Debates of March 9th, 2005

This is page numbers 1899 - 1944 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library.

The word of the day was chairman .

Topics

Members Present

Item 1: Prayer

Maca/rcmp Co-location Initiative

New Courthouse In Yellowknife

50th Annual Caribou Carnival

Housing Issues In Nahendeh

Oil And Gas Development Positions

Beverage Container Recovery Program

Consolidation Of GNWT Human Resource Functions

Need For Residential Treatment Centres

Child Poverty

Transportation Services For Elders And Frontline Workers

Support For Truancy Reduction Measures

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Federal Board Appointment Process

School Attendance In The Nwt

Updating Garnishee Legislation

Child Poverty In The Nwt

Factors Of Incarceration

Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta

Land Leases On Tlicho Lands

Squared Log Home Potential

New Roads In The Sahtu

Written Question 81-15(3): Expanded Downpayment Assistance Program

Written Question 82-15(3): New Courthouse In Yellowknife

Written Question 83-15(3): Management Assignment Program

Written Question 84-15(3): Rental Costs

Petition 4-15(3): Addictions Treatment Centres In The Nwt

Tabled Document 122-15(3): Public Utilities Board 2004 Annual Report

Tabled Document 123-15(3): "act Now" - Report Of The WCB Legislative Review Panel

Appointment To The Standing Committee On Accountability And Oversight

Appointment To The Mackenzie Valley Land And Water Board

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

Committee Motion 34-15(3) To Amend Clause 5 Of Bill 17: Modernization Of Benefits And Obligations Act

Committee Motion 35-15(3) To Amend Clause 7 Of Bill 17, Modernization Of Benefits And Obligations Act

Committee Motion 36-15(3) To Amend Clause 8 Of Bill 17, Modernization Of Benefits And Obligations Act

Committee Motion 37-15(3) To Amend Clause 9 Of Bill 17, Modernization Of Benefits And Obligations Act

Committee Motion 38-15(3) To Amend Clause 10 Of Bill 17, Modernization Of Benefits And Obligations Act

Committee Motion 39-15(3) To Amend Bill 17 To Come Into Force On The Day The Civil Marriage Act (canada) Comes Into Force, Withdrawn

Committee Motion 40-15(3) To Amend Bill 17 To Come Into Force On The Earlier Of The Prorogation Of The First Session Of The 38th Parliament And The Coming Into Force Of The Civil Marriage Act (canada)

Committee Motion 41-15(3) To Add $311,000 To The Highways Activity In Bill 20, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2004-2005

Committee Motion 42-15(3) To Amend The

Schedule To Bill 20 To Increase The Supplementary Appropriation By $311,000

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Bill 21:

An Act To Amend The Public Service Act

Bill 19: Appropriation Act, 2005-2006

Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Members Present

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

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---Prayer

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Item 1: Prayer

Item 1: Prayer

Page 1899

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Good afternoon, colleagues. Before we go to orders of the day, Monday, March 14th, is Commonwealth Day. The second Monday in March is observed annually by all member nations of the Commonwealth to promote understanding about global issues, international cooperation and the work done by modern Commonwealth.

The theme of Commonwealth Day 2005 will be Education - Creating Opportunity, Realizing Potential. The theme reflects the Commonwealth's commitment to education by promoting efforts to achieve universal primary education, eliminate gender disparities, improving quality in education, using distance learning to overcome barriers, supporting education in difficult circumstances and mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS in education.

Thank you, all Members, for joining me as we mark this very important day.

--Applause

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that on May 2 to 6, 2005, we will be hosting our sixth annual Youth Parliament. It is an opportunity for grades 9 and 10 students in the Northwest Territories to assume the role of MLAs and Members of the Legislative Assembly here in Yellowknife. The Legislative Assembly hosts this event each year and we encourage all Members to participate and help make this experience a memorable and rewarding one for all our young participants. Thank you, Members.

---Applause

Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs , Mr. McLeod.

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Minister's Statement 108-15(3): Maca/rcmp Co-location Initiative

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1899

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report on an initiative being undertaken by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. MACA and "G" division of the RCMP have been exploring options to more fully integrate each organization's emergency management functions and enhance the effective overall response to emergencies.

Plans have been made for the operation of a common, integrated emergency operations centre, located in the "G" division headquarters to respond to security threats or natural disasters.

Although national security focuses on threats that have the potential to undermine the security of the state, it is also closely linked to personal security. The SARS outbreak showed how threats to individuals can impact all of society, so national security must be considered in this broader context.

Any natural disaster can affect the normal functioning of society. Whether the threat is a security issue, a fuel spill, flood, forest fire or power outage, a coordinated response by all parties to deal with the consequences of the threat will be required.

MACA is the government's lead department on emergency measures and the RCMP is the primary enforcement agency in the Northwest Territories with national security responsibilities. At the same time, both agencies are involved in emergency planning and response at the territorial level and with individual communities.

For this reason, bringing together each organization's senior emergency management function will lead to a more effective overall response to the consequences of a security threat or to security issues related to an emergency response operation.

I am also pleased that the federal Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada has committed to establishing a presence in the North with a regional position in Yellowknife. This position will serve the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut as part of the national integrated system.

Co-location with provincial/territorial emergency operation centres is one of the key measures identified for the federal government in the national security policy. Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada has announced its intention to establish this regional office serving NWT, Yukon and Nunavut in the new MACA/RCMP integrated Emergency Operations Centre.

Plans are underway to set up this integrated office. I am pleased that the RCMP and Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada have taken such a cooperative stance in working with the department to advance our common agenda, which is to enhance emergency preparedness arrangements in the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Minister's Statement 108-15(3): Maca/rcmp Co-location Initiative

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1900

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu , Mr. Yakeleya .

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New Courthouse In Yellowknife

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1900

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Over the course of the last few days, we have discussed a proposal -- and I say proposal -- to build a courthouse, a brand spanking new courthouse for Yellowknife in the future. Mr. Speaker, we also spoke of other projects in the Northwest Territories to be constructed in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I am receiving feedback to the logic or the reason why we have put a brand new courthouse as a priority in our spending of public funds, especially with the type of figure of $41 million. Mr. Speaker, with $41 million, we could put some serious dollars into the Community Justice Program many times over. We could establish well-operated, well-funded, well-trained community justice legal workers, now known as community justice coordinators.

Mr. Speaker, one of the most important distinctive characteristics of our society is its laws; our laws that govern our way of behaviour and the existence of laws to live by. Mr. Speaker, Canada is a multinational, multicultural nation, therefore there are different views on the nature of the laws outside the dominant culture, especially aboriginal traditions, and that is my point, Mr. Speaker; the $41 million that we are not putting in resources into our system when we often speak of only a few cents here and there.

Mr. Speaker, this government has brought forward the request to begin the courthouse concept and has received some support. However, Mr. Speaker, with all the cuts that were tabled and the increased needs in our communities, this request does not make sense and has turned a lot of people off in our small communities to the priorities and the way this government prioritized its spending.

Mr. Speaker, in today's age of 2005, in the small community of Colville Lake where there are about 135 people who live above the Arctic Circle, there is no running water in the public school, there is no running water in the public community office or washrooms. There are only two dentists that visit the community each year. Dentists and doctors are lucky to get into the community three or four times per year; while medical specialists, well your guess is as good as mine, whenever they can make it in. Mr. Speaker, the cost of living in Colville Lake is out of this world.

That is the way we take care of the people in Colville Lake. They feel like they are out of this world, on another planet. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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New Courthouse In Yellowknife

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1900

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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New Courthouse In Yellowknife

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1900

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, for $41 million we can surely build a decent outhouse for Colville Lake. At least they can enjoy one function in comfort and know that in this government we care. Mahsi.

---Laughter

---Applause

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New Courthouse In Yellowknife

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1900

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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50th Annual Caribou Carnival

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1900

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, later this month, March 25th to 27th, Yellowknife will be celebrating its 50th annual Caribou Carnival. Mr. Speaker, every year since 1955, Yellowknife residents have celebrated the coming of spring with this annual carnival. Incidentally, the Caribou Carnival is as old as the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories, which we are celebrating. I wonder if there are any connections.

Caribou Carnival, Mr. Speaker, began in the 1950s as a competitive event. Hunters and trappers from far and wide emerged from the bush to compete for the title of Bush King. The title went to the man who proved he had the most skills needed to survive the harsh northern winters. Women were not left out, Mr. Speaker. Speed and dexterity and muskrat skinning and tea boiling were the qualities of a queen.

Caribou Carnival has gone through huge transitions since those early days. Yellowknife has grown from a small mining town to a thriving metropolitan city. Fortunately for us soft city types, today the crown goes to whoever can sell the most raffle tickets.

But, Mr. Speaker, the early days have not been forgotten. The snow stage still features competitions in wood chopping, tea boiling, fire starting, log carrying, log splitting and nail hammering, and the scariest and most heart stopping one for me, the snowmobile race. Mr. Speaker, for those who are all beauty and no brawn, there is always the ugly dog and truck contest in which to shine.

I am always happy to see lots of our neighbours from surrounding communities that descend on our capital city, Mr. Speaker. This year's

schedule of events promises something for all ages and all interests. There are the Caribou Capers talent show, the fiddle dance and, of course, the Canadian Championship Dog Derby. The cultural tent will showcase games from across the NWT: Dene hand games, Inuit games, blanket toss and finger

pull. I would like to report to you, Mr. Speaker, that the Yellowknife MLAs will be out there once again in full force to brave the cold and to dish out delicious and toasty hotdogs to our beloved constituents, while they are watching the fireworks, free of charge. I would like to encourage everyone to come out and help us celebrate this big event for the 50th year and I would like to take this opportunity to thank in advance all the organizers and volunteers, especially Carol Van Tighem and her team who have been working tirelessly to make this event happen. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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50th Annual Caribou Carnival

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1901

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Housing Issues In Nahendeh

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1901

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. In my statement last week, Mr. Speaker, I noted that 25 percent of households in my constituency have a core need for housing. This means that 200 out of 754 households in Nahendeh are either overcrowded, unsafe, too expensive, or all the above.

As I said last week, if the Housing Corporation would just build a four-plex in Jean Marie River, it would take care of 90 percent of their housing issues; 90 percent, Mr. Speaker. So I support the Housing Corporation's strategy to build multiple family dwellings like four-plexes.

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Housing Issues In Nahendeh

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1901

Some Hon. Members

Hear! Hear!

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Housing Issues In Nahendeh

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1901

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Four-plexes are more economical to heat, they have shared water and sewage lines, and greater savings can be found by having tenants make use of shared facilities like laundry rooms. Four-plexes are also a good way to offer independence to elders or people with disabilities, Mr. Speaker.

The apartments are smaller, easier to maintain and there is no shovelling or need for expensive maintenance by the residents. The also make great starter homes for young families, who sometimes need to learn about the responsibility of taking care of their own place, paying their own bills and owning their own home.

Mr. Speaker, the government needs to do something, and they need to do something now about the housing crisis in Nahendeh. I receive e-mails and phone calls from constituents on a daily basis who live under terrible circumstances. These people can't wait a few more years for a house or an apartment. We need solutions now. The government says that they have made provisions for suitable, adequate and affordable housing a cornerstone of their strategic plan, Mr. Speaker. I would like to encourage this government to be more innovative and find quick, creative solutions to our housing problems. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Housing Issues In Nahendeh

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1901

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Oil And Gas Development Positions

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1901

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I will be speaking once again on my concern with this government's lack of dedicated oil and gas staff in the regions, with the major oil and gas reserves and exploration activity. On Monday, in response to a question by my colleague Mr. Ramsay , the Minister of RWED said that he agreed that there are probably over 20 positions government-wide dedicated to the oil and gas industry. I am looking forward to seeing the actual numbers from the Minister some time soon.

Where are these 20 or more positions, Mr. Speaker? Certainly not in the Beaufort-Delta which has 85 percent of the gas reserves, not to mention the oil reserves. According to the National Energy Board, we have six trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves and another 55 trillion cubic feet of potential reserves. We have a whole two GNWT positions dedicated to oil and gas.

The positions are not in the Sahtu, which has 85 percent of the oil reserves, substantial gas reserves and already has a pipeline going south. That is worth two positions. Not in Nahendeh either, which has a large share of the gas reserves and sits right in the middle of the proposed pipeline route. I believe they have two positions, only one of which is filled.

Mr. Speaker, we are talking about six positions out of at least 20 government-wide and three regions that probably have 99.9 percent of the reserves. Why, Mr. Speaker, does this government have only six positions in the areas most affected by oil and gas development?

The Minister of RWED has stated that he is not entertaining the thought of moving any oil and gas positions to the Beaufort-Delta. I hope he has not completely shut the door on the idea. I understand the decisions being made to have the Mackenzie Valley pipeline office in Hay River, but there are other positions out there. He still hasn't convinced me that the petroleum-related positions from the minerals oil and gas division shouldn't be moved to Inuvik. We would be happy to take the director too, if that is a concern? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Oil And Gas Development Positions

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1901

Some Hon. Members

Hear! Hear!

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Oil And Gas Development Positions

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1901

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Beverage Container Recovery Program

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1901

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to speak to my continued support for the efforts of this government to develop an effective recovery program for beverage containers.

Mr. Speaker, we must maintain progress on this initiative to bring a program of recovery of beverage containers and other recyclable materials to communities across the NWT. As Members, we understand that transportation and capacity limitation across the NWT present unique challenges to the development of a territorial-wide recovery program.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage the government to get recovery facilities up and running as soon as possible, where possible, and to continue to work on how best to implement the program territory-wide in the near future. The smaller communities must be involved and we need to encourage their interest in participating and help them find the most efficient and effective ways to participate. We, as MLAs, have a role to play, as well, in spreading the message in our communities to ensure all communities buy into this important initiative.

Mr. Speaker, it is the responsible thing to ensure that commercial and public stakeholders are properly consulted in the development of our recovery program. The Waste Reduction and Recovery Advisory Committee have brought meaningful representation from across the NWT and across the various business sectors. Some implementation delays have been encountered, but this is to ensure that affected stakeholders' concerns or ideas are properly considered in the implementation planning process.

Mr. Speaker, waste recovery and recycling is important to our residents and our environment and we must keep moving forward, but at a pace that ensures that we do it right. As we bring all communities on line, we will ensure that the implementation of our program represents our conservation ethics. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Beverage Container Recovery Program

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1902

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Consolidation Of GNWT Human Resource Functions

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1902

Robert Villeneuve

Tu Nedhe

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to use my Member's statement today to raise some level of attention towards the human resources consolidation process this government is currently undertaking; more specifically, to task the Minister responsible for the FMBS to take a thorough more in-depth analysis of what the proposed changes will mean to northerners, especially northern aboriginals with an education.

Mr. Speaker, the consolidation of the human resources function of this government is a step in the right direction.

But if there are numerous concerns and questions arising with respect to who is developing this new human resource model and what degree of aboriginal input has been considered into the development of this new model, then I feel that this government is again going to roll out something that will not be favourably received by northerners in general Therefore, I would like the Minister responsible for the FMBS to seriously consider the claims of educated aboriginals and indigenous northerners who are at the root of all these proposed changes, that the new human resource amalgamation policies are already being rewritten to better reflect a personal preference as opposed to preferences of northerners in general.

Also, serious consideration is the least the Minister could do to be mindful of what all educated aboriginal and indigenous northerners want and what we deem not only as fair and equitable, but also supportive and in line with what this government's goal of achieving a truly representative public service is.

In

summary, Mr. Speaker, I would like to see a more vigilant approach to the human resource amalgamation plan, which considers all concerns and questions raised by employees, potential employees and interested parties, some who have already been directly or indirectly affected, and not just leave the task of finding a suitable human resource model up to a small group of government hire-ups, who often refuse to act on the constructive criticisms received from public service employees. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Consolidation Of GNWT Human Resource Functions

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1902

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve . Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Kam Lake , Mr. Ramsay .

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Need For Residential Treatment Centres

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1902

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The subject of my Member's statement today is addictions. I have come at this addictions issue from a variety of different angles and today I have another one. The North Slave Correctional Centre is located in the riding of Kam Lake. Being that Kam Lake is the riding I represent, I get to speak with many persons who are incarcerated at North Slave Correctional Centre. Just last spring, I was presented with a petition from the inmates in regard to the health services that were being provided at the centre.

The Department of Justice made the necessary changes to the delivery of health services, and today I believe this came about because the inmates at the North Slave Correctional Centre spoke up about the situation.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will table a petition that has been signed by 98 inmates from North Slave Correctional Centre. The petition calls for the government to address the need for treatment centres being reopened here in the Northwest Territories. I would like to thank all the inmates that signed the petition, and especially the ones that I have spoken to personally.

I believe that no one really wants to be in jail and certainly there are many obvious reasons why people end up in jail, but a common denominator is often addictions to alcohol and drugs. The more that this government can put into being proactive in fighting addictions, the better off we will be and the less we will have to spend being reactive.

I have heard the Minister of Health and Social Services speak of the need to be working with community groups to look at getting some type of residential treatment centres reopened. These centres do not have to be government issue, multi-million dollar cost overrun facilities. They only have to become a reality. I believe it should be a collaborative effort between government and the interested community groups and I look forward to watching closely to how this government will accomplish the goal of getting residential treatment centres reopened for addicts.

We will have to pay attention to what our residents need to help them combat their additions. If we don't, then we should start planning another jail because, Mr. Speaker, we will need it. Thank you.

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Need For Residential Treatment Centres

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1902

Some Hon. Members

Hear! Hear!

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Need For Residential Treatment Centres

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1902

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Child Poverty

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1903

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories is blessed with the highest increase in gross domestic product in Canada. Our per capita income is the envy of Canada. But, Mr. Speaker, the distribution of this wealth is so widespread that from the top to the bottom they are a universe apart.

Mr. Speaker, 15 percent of tax filers in the year 2002 reported incomes of under $25,000. Now government has a duty to respond and redistribute that wealth and help to put it into the hands and pockets of the people who need it most. Indeed we do, we have done so, Mr. Speaker. In the last four years this government has put one-hundred-million new dollars into social safety programs and living subsidies.

---Applause

That is a tremendous record. But, Mr. Speaker, I have to take a look and ask is it doing any good? I will use child poverty as one measuring stick of this. Mr. Speaker, between 1998 and 2002, according to the Bureau of Statistics' numbers, we have only managed to hold the line. We have not made a difference, despite that huge investment and the immense wealth, the astounding wealth that we have. We have not made a difference in the levels of child poverty. For kids under 17, Mr. Speaker, we still have about 3,000 children, or a quarter of the total number of children under 17, considered in low income situations. That means they are probably not adequately housed, fed or educated.

Mr. Speaker, we are undergoing a review of all of this government's social services and cost of living subsidies. There are something like 17 of them spread across just about every one of our departments. This is an area that must receive the absolute highest priority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Child Poverty

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1903

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Transportation Services For Elders And Frontline Workers

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1903

Calvin Pokiak

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a need for transportation services for elders and frontline workers throughout my constituency. During my campaign and subsequent visits to Paulatuk, Holman, Sachs Harbour and Tuktoyaktuk, many elders voiced their frustrations about the lack of transportation; for example, to help them to get to medical appointments and to attend local functions. Needing to get to the health centre, elders are often expected either to take a taxi or find other alternatives.

Mr. Speaker, the Hamlet of Holman does operate an elder handy-bus, but it is at this point where they are having trouble maintaining it well enough to keep it running. Paulatuk has identified a need for some sort of transportation for their elders so they are able to attend and participate in community events.

Not only elders are left behind to find their own rides, Mr. Speaker, but it is also the case for some of our frontline workers. Tuktoyaktuk does have a van that the nurses and community health workers use mainly for home visits to elderly people. In Sachs Harbour, the community health worker informed the Minister of Health and Social Services that she uses her own snowmobile and ATV four-wheeler to visit elders and patients. She also uses her own money to pay for the gas and repairs.

This government should be ashamed that it is not giving our frontline workers the basic tools to do their job and look after our people and expect them to do this out of their own pockets. Mr. Speaker, I am sure there are solutions out there that would not be very costly. For example, in a small community like Sachs Harbour or Paulatuk, one government vehicle may be able to serve more than one purpose. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would ask that Health and Social Services work with other government departments to come up with a way to provide appropriate vehicles and transportation to elders and frontline workers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Transportation Services For Elders And Frontline Workers

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1903

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Support For Truancy Reduction Measures

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1903

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am going to again talk about support for truancy in our schools. Yesterday I spoke about the lack of tools available to our schools in dealing with that truancy issue. Minister Dent then proceeded to list off all the various methods used by different schools and education authorities to deal with truancy.

What was made clear by his response is that there is no clear territorial legislative, regulatory or policy base in dealing with truancy other than the fine that we never use. Every educational jurisdiction is free to deal with this issue of truancy how they see fit. The Minister was quite emphatic that the fault for a lot of the skipping students lies with the parents. I truly can't dispute that some of the responsibility does lie there. But what I will dispute, Mr. Speaker, is that the lack of parental responsibility somehow absolves his department from having any issue in dealing with this at all. So, Mr.

Speaker, I totally do not accept Minister Dent absolving himself of that responsibility.

I have spoken to educators who follow up on student absences. In some cases they tell me once the parents realize the schools are phoning, they just stop answering the phone. So, Mr. Speaker, educators also tell me that health and social service authorities refuse to get involved with truancy cases because they say or they believe that they are being downloaded that responsibility. They don't want it at all.

Mr. Speaker, if I may mention, CTV News did a report on truancy titled, "One in Four Canadian Students Misses Classes Regularly." During the report, Doug Willms, who wrote it, stated, and I quote, "I think truancy really represents a boredom factor, an apathy factor, and we really need to pay attention to that." He further goes on to say, "We ought to take these results very serious. They are associated with a number of social issues." The

article goes on to talk about the rates in Canada where a

lot of students miss one in six days or more a year. It ranks the NWT second to Newfoundland at 59 percent of the worst rates in absentee.

Mr. Speaker, finally on this issue of the

article by Mr. Willms, he also says, "Canada, on a global level, is tied with Iceland and recognizes one of the worst countries in the developing world for truancy." So, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services doesn't care. The tone of the response, as I understood the Minister to say yesterday, didn't sound like he cared either. Someone needs to care. Mr. Speaker, at this time, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member's statement?

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Support For Truancy Reduction Measures

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1904

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Support For Truancy Reduction Measures

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1904

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Especially, thank you, Mr. Dent .

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, I really want to see the department show initiative and take care and demonstrate that they care. We need to start thinking broadly, not blaming families on this issue for their kids not attending classes. We need to start thinking out of the box. Yes, parents do play a role in this issue, but the department needs to play a leading role in new initiatives to support our DEAs on this problem. Approaches we could consider are things like community liaison social workers in each district education authority. We could put one in every authority. In most cases, these truancies deal with social envelope obstacles which a social worker could help the schools.

So, Mr. Speaker, in closing, block funding is very prescriptive, and it doesn't allow a lot of movements for these school boards to deal with these issues of truancies, so we need intervention at the highest level, such as the ministry. As I said yesterday, and I am going to close with it again, truancy is a symptom, and it could be blamed on a thousand reasons. We need to owe it to ourselves and to these students to take an interest and to find out why they do not attend school. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Support For Truancy Reduction Measures

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1904

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Great Slave , Mr. Braden .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1904

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, a few minutes ago...oh, yes. I believe we still have some people in the gallery today. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a constituent, a tireless volunteer and a candidate for royalty in the upcoming Caribou Carnival, Ms. Mildred Wilke. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1904

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1904

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have the pleasure to introduce the quest for the crown candidates on behalf of my colleagues. The candidates running for Caribou Carnival queen this year; that is, again, Ms. Mildred Wilke, Kelley Merilees-Keppel, Itoah Scott, Lila Fraser-Erasmus, Katie Bourgeois, Mary-Ellen McGonigle-Roberts. Now, for the princess list: Twyla Bruler-Vachon, Stacey Grandjambe and Jesslyn Strand. Just about as I sit down, Mr. Speaker, I will remind all people to buy their Caribou Carnival tickets to support these candidates. Thank you.

---Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1904

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Range Lake , Ms. Lee .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1904

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a friend that I made over the last two days, a retired teacher who is visiting from Vancouver, British Columbia. She is here with family who is attending the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories. Her name is Mrs. Bev Wong. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1904

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Premier , Mr. Handley .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1904

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize a constituent, Carol Van Tighem, a tireless volunteer and the fire and vigour behind this year's Caribou Carnival. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1904

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley . Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we missed anybody in the gallery, welcome to the Legislative Assembly. It is always nice to see visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Sahtu , Mr. Yakeleya .

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Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1904

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last fall in the House, I made a statement about the contaminated soil mound in Tulita. I asked the Minister some questions. My question is to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development in regard to his commitment to meet with the federal Minister of Natural Resources Canada about the federal government's unacceptable delay in the cleaning up of contaminated sites in the Northwest Territories. Will the Minister please advise this House as to the result of that meeting? Thank you.

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Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1904

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Return To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1904

Brendan Bell

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have had discussions over the past months with both Minister

Efford, the Natural Resources Canada Minister and Minister Dion, the Minister for the Environment, related to contaminated sites and their cleanup. Most recently, the Member is aware, I have reiterated these concerns in writing to Natural Resources Canada Minister Efford. He has agreed to start a process and ensure that the agency responsible for nuclear waste meets with the community of Tulita to begin a process and discuss options for the permanent removal of these contaminated soils from the community. So I look forward to that process. I think there are a number of options before us.

It is important to work through some constructive process that the community is in support of. We will continue to push Natural Resources Canada and the nuclear agency to do that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Return To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1905

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell . Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya .

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Supplementary To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1905

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister provide to the House here in terms of a strategy and a date when this agreement of seeing actual movements of these mounds of contaminated sites along the Mackenzie Valley will be moved out to some location outside of the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1905

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . Mr. Bell .

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Further Return To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1905

Brendan Bell

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can't give you the exact process that the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is proposing to use at this point. They have indicated to me that a precursor to the development of a long-term waste management strategy for the soils is to sit down and define the waste volumes and ownership and some other issues around the site. The Minister has assured me that it is his goal to clean that up and make sure that the low level radioactive contaminated sites are dealt with.

I want to, again, assure Members and the public that the Natural Resources Canada Minister has indicated to us that the research tells us that the community is not in any danger from these sites, but still recognizes a long-term strategy was never put in place and that needs to take place. The soils need to be removed from the community. I will continue to ensure the Natural Resources Canada Minister recognizes that this is a priority for our territory. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1905

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell . Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya .

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Supplementary To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1905

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the Minister may have a difficult time in terms of commitment on behalf of the federal government. I am looking forward to a commitment from the Minister in terms of meeting with the people in Tulita and Sahtu regarding these contaminated sites in that region and also right down to the border here in the Northwest Territories. In Ottawa, our federal government can say that these sites are not dangerous, but out of sight, out of mind. It makes it easier for them to say that.

They have to live in the communities, so I would like to ask the Minister again, can he look at some commitments and dates in terms of meeting with the people who are affected by these contaminated sites? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1905

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . Mr. Bell .

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Further Return To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1905

Brendan Bell

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In response to my correspondence, the Natural Resources Canada Minister did indicate that he appreciated the invitation to meet and come to the Northwest Territories to meet with the people in the Sahtu to discuss this issue. I am going to have a chance, I believe, prior to that -- hopefully, in April -- as we set out meetings in Ottawa and look to arrange meetings. I am certainly going to attempt to arrange meetings with the Natural Resources Canada Minister and the Environment Minister.

This is at the top of the list for discussions, so I will be able to engage him and remind him that he has this outstanding and longstanding commitment to come north and discuss the strategy for this low level waste management plan going forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1905

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell . Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya .

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Supplementary To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1905

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, what is he doing to ensure that there is clear legislation and responsibility for these organizations to be fully responsible for their own site cleanup that they leave behind once a project is complete in the Northwest Territories. Is there any type of legislation coming forward? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1905

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . Mr. Bell .

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Further Return To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1905

Brendan Bell

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a very good question. I think our strategy and approach has been, through the devolution negotiations, to make sure that the federal government owns up to their responsibility for the cleanup of past contaminated sites. I think we have identified something in the neighbourhood of 700 sites in the Northwest Territories that are not our responsibility. They are a federal responsibility to clean up. They have identified monies recently -- $3.5 billion -- to start to move forward on some of this cleanup. We want to make sure that there aren't sites out there that we don't know about.

I think, in future, the difference is going to be that we will have control over lands and resources. This government and aboriginal governments can make sure that when development takes place, these contingencies are put into place prior to the development going ahead so that we ensure that the cleanup does, in fact, happen. In regard to the pre-existing legacy of contaminated sites, we will continue to force the federal government to recognize their responsibility and make the commitment to clean them up through the devolution negotiations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1905

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell . Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe , Mr. Villeneuve .

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Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1906

Robert Villeneuve

Tu Nedhe

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with the development of the affirmative action policy in the early 1990s, there was an Affirmative Action Advisory Committee developed and tasked with the responsibility to provide direction and recommendations to the various departments for the implementation of the affirmative action policy. I have a question to the Minister responsible for the FMBS, Mr. Speaker. It is obvious that the committee is off to a slow start, Mr. Speaker. I just want to ask the Minister if he would entertain the idea of reinstating and revamping the Affirmative Action Advisory Committee. Thank you.

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Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1906

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve . The honourable Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat, Mr. Roland .

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Return To Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1906

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in a response to another question earlier this week regarding that committee, it has been quite some time since that committee has been in operation. We have started down a course for the Human Resource Service Centre modules that is going on. Approximately 140 employees have been affected by this change. We have been working with them through this. We want to get through that stage first. As I have committed to Members in this House, I will be coming forward with a plan in the fall around the affirmative action side and, at that point, will be willing to look at the idea of continuing on with that and getting something going. Thank you.

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Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1906

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve .

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Supplementary To Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1906

Robert Villeneuve

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the human resource amalgamation and consolidation of human resource functions throughout the government, I don't think there is a better time than now to reinstate or revamp the Affirmative Action Advisory Committee to provide some input into this whole amalgamation and consolidation of human resources. I will ask the Minister again, will he entertain the idea of revamping the advisory committee so that they can have some direct input into the human resource amalgamation model? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1906

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve . Mr. Roland .

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Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1906

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not willing to stop the process where we are now. We have started on this course. We've reviewed the information that has been provided. We have looked at the plans and we are proceeding down that road. We have, as I stated, 140 affected employees. Of that, 50 of them are aboriginal people who have had input into the work that is going on. Through this change, there are going to be some people who are not happy with the results of the changes and how things are proceeding.

But at this point, I have no plans of stopping the process to get a committee going to review where we are today. We have done that work. We are moving forward. As I have committed to, we will be presenting some information to Members this fall with regard to some of the other policies that affect our human resources. Thank you.

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Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1906

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve .

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Supplementary To Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1906

Robert Villeneuve

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess I wasn't requesting putting a hold on any process with this human resource development. I know that there has been some aboriginal input by employees and non-government employees. If that input is not really being seriously considered, Mr. Speaker, then I don't see any value in having people to provide input if it is not going to be seriously considered. I just want to maybe ask the Minister when this human resource amalgamation and consolidation planning committee was formed, and who comprises this committee, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1906

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve . Mr. Roland .

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Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1906

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of human resources in the government has been one that can be said to have been plaguing us for quite some time, since the changes that we had back in the mid-1990s when the Department of Personnel was done away with and each department then started doing their own human resource functions.

There have been some concerns about fairness to employees, following the policies within government, and Members of assemblies have raised the issue. A number of reports were done. As a government, we have looked at that. We have decided to move on that. I have looked at the plans. I have been informed of the process. I have brought that to my colleagues within FMB and decisions were made to move on that. We have started down that process and feel that, overall, it is a healthy and positive process and will end up being more positive for those that we serve, both within our own service and those that are applying for government jobs. Thank you.

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Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1906

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . Final supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve .

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Supplementary To Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1906

Robert Villeneuve

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me just be simple here. Who is on this committee and who put this committee together? Was there any memo that went out to all government employees to see if they're interested in being on the committee? How has all this come about? That hasn't been answered yet, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1906

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve . There are about three questions there. Mr. Roland , you can answer one or all three. Mr. Roland .

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Further Return To Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1907

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is no committee in place. What we did is once we came up with a plan and decided to put it in action, we started off with the corporate human resource service portion we had within Executive, moved it over to FMBS, and from there involved all of the staff who were involved with the delivery of corporate human resource services and started expanding out from there, putting a plan together and involving them. We met with just about every individual that is involved with human resource services and got some input into how things would flow, as well as how we would proceed.

Once that first phase was done, we looked at the second phase and that's where we are now; putting people into the matching positions and looking at filling those positions. Beyond that we'll be going into the actual office makeup and the changes that will need to happen in the regions. Thank you.

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Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1907

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South , Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1907

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier today. There's been a recent

article in the newspaper indicating that the federal government is close to appointing a new chair for the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board. This was referenced as well in Mr. Zoe 's comments yesterday in the House. My question for the Premier today is when the federal government sets out a policy with respect to federally appointed boards and makes rules around how they select board members and how they select chairs and capable and competent people's names go forward to the Minister and he doesn't choose one of those, what ability do we have as a government to play a

part in that or to intercede in that? Because certainly the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board, as was said by Mr. Zoe , the people who sit on that probably have a bigger influence on what's going to happen with this mega Mackenzie gas project than even we do as MLAs sitting here as a government. This is a hugely important position at this point in time. What opportunity do we have to participate in the process of the appointment of that chair? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1907

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . The honourable Premier , Mr. Handley .

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Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1907

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The purpose of the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board and the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board is to have a vehicle for northerners to have more input into decisions that are going to affect their lives and land. Both of these boards are under federal legislation. The appointment of the chair is a decision that rests with the Minister of DIAND. The appointment of the chair is -- and I don't believe it's laid out in the act -- but the convention is that he will appoint from a list that is provided by the committee of each of the boards themselves. So, Mr.

Speaker, we expect that's what he'll do. Now, what authority or opportunity do we have for input? Mr. Speaker, the only opportunity we have is through persuasion, but we don't have any legal authority. Through persuasion and advice I suppose we do have some clout. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1907

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1907

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to make it very clear that I have no issue with the particular individual whose name has shown up on the short list. I'm sure they are a very intelligent person. But the thing is we want people who have a vested interest in how this development is going to impact us for many generations to come here in the North. I think that's the idea of having a northerner. If the federal government and the federal Minister overrules us, I'm sorry, I take it as a slap in the face. What's the Premier prepared to do? Is he prepared to speak to the federal Minister to ensure that our voice is registered on this? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1907

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Mr. Handley .

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Further Return To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1907

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When I was last in Ottawa I raised this issue with our MP and the Minister responsible for Northern Development and also with Minister Scott. Mr. Roland , the Finance Minister , and I raised this issue with him. He knows our views on it and, Mr. Speaker, I've written to him as well on it and intend to follow up with him next week when he is here in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1907

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1907

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, does the Premier have any knowledge that the appointment of this chairman or chairperson is going to be imminent and perhaps actually take place prior to Mr. Scott's visit to the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1907

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Good question.

---Applause

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Supplementary To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1907

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Mr. Handley .

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Further Return To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1907

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, I'm hearing through the grapevine that the appointment is imminent. In fact, I'd heard that the security checks were already underway and so on. But I've had nothing from the Minister of DIAND's office formally to tell me that this is going to be happening soon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1908

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley . Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Supplementary To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1908

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the very important nature of this appointment to northerners, I would like to ask the Premier then, he has previously spoken to the Minister, he intends to speak to the Minister next week, will he take the opportunity to speak to the Minister today? Would he attempt to get his officials to get a hold of him by telephone and register the concerns raised on this matter in the House today? Thank you.

---Applause

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Supplementary To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1908

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Mr. Handley .

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Further Return To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1908

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, I will ask my staff to try to find out today if they can get any information on it at all. They have been trying to follow this one almost daily, but we will make that effort again. If I can't, then I assure the Member and this House that I will speak to the Minister on this when he's here next week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1908

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1908

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment . Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment stated that forcing them, meaning children, to be there when their parents don't support them being in school is a waste of time. I'm concerned that the Minister would consider developing programs and services to encourage children to do well in school is a waste of time. Does the Minister actually stand by that statement he made in this Assembly yesterday? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1908

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1908

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I didn't say that it was a waste of time to develop programs to encourage children to be in school, nor did I say it was a waste of time to encourage families to make sure that their kids attended school. But there's a big difference between finding a family that isn't sending a kid to school because he hasn't got any shoes and finding a way to support getting some shoes on the feet of that kid so that he is comfortable coming to school.

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Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1908

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1908

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have to admit I was lost there because we're not talking about shoes; we're talking about making sure that kids go to school here. Maybe my question was too fast. Mr. Speaker, I got these comments from research, who read the blues which are the unedited Hansard. I put a lot of faith in their questions, or their development of some of these questions.

Mr. Speaker, will this Minister agree to look into the problem of dealing with absentees and truancies by putting a community liaison such as a social worker in each educational authority in the NWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1908

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . Mr. Dent .

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Further Return To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1908

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If an education authority wanted to put their money into providing that kind of service within their school area, they could. Mr. Speaker, I just want to be clear about my previous answer. Many of the kids who are not attending school tend to come from poorer families and we need to address that issue before we start addressing finding those families and making them even poorer to put them back in school. The Member has been recommending that we use the law to try and enforce attendance at school by finding families if their kids don't attend.

What I said yesterday was that that's the wrong approach. We have to be supportive of families and kids, and make sure the families are supporting their kids to be in school. But there is nothing in the Education Act that would stop a school district from putting their funding into providing a liaison person within their system. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1908

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1908

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Okay, Mr. Speaker. I can see we're playing an interesting game because yesterday the Minister was challenging me. Now I challenge him back by saying that these kids are poor. Now he's saying the poor kids are coming to school from the regions. Well, who knows where these facts are coming from? So I challenge him to prove that the poor kids can't go to school because they don't have shoes. We live in the North, everybody knows we have shoes and boots here; we're not talking about who knows where. Mr. Speaker, I didn't say yesterday to use the law. I asked about why we aren't using the law when we have truancies.

Mr. Speaker, we have a law in the book that we don't even use, so let's just take it away. We're wasting paper space by having it. I'm talking about innovative approaches, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister consider innovative approaches by helping our DEAs with implementing a community liaison social worker in their schools? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1908

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . Mr. Dent .

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Further Return To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1909

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If a DEA agrees that is the approach they want to take, they are welcome to take it and we will support them in doing it. We would be very happy to do that. There are an awful lot of innovative approaches being taken by DEAs across the Northwest Territories right now. In Lutselk'e they've been running an on-the-land program, which has been proven to dramatically increase the attendance rate for kids who are typically at risk for not attending. There are attendance programs that are run at schools all across the Northwest Territories.

So this is an issue that I have discussed with the chairs of the boards and we work together, the department and the DECs with the district education authorities, to encourage programs to stimulate attendance in school. There's no question that attendance is a problem in the Northwest Territories, but it is one that we are working with DEAs and we are prepared to look at any solution that a DEA proposes. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1909

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Dent . Final short supplementary, Mr. Hawkins .

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Supplementary To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1909

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment just nailed it there by saying that there's no question that attendance is a problem in the Northwest Territories. He just nailed it exactly. Mr. Speaker, he said use their funding. Well, funding is prescriptive. It takes all the wiggle room out of schools so they just can't do whatever they want to do. It's already implemented and tied to certain issues. So, Mr. Speaker, I really like this comment by saying that we will support them.

Well, will we support them with direct funding to one social liaison worker for each district education authority? Will the Minister show some leadership and initiative and creativity to deal with some of these problems that are social envelope problems? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1909

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . Mr. Dent .

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Further Return To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1909

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know where the Member gets the idea that the funding that we offer to school divisions now is prescriptive. There's about $125 million that goes to schools. The only part of that that is prescriptive is the $7 million that's stipulated to go into aboriginal languages and culture, and the $16 million that has to go into special needs. Other than that, it's wide open. The schools can use the money as they see fit. We give them money that we say this portion is allocated for transportation, but we don't require them to spend it on transportation.

They can put the money where it makes the most sense in their communities. That's the best way to deal with this issue, is to let the communities decide how to best handle it.

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Further Return To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1909

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Question 576-15(3): Updating Garnishee Legislation

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1909

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Justice and it's in regard to collection of judgment once someone wins a judgment from court. Mr. Speaker, the law we have with respect to collecting judgment in the North is very outdated, probably because it's not something that's on everybody's mind all the time. The laws we have are that if you win a judgment and you want to collect against somebody and you have to file what's called a garnishee, that only lasts only 10 days now.

Which means everybody has to go to court and file it again, pay $5, then there are all sorts of expenses involved with that. Alberta, Mr. Speaker, recently made the laws so that the garnishee lasts a whole year, so there's a lot less work on the courts and those who already have the judgments. I'd like to know from the Minister whether or not -- and I think the Minister might be working on this already -- the department might be interested in looking at updating this law. Thank you.

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Question 576-15(3): Updating Garnishee Legislation

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1909

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . The honourable Minister of Justice , Mr. Dent .

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Return To Question 576-15(3): Updating Garnishee Legislation

Question 576-15(3): Updating Garnishee Legislation

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1909

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is right. I've had some discussions with the deputy minister on this issue because it has been raised from the private sector over the past six months. We are, right now, in the process of trying to decide what level of consultation, and how much of the act we should take out for consultation or whether we should do a focused amendment or propose a focused amendment just for this one issue. Right now, that's the stage we're at, is trying to determine just how far to go with the proposed amendment. The answer to the Member's question is, yes, we're looking at it. I would hope to be able to bring something forward to this House within this calendar year.

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Return To Question 576-15(3): Updating Garnishee Legislation

Question 576-15(3): Updating Garnishee Legislation

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1909

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 576-15(3): Updating Garnishee Legislation

Question 576-15(3): Updating Garnishee Legislation

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1909

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm sure if he brings that proposal to this side of the House we'll be happy to do the public hearing for him. Anyway, Mr. Speaker, I have another question that he might be able to look into while he's considering the changes that I've mentioned already. That has to do with the limit on small claims court. Mr. Speaker, small claims are set up so that people can go and get their issues of dispute resolved without having to hire a lawyer and go to the bigger court. Right now you can only go there if you're case is less than $10,000. Many courts across the country have changed that.

Alberta, for example, has changed the limit to $50,000. I think we have a lot of room to manoeuvre between $10,000 and $50,000. I'm wondering if the Minister would consider looking at that, as well. Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 576-15(3): Updating Garnishee Legislation

Question 576-15(3): Updating Garnishee Legislation

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1909

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . Mr. Dent .

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Further Return To Question 576-15(3): Updating Garnishee Legislation

Question 576-15(3): Updating Garnishee Legislation

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1910

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I certainly will.

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Further Return To Question 576-15(3): Updating Garnishee Legislation

Question 576-15(3): Updating Garnishee Legislation

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1910

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1910

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Statistics over the last few years, Mr. Speaker, have shown virtually no change in our rates of children living in low income situations, so I would like to ask the Minister responsible for these programs in our government, Mr. Dent , a pretty straightforward question. Why does child poverty persist here in the NWT in the midst of so much activity and so much wealth? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1910

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden . The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment , Mr. Dent .

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Return To Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1910

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Mr. Speaker, I wish I had a clear, concise answer for that question. I don't. I can't say that child poverty exists because of one specific reason. There are a whole range of reasons that there is child poverty. We have, as a government, put a significant amount of money, as the Member noted in his statement, into programs over the last few years and I guess we must be just having trouble keeping up with the growth and the cost of living in an overheated economy. Because one would expect with the kind of investment that we've made with our small population, that more of a difference should have been seen.

This government is struggling to find more money to put into social programs. One of the areas that we're hoping to be able to tap into is resource revenue sharing. If we're successful at seeing more money, then we're going to have those resources available to put into these important social programs. Thank you.

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Return To Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1910

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Dent . Supplementary, Mr. Braden .

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Supplementary To Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1910

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, government has a primary and fundamental responsibility to help those who are least able to help themselves. Children are at the very top of that list, for me. I would like to know if in the universal review that our government is undertaking of some 17 different lifestyle and social service programs are we going to make sure that the welfare of children is at the very top of our consideration in this review? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1910

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden . Mr. Dent .

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Further Return To Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1910

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to assure the Member and this House that the government shares that concern. Children are the most important asset that we have and we need to make sure that we protect their potential to develop as they should. Yes, I can assure the Member that the process of reviewing our income security programs that is being led by my department will keep children in mind as one of the priorities as we're undertaking that review.

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Further Return To Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1910

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Dent . Supplementary, Mr. Braden .

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Supplementary To Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1910

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, what does the Minister see as the biggest barriers that we face in terms of trying to turn this really shameful statistic around? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1910

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden . Mr. Dent .

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Further Return To Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1910

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, it's really tough to find one area that is the most important. If people don't have economic opportunity, obviously their children are not going to enjoy the same sort of security that others would. You don't have economic opportunity if you don't have an education. You don't tend to be as healthy if you don't have an educated. There are a whole range of issues that we need to deal with in our society and we need to make sure that we have healthy people making healthy choices in healthy communities if we want to make sure that we deal with this. So we have a real challenge.

But I think that if the Member is aware of what the Legislative Assembly as a whole has set out as our goal and strategic plan, our overall vision, that's what we're going to try and work for. The redesign of the Income Security Program is but one small part of that overall approach. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1910

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Dent . Final supplementary, Mr. Braden .

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Supplementary To Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1910

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, I would pose a question in a very objective way, I hope. That is to challenge the Minister to look within and to check our own attitudes and our own cultures and our own biases within ourselves as a Legislative Assembly, at the management levels and the senior policy-making levels of our departments. I believe that is probably where we need to start. I would leave one more question on the table as an illustration of that attitude, I guess, that we're bringing to the table, too. That is, our consistent refusal, Mr.

Speaker, to return the National Child Benefit to income support clients as a very real direct way that we can help those people lift themselves out of poverty. Why don't we change that? Why don't we start there? Thank you.

---Applause

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Supplementary To Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Question 577-15(3): Child Poverty In The Nwt

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1910

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden . Mr. Dent .

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