were announced in July of this year, I have been in contact with many businesses in the Hay River area who avail themselves of the BIP in many instances.

The feedback that I have received gives me cause to think that the proposed changes to the BIP have not been given due consideration and have not been adequately consulted with the businesses in the communities.

One of the drawbacks of the proposed changes is that, giving the GNWT has never been able to quantify the costs involved so as to determine the effectiveness of the BIP, what are the benefits to Northerners as a result of this policy? If we as a government cannot determine the costs of the policy and change the policy just for the sake of change, then this government is left with a policy that it still cannot defend.

Unfortunately, the proposed changes to this policy appear to have come about as a result of the actions of this government to waive the BIP on one specific project, and this has done nothing to instill people's confidence in this government. However, this does prove the point that the government had no idea what extra costs were involved as a result of using the BIP.

One of the things I have heard over and over again from business owners is that they feel the single biggest problem with the Business Incentive Policy is

interpretation and enforcement of the policy. Too many businesses have created loopholes in this policy to benefit their own interests. One obvious example of this is the number of storefront businesses operating in the NWT.

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Proposed Revisions To The Business Incentive Policy

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 949

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Delorey . Your time is up.

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Proposed Revisions To The Business Incentive Policy

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 949

Paul Delorey

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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Proposed Revisions To The Business Incentive Policy

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 949

The Speaker

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his Member's statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays, Mr. Delorey , you may conclude.

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Proposed Revisions To The Business Incentive Policy

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 949

Paul Delorey

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I was very taken aback when one local business told me that he contacted the BIP office to raise his concerns on the proposed changes and was told that he could voice his concerns, but that the proposed changes had already gone to Cabinet and they were not really interested in looking at further change. This, after the Minister had informed us that the process was open for further input until September 30th.

I am very concerned that the changes being proposed do very little to address the fundamental shortcomings of this policy. I strongly encourage this government to take a step back and really take into consideration the concerns of the business community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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Proposed Revisions To The Business Incentive Policy

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 949

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Delorey . Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South , Mr. Bell .

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Proposed Revisions To The Business Incentive Policy

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 949

Brendan Bell

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also want to speak to the issue of the BIP revision process, Mr. Speaker. I certainly have many concerns about the proposed changes, but maybe none graver than the process that seems to have been undertaken here by this government. As my colleague Mr. Delorey has just indicated, we were let known that by September 30th, the government would be receiving input. One of Mr. Delorey 's constituents called the RWED staff to offer some input. They were told that is fine, we will receive your input, but basically Cabinet has already done what it is going to do and made its decision.

Mr. Speaker, obviously that is not acceptable. If you look at the RWED website that speaks to the BIP revision, point number seven discusses why thresholds are being introduced, Mr. Speaker. It says that during consultations, the NWT business community -- business community, Mr. Speaker -- expressed the need for a dollar-value cap on the application of BIP bid adjustments. When we met in committee, Mr. Speaker, this did not seem to make too much sense to me, so I asked for minutes of the consultation process. I was looking for transcripts of the detailed minutes. I did not get them, but I did get a

summary of those meetings, Mr. Speaker. In going through those, I can find a single reference to that. I can find someone saying there should be a cap on dollar value for the application of BIP. Do companies bidding on a $5 million contract really need to have the BIP application? Well, that is a valid question, Mr. Speaker, but in going through the web site, you get the indication that the NWT business community in aggregate expressed this need for a dollar-value cap.

Mr. Speaker, I think we can all see that this is an attempt by this government in imposing these thresholds to save money. Maybe it is a valid attempt and maybe it is something that warrants or merits a lot of consideration.

Mr. Speaker, it is concerning when we do not even know what the BIP is currently costing us. We know that the government is proposing goods contracts will max out at $25,000 per BIP consideration; service contracts at $100,000; construction contracts at $1 million. We are reassured by RWED that do not worry -- 95 percent of all of the contracts that we issue fall within those thresholds anyway, Mr. Speaker. I have no idea how RWED can come up with this and cannot come up with a concrete figure as to what the BIP costs us.

If we really do have serious flaws in our contract administration policy, then you would think that there would be no way to know that 95 percent of our contracts meet this criteria. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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Proposed Revisions To The Business Incentive Policy

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 950

The Speaker

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Bell , you may conclude your statement.

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Proposed Revisions To The Business Incentive Policy

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 950

Brendan Bell

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So as I said, I am concerned that what seems to be an isolated comment has found its way into policy for the BIP revisions. We do not even know who attended these consultations. It was not clear from the minutes. I have heard from one of my colleagues that in their community, two members of the public were present and a raft of RWED staff. We do not know who expressed these comments. We do not know if a question was not posed, something to the effect of "Do you really think someone on a $5 million contract needs to be BIP'd?"

I think that we can see that it is not exactly clear what has gone on in this process, Mr. Speaker. You get the sense that government had already knew what it wanted to hear from this process, already understood the outcome it was looking for. It is almost like you are watching, Mr. Speaker, a movie and you see the FBI in a van outside someone's apartment with surveillance going, and when they have decided that they have heard that money is going to change hands, it is time to roll because we know we have something that is going to stand up in court.

Mr. Speaker, this is the impression that this kind of process leaves. In the words of my esteemed colleague from the North Slave, it gives the impression that the whole thing has been a sham, Mr. Speaker.

I hope the Minister will do something to address this and do something to assure us that we have a process here that makes sense and really values the input for Northerners and northern business. Thank you.

-- Applause

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Proposed Revisions To The Business Incentive Policy

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 950

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Bell . Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Deh Cho , Mr. McLeod .

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Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal Awarded To Jane Arychuk

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 950

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I wanted to congratulate Ms. Jane Arychuk, the principal of the Deh Gah Elementary and Secondary School in Fort Providence, for receiving the Queen's Jubilee Award for Excellence in Teaching. In light of this event, I would like to share some of Ms. Arychuk's history and accomplishments with the Members of this House and the people of the North.

Ms. Jane Arychuk came to Elizabeth Ward School in Fort Providence as Miss Jane Neal, fresh out of teacher's college in 1980. After four years in the classroom, Jane became the principal in 1984. She has remained in the community as the principal since.

Under Jane's leadership, the school has changed to reflect the culture and the language of the community. In consultation with the community, the school was renamed Deh Gah School in 1992, which means school by the river. She married a resident of the community, Mr. Gordon Arychuk, in 1987, and has two children.

Mr. Speaker, Ms. Jane Arychuk was instrumental in many changes for the better that have happened and continue to happen at the Deh Gah school. Through much dedication, commitment and determination, Jane had a vision that was child-focused. Community support is excellent through parental involvement at the school. She, along with other dedicated staff members, have found alternate ways for some high school students, which has resulted in opportunities for the students in career planning and choices.

Student and parental involvement is high, as the school fundraises a great deal for the students to explore other parts of the world outside of the Northwest Territories, including the provinces and the United States. One trip was to Florida to see the launching of the space shuttle Columbia. This mission, STS-90, had the Deh Gah School pin in orbit from April 17th to May 3rd and is now hanging in the school along with a picture of Canadian astronaut, Dr. David Williams.

Jane also initiated a proposal for the Aboriginal Head Start Program in Fort Providence and it is now considered a model program. The Deh Gah School is one of the few schools in Canada that has become FAE and FAS friendly.

Mr. Speaker, for many years, we did not have true academic graduates in our community. In 2000-2001, the Deh Gah School had four graduates and in 2001-2002, produced five more graduates with the required credentials. Three of the nine graduates are people who have jobs in the community, yet have taken certain classes to obtain credits for a high school diploma.

We are confident to say Ms. Arychuk has worked hard to make many positive changes in the Deh Gah School and she is certainly deserving of this prestigious award. I want to congratulate her and thank her. Mahsi cho.

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Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal Awarded To Jane Arychuk

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 951

The Speaker

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

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Health Care Concerns

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 951

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some three years ago, this Assembly, when it was newly elected and just in office, told the residents of the Northwest Territories that we would be moving towards a better tomorrow. Our constituents tell me, Mr. Speaker, that while there is some evidence of prosperity, there are too many social issues negatively impacting on the quality of life of many citizens and they are not sure that it really is a better tomorrow.

What I hear most from constituents is health care, health care and health care. Mr. Speaker, I am not pleased with the structure of the Minister of Health and Social Services' review committee on the Stanton staffing issues. This committee was struck in mid-September. Like many others, I told him so, but to no avail. One Yellowknife resident quoting Albert Einstein I think put it most succinctly: "You cannot solve a problem with the same thinking that created it."

Mr. Speaker, residents from all across the North are concerned about the deterioration of the health care system and have suggestions worth considering. In my talks with constituents, I heard some of the following details:

- Mr. Speaker, waiting times for doctors at clinics are increasing in Yellowknife. You are now looking at four-and-a-half weeks;

- More people are using the Emergency ward when cheaper treatment options should be available such as clinics and public health centres;

- Health care practitioners are exhausted. Stress levels are high causing high turnover and wages, in particularly benefits, need to be increased. The lack of affordable housing is a major problem in Yellowknife; and

- Perhaps most significantly, Mr. Speaker, I heard that respect, humility and compassion are missing from our messages.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister may have heard this all before but I wanted him to know that my constituents are deeply concerned about health care. Like other residents, they are not prepared to wait much longer for substantive changes in the system.

In spite of these trying times, Mr. Speaker, the efforts of health care workers, doctors and allied professionals are applauded daily. We have exemplary health care people and experienced qualifications and dedication. I would like to acknowledge, Mr. Speaker, the effort, often beyond the call of duty, of our many professionals and front-line workers. We are fortunate to have their dedication and expertise. On behalf of my constituents, I want to acknowledge them for their contribution and thank them for a job well done. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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Health Care Concerns

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 951

The Speaker

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

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Issues To Be Addressed During The Fall Session

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 951

Steven Nitah

Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is good to be back in the House to represent our constituents and the people of the Northwest Territories in the many, many challenges that face us as a society today.

This summer, Mr. Speaker, I believe the church was the busiest place in the Northwest Territories with many, many weddings and far too many funerals, which speaks directly to the problems of our health system as my esteemed colleague, Mr. Braden , spoke so well of.

The long line-ups, the rate of cancer that is causing grief to many families right across the Territories is disconcerting. The issue of education in stagnated form is something to be discussed where you have to depend on individuals to push the education system through.

Our blind faith in the Kyoto Protocol is something that we should discuss and debate in this House as legislators, and not just one or two Members saying that the North supports it, without knowing what the true cost is going to be to Northerners in the short-term. We live in the highest cost environment already, Mr. Speaker, and I believe the Kyoto agreement, if implemented as discussed today, is going to increase the cost of living without seeing the long-term benefits really soon.

Our interference in our arms-length bodies, such as boards of directors as we saw yesterday, is troubling. If that is the direction that government is going to be taking, what is the point of putting the board of directors there to represent the interests of the people of the Northwest Territories, so that they can think long-term without political interference or political motivation?

Mr. Speaker, we have lots to talk about and we have two-and-a-half weeks to do so. I believe we have to take the time to seriously debate these issues so we can be public representatives of our people.

The signing of the Tlicho Agreement, knowing there are disputes by other First Nations groups, is a troubling factor and I will be addressing that with the appropriate Minister and the Premier as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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Issues To Be Addressed During The Fall Session

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 951

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Nitah . I just want to remind Members that Members' statements should deal with the one subject. However, this being the first day, I just want to be a little bit more flexible there and we will allow Members a little bit of latitude, but I shall return to my usual strict self tomorrow. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake , Mr. Dent .

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Removal Of The NWT Power Corporation Board Of Directors

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 951

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to address the issue of the removal of the board of directors of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. First off, Mr. Speaker, I would like to make it clear that I oppose the one-rate zone application. In fact, I had filed with the Public Utilities Board to intervene in opposition to the application.

So when the Premier advised me of the order that they were giving the Power Corporation to withdraw their application, I was torn. I was torn because, Mr. Speaker, I have always maintained that the Power Corporation should operate under a board of management with no political pressure. One of the main reasons for that, Mr. Speaker, is that I discovered when becoming the Minister responsible that political commitments had been made to communities, or at least communities felt that they had heard commitments from political leaders.

These commitments, had they been followed through, would have cost an awful lot of money and were not necessary to increase reliability of the power supply. Everyone would have paid more for power, even though it would not have improved the power supply.

Mr. Speaker, while the government moved to accomplish what I wanted by providing this direction to the Power Corporation, I am very disappointed that they did not follow through on the process. Once the application had been filed with the Public Utilities Board, the government should have filed an intervention with the Public Utilities Board and we should have then discussed the issue in front of the board.

Mr. Speaker, this situation actually illustrates an issue of communications, and really of bad communications, because to my way of thinking, we never should have gotten to this point. When I heard about the application I assumed that Cabinet had agreed to this process. This, after all, was a major policy shift; a social approach to determining power rates.

I had expected that there had been consultation with the Cabinet, particularly since the Minister responsible was at the meeting when I heard about the application. I guess I should have known then that there was a problem with communications when at the same meeting, a senior deputy minister said that Cabinet was not in support of the one-rate application.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot believe that the board members, most of whom I know well, would have gone ahead with this application if they had been told clearly that the Government of the Northwest Territories did not support the one-rate zone application.

I have no doubt that they feel that they have had the carpet suddenly pulled out from under them. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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Removal Of The NWT Power Corporation Board Of Directors

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 952

The Speaker

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Dent .

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Removal Of The NWT Power Corporation Board Of Directors

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 952

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, for the record, I would like to thank Gord Stewart, Ric Bolivar, Tom Zubko, Andrew Gaul and Eric Shelton for their work on the Power Corporation board. It is too bad that we have lost their experience and obvious dedication to this government's most significant asset. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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Removal Of The NWT Power Corporation Board Of Directors

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 952

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Dent . Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake , Ms. Lee .

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Official Launch Of The United Way Campaign

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 952

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, it is good to be back in session, where we do the most public part of our work. Over the next number of days and weeks, I am sure we will have hearty and lively debates about many important issues facing us today.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to use my first Member's statement to celebrate something good that is happening in the city of Yellowknife, and that is the official launch of the United Way campaign.

Mr. Speaker, along with many other Members of this House, including yourself and the Premier , I was one of the many people who took

part in the United Way Kick-off Pancake Breakfast this morning at City Hall. In spite of the fact that it was the early hours of the morning, many supporters came out to socialize and to celebrate this milestone in our community. I believe it is worthy of celebration to mark the City of Yellowknife joining and being the 125th member of the United Way.

Mr. Speaker, for those of us who have been around for a while, we are aware of the many incarnations and the setbacks this idea of the United Way in YK has had to endure over many, many years, but for the commitment and tenacity of the board members, volunteers and many supporting organizations, the United Way would still be at an idea stage. For that, I would like to salute and congratulate all those who have made the United Way possible in Yellowknife.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to congratulate the Government of the Northwest Territories for agreeing to facilitate payroll reduction programs for those employees who are interested and willing to donate in that manner. As the biggest employer in the Territories, I know that it is setting an important precedent, and hopefully pave the way for many other organizations to follow.

Mr. Speaker, I believe this is a very positive action for many in our community and I look forward to seeing much success for this newly minted organization. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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Official Launch Of The United Way Campaign

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 952

The Speaker

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

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Withdrawal Of The NWT Power Corporation Single-rate Zone Application

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 952

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would also like to speak to the issue of the now withdrawn application of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. This subject of utilities and the regulation of those utilities is a very complex matter. I had the experience of sitting on the board of directors of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation for three years and I do not purport to be any kind of an expert on that subject, even after that close-up experience.

However, what I do know is that I had some very serious concerns about the process that was underway and I do support the intervention by this government as the shareholder. To move from community-based rates to a single zone, flat rate across the North is a major shift in how revenue is raised for the Power Corporation. In fact, conventional wisdom was that community-based rates were a fair way to raise revenue, given that a well-conceived form of territorial support was in place to act as the mechanism to offset the cost in communities where rates were higher than those in Yellowknife, so in fact the territorial support program did have the same net effect of levelizing the rates.

Given the Power Corporation's desire and intention to move away from its rate structure, and given the unquantified resulting impacts from such a shift, some very preliminary research and key consultations did not occur. Regular Members of this Legislature, for example, were not given an adequate opportunity to engage in the debate in this manner. Mr. Lafferty has spoken today about our style of consensus government, so this was a really key piece that was missing from this particular initiative, the consultation with the Regular Members.

Once the application was filed, some would argue that anyone who wished to intervene had an opportunity to enter that debate. I disagree with that for a number of reasons. For one thing, as I stated earlier, the regulation of a power utility is very complex and almost always necessitates the costly involvement of people with expertise in that field.

Secondly, the playing field is hardly even, given the seemingly unlimited resources of the utility to advance their side of the argument stacked against the limited financial resources of interveners who may or may not be able to recover their costs. It is safe to say that this debate would have cost millions of dollars and even if everyone's costs were recoverable, the consumer ultimately would have paid for this process.

Mr. Speaker, I want to state that the Public Utilities Board hearing is not the only process available for consultation. A general rate application will still proceed in any event and small communities, as any other individual, will have an opportunity to speak to that general rate application.

Mr. Krutko made reference to the fact that this is the only opportunity small communities have had to put their case forward. In fact, that is not true. They could intervene in any general rate application before the PUB. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

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Withdrawal Of The NWT Power Corporation Single-rate Zone Application

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 953

The Speaker

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Item 3, Members' statements. I understood, Mrs. Groenewegen , that you had concluded your statement. Mrs. Groenewegen , you would like to...

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Withdrawal Of The NWT Power Corporation Single-rate Zone Application

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 953

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.

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Withdrawal Of The NWT Power Corporation Single-rate Zone Application

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 953

The Speaker

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? Thank you, we have a nay. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre , Mr. Ootes .

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Appreciation For The Care And Compassion Demonstrated During Recent Hospital Stay

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 953

Jake Ootes

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is good to be back in session. I would like to take this first Member's statement to tell you how happy I am to tell you that I have recovered very, very well from my double-bypass coronary surgery.

-- Applause

In the circumstances that I was in, Mr. Speaker, I had a lot of opportunity, as you can appreciate, a lot of time to reflect on our role here. I must say that the bottom line for me is that I am very, very happy to be back here and to continue my work representing the people of the Northwest Territories and the students and the people who are in need out there. I must say that I feel like I am certainly back to full speed serving this Legislature again.

I was very fortunate to have the services of some very fine medical people to help me through this process. I would like to make reference to several from Stanton Regional Hospital: Dr. John Morse, who is the intern medicine specialist at the hospital. He certainly has the expertise and knowledge, but also a very important element that I felt was very important for someone in my circumstance and others that may go into my type of situation, and that is the compassion he showed for the need I had, but also the understanding that it can be a very traumatic situation for a person to be in.

The other person I would like to mention is Dr. Theresa Hansen, who helped spur everyone on to take good care of me while I was in the hospital here in Yellowknife. And of course, the nurses and the medical staff -- I cannot say enough about the tremendously good work and the wonderful approach that they take to their work in treating patients, Mr. Speaker.

There were many others. The Yellowknife firefighters who handled the ambulance service and the medevac crew and the medevac nurses that take care of you when you are medevaced to the Capital Health Authority in Edmonton.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those who sent flowers, cards and books, and who visited me while I was in the hospital. I certainly enjoyed their visits, Mr. Speaker, and want to thank all of my friends and my colleagues who had the opportunity to visit.

I would like to thank Minister Handley for taking over my portfolio during my absence. Last of all, I would like to thank my family, and especially my wife Marg, for the tremendous support she provided. Thank you.

-- Applause

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Appreciation For The Care And Compassion Demonstrated During Recent Hospital Stay

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 953

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Ootes . Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh , Mr. Antoine .

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Results From The North American Indigenous Games

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 953

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to say that it is good to be back here again, or maybe not so good, depending on what kind of questions I face in the House...

-- Laughter

...but we are here to do a job and that is what we are here for. I just wanted to talk about a number of things that happened through the summer. I know that everybody is very busy as Ministers and Members, and even our people in the communities have been very busy. It has been a very busy summer, a lot of activities.

One of them that I want to mention is the North American Indigenous Games in Winnipeg, July 29th to August 4th. It was a huge, successful event. I was fortunate to be there at that time for the first few days. I was involved in the opening ceremonies. I think the Northwest Territories, we had a huge delegation for our size compared to the other jurisdictions. We had teams from all the provinces and a number of different states from the United States.

I just wanted to mention about the Midget Girls Soccer team, 16 players, most of them are from Fort Simpson, my constituency. As MLA, I would like to mention their names because they did very well. They came home with the silver.

From Fort Simpson, we had Christina McAdam, Veronica Antoine, Jennifer Thistle, Carry-Anne Loutit, Jesse Loutit, Shannon Sangris, Jenny Thompson, Jodi Thompson. We also had Fort Liard player Sabrina Diamond'c. Even though the other girls are from other communities not in my constituency, but if I do not mention them -- well, they are part of the team. Fort Resolution had Jody Miersch, Jessica Sanderson; Yellowknife had Sara Steven, Siku Allooloo. Inuvik had Charlene McCarthy and Sheenee McCampbell. The coach was Val Genderin of Fort Simpson. The Manager was Connie Loutit.

In the round robin they played Manitoba and Ontario, each of them twice and they won all the four games. They advanced to the final against B.C. but unfortunately they lost out to B.C. and they came away with a silver. Going into the tournament, only two of the Yellowknife girls played on the outdoor field. They wanted to play their hardest and score at least one goal in the tournament. They outdid themselves and the total they scored was 30 goals. All of the girls got along and showed great team spirit.

This is a good opportunity for young people in the North to look forward to the next indigenous games three years from now in Buffalo, New York. Thank you.

-- Applause

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Results From The North American Indigenous Games

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 954

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Antoine . Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice , Mr. Allen .

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Return To Question 263-14(5): North Slave Correctional Centre Project

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 954

Roger Allen

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to an Oral Question asked by Mr. Delorey on June 14, 2002, regarding the reasons for building the North Slave Correctional Facility in Yellowknife.

Standards and criteria for correctional facilities were developed in 1994. These were used to decide where the replacement for the Yellowknife Correctional Centre and the new young offender facility should be located. In 1998, a decision was made to locate these facilities in Yellowknife. This decision was re-examined and confirmed by the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The following are the reasons why the department decided to place the new North Slave Correctional Facility in Yellowknife:

Yellowknife has a resident Supreme Court, Territorial Court, JP Court, Court of Appeal, RCMP headquarters, and a large number of resident law firms. As a result, there are more accused people being dealt with in Yellowknife. Many of these must be held in custody before or after their case is finished.

The majority of court appearances take place in Yellowknife. A remand centre is required in the city to hold adults and youth in custody pending trial. The North Slave Correctional Facility will provide that remand space. If this facility were built in another community, there would be the additional cost to build and run a remand centre for adults and youth in Yellowknife.

Almost every flight in the NWT passes through Yellowknife prior to reaching its final destination. Costs to transport Yellowknife offenders as well as those from points outside of Yellowknife would increase if the facility were built elsewhere.

If the new North Slave facility were located in another community, there would be significant relocation or layoff costs. In 1998, it was estimated that these costs could total over $1.5 million.

In 1998, it was estimated that the Government of the NWT would save approximately $1.4 million by building a new young offender facility together with the new adult facility. These savings would be lost if these facilities were located separately. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Return To Question 263-14(5): North Slave Correctional Centre Project

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 954

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice , Mr. Allen .

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Return To Oral Question 268-14(5): North Slave Correctional Centre

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 954

Roger Allen

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you again, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question asked by Mr. Delorey on June 14, 2002, regarding the North Slave Correctional Centre and the lack of comparable facilities in the south to use for cost estimates.

This project is unique. There are no other corrections facilities like it in Canada.

-- Laughter

It not only has maximum, medium and minimum security requirements, but added to this is a healing, spirituality, restorative justice component in the design and programming of the institution. It is also sharing a number of areas with the young offender facility, such as the gym, the kitchen, and the security system, as well as the heating and ventilation systems.

Not only is the facility unique, but design and cost information for southern correctional facilities is limited and is difficult to apply to the NWT for two reasons. First, the North has environmental and technical constraints that are not comparable to the south. Second, the scale of projects in the south is much larger than the North Slave project.

These are not the only reasons why a firm price was not obtained before the project began. In 1998, the fire marshal condemned the Dene K'onia Young Offender Facility for the secure holding of young offenders. The Department of Justice was given until July 1, 2001, to erect new facilities. Under pressure from the fire marshal's order, it was necessary to "fast track" the construction of this project and to use an alternate method of construction. There is no general contractor but instead a construction manager who tenders out various aspects of the job to subcontractors.

The drawings for phase one were done incrementally. Drawings for a certain aspect would be done and that job would go out to tender. While that was being done, the design engineers were designing the next stage of construction. Given this approach, it was not possible to get the price for the entire project in advance. Incidentally, the drawings are now complete for the whole project.

Finally, the overheated construction market that is currently being experienced could not be anticipated when the initial project budget was established in 1999. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Return To Oral Question 268-14(5): North Slave Correctional Centre

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 955

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment , Mr. Ootes .

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Return To Question 308-14(5): Clawback Of Income Support

Return To Oral Question 268-14(5): North Slave Correctional Centre

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 955

Jake Ootes

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question asked by Mr. Braden on June 19, 2002, regarding income support programs.

The Government of the Northwest Territories continues to reinvest funds arising from the National Child Benefit, in the Healthy Children Initiative, NWT Child Benefit, and Territorial Workers' Supplement.

The Healthy Children Initiative is administered jointly by the departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Health and Social Services, and provides support and service development in the following five key areas: strengthening young people, healthy babies, building stronger families, supporting parents, and healthy communities.

The Healthy Children Initiative is a community-based program that provides funding to local organizations for the enhancement of existing childhood programs and services for children zero to six years of age and their families. Funding, based on written proposals, is provided to community groups to deliver programs specifically for their community needs. The funding provided through the National Child Benefit reinvestment allows for the delivery of programs that meet the needs of young children and their families.

In Yellowknife, the following Healthy Children initiatives, currently funded through the National Child Benefit reinvestment, are typical of programs supported throughout the NWT:

- Early Intervention Program, NWT Council for Persons with Disabilities;

- Family Support Program, Yellowknife Women's Centre;

- 4 Plus Program (pre-school), Catholic School Board; and

- Parent-Child Resource Centre, Yellowknives Dene First Nation -- N'dilo/Detah.

The NWT also reinvests funds arising from the National Child Benefit in the NWT Child Benefit, which includes the Territorial Workers' Supplement. These are cash payments included in the monthly federal cheque that is sent to all low-income NWT residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Return To Question 308-14(5): Clawback Of Income Support

Return To Oral Question 268-14(5): North Slave Correctional Centre

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 955

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 955

The Speaker

Colleagues, I would like to direct your attention to the presence in our visitors' gallery of the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Member of Parliament, Secretary of State for Youth.

-- Applause

Also accompanying her is Mr. Leon Andrew, her husband.

-- Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Thebacha , Mr. Miltenberger .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 955

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I have the privilege of being able to recognize some constituents, as well as a board member for Stanton. I would first like to recognize Ms. Bea Campbell, the president of the Northwest Territories Seniors' Society in town for the annual gathering of the seniors.

-- Applause

Mr. Dennis Bevington, the director of the Energy Secretariat, who is going to make straight these complex issues for us.

-- Applause

Mrs. Vina Beaugrain-Champagne, who is a constituent and the mother of my executive secretary, Ingrid.

-- Applause

Finally, last but not least, Mr. Dave Wind, member of the Stanton board. Thank you.

-- Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 955

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Frame Lake , Mr. Dent .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 955

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too would like to recognize Mr. Wind, who is a constituent, in the gallery, and also Barb Wyness, who is a resident of my constituency.

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 956

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Dent . Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Weledeh , Mr. Handley .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 956

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Major Karen Hoeft from the Yellowknife Salvation Army. She is a constituent of mine and I am very proud of the promotion she made this year from captain to major.

-- Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 956

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Handley . Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre , Mr. Ootes .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 956

Jake Ootes

Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize several people, but first of all I would like to recognize my wife Margaret who is in the gallery today.

-- Applause

A constituent, Ed Jeske, a well-known Yellowknifer.

-- Applause

Margaret Wilke, who is a member of the YK No. 1 school board.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 956

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Nahendeh , Mr. Antoine .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 956

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and welcome the Grand Chief of the Deh Cho First Nation, Mike Nadlii.

-- Applause

Also, I want to recognize Mr. Brian Kennedy from Washington D.C., who is doing some work for us on energy, keeping an eye on the Americans for us. Thank you.

-- Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 956

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone to the Legislative Assembly to watch the proceedings of your Members. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave , Mr. Lafferty .

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Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 956

Leon Lafferty

North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier , the honourable Stephen Kakfwi . Mr. Speaker, last week I wrote the Premier asking him to intervene in matters where I was getting no response from the Minister responsible for that particular department. This morning I received a response from the Premier stating that I needed to continue to deal with the same Minister, as he was responsible for that department.

As we are all aware, the Premier has recently intervened in the Minister's portfolio related to the Northwest Territories Power Corporation and the Premier went so far as to overturn an earlier Cabinet directive.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask what justification is the Premier using to intervene in another Minister's portfolio? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 956

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . The honourable Premier , Mr. Kakfwi .

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Return To Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 956

Stephen Kakfwi

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, as Premier , I have a duty to act on the direction of Cabinet, so it is not necessarily my sole prerogative and decision to take action on certain occasions. If the Member is asking about the particular issue regarding the Power Corporation, it was simply clarifying and following a direction set out by Cabinet. Thank you.

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Return To Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 956

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Premier . Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty .

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Supplementary To Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 956

Leon Lafferty

North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Premier , how can a board's independence be maintained if the Premier interferes in a public process? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 956

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . The honourable Premier , Mr. Kakfwi .

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Further Return To Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 956

Stephen Kakfwi

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the Cabinet had made a decision in August, a month before the Power Corporation filed an application that we thought was clear, that said the direction was given to defer any further consultation specifically on the one-rate zone. When that was undertaken by the Power Corporation, Cabinet met just recently to reiterate its position and ask for the Power Corporation, through the Minister, to comply with that decision. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 956

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Premier . Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty .

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Supplementary To Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 956

Leon Lafferty

North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Premier , what avenues are available for public input into other rate options, whether it is to be a one-rate, two-tiered, hydro, diesel or alternative energy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 956

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . The honourable Premier , Mr. Kakfwi .

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Further Return To Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 956

Stephen Kakfwi

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, it was my understanding in talking to a number of MLAs that there was not enough discussion at our level to warrant such a massive shift in approach to providing safe, reliable and affordable electrical services, power, and electrical power to the people of the Northwest Territories, and that we needed to have a fundamental discussion about it before a single-rate application could be made to the Power Corporation.

The Public Utilities Board will still require an application to be made to it and it will still require to have hearings and accept presentations. The Power Corporation, we expect, will re-file an application along the lines of what it has been providing up until now, which is a community-based rate.

That will allow individuals, groups and communities to present their case as to how power should be provided to them in the communities and they can talk about the different ways in which that can be provided and seek clarification on issues they wish to have clarified. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 957

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Premier . Final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty .

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Supplementary To Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 957

Leon Lafferty

North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Premier how he expects to have public input into the new application when the board consists of deputy ministers only who work for the Cabinet? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 957

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . The honourable Premier , Mr. Kakfwi .

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Further Return To Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 957

Stephen Kakfwi

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the Public Utilities Board is an independent body that conducts hearings in the public interest. The board of the Power Corporation has nothing to do with that at all. The board of the Power Corporation is simply set up to manage the business of the Power Corporation, its assets in the interest of the public as directed by the Government of the Northwest Territories as its owner and single shareholder.

The hearings will resume as soon as the application is resubmitted and consultation will resume with the public as to their views regarding the application of the Power Corporation in the way that the Power Corporation provides service through most of the Northwest Territories to the communities and people.

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Further Return To Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Question 320-14(5): Intervention In Ministerial Portfolios

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 957

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Premier . Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta , Mr. Krutko .

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Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 957

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is also for the Premier , and it is regarding my Member's statement. I for one totally disagree with the community base rates. I believe that we have to have a system that ensures socio-economic viability of our communities to take on the opportunities of expanding our wealth, but not being in the position right now of having a competitive rate right across the board for everyone. For one, it is not fair. The other reason, it is not economic to pay $2.20 for a kilowatt of power in Colville Lake and pay 10 cents a kilowatt for power in Fort Smith. There is definitely a difference and we have to look at it.

I would like to ask the Premier , what is he going to do to ensure public confidence in the system, ensuring that we do have a public process, that we allow public hearings to take place without political interference by this government?

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Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 957

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . The honourable Premier , Mr. Kakfwi .

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Return To Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 957

Stephen Kakfwi

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the rate structure is an issue that is by itself, not able to address the needs of communities. The Public Utilities Board, for the Member's information, had ruled some years ago, and had explicitly rejected a single-rate zone because, as they said at that time, it would result in a massive cross-subsidization of diesel ratepayers by hydro ratepayers.

That is, the ratepayers in places like Fort Smith and Hay River and Resolution would have to pay more -- not because it costs more there, but because they would be asked to subsidize the high cost of providing diesel power in other communities. The Public Utilities Board at that time had ruled that was not the business for them to deal with. It was called social engineering and that the issue of subsidies had been dealt with by government.

So the idea had been rejected some years ago. In any case, the hearings are still going to continue and people are going to be heard.

I think, more importantly, the energy strategy that this government had undertaken to have delivered to Cabinet for consideration by this Assembly is expected to be prepared and presented in draft form in the next week or so, and that once we have this draft energy strategy, the Cabinet and every Member of the Legislature, along with the public, would have then a broad paper, in which to look at specific issues under which rate zones, subsidies, additional incentives to offset high cost for commercial and industrial users in remote communities would come into play.

Conservation, environmental impact...a whole range of issues, under which the specific issues or rate zones could properly be considered.

So the issue was not whether we were attempting to take away public consultation and involvement, but rather to make sure that the context was set so that people, once they started talking and forming opinions, had available to them good factual information and a broad range of considerations under which to formulate their positions, then to present them in a public forum. That was the intent. Thank you.

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Return To Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 957

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Premier . Supplementary, Mr. Krutko .

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Supplementary To Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 957

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it sounds good, but apparently, it does not answer the question. The question is why did this government interfere with a public process that was well on its way? We had people intervening in a public process and who gives justification for this government to...(inaudible)...a public process through a public hearing by the Public Utilities Board?

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Supplementary To Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 958

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . The honourable Premier , Mr. Kakfwi .

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Further Return To Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 958

Stephen Kakfwi

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in early August, Cabinet directed that the Power Corporation should cease consulting on a range of issues, including the single-rate zone. This was not properly communicated, apparently, to the Power Corporation. They went ahead and filed their papers for a single-rate zone in early September. When we had a Cabinet meeting here two weeks ago, we revisited that decision. The decision was maintained and direction was given. They refused to comply, and so their appointments were revoked and a new interim board was put in place.

The interim board is expected to withdraw that application and resubmit a new application so that the public process can continue. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 958

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Premier . Supplementary, Mr. Krutko .

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Supplementary To Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 958

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I hope this is not the precedent of this government, that we muzzle every public hearing process if this government does not like what the outcome may be. The whole idea of having a public consultation process through a public hearing is to determine what the public thinks and what their opinions are on the different rate structures that are in place. It is not up to us as government. It is the Public Utilities Board.

Again, I would like to ask the Premier , was there a directive passed in Cabinet where a vote took place that clearly spells out how that decision was made a couple of months ago?

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Supplementary To Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 958

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . The honourable Premier , Mr. Kakfwi .

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Further Return To Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 958

Stephen Kakfwi

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A couple of points. One, I think the Member should be aware that Cabinet did not reject any particular proposal. What we said very clearly in August was that further consultation and work on the single-rate zone should be deferred until after a draft energy strategy was completed and presented. So Cabinet itself does not speak in favour or against any particular proposal at this time. I think that is very important to point out, because in all of the discussions to date, I note that nobody has ever bothered to ask me what my position is on this person.

It is just an important point to make, that Cabinet did not reject the idea of a single-rate zone. It said very clearly that it should stop consultation on it until an energy strategy is completed. That is an important point to make.

The advice, the direction that we gave, we thought it was clear in August. Our staff thought it was clear. Just to be doubly sure, we revisited the decision and made it explicitly clear. The direction was given. The staff looked at the August decision and legal people looked at it and said the direction was clear. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 958

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Premier . Final, short supplementary, Mr. Krutko .

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Supplementary To Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 958

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Premier up front, was he lobbied in any way by Cabinet Ministers or Members on this side of the House to cancel the public hearing process altogether?

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Supplementary To Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 958

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . The honourable Premier , Mr. Kakfwi , your short response.

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Further Return To Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 958

Stephen Kakfwi

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the question was, was I lobbied by anybody to shut down the public process, and the answer is no.

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Further Return To Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Question 321-14(5): Determining Power Rate Structure

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 958

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Premier . Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River North , Mr. Delorey .

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Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 958

Paul Delorey

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I stated in my Member's statement my concerns about the proposed changes to the BIP policy. I would like to ask the Minister responsible if he could confirm that the process was open from the time that we were informed of the changes to the Business Incentive Policy, that it was open until September 30th, the date that he gave us, and not the answer that was given to one business from the Business Incentive Policy office? Have there been changes made to the Business Incentive Policy from the time that we were presented the proposed changes to the input that was received September 30th? Did the department make any further changes? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 958

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Delorey . The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine .

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Further Return To Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 958

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Business Incentive Policy is a very important policy of this government. A number of different Ministers in the past have tried to change it and were never able to do it, but I intend to continue with this process. This process is very open. We have not finished working on it. September 30th was the deadline to receive information and input and our consultation team has gone out to all of the stakeholders, including the Members through the committee, to get feedback.

A lot of concerns and issues that are raised on how to improve on the proposed policy, and we are still working on it. The results of this consultation have yet to come to Cabinet. We hope to do it in the next couple of weeks.

All of the concerns that we heard through the stakeholder meetings and the consultation have been taken into consideration and incorporated into the new version of the policy, so yes, we have been quite open.

During the Member's statement about the one businessman who was not taken into consideration, the allegations there, I am checking with the department right now to see if this happened, to who and when this happened, and they have not come back to me yet. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 959

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Delorey .

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Supplementary To Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 959

Paul Delorey

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, could the Minister inform this House of the socio-economic benefits, or lack of benefits, that this policy has created over the past number of years that warrant the changes being proposed to this Business Incentive Policy?

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Supplementary To Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 959

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Delorey . The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine .

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Further Return To Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 959

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Member to maybe elaborate a little more on it. He asked about socio-economic benefits, the lack of that was created as a result of the Business Incentive Policy. For me to reply right now would be difficult. If I could get more specifics? Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 959

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. The Speaker cannot direct the Member to ask a particular question. The Minister has the responsibility to either answer the question, not answer the question, or take it as notice. Supplementary, Mr. Delorey .

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Supplementary To Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 959

Paul Delorey

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am going to leave that question as I put it, because I think that what I was trying to get at is what I mentioned in my Member's statement, that the government has had a hard time quantifying what this policy has done as far as benefits and what the costs were. That is what I was getting at. I hope that the Minister can supply some information to me on that.

One of the business sectors, Mr. Speaker, that seem to have been left out of this, especially the new proposal, this policy, is the manufacturing industry. I will give you one example, Mr. Speaker. For a $70,000 contract, the adjustment in the old policy would have been $10,500. Under the new policy, the adjustment would only be $3,750. This basically represents the freight subsidy that would be extra for a southern company to bid on a contract of that size, not taking into consideration the extra cost of labour and utilities. How does this benefit the manufacturing industry in the Northwest Territories?

What is it telling our manufacturing industry in the Northwest Territories under these new proposed changes? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 959

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Delorey . The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine .

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Further Return To Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 959

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, like I said earlier on in the beginning of my answer, we are still working on this policy. We have taken a lot of feedback from all of the stakeholders, including the manufacturing sector, during our consultation process. The consultation process is done and we are compiling the information that has come from there. If the honourable Member's concern has been raised by the manufacturing association, then it would be considered during the work the department is doing. We have not concluded the work. I cannot answer specifically to the Member on this concern. I have to check with my department, so I will have to take this as notice. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 959

The Speaker

Thank you. The question has been taken as notice. Just a little caution that usually when a question is taken as notice, there is very little response to it. It should be taken as notice. However, the Chair will recognize the Minister's request to take that question as notice. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho , Mr. McLeod .

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Question 323-14(5): Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 959

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development . It is a question I have raised in this House before. Leaders of the community of Fort Providence have questioned on several occasions for the department to intervene with this problem that we have been experiencing in Fort Providence. It is regarding the bison that are roaming in the community.

It seems that every fall, we have to tolerate a large number of bison in the community. They are destroying fences. When I left the community on Monday, I saw a large portion of the baseball diamond fence knocked down and the children are having a field day stampeding the herds of buffalo down the streets in between the houses. It is getting to be a serious safety concern. I would like to ask the Minister, what does he plan to do about this issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 323-14(5): Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 959

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. McLeod . The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine .

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Return To Question 323-14(5): Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Question 323-14(5): Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 959

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the buffalo problem is similar to a number of communities in Fort Liard as well. There are a number of problems there. We need to work with the community on how and what their suggestions are. The buffalo are there. They are roaming around and causing a lot of different problems. Safety is a big issue. We have to work with the community in trying to solve this problem together. Thank you.

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Return To Question 323-14(5): Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Question 323-14(5): Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 959

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod .

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Supplementary To Question 323-14(5): Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Question 323-14(5): Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 959

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe the Minister is repeating what I just stated, that it is a safety concern and we have to work this out. However, I have been asking this question on many occasions, and the community leaders have requested something to be done about it. What is the department planning to do about it was the question. There has been no response to that. I would like to ask the department, what options are they looking at to solve this problem in the community of Fort Providence? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 323-14(5): Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Question 323-14(5): Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 960

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. McLeod . The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine .

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Further Return To Question 323-14(5): Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Question 323-14(5): Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 960

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have to talk to my officials in the department to see what kind of options are there to deal with this issue. I will get back to the Member on that. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 323-14(5): Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Question 323-14(5): Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 960

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. McLeod .

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Supplementary To Question 323-14(5): Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Question 323-14(5): Bison Problem In Fort Providence

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 960

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if it were bears or any other type of wild animals roaming the community, especially if it was the city of Yellowknife or Hay River, those animals would be destroyed. Can the Minister tell me if these animals, these wild bison that are in the community, if they could be destroyed by the community leadership? Thank you.

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