Debates of Oct. 18th, 2006

This is page numbers 301 - 334 of the Hansard for the 15th 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 communities .

Topics

Members Present

Item 1: Prayer

Standoff In Yellowknife

Fiscal Update

Introduction Of Regional Directors

Student Achievement

Importance Of The Health And Social Services Ministry

NWT Housing Corporation Mandate And Accountability Framework

Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Succession Plan To Replace Skilled Workforce And Lack Of Apprenticeships

Tlicho Community Services Agency Ipac Innovation Award

Impact Of Federal Budget Reductions On The Tourism Sector

Absence Of Front-line Social Service Workers In Ulukhaktok

Cbc Documentary On The History Of Hockey

GNWT Tendering, Procurement And Business Incentive Policies In Small Communities

Youth Crime In Inuvik

Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs

Recognition Of Bdc Young Entrepreneur Award Recipient

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Fiscal Update Statement

Federal Reductions To Literacy Program Funding

Promotion Of Deline As The Birthplace Of Ice Hockey

Ministerial Portfolio Assignments

Recruitment Of Front-line Social Service Workers In Ulukhaktok

Emergency Ward Wait Times

Energy Efficiency Programs

Apprenticeship Programs Under The Department Of Public Works And Services

Impact Of Federal Budget Reductions On Northern Programs And Services

Redistribution Of Ministerial Portfolio Assignments

Dialogue With Employees Of The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Territorial Power Support Program And Community Power Rates

Policing Services In Small Communities

Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Northern Residents Income Tax Deduction

Installation Of New Backup Generator At The Behchoko Seniors' Home

Deh Cho Bridge Loan Guarantee

Lack Of Progress On The Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Negotiations

Update On Wilderness Camp In The Sahtu Region

Written Question 12-15(5): Impact Of Federal Budget Reductions On Ngo And Government Sectors

Written Question 13-15(5): Leakage Of Resource Royalties In The North

Written Question 14-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital 2002 Operational Review - Status Of Recommendations

Petition 2-15(5): Community Security Services For Behchoko

Tabled Document 40-15(5): Public Accounts 2005-2006

Tabled Document 41-15(5): Response To Petition 1-15(5)

Tabled Document 42-15(5): Trip Report Of The Canol Heritage Trail Leadership Walk 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 , Mr. Lafferty , Ms. Lee , Honourable Michael McLeod , Mr. McLeod, Mr. Menicoche , Honourable Michael Miltenberger , Mr. Pokiak , Mr. Ramsay , Honourable Floyd Roland , Mr. Villeneuve , Mr. Yakeleya

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---Prayer

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Item 1: Prayer

Item 1: Prayer

Page 301

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Please be seated. Good afternoon. Welcome back to the House, Members. Honourable Member for Deh Cho , Mr. McLeod.

Point Of Privilege

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Item 1: Prayer

Item 1: Prayer

Page 301

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of personal privilege to clarify the response provided yesterday to the Member of Hay River South concerning parking stalls at the Yellowknife Airport.

---Laughter

---Applause

I wish to inform the House that there was, in fact, a stall provided for the Premier . However, since the Premier neither requested a reserved parking stall nor wants one, that sign has been removed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Item 1: Prayer

Item 1: Prayer

Page 301

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Members, I would also like to draw your attention to the Pages that are serving us today. They are from 825 Elk's Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron.

---Applause

Orders of the day, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister for Justice , Mr. Bell .

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Minister's Statement 28-15(5): Standoff In Yellowknife

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 301

Brendan Bell

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday police and emergency personnel responded to a serious situation in Yellowknife. After many hours of emergency action, police were able to diffuse a standoff in a local residence and apprehend a young man before he could commit harm to others or to himself.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the RCMP emergency response team, personnel from the city municipal enforcement division, public safety department, the fire and ambulance department, Yellowknife Health and Social Services, Joint Task Force North, the local school boards, the media, and everyone involved in bringing this serious incident to a peaceful conclusion.

This incident took place in the riding of Yellowknife South. In order to ensure public safety, emergency personnel acted proactively to secure the area and provide information to residents. The area around Finlayson Drive was cordoned off for several hours while the police conducted negotiations with the individual. The local schools ensured that parents came to collect their children directly at school so they would not be walking home. The RCMP, through local media, kept the public well advised of the situation and the need to keep the area clear while they took all available means to deal with this serious situation.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, we were reminded that potential threats to public safety are not unique to southern Canada. As elected officials, we must continue to find ways to ensure the safety of our families, our homes, our streets and our communities. We are also reminded of the brave men and women who risk their lives in the line of duty to deal with violent and dangerous situations. Yesterday the RCMP and emergency personnel in Yellowknife displayed once again how their training and dedication ensured the prompt and professional handling of a serious incident. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Minister's Statement 28-15(5): Standoff In Yellowknife

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 301

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell . Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Finance , Mr. Roland .

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Minister's Statement 29-15(5): Fiscal Update

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 301

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on the government's fiscal position and outlook.

Later today I will be tabling the public accounts for the 2005-06 fiscal year. I am pleased to report that the government ended the previous fiscal year with an operating surplus of $36 million, $18 million higher than the amount projected in last February's budget. This is good news as a sufficient operating surplus is critical to the funding of our infrastructure plan.

The current interim territorial formula financing arrangements with Canada are scheduled to end on March 31, 2007. There has been considerable discussion of potential changes to the federal government's approach to formula financing, including the release this past spring of two important reports on the matter by the federally appointed Expert Panel on Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing and the Council of the Federation Advisory Panel on Fiscal Imbalance. These reports have received careful consideration by the provinces and territories since their release. We are pleased both reports support the joint recommendations of the three territories with respect to TFF.

recommendations it had received and would be developing proposals both for TFF and for equalization for discussion with the provinces and territories. I had the opportunity to privately discuss TFF with the federal Finance Minister , the Honourable Jim Flaherty, and my provincial/territorial colleagues at a meeting of Finance Ministers in Niagara-on-the-Lake in late June. Canada's message was to expect measures to restore fiscal balance to the federation in the 2007 federal budget.

It has become clear that consensus regarding some critical aspects of equalization, such as the treatment of resource revenues, will be difficult to reach. However, both the Premier and I were able to secure the support of our provincial counterparts in calling for Canada to proceed with the development of TFF arrangements that would serve as the basis for federal transfers to Nunavut, Yukon and the NWT.

In addition to the review of TFF and equalization, Canada has been pursing the consultation process laid out in the federal budget for other intergovernmental fiscal issues, such as the federal spending power, the allocation of unplanned federal surpluses, infrastructure and transfers for programs such as training and post-secondary education. These issues are also expected to be addressed in the 2007 federal budget.

We have requested Canada to lift the current $300 million limit on our government's authority to borrow. Our intention in pursuing this change is to permit borrowing for careful investment in infrastructure across the NWT in accordance with the GNWT's fiscal responsibility policy. Infrastructure investment is vital if the government is to effectively support economic and social development in the NWT.

An increased borrowing limit will provide flexibility to meet our cash requirements in a fiscally sound manner. Minister Flaherty has advised me a response to our proposal on the borrowing limit will be provided later this year.

Mr. Speaker, in his speech in the Great Hall in August, Prime Minister Harper stated that he is committed to renewing and strengthening TFF. In September, Minister Flaherty stated the federal government is determined to be a government of practical progress on the crucial economic, geopolitical and social infrastructure priorities that reflect the values and principles of Canadians, including the restoration of fiscal balance. We are encouraged by these statements and look forward to renewed and strengthened TFF arrangements to help us achieve practical progress towards the priorities of NWT residents.

Until our future fiscal arrangements with the federal government are known, the GNWT must continue to exercise caution in spending. This means we must carefully consider all information, including input from legislative committees, before we confirm incremental growth to government spending.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to note the GNWT's intention, subject to anticipated federal increases to increase the dividend tax credit for NWT residents investing in Canadian corporations. The change to the NWT Income Tax Act will parallel measures announced in the May 2006 federal budget designed to minimize the incidence of double taxation of dividends. The higher dividend tax credit will reduce the personal income taxes NWT residents pay on taxable dividends. In addition, a more comparable treatment of dividends, interest and flow-through disbursement will encourage NWT businesses to base their legal structures on solid business reasons rather than tax considerations.

This government remains committed to doing its part to manage GNWT fiscal resources wisely and to invest in the needs and economic future of NWT residents. We look forward to Canada moving forward on key fiscal issues, so that we can plan with certainty for the challenges we face. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Minister's Statement 29-15(5): Fiscal Update

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 302

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . Ministers' statements. The honourable Premier , Mr. Handley .

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Minister's Statement 30-15(5): Introduction Of Regional Directors

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 302

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, about this time last year we sought input from the Members on our options to improve planning and coordination at headquarters and in the regions.

An important component of this initiative was the creation of a regional director position while maintaining a ministerial order of government. These offices are critical to ensuring:

• government programs and services are consistently implemented within regions;

• effective coordination of interdepartmental initiatives within regions;

• improved communication on government strategic initiatives within regions; and,

• that the government gets the required regional input into planning.

Emerging self-governments and the creation of the Mackenzie gas project impact fund are two good examples of how critical increased coordination and communication within the government and with key stakeholders is at the regional level.

In setting up executive offices in the North Slave, South Slave, Deh Cho, Sahtu and the Beaufort-Delta regions, the government has taken a significant step forward in improving planning and coordination at all levels. Regional directors have been hired; Bob Sanderson for the South Slave region; Dan O'Neill in the North Slave; Andy Short in the Sahtu; Andrew Johnston in the Deh Cho. In the Beaufort-Delta, Helen Sullivan is acting regional director while staffing of that position is at the final stage. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time today I will introduce these regional directors in the Legislative Assembly.

Their offices are now being set up and I am sure I can speak for all Members in welcoming these individuals to their new positions and that the government looks forward to working with them to advance our goals and priorities.

---Applause

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Minister's Statement 30-15(5): Introduction Of Regional Directors

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 303

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley . Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment , Mr. Dent .

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Minister's Statement 31-15(5): Student Achievement

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 303

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I would like to share some good news with you about education results from the 2005-2006 year and enrolment for this school year.

We have our high school graduation numbers for this past year and, Mr. Speaker, the results are excellent. Overall, our graduation numbers are up from 343 in 2005 to 359 this year. This includes an increase in the number of both aboriginal and non-aboriginal graduates. For the first time, Mr. Speaker, the number of aboriginal graduates is higher than the number of non-aboriginal graduates, moving towards a more accurate reflection of our total school population. Additionally, the number of graduates is up in our smaller communities, our regional centres and in Yellowknife.

Our students are succeeding beyond high school as well. Our overall enrolment numbers at Aurora College have increased and the number of northerners working towards a skilled trade remains strong. Additionally, over 1,400 northern students are currently accessing student financial assistance in order to complete a diploma, certificate or degree.

We are seeing increasing numbers of adult northerners returning to the classroom, including many who began with low literacy skills. Since 2001, there has been an increase in Aurora College adult literacy and basic education students successfully completing Grade 12 departmental exams.

At the NWT literacy awards at the beginning of this month, I presented the Council of the Federation Literacy Award on behalf of the Premier . The award went to Cindy Voudrach of Inuvik, a single mother of three. Two years ago, when her oldest child entered kindergarten, Cindy enrolled in an adult literacy and basic education, ALBE, program at Aurora College in Inuvik. Cindy completed the equivalent of nine years of schooling in just two years and is now ready for post-secondary education. She has become a role model for northerners and a great spokesperson for literacy.

Cindy has also inspired her niece to return to school. Cindy's story is inspiring because she is achieving everything that is intended for adult learning programs. She will encourage many others in her community to continue their education.

Mr. Speaker, with examples like that set by Cindy, our overall education results and growing enrolments, we are making significant improvement in education levels. We still have a lot to do to prepare northerners for future labour market needs, but the numbers show that many more are working to develop their potential.

I congratulate all northerners who have taken up the challenge of pursing further education and particularly those who have graduated in the past year. I hope they will serve as role models and inspiration for others in their communities.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time as well to acknowledge the important contribution made by parents, families, friends, educators and others who support our students. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Minister's Statement 31-15(5): Student Achievement

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 303

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Dent . Ministers' statements. Colleagues, before I go on to the next item on the agenda, I would like to call your attention to the presence in the gallery of Mr. Hans Driesser and his wife, Marijki. Mr. Driesser is Consul General for the Netherlands and he's here visiting Yellowknife for the first time.

---Applause

Welcome to the Legislative Assembly. I hope you are enjoying your visit to Yellowknife and to the Assembly. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Kam Lake , Mr. Ramsay .

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Importance Of The Health And Social Services Ministry

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 303

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am going to begin discussing a very important issue and that is the state of health care here in the Northwest Territories. This, for me, Mr. Speaker, will be a recurring theme over the next three weeks. A guiding principle for any politician is they always strive to do their best to represent their constituents. I take this principle very seriously and that's why, Mr. Speaker, I must stand up in this House today and say that I do not believe that we are, in fact, doing our best.

Is it fair or right that the Premier and the Members of this House are allowing the Minister of Health and Social Services to do double duty and also be responsible for the portfolio of the Environment and Natural Resources? In any other jurisdiction across this country, the Minister of Health is the Minister of Health and that is their sole responsibility. What does this say about our commitment as a government to our residents' health and well-being? Why is our government different? Why is this not so important to us as it is in other jurisdictions?

We spend close to 30 percent of our annual budget in Health and Social Services and the best we can do is have a Minister that is half time on the case and half time on the environment. Mr. Speaker, our residents deserve better and as a Member of this House I deserve better. Is this fair to our front-line health care workers who are struggling with numerous staffing issues and management who are not intent on listening? Is this fair to my constituent who has been living in chronic pain for three years waiting for a diagnosis and is no closer to help today than he was three years ago?

Mr. Speaker, last week I met with 17 constituents, all of them health care professionals, who had some very distressing and disturbing issues that they brought to my attention. These issues are occurring at Stanton Territorial Hospital. Now, more than ever, we need and deserve the Minister's undivided attention to correct the problems. These problems, Mr. Speaker, are eerily similar to those of 2002 when the Minister said that the problems would go away after an operational review was done. I'd like to know if any of the recommendations included in that

review were in fact ever followed up on. Judging by the current state of affairs at Stanton, I would say no.

If the Premier and the rest of Cabinet can't sort out priorities and responsibilities, then perhaps it's time that the Regular Members on this side of the House help them do that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Importance Of The Health And Social Services Ministry

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 304

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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NWT Housing Corporation Mandate And Accountability Framework

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 304

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the NWT Housing Corporation has a role as a Crown corporation under the GNWT to provide housing and housing programs to northern residents in need. Their degree of accountability to this Assembly is different because their budget comes from various sources, only a portion of which is voted by this government. As such, the line-by-line level of information in accompanying scrutiny by committee or Members is different and far less than the regular line departments of this government.

In years past there was a board of directors to provide governance to the NWT Housing Corporation. This currently does not exist. They have a great deal of autonomy and, needless to say, some of the activities they have undertaken in the past are lacking in positive outcomes, and that's putting it politely.

As if that isn't bad enough, they forge ahead to implement and undertake more large initiatives. In my opinion, they do so without having been required to visit the failures and shortcomings of their past. This gives me no confidence that the results are going to be any more focused, targeted, or successful than the work that they've done in the past.

I know there's a comprehensive audit underway by the Auditor General's office. By the time these findings come to light I believe more resources and more efforts will have gone awry. I can stand here and list a long litany of past boondoggles, but one only has to travel to some of the small communities to see what I saw this summer to know that this corporation has serious problems.

During our pre-budget consultation tour in August and driving around the community of Fort Liard and seeing the number of yards that had pallets of construction materials piled up, stamped 2003, 2004, 2005, for housing construction and retrofit, just sitting there collecting dust, sitting in people's yards. In almost all the small communities we drive by boarded up dilapidated housing units. Why? And here we are having trouble finding developed land to build new units.

With this as a backdrop, imagine that the Housing Corporation is now embarking on a $100 million affordable housing initiative. When I've asked the Minister for information about the basis of this initiative, he holds up a four-page, four-year-old Bureau of Statistics housing survey. We can't get straight answers to our questions. There's a three-year rollout on this affordable housing initiative and I'd like to ask the Minister where the community consultation is and where is the credible needs survey? We do have housing needs in the North, but this continued approach by the Minister to throwing out plans and resources without sound planning and needs assessment...

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NWT Housing Corporation Mandate And Accountability Framework

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 304

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Mrs. Groenewegen , your time for Member's statement is expired.

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NWT Housing Corporation Mandate And Accountability Framework

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 304

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

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

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NWT Housing Corporation Mandate And Accountability Framework

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 304

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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NWT Housing Corporation Mandate And Accountability Framework

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 304

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, we cannot afford to continue to throw out resources in this shotgun approach without proper planning and consultation. We can't wait for the findings of the Auditor General to tell us that we have a problem. We need a concise mandate. We need a competent Minister who can answer our questions because there's too much at stake and there's too many people in need to be running this Housing Corporation the way it's being run now. I'll have questions later on in question period. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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NWT Housing Corporation Mandate And Accountability Framework

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 304

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake , Ms. Lee .

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Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 304

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to join my colleague Mr. Ramsay in speaking today about issues that need immediate attention by the Minister of Health and Social Services and this government. Mr. Speaker, that has to do with the general human resources and operation issues at Stanton Territorial Hospital that threatens to affect public safety and general health care delivery, not to mention the low morale and frustration of the staff that is resulting in a significant exodus of valuable long-term employees from the hospital.

Mr. Speaker, one that concerns us the most notably are the nurses and other health care professionals, but I must advise you that the problems are not limited to them. It seems to be pervasive throughout the hospital and they are losing long-term, life-long northerners, Mr. Speaker, in talking to the constituents, as Mr. Ramsay mentioned. I've met with a half dozen of them as well.

What I can deduce from that, it has to do with the lack of staffing, largely due to ineffective recruitment and retention strategy, lack of resources at the hospital, lack of support for front-line workers, lack of means for the workers to express their view and have their views and opinions acted upon. As some employees have stated to me, Mr. Speaker, it's not everywhere, but in some parts of the hospital the environment is toxic.

Mr. Speaker, I want to tell you that I bring this issue up and I have talked personally with the Minister and the CEO of the hospital and I have confidence in them and the management of the human resources and the Minister of Human Resources . I believe there is good will in this hall that we can act on this, and if we can put our heads

together we could resolve some of the major issues at the hospital in the interest of saving not only our public health system, but also the workers that work at the hospital. I will be pursuing further questions for the remainder of the day and the session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 305

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Succession Plan To Replace Skilled Workforce And Lack Of Apprenticeships

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 305

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I spoke about a new North, a prosperous North, a united North; a North that would be leading not only Canada, but also the world in many areas. Well, Mr. Speaker, this cannot be accomplished if we do not have the adequate skilled workforce and journeyman tradespeople.

In my recent tour of the constituency I was made aware that we do not have an adequate succession plan to replace our skilled workforce and tradespeople. Once our government was a model of training by providing each journeyman tradesman with an apprentice. For the last 12 years, Mr. Speaker, some trades have not had an apprentice. That's three skilled workers that this North does not have, and times that by the many missed opportunities and you get what we have today; a workforce that simply cannot keep up to the demand for trades and skilled workers.

I ask why, during an unprecedented economic growth and increasing national shortage of skilled workers, is this government continuing with policies that do not support this sector and support our own needs for journeymen and skilled trades.

It takes years of training, apprenticeship and commitment to have a skilled workforce. This lack of action to replace an aged and retired workforce will have long-term impacts directly on our government. I am encouraged to see our youth actively pursuing their careers and skills and we, as a government, must support them. Education and technical skills is very critical to progressive development and capacity building not only in the North, but also all over Canada. We must take issues such as worker shortage seriously or we will continue to see our youth go south for opportunities.

Investing in programs such as apprenticeship benefit our territory in several ways, but, most importantly, the skilled workforce for our future. We have all been hearing that in Fort McMurray, not so far away, people are receiving $10,000 to $20,000 signing bonuses just for an apprenticeship. As the Northwest Territories economy and natural resource activities increase, training opportunities must be available for all the residents through our government, Mr. Speaker. I will be asking questions regarding this issue at the appropriate time. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

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Succession Plan To Replace Skilled Workforce And Lack Of Apprenticeships

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 305

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . Members' statements. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty .

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Tlicho Community Services Agency Ipac Innovation Award

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 305

Jackson Lafferty

North Slave

Mr. Speaker, it has been an exciting summer again in the Tlicho region. We are once again celebrating a victory. Last year it was the signing of the Tlicho land claims and self-government. Today we are being recognized for the managerial initiatives in receiving a silver IPAC award.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, the Tlicho Community Services Agency was awarded silver for innovative management by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada at an awards ceremony in Prince Edward Island on August 30th, 2006. Mr. Speaker, this award identifies and publicizes success stories to foster innovation by recognizing organizations and individuals for creative and effective management and to enhance the image of the public sector.

Mr. Speaker, Tlicho leaders have long understood the importance of education, health and social service issues in the Tlicho region, and the importance of integrating cultural, traditional culture into every aspect of the community.

Congratulations to all the staff of the TCSA. Your dedication and innovation have improved the health and well-being of all the residents in the Tlicho region, especially in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, once again Tlicho has proven and made a landmark in history here in the North and throughout Canada. We have made great strides and we're willing to share our experiences, stories and knowledge with other regions. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Tlicho Community Services Agency Ipac Innovation Award

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 305

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave , Mr. Braden .

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Impact Of Federal Budget Reductions On The Tourism Sector

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 305

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Literacy, volunteerism, tourism, museums, public health, are but a few of the programs here in the NWT which are devastated by the scattergun approach of federal cuts announced September 25th.

Mr. Speaker, no doubt there's room to find savings of a billion dollars in the federal budget that now tops $200 billion, but once again the NWT is suffering disproportionately from ill-advised and uninformed federal program actions.

Mr. Speaker, we've seen rallies in the streets, postcard campaigns, letter writing. Few actions have caused such vocal and universal dismay among our people.

Mr. Speaker, one of the more ill-informed moves of this scattergun approach was the elimination of the Visitors' Rebate Program, which is shown to save potentially, or collect potentially, about $78 million over the next two years Canada-wide. Mr. Speaker, the federal government has a strange sense of value if it's going to cut this

program and one of the really essential and, I think, effective ways we have of promoting our tourism industry. What this means is that as of April 1st offshore travellers and tourists who currently do not have to pay GST on some items and on hotel stays will see a six percent hike. Here in the NWT, Mr. Speaker, that means conventions and meetings, hunters, anglers and adventurers, will have an instant six percent reason not to come to Canada.

Mr. Speaker, a number of countries are actually increasing the number of goods and services that are eligible for this, but here in Canada we're going backwards. Every new tourism dollar that we get here in the NWT is hard earned. This is a step backwards. It will hurt us, Mr. Speaker, as the elimination of the Visitors' Rebate Program will require passage of new federal legislation. I urge this government and everyone here to take a strong stand against the elimination of the Visitors' Rebate Program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Impact Of Federal Budget Reductions On The Tourism Sector

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 306

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Absence Of Front-line Social Service Workers In Ulukhaktok

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 306

Calvin Pokiak

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to thank Mr. Ramsay for bringing up the issue of health services. Mr. Speaker, on September 14th, 2006, I was able to travel to Ulukhaktok and speak with the local leaders and public in general. During this visit, Mr. Speaker, a concern was raised by the community leaders that the hamlet of Ulukhaktok has been without the following front-line workers for a number of months: social worker, mental health worker, and community wellness worker.

Mr. Speaker, front-line workers play a major role in small communities in terms of addressing and responding to social and family issues. Communities without front-line workers rely on the regional offices to respond to social and family issues, but at times a response may take up to a week or even longer, Mr. Speaker, depending on the weather. This is presently the case in Ulukhaktok.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services has advertised to recruit the positions of social worker and mental health worker in Ulukhaktok, but to date have not been successful in recruiting and filling these positions. Why is it, Mr. Speaker? Because of the shortage of qualified social and mental health workers, or is it because of the lack of accommodation in the communities?

Mr. Speaker, the Hamlet of Ulukhaktok would like to see these positions filled as soon as possible. This will give their community the comfort and relief that their concerns are being addressed in regard to social and family issues.

Mr. Speaker, I will pursue the matter with the Department of Health and Social Services to ensure the positions of a social worker and mental health worker and community wellness worker are filled. In closing, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services . Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Absence Of Front-line Social Service Workers In Ulukhaktok

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 306

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak . Members' statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu , Mr. Yakeleya .

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Cbc Documentary On The History Of Hockey

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 306

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the last couple of months, couple of weeks, I was very disappointed, in fact very angry, when I first saw the CBC Television People's History - Hockey, and that the community of Deline and the people of the Northwest Territories were shunned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in terms of their lack of integrity, respect to mention the birthplace of ice hockey in the Northwest Territories by the community of Deline in the Sahtu region. It's the first recording by Sir John Franklin that ice hockey was played in the Northwest Territories and Deline. CBC overlooked it.

Shame on them for their type of research that they've done and to portray Montreal as being the first official game because they had an audience in the stands for hockey. Not knowing the history of the birthplace of hockey is in Deline, Northwest Territories, and not knowing that the people in that community at the time, maybe they were already watching hockey, you know? They overlooked everything. That's the southern attitude that the people in the Northwest Territories face from southern Canada. So, Mr.

Speaker, I want to say maybe CBC should rename that history A Southern Canadian People's History, not the People's History, because they're not telling the people's history.

There seems to be many claims of ice birth of hockey in Canada: Nova Scotia; Windsor, Ontario, in the late 1800s. Mr. Speaker, the Society for International Hockey research has contested their claim. Montreal, Quebec, has the claim because it was again, as I said, the first time hockey was played in front of an audience and finally Kingston, Ontario, became the member of this claim by having letters being researched.

All these things have been contested. Why can't Deline have a rightful place in the birth of hockey? Mr. Speaker, I urge this government, and I'll have questions to the Minister, to put Deline on the map to promote the birth of ice hockey in Canada. Thank you.

---Applause

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Cbc Documentary On The History Of Hockey

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 306

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe , Mr. Villeneuve .

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GNWT Tendering, Procurement And Business Incentive Policies In Small Communities

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 306

Robert Villeneuve

Tu Nedhe

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd just like to raise the issue of government policies in areas related to tendering, procurement and business incentives for our 27 small communities. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to see this government develop or make amendments to these outdated policies. All of these policies pretty much include all government departments in some form or fashion. The amendments I and many other northerners living in our small communities would like to see come into effect are ones that only apply to non-market communities; amendments which allow for the fair distribution of government dollars or public dollars being spent in these remote communities by our various government

departments, amendments that will provide for a fair distribution of government contracts and business opportunities in our small centres where small businesses rely heavily on government spending to survive. Changes such as these would be much appreciated by people struggling in the service industry in our smaller communities, but will only work if our public service makes it work by continuously monitoring and assessing where these government and public dollars are being spent, and who is benefiting, and ultimately ensuring that fairness and balance are a priority.

Mr. Speaker, we have over 30 public service employees who work on policy development and implementation for our government and I cannot understand why we do not recognize that many of these policies related to tendering, procurement and business incentive either do not work for the small communities or are not implemented in a fair and equitable manner. Mr. Speaker, this has to change and the first step is to take charge of our public service in our remote and small communities, and ultimately in our regions.

Our public service are also these people who have the authority to expend these public dollars and I hope that...It's good to see that we have our five regional directors here in the gallery today and I hope that they take this message back to their regions and to begin to work on some recommendations for changes on these old government policies and we start to move toward more equitable and a fair distribution of public money in our small communities, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

---Applause

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GNWT Tendering, Procurement And Business Incentive Policies In Small Communities

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 307

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Youth Crime In Inuvik

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 307

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak on an issue that affects the NWT and recently has become a major concern in Inuvik. That issue, Mr. Speaker, is the dramatic increase in crimes committed by youth. During a meeting in Inuvik we heard many cases of youth committing criminal offences in the community. Crimes range from assaults to arson to underage drinking, and a huge increase in property crimes, including break and enter and thefts. Last year alone, Mr. Speaker, in Inuvik there was 771 property crimes. Out of those reported, 617, or 80 percent, were committed by youth. Unless we can do something about this, Mr. Speaker, sadly these numbers are going to increase.

During a recent meeting in Inuvik, concerned members of the communities, we tried to come up with some solutions for the increase in youth crime. None of the parents whose children are a lot of the major offenders of these crimes were present. That, Mr. Speaker, is part of the problem. Some parents don't care, so why should the youth?

Many residents, Mr. Speaker, work hard for what they own and should not have to worry about trying to always protect it and worry about if it's going to be there in the morning. There seems to be absolutely no consequences for crimes committed by youth. No one seems to be held accountable, and that's getting to be a favourite word of mine. Citizens are becoming frustrated, and I'm sure the police and the courts are frustrated that we have to constantly release repeat offenders only to offend again.

Mr. Speaker, we as a government have a duty to protect hard-working, taxpaying citizens. I will have questions for the Minister of Justice , Mr. Bell , at the appropriate time. Thank you.

---Applause

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Youth Crime In Inuvik

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 307

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre , Mr. Hawkins .

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Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 307

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are some of the main ways that our government can help reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Having an incentive to switch to energy efficient and low-emission items such as hybrid vehicles, wood stoves, or pellet stoves, are just a few examples which we can help to reduce the harmful toxins and pollutants getting into our environment.

In provinces across Canada, as well as some states in the U.S., they have created tax rebate programs for people who buy hybrid vehicles. In British Columbia, Mr. Speaker, for a purchase of a leased or new hybrid vehicle the province allows you to be eligible for up to 100 percent PST to a maximum $2,000. B.C. also offers tax reduction incentives for those who use public transportation, Mr. Speaker. Ontario offers a partial rebate on the retail service tax with the purchase or lease of a hybrid electric or alternative fuel vehicle, Mr. Speaker. These vehicles are also eligible for up to $1,000 of the PST.

Prince Edward Island offers a partial rebate for provincial sales tax and that's up to a potential $3,000, Mr. Speaker. But Mr. Speaker, you'll notice that the Territories was not mentioned anywhere here in my list. Where are our environmentally friendly choices programs? Where are our incentives, Mr. Speaker?

Wood and wood pellet stoves are also effective and efficient for the environment, Mr. Speaker. Some provinces are offering incentives to switch to these. I wish we had incentives, Mr. Speaker, because I'll tell you Nova Scotia does. Nova Scotia offers a $200 rebate for people using Environmental Protection Agency certified wood stoves or wood pellet stoves. The most important fact about these things is the CO2 that it burns is actually neutral to the environment, Mr. Speaker, unlike oil and natural gas.

In the NWT our population is small, Mr. Speaker, but it's certainly innovative. I can tell you that there certainly would be a lot of people very interested in taking up opportunities if reasonable, smart, environmentally friendly choice programs existed. With a department that has a budget over $50 million, we must be able to find some small amount of money to create a fair and reasonable program.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, this is not an incorrigible problem that places like Toronto suffer from with their smog, but Mr. Speaker, I believe in taking good and practical, decisive action, Mr. Speaker, and I think this Minister should too. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 308

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake , Mr. Roland .

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Recognition Of Bdc Young Entrepreneur Award Recipient

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 308

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's not too often I get to stand up and get some good news out there. I'll take this opportunity today to mention some good news for us here in the Northwest Territories, as well as for a constituent back in Inuvik.

Yesterday in New Brunswick the BDC honoured top young businesspeople from across Canada at the 19th Young Entrepreneurs Awards Ceremony. Out of the 19, the Northwest Territories was represented by one of our own out of Inuvik, Ms. Holly Norris.

---Applause

She started, along with her partner, a business called Delta Sun Services in Inuvik. It's a catering business and started back in 2003. She saw the demand for those services grow, took over the concession contract at the local arena, and then as well, in 2005, purchased a restaurant and is doing great business in the community of Inuvik. So just to send a congratulation out to her and her family. Thank you.

---Applause

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Recognition Of Bdc Young Entrepreneur Award Recipient

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 308

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. 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 308

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the regional directors who are in the gallery today. Bob Sanderson from the South Slave region...

---Applause

Dan O'Neill, North Slave...

---Applause

Andy Short, Sahtu...

---Applause

Andrew Johnston from the Deh Cho...

---Applause

and Helen Sullivan, who is acting director and has done a great job over the last couple of years of piloting the return of the regional directors.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, with your indulgence, I'd like to also recognize two Pages who are with the cadets who are from Weledeh: Kelsey Martin and Jeremy Frankie, and I believe their moms may be in the audience as well, Violet Martin and Cathy Frankie. 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 308

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley . Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Frame Lake , Mr. Dent .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 308

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize Brianne Christison from Aurora College, YK Campus. Brianne is in her fourth year of nursing and is visiting the House as part of the Professional Growth V course on nurses influencing change. One component of this class is to learn about how politics shapes and influences health care and health care policy. 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 308

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Dent . Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe , Mr. Villeneuve .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 308

Robert Villeneuve

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize two of my favourite constituents and people that I love dearly, my mom and dad.

---Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 308

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve . Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Hay River South , Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 308

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Arlene Hache, who is an activist on behalf of northern families and victims and she's not my constituent, I believe she's Premier Handley's constituent, but I'd like to recognize her and the women with her and I'm sorry I don't know your names. Thank you.

---Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 308

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The 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 308

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to recognize a couple of nurses in the gallery, Shelly and Vicky. Thank you.

---Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 308

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Nahendeh , Mr. Menicoche .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 308

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize a new constituent, a new regional director, Mr. Andrew Johnston, as well as former constituents Jim and Terry Villeneuve. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 308

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Sahtu , Mr. Yakeleya .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 308

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize and congratulate Mr. Andy Short for being the new regional director in the Sahtu region. He is the man. Thank you.

---Laughter

---Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 309

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Deh Cho , Mr. McLeod.

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 309

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the person's not my constituent but he's my brother, so I thought I better recognize my brother, Bob McLeod.

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 309

An Hon. Member

Hey!

---Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 309

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Thebacha , Mr. Miltenberger .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 309

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize a constituent from Fort Smith, one of the new regional directors, Mr. Bob Sanderson who a way back in 1963 was also one of the supervisors at Breynat Hall when I was there in the junior boys' side.

---Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 309

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . Recognition of visitors in the gallery. I think we got everybody in the gallery today, but, if we didn't, if we missed anybody, welcome to the gallery. It's always a pleasure to have an audience. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South , Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 309

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation , and I know it comes as no surprise to the Minister that I have issues about his issues and affordable housing initiative is the next big one on the block. It's rolling out now as we speak. Then, of course, there's also the Novel housing, which may roll out as well. These are big initiatives. We need good planning. As a former Member on this side of the House used to say, we need "blue chip information." We need good, recent information that's accurate and current.

Mr. Speaker, I had a chance previously to question the Minister about the rollout of the affordable housing initiative. I would like to ask the Minister here today, for the public record, what information is he using when he is assigning or allocating housing units to the various communities in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 309

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation , Mr. Krutko .

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Return To Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 309

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as all government departments usually use the stats Bureau of Statistics that we do collect every four years. It was collected two years ago, along with Stats Canada and the NWT Bureau of Statistics. That is the basis of the information that we have used in determining exactly where the core needs are.

But also internally we have done core needs surveys in all the communities in the Northwest Territories, as we had a long debate in this House where a motion was passed to increase our core needs in some 20 communities throughout the Northwest Territories where our core needs exceed 30 percent in the majority of our communities in the Northwest Territories. So through the core needs surveys and the Statistics Bureau's information that's been provided, that's the basis of us making our decision.

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Return To Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 309

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 309

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I also mentioned in my Member's statement, when touring the communities we see boarded up houses, we see great numbers of pallets of building materials parked in people's front yards dated back three and four years. How can the Minister explain that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 309

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Mr. Krutko .

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Further Return To Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 309

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, I do admit we do have housing packages in our communities, we do have boarded up units, but the fundamental reason in the majority of the cases is we are having a challenge by way of land allocation, getting the appropriate leases to acquire land to build on.

The other situation is that we are presently in the process of replacing the majority of our public housing units in regards to the boarded up housing units that we are presently...Through the Affordable Housing Strategy, 50 percent of those units will be replacing existing public housing units by way of making more energy-efficient units available to communities by way of multi-configured housing. I think it is a challenge we are facing, but, through the affordable housing money that we do have, we are able to deal with a lot of these issues.

I have been working with the community leaders, the aboriginal groups, to try to resolve some of these land issues in their communities and also trying to get these houses built within the timelines that we've set. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 309

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 309

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Krutko says that they have developed land availability issues in these communities, but he has a lot

of boarded up, dilapidated units that are scheduled for replacement. Doesn't it make sense that land will be made available when you demolish the units that are being replaced? Is that the plan, or what do you plan to do with those? In conjunction with that, is it true -- I've heard this rumour, I don't know if it's true -- is it true that the Housing Corporation is collecting some kind of a grant or contribution from the federal government towards utilities on these dilapidated units? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 310

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Mr. Krutko .

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Further Return To Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 310

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, like I said earlier, we are having some land approval issues, especially where areas of unsettled claims are. There are presently lease-only policies in place, and there's also the question about having the capacity to build. We do have a number of public housing units that are boarded up. Because of the cost it's going to take to renovate or replace these units, we are better off building new units, acquiring the land that they're on so that we are able to deliver the 530 units that we are going to build in those communities and take advantage of the lands that are presently available in those communities. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 310

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 310

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Well, to the supplementary I tried to sneak in on the last question, let me ask that question again. Currently, today, does the NWT Housing Corporation have boarded up, unoccupied units in the Northwest Territories for which they are collecting operations, maintenance and utilities subsidy from the federal government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 310

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Mr. Krutko .

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Further Return To Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 310

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, as we know, a majority of the houses were constructed under federal aboriginal housing or, basically, federal housing programs in the past. The criteria for those housing dollars are that we do receive a subsidy for housing by way of $30 million. The $30 million are for the 2,300 units that we have in place to pay for the O and M costs of those units. So the Member is correct; those units are presently being funded under the federal social housing subsidy that we presently received. But I think the Members also have to realize that the subsidy is now presently declining.

In the next 30 years the $30 million will be zero. So we are having to find new ways of having to offset the cost of operating the new units, but also realizing we do have to replace those units. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Question 112-15(5): Public Housing Allocations And Replacement Strategies

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 310

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . Oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake , Ms. Lee .

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Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 310

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask questions to the Minister of Health and Social Services with regard to the statement I made and conversations I had with the Minister. Mr. Speaker, I am fully aware of the fact that as much as possible, we do not want to be sitting here talking about management and operations issues. That is not my intention to do micro-managing or anything like that. I am asking questions in the interest of maintaining the level of health care services that we do have and we cannot deliver the programs in health care without an acute care facility like the Stanton Territorial Hospital or all the employees who work within that.

It's very important for me to raise these issues with the hope that the Minister and the management will listen and pay attention to these issues and address them. The Minister is well aware of these issues. Could the Minister indicate to us what he has done since our conversations with him yesterday? Thank you.

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Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 310

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services , Mr. Miltenberger .

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Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 310

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what I have done, as Members are aware, as the honourable Member is aware, as is the Member for Kam Lake , I took notes on the issues that were raised to me. Some of them are labour relations, some of them are health and safety issues, about a page. I went from their office down to my office and I got on the speaker phone with the deputy minister. I went through the issues with him and talked about those issues and get together the information that we have to, to be able to speak to those issues. We are starting to look at the response.

Some of the issues will probably require more detail, some of the labour relations ones. But, very clearly, we are very concerned and interested about the quality of care at Stanton and want to work with the Members and the general public, as well, to make sure we maintain the high levels of services that exist there. Thank you.

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Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 310

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 310

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, the deputy minister of Health just recently came from there. There must be issues he's aware of. I would think that the Minister would be well aware of this. My belief in this regard is that the regular reporting channel may not be the way to find out and address some of these issues. We are talking about very long-term employees, nurses, maintenance workers, front-line workers, leaving in droves because they feel very frustrated about the working conditions and lack of their ability to have input into the process.

I would like to ask the Minister, aside from having the deputy minister and CEO looking at these issues, would he be willing to send an independent person to go in there? I don't want a long-term strategy or consultant's report, but would somebody

look at the toxic working situation and see if we could come up with a set of workable short list of recommendations that we could address right away?

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Supplementary To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 311

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . Mr. Miltenberger .

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 311

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member makes some very sweeping statements. She indicated in her Member's statement she met with six people at her constituency meeting. Stanton has over 500 employees. While I recognize there are employee concerns out there, very clearly we also have, for the most part, a facility that is running very well. What I am prepared to offer the Member is if the Member is interested as a chair of the Social Programs committee, I would be happy to set up a full briefing for the committee and bring in the deputy minister, we could bring in the folks from Stanton.

We can work through the issues that have been raised, some of which are very sweeping. There is reference to some very specific labour issues which need more detail on to be able to address through those appropriate processes. Very clearly, we are more than willing to do that. I am not prepared at this point to bring in outside individuals to do something. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 311

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 311

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have to tell you I can pick up the phone anytime and talk to the deputy or CEO or the Minister. That's not the level of response I am looking for when we are dealing with issues like this in the House. Mr. Speaker, I think he shouldn't be taking lightly when at least 23 people between Mr. Ramsay and I, and there are other Members...We have had dozens and dozens of employees at Stanton Hospital raising the same issues. I do not jump at one person calling me until I verify the information. I am telling you, the Minister has got to be aware.

There is a serious condition happening and I believe it can only be done by an independent look at what is going on. Could I ask the Minister, when is the last time -- and I am really surprised that he doesn't have an answer in 24 hours because I think if he wanted to, he could have it -- he looked at how many people are leaving the hospital, what was the length of their stay and what are the reasons why they are leaving? When is the last time he looked at that, Mr. Speaker?

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Supplementary To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 311

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . Mr. Miltenberger .

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 311

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have four pages of some of the responses of some of the issues we talked about in terms of the chemotherapy, the staffing concerns, the job evaluation appeals, the strategic plans. I haven't been sitting idly by and I just didn't make a general request to the deputy. Yes, the deputy used to be the CEO of Stanton. Yes, he is aware of a lot of the issues. However, the Members talked to me and made a number of sweeping statements about labour relations issues. There is a whole number of appeal processes.

If they want me to pursue specific cases, then I can do that, but I would need more detail. If they are just opposed to the process or the classification, then we can have that debate. We monitor on a regular basis and I would be more than happy to give the whole raft of information we have on staffing, vacancies, exit interviews, length of service to look at. There are different vacancy rates depending on the type of profession, but very clearly we have a very full team monitoring all the time the work that's being done.

If the Member is also implying that somehow I shouldn't be believing what the deputy is telling me or what the CEO is telling me and there are some other real facts out there, then I would have to disagree because I have every confidence, clearly, in the management of the CEO and the deputy and the work they do. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 311

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . Final supplementary, Ms. Lee .

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Supplementary To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 311

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I might remind the government that this is exactly what we were told when we had issues with the correctional centre. I am telling you right now that I am not suggesting that the Minister should not accept what the deputy ministers are saying. What I am saying is I don't believe they are getting all the information they need to get from the front-line workers. I would like to ask a very specific question because there are a lot more questions here that I am prepared to pursue over the next two and a half weeks.

I would like to ask the Minister, not just looking at the vacancy numbers, when is the last time he inquired as to who is leaving the hospital, what was their length of stay and why? Is there any mechanism in place for the Minister, deputy minister or CEO to know who is leaving and why? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 311

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . Mr. Miltenberger .

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 311

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that information is available and collected through the HR system. We monitor that on a regular basis.

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 311

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

The honourable Member for Kam Lake , Mr. Ramsay .

Point Of Order

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 311

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to stand on a point of order. I think I clearly heard the Minister of Health and Social Services threaten my wife. She's an employee at Stanton Territorial Hospital. She wasn't one of the 17 health care professionals that showed up at my constituency meeting with these concerns nor was she one of the seven that showed up at my colleague Ms. Lee 's constituency meeting, Mr. Speaker. I take great exception to the Minister threatening me and I think I heard him say my brother, who used to work at North Slave Correctional Centre. Mr.

Speaker, I will go back and I will say this for the record, if the Minister doesn't want to take the word of his deputy, that's his business. What I am saying and I want to point out, for the record, is the former Minister of Justice didn't want to listen to the rank and file staff at North Slave

Correctional Centre. He listened to the senior bureaucrats. What happened there, Mr. Speaker? We went through a long, protracted human resource review of that facility. You know what? They came up with 63 recommendations. How have those recommendations been acted upon?

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay .

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay , for your point of order. I am going to allow a little debate on this because I don't recall exactly the words that... Mr. Ramsay . I will allow some debate on the point of order. To the point of order. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services , Mr. Miltenberger .

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, clearly, it's a matter of fact that the Member's brother did work at the North Slave Correctional Institute during that time period that he referenced. Clearly, his wife is an employee at Stanton Hospital currently. However, my intention is not to threaten the Member; it's to make a point just to reflect those facts. If I have caused him discomfort or caused him any unhappiness, then I would be very happy to withdraw that particular comment as it may be recorded in Hansard. My intention is not to drag his spouse into this, but just to point out that there is a clear connection. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . To the point of order. Member for Range Lake , Ms. Lee .

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, before the Minister got up and spoke on the point of order, I was thinking to myself I did not hear what was said, but if what the Member from Kam Lake is saying is true, that would cause me a great deal of concern, Mr. Speaker. We are well aware that every Member in this House has spouses, families, children. This is a small community. There are 40,000 people in 33 communities. I bet you there are not many degrees of separation between all of us. Two or three connections will connect us to everybody.

It is paramount to our privilege as a Member that we are free of no intimidation or any limitation in discussing issues here. We should not be threatened in any way. If the Minister, if he said anything like what he said like I am understanding, if he made any mention of the fact, I would take great exception to that and I think that should be withdrawn and apologize and the significance of that sort of action should be taken note of.

It's so important for the work that we do that we are totally free from any sense of limitations that could come from statements like that, Mr. Speaker. I await your ruling on this very important point. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . Mr. Ramsay , could you clarify under what rule you are raising your point of order?

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Yes, thank you. It's under

section 23(i). I believe the Minister was imputing false or hidden motives for my comments here in the House and I take great exception to that. My wife is a nurse at Stanton Territorial Hospital. I am very proud of the job she does there and, in fact, proud of the job that all the health care professionals that we have here in the Northwest Territories do. For the Minister to make comments like that, I take great exception to them. Mr. Speaker, this isn't the last you will hear from me on that issue. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . To the point of order. The Chair is going to take the point of order under advisement and we will return with a ruling at a later date. We have used up approximately five minutes of time on the clock with this point of order, so we're going to turn the clock back five minutes.

---Applause

Oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave , Mr. Braden .

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Okay, we're in question period, right?

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Further Return To Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 113-15(5): Operational Issues At The Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

An Hon. Member

Yup. Go get 'em, Bill.

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Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question this afternoon is for Mr. Roland , Minister of Finance, and it relates to the fiscal update statement that was presented to the Assembly at the start of our day. Mr. Speaker, increasing our surplus for the previous fiscal year from $18 to $36 million is a positive sign. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister if he could explain, in brief, how did this happen? I'd like to think that it was upon the wise counsel and prudent management that committee has provided to the Minister, but I will ask for his answer to what happened. Why are we coming up $18 million higher than expected on the good side of the books, Mr. Speaker?

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Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden . The honourable Minister of Finance , Mr. Roland .

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Return To Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I'll have to say part of it is due to the fact in management of our budget as a government, Regular Members' advice, our own work as we looked at the fiscal environment we operate under and the numbers that have come in. We also end up dealing with some of the adjustments that come after the fact from the federal government on some of our corporate tax revenues, and that also has an impact on those numbers too. Thank you.

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Return To Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . Supplementary, Mr. Braden .

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Supplementary To Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Okay. So to some extent it was a revision of federal transfers or payments or contributions, then, Mr. Speaker. Is any of this subject to clawback in future years, Mr. Speaker? This is an aspect of our formula financing deal with Ottawa that has caused us considerable disruption, so are we going to have to look at having any of this amount clawed back in future years, Mr. Speaker?

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Supplementary To Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 312

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden . Mr. Roland .

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Further Return To Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 313

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under the existing system that we are now under until the next agreement is signed -- and we expect we should have an agreement in place by the time the new federal budget comes around -- the interim formula financing arrangement we are operating under, we get to keep 100 percent of the revenues; or, if it slides the other way, we lose 100 percent. So in this case, there's no further adjustments to those numbers. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 313

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . Supplementary, Mr. Braden .

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Supplementary To Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 313

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How, then, does this $18 million surplus translate? What does it really mean for us here in the Assembly and for our communities and for the programs and the people that we serve, Mr. Speaker? Does this mean we will be able to look at some other options or some new options in initiatives or spending, Mr. Speaker?

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Supplementary To Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 313

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden . Mr. Roland .

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Further Return To Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 313

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this reference that we highlight the estimated surplus that we were targeting in the last budget reflects the previous fiscal year operations. So it doesn't have an impact on today's fiscal environment. It shows that through our final accounting and the measures taken and adjustments with the federal government, and those adjustments are not directly related to the formula, they're related more to the CRA, or Canada Revenue Agency, and how corporations file their tax and when those final adjustments happen there. So that's the impact. But the surplus we've identified for this year is something we're still working on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 313

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 313

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, does this mean we have $18 million in new funding that we can find some programs or some additional things to spend it on, Mr. Speaker?

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Supplementary To Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Question 114-15(5): Fiscal Update Statement

Item 6: Ora