Debates of May 22nd, 1998

This is page numbers 1341 - 1366 of the Hansard for the 13th 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 corporation .

Topics

Members Present

Item 1: Prayer

Re-establishing GNWT Central Switchboard

NWT Protected Areas Strategy Update

Global Climate Change

Safety Concerns Regarding Dogs

Appreciation For Nunakput Teachers And Staff

Pay Equity And Collective Bargaining

Funding For Fas/fae Students

Pay Equity And Collective Bargaining

Recognition Of The Contributions Of Catherine Moore

Baker Lake Inuit Heritage Centre

The Need For A Wharf In Grise Fiord

Nunavut Social Development Meetings In Igloolik

The Need For A High School In Rae

Funding Required For Educational Programs

Yellowknife Chamber Of Commerce Economic Conference

Proposed Changes To The GNWT Northern Living Allowance

Re-establishment Of The GNWT Switchboard

Kitikmeot Leaders Forum In Kugluktuk

Clyde River Whale- Watching Tourism Initiatives

Return To Oral Question 496-13(5): Hay Job Evaluation System

Return To Oral Question 491-13(5): Job Evaluation Systems

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Identification Of Education Funding

Reference To Yellowknifer

Article

Staff Housing For Teachers

Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Special Needs Education Funding

Impact Of Collective Agreement On Former Employees

Pay Equity Settlement Funding

Plan For A Wharf In Grise Fiord

Hay Job Evaluation System

Committee Report 7-13(5): Report On Bill 1, Power Corporation Act And Bill 2,

An Act To Amend The Public Utilities Act

Tabled Document 86-13(5): Letter From Fort Mcpherson District Education Authority Re: Educational Needs And Funding

Bill 17:

An Act To Amend The Territorial Court Act And The Justices Of The Peace Act

Bill 16:

An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act, No. 2

Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Members Present

Honourable Jim Antoine , Honourable Goo Arlooktoo , Mr. Barnabas , Honourable Charles Dent , Mr. Enuaraq , Mr. Erasmus , Mr. Evaloarjuk , Honourable Sam Gargan, Mrs. Groenewegen , Mr. Henry , Honourable Stephen Kakfwi , Mr. Krutko , Mr. Miltenberger , Honourable Don Morin , Mr. Ningark , Mr. O'Brien , Mr. Ootes , Mr. Picco , Mr. Rabesca , Mr. Roland , Mr. Steen , Honourable Manitok Thompson , Honourable John Todd .

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Oh, God, may your spirit and guidance be in us as we work for the benefit of all our people, for peace and justice in our land and for the constant recognition of the dignity and aspirations of those whom we serve. Amen.

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Item 1: Prayer

Item 1: Prayer

Page 1341

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Ms. Thompson . Good morning. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin .

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Minister's Statement 97-13(5): Re-establishing GNWT Central Switchboard

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1341

Don Morin

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government has gone through many staffing changes in recent months. Employees have moved jobs as departments reorganized. Some have taken on special projects related to the creation of two new territories next year. This is in addition to the usual staff turnover that any organization experiences. These rapid changes have made it almost impossible to print and distribute internal telephone directories fast enough to keep pace. It became very difficult for most people, both inside and outside the government, to contact many employees by telephone. I would like to thank Mr. Roy Erasmus for raising this issue.

As a result of these concerns, the government has taken steps to re-establish its central telephone switchboard. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that a local private sector firm has made an acceptable proposal to supply this service. Office Compliments will begin to operate a central switchboard for this government, as soon as the necessary telephone lines and equipment can be installed in their offices. That should take about one week to complete.

Mr. Speaker, the switchboard will work exactly the same way it did when these duties were handled by internal staff. An operator will be taking calls from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. including over noon hour, each business day. The operator will be able to transfer incoming calls to any government office that is on the central telephone system. For those five percent who are not connected to the central system, the operator will give the caller the number of the people they are trying to reach. Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to be able to announce the telephone number of our new switchboard. It will be 873-7500.

This number will be advertised in northern newspapers over the next week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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Minister's Statement 97-13(5): Re-establishing GNWT Central Switchboard

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1341

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi .

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Minister's Statement 98-13(5): NWT Protected Areas Strategy Update

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1341

Stephen Kakfwi

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am frequently approached by people who ask me how the key values of the land will be protected while we pursue industrial development. They emphasize that critical areas for wildlife and places of cultural importance are needed to give meaning to our lives and those of future generations.

Mr. Speaker, while developing economic opportunities in the Northwest Territories is an urgent concern, we must also maintain the ecological integrity of our land. To accomplish this, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the federal government jointly committed to creating a Protected Areas Strategy.

The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (RWED) had the lead on this project and jointly organized a workshop in April in Yellowknife. The workshop brought together representatives from the communities, environmental organizations, industry and claims-based regional bodies. Participants shared the results of their protected area initiatives and discussed ways of advancing the overall strategy.

The most important recommendation to emerge from the workshop was that an Advisory Committee be established to work with the two governments in developing the Protected Areas Strategy. I strongly support this recommendation and have written to regional political leaders asking for their support and for their nominees to the Advisory Committee.

This committee will play a key role in reviewing the draft strategy and making recommendations. It is my hope that the Advisory Committee will be in place by the end of May.

Mr. Speaker, much has already been achieved particularly at the regional level with respect to the establishment of protected areas in the Northwest Territories. Several areas have been set aside in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. The Gwich'in has also made good progress, identifying special areas important both for cultural values and for wildlife and other natural values.

What is required is a coordinated effort to guide and assist similar successes throughout the Northwest Territories. Work of this kind is well advanced in all other jurisdictions of Canada and is supported by various community, environmental, tourism and resource industry groups.

We can learn from all of this work, but we still need to ensure that our own efforts address the unique political, cultural and social circumstances of the north. I look forward to having the Advisory Committee assist us in this important task. Mahsi cho.

--Applause

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Minister's Statement 98-13(5): NWT Protected Areas Strategy Update

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1342

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi . Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi .

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Minister's Statement 99-13(5): Global Climate Change

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1342

Stephen Kakfwi

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, scientists are telling us that the build up of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels is causing our atmosphere to warm up. Our own observations and experience are telling us that changes are occurring to our weather and environment that we have never experienced before.

Last December, representatives from more than 160 countries met in Kyoto, Japan to discuss this global problem. After ten days of tough negotiations, agreement was reached on a legally binding protocol. It states that industrialized countries are to reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2 percent over the next 15 years. Canada's target is a six percent reduction from 1990 levels by the year 2013.

In April, I had the privilege of co-chairing a meeting of federal, provincial and territorial Energy and Environment Ministers to further discussions in Kyoto. Collectively, we agreed to proceed on two key issues. We agreed on a process for developing Canada's National Implementation Strategy - one that is based on collaborative government leadership and shared responsibility. We also agreed to strengthen and encourage voluntary actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These reductions, Mr. Speaker, will not be easily achieved.

A recent forecast conducted by my department indicates that in the Northwest Territories alone, if action is not taken, emissions could be 30 percent higher in 15 years time. That figure could be even higher with the development of our oil and gas reserves.

There is no doubt that climate change is an important global issue and other countries, the federal government, provinces and territories must each do their part to address it, but we must remain realistic.

Reducing the Northwest Territories' emissions to meet Canada's national target will have significant impacts on our developing economy. We must address global warming in such a way that no region is asked to bear an unreasonable burden. It is also important that our national and regional economies are not significantly impacted.

Participants have been asked to report on progress at the next Energy and Environmental Ministers' meeting this fall. It is my intention to immediately begin developing a strategic framework for action in consultation with appropriate agencies, municipalities and industry to help control northern greenhouse gas emissions. With a balanced approach, the framework will guide our participation in this important national process. Mahsi cho.

--Applause

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Minister's Statement 99-13(5): Global Climate Change

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1342

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson .

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Minister's Statement 100-13(5): Safety Concerns Regarding Dogs

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1342

Manitok Thompson

Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker as we all know, dogs play an important and historical role in the north. For the aboriginal cultures of the Northwest Territories, they have served as a means of transportation, protection and as pets. Even today, dogs serve the same purposes for many of our northern residents.

However, Mr. Speaker, dogs can also be dangerous. We have seen many tragic incidents occur throughout the north. Incidents such as this can and must be prevented. But to do so, we must raise public awareness. Children, especially, need to know that dogs can be dangerous.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is working in collaboration with members of our Community Constable Program, and the RCMP to develop public service announcements. These will be aired on television and community radio stations. It is a community responsibility to ensure that people are safe around dogs. These messages will help to remind dog owners to be responsible and ensure their dogs do not endanger anyone.

Mr. Speaker, my staff is also working directly with the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation to produce an episode of the popular children's television show, Takuginai. The theme of this show is dog safety.

A colouring book is being produced to go with the Takuginai episode. This book will provide teachers, community constables, by-law officers and others involved with public safety issues, an additional opportunity to help children learn important safety rules.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to say in this Assembly that my heart goes out to the Tikivik family, and to all those who have lost their children to similar tragedies. Leah Tikivik was not the first victim of such tragedy. We hope that with initiatives like the Dog Safety Awareness campaign, we can prevent the same thing from happening again.

Lastly, I want to express my gratitude for all those involved in this important public awareness campaign. The work that they do is a meaningful contribution toward making our communities safer places to live. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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Minister's Statement 100-13(5): Safety Concerns Regarding Dogs

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1342

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Ms. Thompson . Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Steen .

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Member's Statement 394-13(5): Appreciation For Nunakput Teachers And Staff

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1343

Vince Steen

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to the rest of my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, during the past week the school year has drawn to a close in the communities of Paulatuk and Tuktoyaktuk. Next week the same will happen in Sachs Harbour and Holman. On behalf of the residents of these four Nunakput communities, I wish to express my appreciation to the teachers and staff employed in these four communities for their dedication and patience while teaching the children of Nunakput.

I hope they have a happy and warm summer break and look forward to their return in the fall. Mr. Speaker, I also wish to pass on to the students in these four communities, my sincere wishes for a safe and carefree summer holiday. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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Member's Statement 394-13(5): Appreciation For Nunakput Teachers And Staff

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1343

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger .

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Member's Statement 395-13(5): Pay Equity And Collective Bargaining

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1343

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I wish to rise and speak briefly on the issue of pay equity. There has been a lot of information which we as MLAs have been presented, both by the government through extensive briefings and by the union through mail, phone and personal contact. It is clear that the legal landscape is changing when we first started these discussions, when we took office. One thing I do know for sure is that the $40 million offer on the table is a lot of money, especially in light of the sacrifices all northerners made in the last two years as we attempted to balance the budget. I would like to repeat all northerners made sacrifices.

I think it is very important that we try to resolve this issue, and the feedback I have received from constituents who are union members to date has been very consistent. They want a chance to personally make a choice and vote on the package which has been presented. This is the feedback I have received from the constituents in my riding.

I would hope that at some point, this particular issue does not stay jammed long, it does not stay at this level between politicians and elected officials of the government and the union, but that at some point the people who are supposed to benefit from this package have an opportunity to tell us what they think about the work that has been done to date. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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Member's Statement 395-13(5): Pay Equity And Collective Bargaining

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1343

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Member's Statement 396-13(5): Funding For Fas/fae Students

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1343

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak on an issue which affects all educators in the Northwest Territories. The under funding of help for FAE/FAS and special needs children in our education system is, I believe, starting to take its toll on the quality of education that we can offer our children. Mr. Speaker, I have heard in this House, the Minister stating that the needs of these special needs students are being met within regular classroom settings and that ultimately, it is the divisional board that has to decide how to apportion the budget to deal with the needs of these children.

These children have difficulty participating in a regular classroom situation. Mr. Speaker, as you and other Members are no doubt aware, some symptoms affecting special needs students are attention deficit disorder, acting out due to frustration and many other manifestations in forms ranging from mild to extreme. To mainstream these children without the proper resources and classroom assistance means that teachers' time and attention can be dominated by a few students.

Another consequence of the teacher having to spend a significant portion of their time in maintaining classroom decorum is that the average students' quality time is lessened and ultimately everyone is being short-changed. The budget-cutting exercise of this government and Assembly that was undertaken passed along these cuts to educational divisional boards. The boards, Mr. Speaker, can no longer afford to hire classroom assistants to work with special needs students.

Mr. Speaker, my impression of the situation is that no one is being properly served by the way in which this deficiency exists and these students are being main streamed in the regular classroom without proper resources. Teachers are burning out from the stresses of trying to ensure that all students are being provided with the core information to succeed in higher grade levels.

Average students are not getting the level of instruction and support that a quality education system should provide and special needs' students are not receiving the level of the one-on-one instruction they require to ensure that they learn all that they can. As a government, Mr. Speaker, I strongly believe that we have the responsibility to make sure that we meet the fiscal requirements of the boards of education to deal with special needs' students. We have to make sure that educators have the resources to implement a course of action which provides the most benefit to each child.

I strongly urge the government to formulate a territorial-wide action plan to deal with the large numbers and ever growing numbers of special needs' students in our classrooms. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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Member's Statement 396-13(5): Funding For Fas/fae Students

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1343

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Roland .

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Member's Statement 397-13(5): Pay Equity And Collective Bargaining

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1343

Floyd Roland

Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, before I start, I would like to send greetings back to my wife and family at home in Inuvik.

--Applause

Mr. Speaker, on many occasions, I have also had the opportunity to talk to union representatives and employees alike in the community of Inuvik. Employees have spoken with me and many of them said that no one can afford a strike at this time. Many of our employees are going from payday to payday to make ends meet. The issue of concern now is with talks that are no longer continuing and the information being put forward by both sides is extreme to one another.

Some employees I have talked to - who do not attend my meetings, but I have a chance to speak with them - mention they would like the opportunity to see this thing go through and a deal to be settled. There are those who also raise the concern of fairness of how past employees will be dealt with, whether they live in or out of the territories.

During question period, I will be questioning the Minister of Finance regarding the retroactivity of this offer that has been put out and the impact it would have on the residents of the territories and those no longer living. In the issue of fairness, as I have spoken about, we need to deal fairly with all employees who work for this government because it is the employees who perform the work and serve residents of our communities. Many of our own people, aboriginal people and long time northerners, have filled jobs within the government to date.

I hope that when it all comes to an end, we will see a satisfactory settlement where people will have a chance to decide if they can support this or not. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Member's Statement 397-13(5): Pay Equity And Collective Bargaining

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1344

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Picco .

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Member's Statement 398-13(5): Recognition Of The Contributions Of Catherine Moore

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1344

Edward Picco

Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today and recognize and congratulate the outstanding contribution made by an Iqaluit resident and friend. Mr. Speaker, Catherine Moore is the director of Academic Studies, Trades and Community Programs at the Nunatta Campus of Nunavut Arctic College in Iqaluit. On May 25th, Catherine will be travelling to Winnipeg to accept the prestigious 1998 Association of Canadian Community Colleges 1998 Leadership Excellence Award.

Mr. Speaker, Catherine came north in 1979, first to Igloolik. She worked there as a home management educator. In 1981, Catherine moved to Iqaluit and continued to work for the Department of Education. In 1987, she became the director of Community Programs for Arctic College and it was in this important role she took a leap of faith and hired yours truly, as the first adult educator in Hall Beach. Catherine has, for the past 11 years, overseen the development of adult education programs in the Baffin region and her leadership in this area is one of the major reasons why she will be presented with the prestigious award next week.

Mr. Speaker, Catherine was my supervisor for five and a half years. She is a dedicated educator, mother and a friend. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Catherine and her national award speaks volumes nationally with the programs and services that have been developed and delivered in the north. Mr. Speaker, Catherine's award for exceptional leadership, community involvement and creativity reflects well on the north and Nunavut Arctic College on the national stage. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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Member's Statement 398-13(5): Recognition Of The Contributions Of Catherine Moore

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1344

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien .

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Member's Statement 399-13(5): Baker Lake Inuit Heritage Centre

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1344

Kevin O'Brien

Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to offer my congratulations to the residents of Baker Lake. Thanks to the last five years of hard work and planning, the residents of Baker Lake are preparing for a grand opening of their new Inuit Heritage Centre on June 3rd. Mr. Speaker, many special guests will be attending the opening including the Governor General of Canada and his wife, the Honourable Charles Dent and the elders of Baker Lake. The elders first dreamed of having a centre that would permanently record their rich and unique history as the only inland Inuit in Canada.

This new centre will preserve Inuit history for future generations and provide a fantastic and interesting museum for all. Various patches of this dream were sewn together by many different people. The hamlet council immediately agreed to support the elders and offered to renovate the old community hall and transform it into the Heritage Centre.

As always, the difficult task of raising money began. Over time, with contributions from the GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment, other levels of government, foundations, corporations and individuals from all across Canada, the money trickled in. With generous work, assistance and interest from many people, especially those from the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and Mr. David Webster, the elder's dream has become a reality. The newly established national historic site will also be interpreted in the new centre which now employs a full-time manager, a trainee and two summer students.

In addition to the grand opening, the elders are also launching a CD of traditional Inuit music, done by the elders, a book containing the oral histories of 26 Baker Lake elders and a video entitled, Amarook's Song relating to the nomadic life of our elders. Hats off to the people of Baker Lake. Thank you.

--Applause

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Member's Statement 399-13(5): Baker Lake Inuit Heritage Centre

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1344

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas .

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Member's Statement 400-13(5): The Need For A Wharf In Grise Fiord

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1344

Levi Barnabas

High Arctic

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will speak in Inuktitut. (Translation) Mr. Speaker, this morning I would like to make a statement regarding my communities needing a wharf in Grise Fiord. The boats they purchased in the communities are very expensive and the weather is always very harsh because it is in the High Arctic. Regularly, the boats the individuals purchase are easily broken because of the weather. I would like the people of Grise Fiord to have assistance in getting a wharf. It is a small community, but everything is very expensive. For that reason, I would like to support them in getting a wharf. Due to the distance of the

community, it takes a long time to get all the supplies they need from the south. For this reason, I make a statement to support the community of Grise Fiord to get a wharf. During question period, I will be asking the Minister of Transportation in this regard. Thank you. (Translation ends)

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Member's Statement 400-13(5): The Need For A Wharf In Grise Fiord

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1345

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Evaloarjuk .

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Member's Statement 401-13(5): Nunavut Social Development Meetings In Igloolik

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1345

Mark Evaloarjuk

Amittuq

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak on the general meeting that was held in Igloolik, March 20th to 23rd, with the Social Development Committee. Representatives from all the Nunavut regions were in attendance. At the meeting, we learned a great deal including aspects of the new Nunavut government to be, the role that our culture plays and how we must maintain it and try to understand it. We realize how much of our culture we are losing. Our elders were there to remind us of the importance of our heritage. Young people, elders, men and women were at this meeting.

The meeting helped us a great deal and we have to recognize the contribution of the Social Development Committee as well as remembering that we have to implement our cultural nature in our future endeavour. To do this, we must ensure that funding is provided for their work on an ongoing basis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

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Member's Statement 401-13(5): Nunavut Social Development Meetings In Igloolik

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1345

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca .

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Member's Statement 402-13(5): The Need For A High School In Rae

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1345

James Rabesca

North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to tell you a bit of history. Back during the time of our Great Chief Jimmy Bruneau, Edzo was a new community developed by this government. Our chief recognized the need for our people to be educated in the ways of the southern people. With his foresight and determination the government built what is now called the Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School in the community of Edzo.

Over the years, we have had an increasing number of students attend this school, where today we have over 300 students travelling daily from Rae to Edzo a 15-kilometre drive so they can learn and grow. This school has become a very important part of our community. However, our community leaders believe that if the school was located in the main community of Rae instead of in Edzo, our student population would increase even more. Today with all the development in the mining sector and the conclusion of our land claims negotiations, our residents are seeing the need to further their education.

They want to have a high school where the people are living. Rae is the place where it should have been built in the beginning. Rae is also going to continue to grow. Currently, the community service board is looking at various possibilities to achieve this goal. As more and more students enrol in all levels of schooling, we are seeing the need to increase the number of busses used to travel this 15 kilometres, as well as, the increased demand to provide more and more lunch time meals for the students.

By bussing the students to Edzo many students miss classes because they missed their bus. It is a one shot deal, if a student misses his bus, he may as well go back home as there are no other busses to take him to school. We realize this will take years to become a reality. However, we feel if we start working on it now, future generations will benefit from this important move. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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Member's Statement 402-13(5): The Need For A High School In Rae

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1345

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Krutko .

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Member's Statement 403-13(5): Funding Required For Educational Programs

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1345

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today is also on the line of education and the cuts we have seen and the effect it has had on our communities, especially in the area of special needs, problems we see in our schools with FAE/FAS, special needs students and the value of education they are presently receiving. We have to keep in mind that this is not only an education problem, it is also a health problem which will have long term effects on our communities and to this government.

I believe we have to take the initiative now to improve education for all students, the time spent in the classrooms with the number of cuts that have taken place, cuts to special needs teachers, the high turnover of teachers that we have seen in our communities and also the numbers of student drop outs in our smaller communities. We have to deal with this initiative and we have to deal with money. We may hear there are no real dollars out there, but I believe if there is a will, there is a way. We have to take the initiative to assist wherever possible to improve education and health as one.

We have to look at FAE and FAS not only as a problem that teachers have to deal within the classroom, but the community has to deal with it in the long term.

Mr. Speaker, I feel that we have to do something now because of the stress, the high turnover rate of teachers that we have seen and also the cuts we have made in delivering education to our communities, especially in the area where we have seen cuts to different programs and services that were there at one time; for example, language programs and special need's teachers who are needed in the classrooms, also cuts to the delivery of education programs that are no longer there. Mr.

Speaker, later I will be asking the Minister a question to see if there is a way to coordinate some effort between the Departments of Health and Education to deal with this major problem in our communities. Thank you.

--Applause

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Member's Statement 403-13(5): Funding Required For Educational Programs

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1345

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Members' statements. Mr. Ootes .

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Member's Statement 404-13(5): Yellowknife Chamber Of Commerce Economic Conference

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1345

Jake Ootes

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following the Diamond Conference, which I spoke about yesterday, the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce sponsored a two-day

Economic Futures Conference which I also attended. This open space conference was timely because Yellowknife's economic future is not what it used to be.

Our economic stability has been jarred over the past several years because of government cutbacks and the low price of gold, both of which have had the effect of many job losses in the city. This Yellowknife Economic Conference was designed to look at the issues facing growth of our Yellowknife economy and the new areas that can be developed by doing some practical planning.

The conference included mind mapping sessions conducted by Yellowknife consultant Mike Bell. Seven specific recommendations were made, and it is important that I make reference to theses because they affect not just Yellowknife citizens but other citizens as well and in some ways the Government of the Northwest Territories. The recommendations were:

- That the Chamber of Commerce and the city of Yellowknife sponsor a conference on information technology and work with other groups in the city to create a central database of information.

- That the Chamber work with Aurora College to develop an inventory of courses and training opportunities that could be made available to all northern students and employers.

- That the Chamber and the city take an active role in the development of the new constitution.

- That the Chamber of Commerce and the city of Yellowknife take an active role in the promotion of Yellowknife.

- That the Yellowknife Chamber present policy concerns that would affect businesses to the territorial government and to the community itself in such areas as P3, the BIP, infrastructure and so forth.

- That the Chamber of Commerce and the city compile and make available cost of living data, provide an analysis and background information about how costs are arrived at and why they are so high and also make recommendations to decrease cost of living.

I salute those who took

part in this innovative exercise and promoted it. It is time for us as Yellowknifers to turn the corner and open new economic doors instead of looking back at those that have closed. Diversification can only lead to long-term prosperity for the city and the economic health of the entire NWT and the western Arctic. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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Member's Statement 404-13(5): Yellowknife Chamber Of Commerce Economic Conference

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1346

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Members' statements. Mr. Henry .

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Member's Statement 405-13(5): Proposed Changes To The GNWT Northern Living Allowance

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1346

Seamus Henry

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the past couple of weeks I have been approached by several constituents who have serious concerns about changes to the Northern Living Allowance contained in the proposed Collective Agreement. Mr. Speaker, after examining the issue, I must agree that there seems to be a serious inequity in the government's position.

Mr. Speaker, the employer's proposal provides increases to employees from $421 to $4,096 per year effective April 1, 1998, for employees in communities where the cost of living exceeds Yellowknife. The upshot, to this Mr. Speaker, is that employees in every community in the Northwest Territories, with the exceptions of Yellowknife and Fort Rae received increases in their Northern Living Allowances. The government's logic appears to be that since the inflation rate in Yellowknife has been negligible for the past year, there is to be no increase to the Northern Living Allowance for employees in Yellowknife.

The Northern Living Allowance in the communities of Fort Smith and Hay River, as examples, will increase by $1,132 and $941 respectively. I know for a fact that the cost of living in these two communities is significantly lower than it is in Yellowknife. They pay less for accommodation, food and gas and they can drive to Edmonton in a day. Mr. Speaker, a house that would cost $200,000 in Yellowknife can be bought in Hay River for approximately $120,000. In short, Mr. Speaker, the proposed Northern Living Allowance increases are not fair to the GNWT employees living in Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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Member's Statement 405-13(5): Proposed Changes To The GNWT Northern Living Allowance

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1346

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus .

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Member's Statement 406-13(5): Re-establishment Of The GNWT Switchboard

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1346

Roy Erasmus

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased and happy to hear the announcement made by the Premier this morning that he is re-establishing the GNWT central switchboard. That shows, indeed, that this government is responsive when concerns are raised and shows that there is a heart on the other side of the hall. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank the Yellowknife North constituents who participated in a random survey that my constituency assistant did last year and for which I presented the results to the Premier last year. Mr. Speaker, this is a good news story and people will once

again be able to phone one number through which they will be able to reach most GNWT employees in Yellowknife or at least a voice mail. Once again, I would like to thank the Premier for responding to this concern. It is a good thing that he has done. Thank you.

--Applause

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Member's Statement 406-13(5): Re-establishment Of The GNWT Switchboard

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1347

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Ningark .

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Member's Statement 407-13(5): Kitikmeot Leaders Forum In Kugluktuk

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1347

John Ningark

Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, recently Mr. Ng and I had the opportunity and pleasure of attending the Kitikmeot Leaders forum in Kugluktuk. As usual Mr. Speaker, we were made welcome and were full participants of the forum. Mr. Speaker, many issues were discussed and resolutions passed respecting the social economic well-being of the Kitikmeot residents. One of the many issues, Mr. Speaker, that we discussed was the operation and management of the Kitikmeot boarding home here in Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, I will not get into details as Mr.

Ng is aware of the issues, as well as the residents of the Kitikmeot are aware of the issues. Since most of the issues and concerns came from the eastern part of the Kitikmeot region which I represent, better known as Natilikmiot. Next week, I will be asking questions of the Minister of Social Services on these issues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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Member's Statement 407-13(5): Kitikmeot Leaders Forum In Kugluktuk

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1347

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq .

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Member's Statement 408-13(5): Clyde River Whale- Watching Tourism Initiatives

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1347

Tommy Enuaraq

Baffin Central

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will

be speaking in Inuktitut. For those of you who do not understand Inuktitut, please put on your ear pieces. Mr. Speaker, as we are all aware, it will soon be spring and summer. Each summer in Clyde River there are many whales in the nearby area and we have many species in our waters. They are a wonderful sight to see for tourists whether they are Inuit or others. People are very interested in watching the whales and there are numerous whales in that area.

Perhaps first of all, I should express my gratitude to the people of Clyde River, as they prepare for the proper management of the species and promote tours for the observation of the whales. I would like to thank the Hunters and Trappers Association for their careful management of the animals. I would also like to recognize that the committee members often take people out to a certain island as a tourism promotion. This has been an ongoing thing which has been prepared for many years to ensure that it is safely carried out.

There are also environmental aspects that the committee is aware of such as avoiding oil spills for that special region. Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage people to come to Clyde River to observe these wonderful animals within our area. They can also learn more about our animals and the proper care and management of the species. We welcome anyone to come to Clyde River. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation Ends)

--Applause

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Member's Statement 408-13(5): Clyde River Whale- Watching Tourism Initiatives

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1347

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd , you have two.

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Return To Oral Question 496-13(5): Hay Job Evaluation System

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 1347

John Todd

Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Erasmus on May 20, 1998, Hay Job Evaluation Benchmarks:

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Return To Oral Question 491-13(5): Job Evaluation Systems

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 1347

John Todd

Keewatin Central

If I may, Mr. Speaker, the second one, asked by Mr. Ootes , on May 20, 1998, Job Evaluation System:

The Willis Job Evaluation System was used in the 1990 - 1992 Joint Equal Pay Study (JEPS). The JEPS study evaluated a sample of some jobs only. The sample evaluations were inadequate for assessing whether there was a pay equity problem. An attempt by the Government of the Northwest Territories to evaluate all positions based on the job evaluation system used by JEPS also ended in failure. Subsequent research found that the Willis System used by JEPS created problems on implementation for employers and employees in other organizations and the use of the system is in decline. The Willis System was abandoned for these reasons. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Return To Oral Question 491-13(5): Job Evaluation Systems

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 1347

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1347

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my pleasure today to recognize a constituent who is 14 years old in grade 7, and she is a Corporal with 2724 Hay River Army Cadet Corps and being from Hay River, it is appropriate her name is Angel.

--Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1347

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Krutko .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1348

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Pat Thomas of the NWTTA.

--Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 1348

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, Oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1348

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the honourable Minister of Finance . I do not know which subject to question him on first because there are so many questions that could be asked, but my question today is on the subject of education and funding for education. As the Finance Minister , I hope he can respond. The Premier says there is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but I submit to you, Mr. Speaker, that there is a pot of gold. In the upcoming budget planning process for the new Western Territory, I think the MLAs need to get a little more aggressive in examining these multi-million dollar line items in the budget.

In the meantime, I want to hear from the Finance Minister what we can do as Ordinary Members, if we can identify funds. Is there a process for rebasing funds, not within the barraged strategic budget planning process, but at any time? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1348

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Finance , Mr. Todd .

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Return To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1348

John Todd

Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if my honourable colleague could give me a little clarification? Does she mean under the existing budget that has now been approved through the legislative process or does she mean the new budgets that are going to come forward in 1999 to the year 2000? Thank you.

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Return To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1348

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Supplementary To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1348

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am talking about the budget which has just recently been approved. For example, if we can find a million dollars which has already been approved and allocated in a certain area, can we rebase that money toward education? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1348

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd .

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Further Return To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1348

John Todd

Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I sometimes wonder why we have a budgetary process. Mr. Speaker, we only finished our budget, as you know, two or three months ago. All Members were actively involved through the committee process. Budgets were allocated then and approved. There were concerns raised then about education as there was about health care, as with pay equity, with housing, with economic development and child welfare. There are a variety of issues out there, with all due respect to my colleague, that everybody sees as a priority.

We have a process in place that is all-encompassing, that involves all of this Assembly in determining targets and determining where we spend money. This is what we have done. I have said out of the House and I will say in the House, if there is a ground swell of support and concern that we reallocate money from one envelope to another, and there is support for it out there, then we would look forward to those recommendations, but ultimately, the Cabinet and the FMB have to make the decision. If there is a concern, and I am talking about the passed budget, talking about the new budget is a different issue.

If there is a concern about the existing one, there is a requirement for additional dollars in there, in education, and nobody disputes that, by the way, including the Minister of Education , Mr. Dent . He understands that, but he is working under difficult constraints that I have had to place on him, my Cabinet colleagues, in relationship to our overall fiscal position. If there is support out there, then we would look forward to the recommendation from the House bearing in mind, that we would get recommendations from where we should take it. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1348

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Supplementary To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1348

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would hope that the Minister of Finance would take those suggestions very, very seriously, given the fact that every time we, as Ordinary Members say we want more money put toward education, it is constantly thrown back up to us. You find the money. You identify the funds. You tell us from where you want to take it. Given that is the response we are always given, I would hope that the Finance Minister would take any recommendation brought forward in this House very seriously, and I thank him for that.

How much do we have to find at any given time? How much is it worth transferring over? What if we find $1 million, $2 million, $10 million? It seems like during the strategic planning, if you cannot find millions of dollars, it is not worth it. What is the threshold?

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Supplementary To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1348

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd .

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Further Return To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1348

John Todd

Keewatin Central

We need to put it in some context. The Department of Education, while we all acknowledge we could put more money into it, it is no different from the Department of Economic Development. We all acknowledge we would like to put more money into it. It is no different from the Department

of Health, we all acknowledge we need to put more money into it. The threshold is, the overall fiscal framework that we have in this government is, we have x-amount of dollars to spend. I am not making those numbers up. Everybody has access to that. These are the numbers we get from the benevolence of the federal government and from the taxpayers of the Northwest Territories that is the threshold.

What we do is work it out in partnership with yourselves and the Cabinet Ministers as to what levels of financing each envelope and each department gets. There is $303 million currently being spent on education. This is a significant amount of our overall budget. I am not suggesting that it is enough. There is never enough money in politics, but there are some fiscal realities that we all have to look toward. The threshold is, and the way we have to approach this, you cannot isolate education out and say, that has a greater priority than health care, if you are prepared to say that, let me hear that.

You cannot isolate education and say it has a greater priority than job creation. They all have priorities.

We all have to reach reasonable compromises. The budgets we develop should not be developed because of minority groups out there lobbying for one point of view, which I have no problem with. I have a responsibility as the Finance Minister , as Cabinet colleagues and you do, to look at the overall impact the budget has on the territorial populace, and to treat it in a fair and reasonable way and to reach the compromises that are necessary to provide the level and standards of service that our constituencies come to expect.

You cannot look at increasing the budget in education in isolation of the other components that make up the services that we provide to territorial residents. This is the point I was trying to make. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1349

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Supplementary To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1349

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River

Mr. Speaker, I think I bring out the very best in the Minister. Not everyone as Ordinary Members has a chance to sit on every committee. We do not necessarily know the detail in the breakdown in some of the budgetary items. Is the Finance Minister willing to help us, as Ordinary Members, to try and identify some of those areas where there may be money that we could reallocate to education? Some of that pot of gold that I believe exists?

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Supplementary To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1349

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd .

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Further Return To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1349

John Todd

Keewatin Central

There is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, otherwise, we would be spending it. The reality is, we are back to where we are talking about the last two years. I am not trying to be disrespectful to my colleague. I think this is an important serious issue. What I am trying to tell you is the Minister responsible for Education has worked extremely hard to get his fair share of the budget in consultation with the Ordinary Members. Everybody has the capacity, if they have the time to attend committee meetings, everybody has that ability. I, as an Ordinary Member, attended most of those meetings and tried to influence what I believe was the right thing to do.

The point I am trying to make here is, and I think it is an important one, it is no different from the organized labour, the UNW, the other day lobbying for their point of view. This is a legitimate lobbying entity out there saying, this is what we want. It is no different from my honourable colleague lobbying on behalf of education. I am not questioning that.

Mr. Speaker, I wonder if I could have some order from my colleague across from the far left.

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Further Return To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1349

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Could we have some order please, and allow the Ministers to respond to the questions? I would also like to ask the Ministers to answer the questions.

--Applause

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Further Return To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1349

John Todd

Keewatin Central

I was taking the lengthy reply to the question, Mr. Speaker, because of the importance of the issue and trying to put it into some context and seriousness of the issue, of which my honourable colleague across the floor spoke about yesterday. His disparaging comments to my response, I find that a little disappointing. What I am trying to explain to my colleagues is, when you say, where are we going to reallocate money from one envelope to another, there has to be a spirit of compromise in that discussion.

There has to be an acceptance which has ramifications for the other envelopes, and there has to be a consensus if that is what you want to do. She is asking me for advice and I am trying to give it to her. If there is a consensus amongst the Ordinary Members that you want to reallocate the existing budget, then come forward with some recommendations, and we will see what the Cabinet and the FMBS can do, but it has to have a consensus, and we need some direction in the spirit of cooperation as to where we think it should come from. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1349

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Supplementary To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1349

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for clarification purposes, I am not a lobbyist, I am a duly elected Member of the Legislative Assembly. If I can get the concurrence of enough Ordinary Members to form a majority, I believe that the government, we are the government, we do make those kinds of decisions. This is what we would like to do. On line items, it is difficult sometimes to know exactly where there could be excesses. Approximately 12 years ago, the Auditor General's Department undertook a value for money audit for government leases and contracts.

Would the Finance Minister , in assisting Ordinary Members, find where there may be excess money this government is spending? Would the Finance Minister support us in a request to the Auditor General to review some of our contracts and leases

engaged in by this government to identify excess sources of funds for education? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1350

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd .

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Further Return To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1350

John Todd

Keewatin Central

I am well aware that my honourable colleague is the elected voice of Hay River and has spoken passionately about issues in this House. I would not want there to be any misunderstanding. My only point I was trying to make is, people have the right to lobby. We have the responsibility to analyse overall, what is the best interest of the territorial peoples that we represent. I believe the Auditor General reviews all of our fiscal arrangements on a year-to-year basis.

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Further Return To Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Question 514-13(5): Identification Of Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1350

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Mr. Ningark .

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Question 515-13(5): Reference To Yellowknifer

Article

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1350

John Ningark

Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is Friday, and to make a point, my question is directed to the Premier . I want to draw the attention of Members to an

article in the Yellowknifer, page A17, Friday, May 22, 1998. The heading is, A Wing and a Prayer and a Premier . Mr. Speaker, I want to make a quotation:

A one-winged raven is heading south to an Alberta bird sanctuary thanks to Premier Don Morin .

My question is, Mr. Speaker, did the raven fall under the compassionate travel budget?

--Applause

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Question 515-13(5): Reference To Yellowknifer

Article

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1350

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

I am sorry, the question is out of order. The Premier cannot confirm any articles which are not within the knowledge of this House. Oral questions. Mr. Steen .

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Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1350

Vince Steen

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have just heard the Finance Minister , Mr. Todd , suggest there was not much direction from this Assembly as to concerns with funding for education issues, in particular, teachers and programs. Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that over the past number of years on many occasions, we have requested the Finance Minister to assure us there was adequate housing for teachers in the smaller communities while they were in the process of selling those assets. Mr.

Speaker, I would like to ask the Finance Minister if he would not reconsider, now that these issues have been brought out, that, in fact, housing requirements for teachers do take a large portion of funding out of their pay. Would he reconsider allowing those houses which are left in the smaller communities to be used by the teachers as they were in the past?

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Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1350

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Finance , Mr. Todd .

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Return To Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1350

John Todd

Keewatin Central

Mr. Speaker, the policy of the government is to get out of housing and as I have said on a number of occasions in the last two and a half years, I think we have done that very successfully. We have created the Home Ownership Program in the Arctic that some of us believed was not possible a number of years ago. We are continuing to lease housing, and I have a policy in place which makes sure that housing is affordable, et cetera.

Now, if there is a specific issue in relationship to my honourable colleague's constituency, I would be prepared to deal with that, but from a policy perspective, we believe we are on the right track. There are obviously glitches within that, but we believe we are in the right track. Thank you.

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Return To Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1350

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Steen .

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Supplementary To Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1350

Vince Steen

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday my honourable colleague from Great Slave North, Mr. Rabesca identified in his area whereby there was government housing that was simply boarded up because nobody was buying them. I would like to point out, Mr. Speaker, this is basically the same case, especially in the hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk where government houses are simply boarded up. Nobody is buying them. At the same time, we have teachers and other government staff like the nurses, who do require reasonable housing. Now, I appreciate, Mr.

Speaker, that the government's policy adopted over the recent two years is to get out of the housing business, but we are also, as has been pointed out by the Finance Minister , that some of these policies need re-evaluation. I again ask the Minister, would he consider rather than simply having these houses boarded up allowing them to be used by teachers? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1350

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd .

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Further Return To Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1350

John Todd

Keewatin Central

Mr. Speaker, if my honourable colleague remembers, he was really the advocate two sessions ago, which I appreciated him indicating where there was surplus housing, asking if we would be prepared to transfer those over to social housing, which we have done in a number of communities. That was some of the direction he gave us which was good direction at that time. His current concern with respect to empty houses, which are boarded up because people do not want to purchase them, I will re-examine based on Tuktoyaktuk and see if we can find a fair settlement for that community and the Member who represents them. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1350

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Steen .

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Supplementary To Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1350

Vince Steen

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think there are two points here. One, is that the Minister of Finance says there is no more money to raise teachers' salaries so that they can, in fact, pay the going rate or higher rates than they have had in the past for rent. I am suggesting here to the

Finance Minister that this possibly could, in fact, find a way around the finance problem by amending our housing policy, whereby, these teachers would again have adequate housing in the communities at a reasonable rate. Suggesting that we simply re-evaluate whether or not these houses could be turned over to the social envelope or the social housing in the communities is not what I am suggesting here at all, I am suggesting that we could address these two problems by, in fact, re-evaluating our housing policy and that was the question I put to the Finance Minister , would he re-evaluate his housing policy and, in fact, reconsider allowing teachers to have government housing?

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Supplementary To Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd .

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Further Return To Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

John Todd

Keewatin Central

Perhaps my honourable colleague misunderstood me. I thought I had answered the question. I was actually being complimentary to him based on the direction he gave us two or three sessions ago with respect to the surplus housing and indicated where there is housing being boarded up, and for whatever reason, teachers are not purchasing them or the community is not and there is a requirement for teacher housing. On a community-by-community basis, I would be prepared to look at. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Question 516-13(5): Staff Housing For Teachers

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Mr. Picco .

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Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

Edward Picco

Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on Mr. Morin 's announcement this morning on the re-establishing of the GNWT switchboard. Mr. Speaker, the privatization of the switchboard services, was that a proposal tender, negotiated, was it sole-sourced, was it RFP'd? How was it awarded? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

The Premier .

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Return To Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

Don Morin

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was in the newspapers. Thank you.

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Return To Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco .

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Supplementary To Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

Edward Picco

Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was in the newspapers that is great. Was it advertised in the newspapers? What were the criteria? He has not answered my question. Was it RFP'd, was it negotiated, was it sole sourced, was it a tender? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin .

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Further Return To Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

Don Morin

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was a tender request for proposal in the newspapers. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco .

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Supplementary To Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

Edward Picco

Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a request for proposal is not a tender. What criteria were used for this proposal to select it? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin .

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Further Return To Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

Don Morin

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A request for proposal is a tender. It was in the newspapers. I have no problem tabling that in the Legislative Assembly. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco .

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Supplementary To Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

Edward Picco

Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We cannot find any more money for education, but we can find money to privatize our phone services. What was the value of that contract? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin .

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Further Return To Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

Don Morin

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Approximately $3,000 per month. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Question 517-13(5): Re-establishment Of GNWT Switch Board

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Mr. Henry .

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Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

Seamus Henry

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for Mr. Todd , the Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board . Can the Minister explain in a clear and concise language as he is very capable of doing, the reasoning for the increase in the Northern Living Allowance offered to government employees living in Fort Smith and Hay River? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

The Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board , Mr. Todd .

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Return To Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1351

John Todd

Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure, but

I will try to give it a go because I have asked the same question that my honourable colleague has raised with me, et cetera. The cost of living index is used to update information and provide us with the base for northern allowance, et cetera and is determined, to some extent, on the information we received from Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada surveys NWT communities once every three years to determine the value of the food basket, the basket of goods, air transportation, et cetera.

Based on this index, employees receive the difference between the basket of foods purchased in Yellowknife versus the basket of food purchased in their home community. That is the first index. The second index is on a seven-day advanced airfare out of the community. The index is used on the flat amount being paid on airfare for a family. Yellowknife is used as a base for both those indexes. The two indexes produce a rate for each community that is a multiple of the Yellowknife based rate. The amounts produced by each index are added together to produce the Northern Allowance.

In 1997-98, four changes were made to the Northern Allowance for the 1998 round of collective bargaining. We updated the value of the basket of goods in line with the consumer price index. We updated the cost of the living index based on the recent Statistics Canada information and we updated the transportation index based on the current airfare costs. This is a fairly lengthy response, Mr. Speaker, so I hope that is all right with everybody.

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Return To Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1352

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry .

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Supplementary To Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1352

Seamus Henry

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recall when the Minister in the government proposed doing away with the VTA and called it a Northern Living Allowance. From my perspective, and I think it is factual, people need the necessities of life. They need food, shelter and clothing. I recall many statements made by the government over the last couple of years that they were, indeed, trying to create a northern workforce. I hear the Minister telling me that most of the emphasis in the Northern Living Allowance is related to air travel. Mr.

Speaker, I would ask the Minister to tell me why the Northern Living Allowance that this government has created is not taking into consideration what it actually costs a person to live there and create this northern employment workforce? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1352

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd .

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Further Return To Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1352

John Todd

Keewatin Central

I certainly do not want to put words in my honourable colleague's mouth, but if he were to ask me if I would re-examine the cost of the living index, I would be prepared to do that.

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Further Return To Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1352

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry .

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Supplementary To Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1352

Seamus Henry

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister's consideration of that, and I think in the words of Mr. Roland earlier on today, he was talking about fairness to all of the Government of the Northwest Territories employees. At the same time I would ask the Minister if he would also look at the name of the particular program, Northern Living Allowance and ensure that it really does reflect northern living allowance and not northern travel allowance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1352

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd .

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Further Return To Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1352

John Todd

Keewatin Central

Mr. Speaker, clearly the issue that was raised by my colleague prior in discussions with him informally and what he has raised in the House needs to be re-examined. I appreciate the opportunity to say to him that I am prepared to do that and hopefully, come forward with more comprehensive cost of living indexes for the territories and in the future. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Question 518-13(5): Increase In Northern Living Allowance

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1352

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien .

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Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1352

Kevin O'Brien

Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for Transportation . Could the Minister give this House an update as to the present status of the Arctic Airports transfer as it relates to the eastern communities? Thank you.

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Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1352

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Transportation , Mr. Antoine .

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Return To Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1352

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to my colleagues. It is good to be back here at the Legislative Assembly. The Keewatin Transfer Initiative was going ahead because of the changes in Nunavut in regard to some of the departments; for example, Transportation and Public Works, getting together and forming changes in the structure of the

organization; there is a slow down in that process. We are not moving ahead as quickly as we had first anticipated. We are still working with the communities. However, it is a slower process than we had originally anticipated. Thank you.

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Return To Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1353

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien .

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Supplementary To Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1353

Kevin O'Brien

Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister try to be more precise as to what is actually causing the delay? Is it regarding organizational problems? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1353

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Mr. Antoine .

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Further Return To Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1353

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the airport transfer to the Keewatin communities has been directly linked to the Keewatin Pilot Project. There has been a lack of progress in this pilot project and some of the discussions that were going on with the deputy minister of Community Government, Housing and Transportation with the Nunavut government. There is a new amalgamation and how the new Nunavut government is going to run this. It will probably be Community Government Housing and Transportation will be forming together in Nunavut.

The airport transfer is not their highest priority at this point in time and so, the Department of Transportation in the west, is slowing down our work in this whole transfer. Should the pilot project and the airport transfer become a priority for the Interim Commissioner, and the deputy minister for Nunavut, the department is prepared to pick up the pace on short-notice. This is the reason for the slow down in the transfer. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1353

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien .

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Supplementary To Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1353

Kevin O'Brien

Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister tell the House whether there have been any meetings that are planned in the near future to pick up the pace on these transfers, whether it is with the Interim Commissioner or whomever the related parties are?

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Supplementary To Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1353

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Mr. Antoine .

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Further Return To Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1353

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not aware at this point in time what the process is to continue with this initiative. I would like to take that question as notice and get back to him to see what the scheduling and timeframe is on this. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Question 519-13(5): Arctic Airport Transfer Update

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1353

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

The question is taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Krutko .

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Question 520-13(5): Special Needs Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1353

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated in my statement regarding education, funding cuts, specifically students with learning disabilities, my question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment , Mr. Dent .

Considering that 15 to 50 percent of the student body in any given school may be affected with a learning disability of some degree, and upwards of 25 percent of students of the student body in any one specific region show affects of FAS/FAE; could the Minister commit to address this problem in the immediate future so that the problem of service levels will not drop any further and the possibility of increased problems of combating this problem will be dealt with? Thank you.

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Question 520-13(5): Special Needs Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1353

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment , Mr. Dent .

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Return To Question 520-13(5): Special Needs Education Funding

Question 520-13(5): Special Needs Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1353

Charles Dent

Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, given the fiscal situation this government faces, we will certainly do our best to continue to address the special needs of children in the classroom. As I have said in this House before the special needs portion of the formula that we use to provide funding to divisional education councils is the one area that has actually increased over the past three years and has not seen reductions as other areas have. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Return To Question 520-13(5): Special Needs Education Funding

Question 520-13(5): Special Needs Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1353

The Speaker

Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko .

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Supplementary To Question 520-13(5): Special Needs Education Funding

Question 520-13(5): Special Needs Education Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1353

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Regarding Fort McPherson where the numbers I have heard from the Principal at an education council meeting that was held with the assistant deputy minister, we heard numbers of up to 25 percent of the student body is affected in some way or another and because of that the delivery of services. One of the suggestions was, if there was a possibility of the Department of Health and the Department of Education consolidating their efforts to come up with some sort of a solution, that we do not just look at it as an education problem, but also a health problem.

Is there any way the Minister could commit himself to possibly looking at this, in light of this also being a health problem?

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Supplementary To Question 520-13(5): Special Needs Education Funding

Question 5