Debates of Oct. 28th, 2009

This is page numbers 3523 - 3560 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 4th 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

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

Minister’s Statement 21-16(4): Department Of Finance Strategic Action Plan

Minister’s Statement 22-16(4): Fur Institute Of Canada Awards

Minister’s Statement 23-16(4): Minister Absent From The House

Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Colville Lake Home Construction Proposal

“babes For Breasts” Cancer Research Fundraising Event

Proposed Taxation Initiatives

H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

Animal Protection Legislation

Clergy Appreciation Month

Housing For Teachers In Lutselk’e

GNWT Support For The Fur Trade

Blackwater Bridge Project

Housing For Teachers In Lutselk’e

Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

Colville Lake Home Construction Proposal

Blackwater Bridge Contract

Animal Protection Legislation

GNWT Support For The Fur Trade

Proposed Taxation Initiatives

Public Service Medical Leave Entitlements

H1N1 Flu Vaccinations

H1N1 Flu Vaccinations

Written Question 7-16(4): Breakdown Of Health Professional Visits To Tsiigehtchic

Tabled Document 27-16(4): Department Of Finance: Strategic Action Plan 2009-2010

Tabled Document 28-16(4): Status Of Women Council Of The NWT Annual Report 2008-2009

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Report of Committee of the Whole

Orders of the Day

The House met at 1:33 p.m.

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---Prayer

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Prayer

Prayer

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the House. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister of Finance , Mr. Miltenberger .

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Minister’s Statement 21-16(4): Department Of Finance Strategic Action Plan

Ministers’ Statements

Thebacha

Michael Miltenberger

Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform the Legislative Assembly that at the appropriate time later today I will be tabling the Department of Finance’s Strategic Action Plan 2009-2012.

This document is the first strategic plan for the new Department of Finance, which was created on April 1st of this year by combining the previous

Department of Finance and the Financial Management Board Secretariat. It is a milestone in that it represents the first strategic plan for a central agency department in this government.

The new department’s role in this government is multi-faceted. As a central agency, it provides advice and support to other GNWT departments and the Financial Management Board. It plays a leadership role in ensuring that this government has the necessary resources to deliver required programs, services and infrastructure to residents of the Northwest Territories. It is responsible for ensuring that the government’s financial results are reported to the public, so that decision-makers can be held accountable.

It provides services to the public through regulation of the NWT insurance industry, managing and regulating liquor distribution and sales in the NWT, and administering electricity rate subsidies.

Through Northerners Working Together, the 16th Legislative Assembly set out its goals and priorities. Achieving these goals will require significant resources, both human and financial. It is critical that the GNWT makes the right decisions, not only about allocating and managing the resources that we have, but also about how to increase the resources available to us, if we are to maximize our

progress toward achieving these goals. The Department of Finance will play a key role in helping us make those choices.

This strategic planning document will provide multi-year direction for the Department of Finance.

Progress against its objectives will be monitored and reported back to the Legislative Assembly. Public awareness, involvement, participation and feedback are critical factors in ensuring that the Department of Finance continues to operate in a transparent, accountable fashion.

The action plan lays out two strategic priorities:

1. achieving fiscal sustainability for the GNWT;

and

2. adopting a modern management approach to

financial management functions within the GNWT.

The Department of Finance will need to be in the forefront to develop and implement fiscal strategies that will enable the GNWT to achieve its goals. The strategic action plan describes the actions the department will be taking with respect to revenue, spending, borrowing and saving.

The strategic action plan also speaks to the GNWT’s adopt of a modern management approach. To this end, I am pleased to report specifically on a key activity that supports the department’s modern management priority and the GNWT’s information, analytical reporting and business needs.

Mr. Speaker, on September 1, 2009, the GNWT began a new era in its financial administration and management when its 25-year-old financial information system was replaced with SAM, the System for Accountability and Management. SAM is a modern financial and reporting system which is expandable into what is termed an Enterprise Resource Planning system, or ERP. An ERP enables organizations to more fully integrate activities such as purchasing, asset management, project management and other activities into a single information system.

This project is a significant accomplishment. It has gone through various planning stages since 2003, and work began in earnest last fall. A dedicated project team of 38 staff and contractors worked

hard to bring the system into production, on time and on budget.

In addition to the dedicated team, more than 100 subject matter experts from all departments contributed many hours helping to shape the design of the system to ensure it meets the business requirements of the GNWT.

Go-live on September 1st was not without some

bumps. However, this was to be expected for the implementation of such a large and complex information system. The project team continues to work hard to address issues as they arise and will continue to do so as they are fully committed to making the system a success.

Going forward, the biggest challenge we will face is to work with this new technology to exploit its potential to improve our financial management and reporting. Financial information is a cornerstone of effective management. The launch of SAM on September 1st was an important step on the path to

creating a modern management organization within the GNWT.

I encourage the Members of the Legislative Assembly and all residents of the NWT to read the strategic action plan and to work closely with the staff of the Department of Finance to assist to develop and articulate the financial and strategic priorities of this government. Thank you.

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Minister’s Statement 21-16(4): Department Of Finance Strategic Action Plan

Ministers’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . The honourable Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment , Mr. Bob McLeod .

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Minister’s Statement 22-16(4): Fur Institute Of Canada Awards

Ministers’ Statements

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend our congratulations to Mr. Robert Alexie Sr. of Fort McPherson and Mr. Glen Guthrie of Norman Wells. These gentlemen were recently acknowledged by the Fur Institute of Canada for their commitment of effort, outstanding achievements and valued contributions in the areas of wildlife management, conservation and trapping in Canada.

Mr. Robert Alexie Sr. of Fort McPherson was presented the Jim Bourque Award for his devotion to the principles of sustainable use of wildlife resources, improved animal welfare, the furthering of indigenous people’s cultures and the vital stewardship role that trappers play in the conservation of our wildlife resources.

Mr. Glen Guthrie of Norman Wells was awarded the Lloyd Cook Award, recognizing his commitment to excellence in trapping, trapper education and public understanding of wildlife management. Mr. Guthrie facilitates and coordinates school projects with elders and trappers that focus on traditional wildlife economy, helping to ensure that young people

maintain ties to the region’s wildlife resources and to their Dene and Metis culture.

Mr. Speaker, it is the dedication of people such as Mr. Alexie and Mr. Guthrie that helps to ensure the future of our traditional economy in the Northwest Territories; that, and the hardiness and skill of the more than 800 people actively trapping in the Northwest Territories this past year.

Partnerships, such as our partnership with the Fur Institute of Canada, also help ensure the viability of the fur industry. A national non-profit organization, the Fur Institute of Canada has acted as a roundtable for fur trade, animal welfare and fur-bearer conservation issues since 1983. The Fur Institute of Canada is the coordinator for the overall implementation of the agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards in Canada. The Government of the Northwest Territories has been an active participant sitting on the board of directors and the executive of the institute for many years.

Harvesting of fur is an essential part of the Northwest Territories aboriginal culture and of our traditional economy. Having options like this allows us to weather economic storms. This has been important for this Territory’s economic health in the past year.

Mr. Speaker, it is a priority of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment to provide all communities and regions with opportunities and choices. Our support to the trapping and fur industry is an important part of achieving this commitment.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is, in fact, one of the very few governments in the world that actively supports harvesting and marketing of wild fur as a fundamental component of a modern and thriving economy. Fur from the Northwest Territories is now recognized as some of the finest wild fur in North America.

Mr. Alexie Sr. and Mr. Guthrie have shown remarkable commitment and leadership in the support of the Canadian Fur Industry and the traditional lifestyle of aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories. We are thankful for their contributions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister’s Statement 22-16(4): Fur Institute Of Canada Awards

Ministers’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Deputy Premier , Mr. Miltenberger .

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Minister’s Statement 23-16(4): Minister Absent From The House

Ministers’ Statements

Thebacha

Michael Miltenberger

Deputy Premier

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Floyd Roland will be absent from the House today and tomorrow to attend a meeting of provincial and territorial Ministers of Aboriginal Affairs and leaders of national aboriginal organizations in Toronto, Ontario. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister’s Statement 23-16(4): Minister Absent From The House

Ministers’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . Item 3, Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake , Ms. Bisaro .

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Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Members’ Statements

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the last week we’ve heard a number of Members express their disappointment in the refusal of this government to provide financial assistance to NWT senior athletes for the 2010 55-plus Games to be held next August. I want to add my voice to those of my colleagues to protest the action, or lack of action, on the part of our government.

That this government can’t afford $50,000 to support NWT seniors in their attendance at these games is inexcusable.

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Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Members’ Statements

An Hon. Member

Shame.

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Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Members’ Statements

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

And to quote from an e-mail from an elder that I have recently received, she said, “To avoid funding the attendance of seniors at the Canada 55-plus Games could be interpreted as blatant age discrimination.”

On Monday I spoke about the value of recreation and physical activity in our daily life. Research shows that for seniors in particular, physical activity improves and maintains one’s health.

We’re fortunate to have many active seniors and elders in our communities. They’re active because they’re healthy.

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Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Members’ Statements

An Hon. Member

Hear! Hear!

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Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Members’ Statements

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

And because they’re healthy, they’re active.

This government should be encouraging a trend of active seniors, but the recent refusal by the Minister responsible for Seniors to provide the necessary funding for the 2010 55-plus Games supports neither this trend of active seniors nor this Assembly’s goal of healthy, educated people.

Past actions indicate that the NWT is committed to participation in, and funding of, multisport games. The 55-plus Games is one more avenue for our residents to benefit from multisport games. We know that Sport North is willing to take on the job of administering these games and it’s only logical that they do so. They are a 35-year-old NGO that has, over the years, very successfully administered countless multisport games and trials.

As the Minister responsible for sport, maybe the Minister of MACA will realize that the multisport games buck stops with him. Will he be more receptive to the seniors’ funding request? I find it hard to believe that we can spend $2.5 million to

showcase the NWT at the 2010 Olympics but we can’t find a measly $50,000 to treat our elders with the respect they deserve.

NWT participant costs for the last 55-plus Games ran to $3,000 or $4,000 per person for some 100 participants. That is a total of over $300,000 of which only $50,000 was contributed by the GNWT.

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

---Unanimous consent granted.

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Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Members’ Statements

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

I thank each of my colleagues. The rest of the $300,000 was garnered through fundraising and individual athletes’ personal contributions. I expect the Minister of MACA will follow the lead of the Minister of Health and Social Services and also refuse the request for funding from these athletes. If that is the case, and no one department can bear this huge burden, then maybe the Ministers of MACA, ITI, Health and Social Services plus the Minister responsible for Seniors and the Minister responsible for sport, these five can split the $50,000 and ante up $10,000 each.

Last week the Minister of ECE made a statement honouring elders in the NWT. He said elders hold a special place in our society. If that is so, the money will be found to assist our elders who are athletes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro . The honourable Member for Sahtu , Mr. Yakeleya .

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Colville Lake Home Construction Proposal

Members’ Statements

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, my Member’s statement today is in regards to helping the people in the Sahtu, especially the people in Colville Lake who have asked me on numerous occasions if they can build their own home, simple homes in the communities where these young families, older people that could build a simple log home, simple home in the communities that would help the GNWT with these resources. The benefits of these people in my communities in the Sahtu, again Colville Lake, is to harvest the logs and have some skill capacity development going on in the community, get people working. This would support the vision and the goals of this 16th Assembly in

terms of a vibrant, healthy, educated people in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the importance of this has many benefits to people who could build their own homes in terms of passing on tradition, looking at basic ways that they could build their homes in their communities by improving the economy in the communities.

Mr. Speaker, there are 16 percent of homes in the Sahtu that are considered overcrowded. There are

a lot of young families that want to build their own homes. However, they are looking forward to the initiatives under the Housing Corporation to see if this is a possibility where they can build some homes in the communities. I want to ask this government and this specific Crown corporation, the NWT Housing Corporation, if it is open to looking at ways that they can put more homes in the communities.

Mr. Speaker, the community of Colville Lake, again, expresses very strongly, the same with the people in Tulita and also in the other Sahtu communities, in terms of how do we get people into homeownership programs that would be basically having people feel that they have a home, something they can be proud of, something that they can pass on to the children, rather than living in public housing units from generation to generation.

At the appropriate time, I am going to ask the Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation what types of programs are there to help people to get into their own homes such as constructing simple log houses in their communities. Thank you.

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Colville Lake Home Construction Proposal

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . The honourable Member for Great Slave , Mr. Abernethy .

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“babes For Breasts” Cancer Research Fundraising Event

Members’ Statements

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In our lives, most, if not all of us, will have some experiences with cancer. Some of us will get cancer ourselves, where others will have either family members or close friends who experience cancer. I myself recently had a member of my family diagnosed with cancer. I have to tell you that it is a really scary and stressful time both for the family and for the family member who has cancer.

In the Northwest Territories, we may give the Minister of Health and Social Services a hard time about our health care system, but going through that with my family member, I saw how strong our health care system is. There are challenges, but it is a strong system.

---Applause

I’d really like to thank those health professionals who help those patients, who have cancer, through the system: the doctors, the nurses, the X-ray technicians. These are great people doing great work and they deserve accolades upon accolades. I’d really like to thank them.

I’m really proud to be a resident of the Northwest Territories where people give so freely of both their time and their money to support and help raise funds and awareness for cancer research and support the residents of the Northwest Territories who have cancer. In Yellowknife alone, as in other

areas of the Northwest Territories, there are events such as the Run for the Cure, the Terry Fox Run, the NWT Cancer Society has Daffodil Days, Sunshine Festival, Relay for Life. I can’t even count the number of individuals who I’ve seen who have donated their hair or shaved their heads to raise money for cancer. We have a great Territory full of great people and I think those individuals who go out of their way to do these fundraising events also need to be applauded and congratulated for all of their hard work.

Soon, Thursday -- tomorrow -- there’s going to be another fundraising event; it’s Babes for Breasts. Babes for Breasts is a collective of female singer/songwriters taking on the human side of breast cancer one song at a time by volunteering their voices and skills to raise awareness and funds. Proceeds are donated to local and regional charities in each city, helping women and men who are living with breast cancer, from diagnosis to remission and beyond. This event tomorrow night includes artists such as Leela Gilday and Tanya Tagaq-Gillis as well as individuals from Ottawa, Ana Miura and Amanda Rheaume, as well as a wonderful artist from Edmonton, Ann Vriend.

There are two reasons that this is important and this is a great event. The first is that the money is going to go to cancer research. The second is great, great music. So I encourage everybody, if you have time, go out and enjoy the music and help raise money for cancer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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“babes For Breasts” Cancer Research Fundraising Event

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy . The honourable Member for Weledeh , Mr. Bromley .

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Proposed Taxation Initiatives

Members’ Statements

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We continue to discuss options for new revenues, and in light of the recovering economy and full scaling up of production at our mines, it is timely, indeed, to be instituting new measures. Through consultations by the Department of Finance, many discussions by the public and comments by several Members, a clear consensus has emerged that more progressive tax measures are needed.

I believe a first priority is to implement a resource income tax to serve us until devolution of responsibilities is achieved. We have the capacity now to implement such a tax in a moderate way and to invest the funds raised into a long-term heritage fund, without any real effect on corporate profitability and investment. A resource income tax is a tax on windfall profits and doesn’t tax those not making profits. Our mineral and fossil fuels are being tapped at increasing rates and they won’t last forever.

Also, we need to take stronger actions to redistribute wealth and bridge the gap between low

and high income earners. Lower taxes for the lowest income earners will put money into the economy immediately and improve the lives of those most in need. Very small adjustments at the lowest levels of income earners can achieve this important goal.

Mr. Speaker, we are fully aware of the leakage of tax revenue out of the Territory through workers from out of the Territory and the need to plug it. Three hundred seventy-one million dollars, almost one-fifth of total labour income in 2008, left the Territories last year. Steps such as a payroll tax for high income earners, an airport departure tax, a hotel tax will help decrease revenue leakage. Though Northerners would also end up paying these taxes, people needing assistance would be compensated by the decreased income taxes.

Cost of living credits need to more realistically take into account the differences in cost of living between communities. A scaled approach based on our statistics for cost differentials between communities would provide the necessary recognition here.

Finally, this government must wrestle with how the cost to society of greenhouse gas production becomes a cost of doing business. Only this has proven to be an effective incentive to adopt operating measures that reduce greenhouse gas production and, hence, vulnerability to taxes. Accompanying this must be an array of measures...

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Proposed Taxation Initiatives

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Mr. Bromley , your time for your Member’s statement has expired.

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Proposed Taxation Initiatives

Members’ Statements

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

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

---Unanimous consent granted.

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Proposed Taxation Initiatives

Members’ Statements

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Only recognizing the carbon content of fuels has proven to be an effective incentive to adopt operating measures that reduce greenhouse gas production and enhance vulnerability to taxes. Accompanying this must be an array of measures to assist people and businesses to shift from fossil fuels to the viable proven renewable energy uses that provide enhanced local employment opportunities, lower living costs and reduce harm to our environment.

Mr. Speaker, these measures taken together yield benefits on all fronts. They complement each other and must be advanced together. Some can start at low levels and become fully engaged as our economy revives. Let’s get it done. Mahsi.

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Proposed Taxation Initiatives

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley . The honourable Member for Nunakput , Mr. Jacobson .

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H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

Members’ Statements

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to have my Member’s statement on the H1N1 flu vaccines in Nunakput. I wanted to talk

about the importance of getting your flu shot. I urge all residents in the Nunakput communities of Tuk, Ulukhaktok, Sachs Harbour and Paulatuk to go to their health centre and get their flu vaccinations. The flu shot is for everyone, for the children, our elders, our health care workers and for teachers. For people with other illnesses and people who are even healthy, Mr. Speaker, the flu shot will help keep the community residents healthy and safe, and our doctors and nurses have told us that it is safe and it will protect us from all the serious diseases from the H1N1 flu.

These are the dates, Mr. Speaker, that they are happening in my communities. Tuktoyaktuk on November the 9th will be from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.,

probably at Kitty Hall, and the second day on the 10th will be in Tuk from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sachs Harbour: from 10 o’clock in the morning until 7:00 p.m. Starting in Paulatuk on the 12th , 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Ulukhaktok: 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Ulukhaktok again, 10:00 to 12:00. If there are any catch-up dates, I will be passing them on to the communities and to the health representatives in the community. So I urge everybody to get out there and get their flu shot so it doesn’t affect us in the long run. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson . The honourable Member for Kam Lake , Mr. Ramsay .

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Animal Protection Legislation

Members’ Statements

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m going to speak today about the issue of animal neglect, cruelty and abuse. I last spoke about this issue back in March, when people across the country were floored by charges being stayed against a Behchoko man who was charged in September of 2008 after the local government in Behchoko called in a veterinarian to put down 34 of his dogs who were found to be badly malnourished. Well, Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, animal cruelty was back in the news when just last week three puppies were found at the dump in Behchoko, their throats having been cut; a reprehensible act committed on innocent animals.

Even if the authorities find those responsible, here, in the Northwest Territories people can, and do, get away with abusing animals. The Crown stays charges in these types of cases because it is highly unlikely that, given the current legislation, they would be successful at getting a conviction. That, Mr. Speaker, is a very unfortunate reality here in the Northwest Territories.

Last summer a Hay River man was charged while in Edmonton for leaving his dog unattended in a vehicle during a hot day. Had this same offence been committed in the Northwest Territories, the offence would likely go unpunished. This, again, is a very sad commentary, Mr. Speaker, on the

effectiveness and the usefulness of our current legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to know exactly where animal protection legislation is at with this government. How many more times are we going to allow ourselves to be embarrassed both nationally and internationally with our archaic laws? We need to advance this legislation as soon as possible so those who commit these heinous crimes against animals are faced with some serious consequences.

Last spring the Minister of Justice , in response to some questions that I had about animal rights legislation, on page 2718 of Hansard states, “...it could be in the fall of this year. We will do what we can if we need to fast-track it. We are in the process of doing that.” Well, Mr. Speaker, the fall is here, the snow is falling and Christmas is coming. Where exactly is this legislation? How come it has not even gone to committee yet? Mr. Speaker, I’ll have questions for the Government House Leader at the appropriate time. Thank you.

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Animal Protection Legislation

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Clergy Appreciation Month

Members’ Statements

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a little known fact to some people may be that October is Clergy Appreciation Month. Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of being raised in a home where I went to church all my life. I must say I love church. My father was a deacon in a church and back in those days we even had church on Sunday nights. When the rest of my siblings wanted to stay home and watch The Wonderful World of Disney, I wanted to go to church with my dad, and I certainly remember and value those precious times that I had with my dad and that constitutes a lot of my memories of him.

Mr. Speaker, I have been a member of the Hay River Pentecostal Chapel for over 35 years and then when I first came to Yellowknife, I had to find a church to go. But it was cool, because I told my kids whatever church they wanted to go to, that’s where we would go. So I have had the privilege of going to the Baptist, Pentecostal, Alliance, Church of Christ and the Vineyard Church here in Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, I tell you this to say that I have gotten to know many of the clergy throughout the Northwest Territories.

In Hay River, we have a really interesting thing. We have a Ministerial Association, which is the pastors of all the churches get together on a regular basis and they sponsor community events. When we see them out having coffee together, we call them the God Squad.

---Laughter

But over my years in the North, Mr. Speaker, as I have said, I have had a chance to meet clergy from all denominations.

Mr. Speaker, we have Nurses Week, we have Teachers Week, Social Workers Week, we celebrate the valued work of many different professions who serve our communities, and today I would like to recognize the valuable contribution of our clergy across the North, past and present; our bishops, pastors, priests, captains, youth pastors and lay-clergy. There are 168 hours in a week taking 1 percent of our time to pause and turn our minds to eternal things is only 1 percent of our entire week, Mr. Speaker, I would suggest, especially for families to help build a strong faith that will stand their children in good times, in highs and lows of life, is time well invested.

Unlike many other organizations, Mr. Speaker, churches rely on the support of our parishioners, so I also encourage people to support their churches and their clergy financially. You might be amazed at the blessings that will come when you bless other people. For those who work in our communities to provide spiritual guidance and support to families at times of loss, at times of joy, baby baptisms, dedications, those who are ill, who visit in our hospitals, who provide spiritual counsel in our prisons, Mr. Speaker, today I would like to thank them all. Thank you.

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Clergy Appreciation Month

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe , Mr. Beaulieu .

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Housing For Teachers In Lutselk’e

Members’ Statements

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about the lack of adequate housing for teachers in Lutselk’e. This is a serious matter that could have many negative implications for the community.

Mr. Speaker, this is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed immediately. I first raised this issue in May of last year after meeting with the local district education authority in discussion with the South Slave Education Authority under which Lutselk’e falls. Both groups were experiencing frustration, because after raising the issue on numerous occasions with this government, they are not seeing enough action.

Also, Mr. Speaker, the NWT Teachers’ Association has been raising the issue of housing for teachers in smaller communities, again getting no action.

Mr. Speaker, at this time of the year in the school calendar, teachers are focussing on getting their assessments and report cards ready for parent/teacher interviews, but not some of these new teachers in Lutselk’e. They are more

concerned about where they are going to live next month. Over the last few years, the community has been lucky to find suitable housing, but yet with former residents moving back to the community and existing housing needing major renovations, not as many places are available. This year with two new teachers hired in the community, there is definite need for immediate housing.

Mr. Speaker, the community should not have to be put into this kind of situation. We all know the important role teachers play in our communities and to the North. Mr. Speaker, in 2009, we should not be talking about this. With a situation like this in Lutselk’e, it is like we are failing the people of Lutselk’e.

This government has a responsibility to deliver a certain level of education to all its residents, and this has to include the provision of adequate housing for our teachers, especially in small communities, non-market communities like Lutselk’e.

Mr. Speaker, as stated before, the three main issues area availability, affordability and adequacy. For Lutselk’e, this is an urgent matter, so let’s act now before we lose teachers and let down the students and residents of Lutselk’e. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Housing For Teachers In Lutselk’e

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta , Mr. Krutko .

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GNWT Support For The Fur Trade

Members’ Statements

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to speak about the importance of the fur trade in the Northwest Territories. It is one of the oldest industries here. Mr. Speaker, when the Tetlit Gwich’in began turning from the Klondike ventures, they found that Fort McPherson was not changed much from the gold rush days. The Hudson’s Bay Company post was still the mainstream of the community, even the same Hudson Bay trader was there to welcome them, which was my great-great-grandfather, John Firth, who first arrived in the Peel River country in 1872 and was the chief clerk of Fort McPherson from 1893 to 1919.

Over the next decade, the Gwich’in still spent most of their time in the headwaters of the Peel River and then the Richardson Mountains and heading downstream in their moose skin boats in the spring where they wintered and collected their furs and then basically brought them to Fort McPherson for sale. During World War I, the price of muskrat furs skyrocketed and the Gwich’in began to depend on the livelihood of the fur trade by way of muskrat harvesting in the spring, and also the importance of the Peel River, the Mackenzie Delta and the families of the Gwich’in people. But since then, Mr.

Speaker, the industry has continued to sustain itself and the people in our small communities still depend on this industry.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to realize that a lot of the economic spinoffs in regards to the fur trade in our communities is well in the millions of dollars. It still stimulates our communities, especially the hunters and trappers of our communities and especially for the younger generations who still want to maintain that lifestyle. Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to realize that this industry is just as important as the diamond industry and as the oil and gas industry and, more importantly, it will be there long after the diamonds are gone and the oil has been depleted, and also that the people will still depend on that lifestyle.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be asking the Minister of ITI questions in regards to what this government is doing to ensure that we have a sustainable industry of the fur trade, which is one of the oldest industries in the Northwest Territories. Mahsi.

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GNWT Support For The Fur Trade

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . The honourable Member for Nahendeh , Mr. Menicoche .

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Blackwater Bridge Project

Members’ Statements

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last year the community of Wrigley formed a partnership with Rowe’s Construction and Nogha Enterprises to build the abutments for the Blackwater Bridge project. There were many barriers to overcome from joint venture agreements, last minute approvals from the Sahtu regulatory bodies; however, despite the obstacles which the government did not assist with, they were overcome. The project was completed successfully and on time and on budget. There were many benefits to the community of Wrigley: employment, contracts, and they even purchased new equipment. They, in short, used this opportunity to develop their capacity.

Today, Mr. Speaker, there is a different contract awarded to Stan Dean and Ruskin to complete the Blackwater Bridge. They have been mobilizing all summer and I have been getting concerned phone calls from the leadership of Wrigley, that they are receiving limited opportunities to date. Opportunities have been limited to catering contracts and camp maintenance.

The community has advised that they have tried to negotiate a fair rate for local equipment. The joint venture of the contract is offering very low rates. For example, they offer $200 a day for a water truck. This is not economical for an eight-hour winter road trip. There would be no profit at this low rate. The contractors use an excuse to buy their own water truck. I support the community of Wrigley

and feel that low-balling on prices is unfair and detrimental to the community capacity building in Wrigley.

The community has met with DOT officials on several occasions and requested assistance on this matter, but they never did get any commitment. I would urge the Minister of Transportation to follow up on these concerns and to ensure that contractors in proximity communities provide more business opportunities and employment to those communities and especially the one in my riding: Wrigley. Mahsi cho.

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Blackwater Bridge Project

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe , Mr. Beaulieu .

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Question 100-16(4): Housing For Teachers In Lutselk’e

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I talked about the lack of adequate housing for teachers in Lutselk’e. I would like to follow up on my statement with questions for the Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation . Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to working with me, and the local district education authority and the community, to see that an immediate solution is found for this situation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 100-16(4): Housing For Teachers In Lutselk’e

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation , Mr. Robert McLeod .

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Question 100-16(4): Housing For Teachers In Lutselk’e

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is an issue that continues to plague the small communities as having adequate housing for some of the professionals that go in there. I could inform the Member that in his community, through the good work of the North Slave Housing district housing office, they have come up with a solution to take care of the needs of two of the teachers. They have agreed to rent them an NWT Housing Corporation house, so that would take care of the issue. That will go on until the end of this school year and then we will look for a longer-term solution. Thank you.

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Question 100-16(4): Housing For Teachers In Lutselk’e

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister give myself in this House an update on what the NWT Housing Corporation is doing on the long-term solution? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 100-16(4): Housing For Teachers In Lutselk’e

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, the longer-term solution is we are working with the Refocusing Government committee. We are in the process of speaking to a lot of the development corporations in the community. We have had some excellent buy-in. There has been a lot of interest expressed by the development corporations in

accessing some of the programs. We do have some incentives that we are proposing to them. Also, one of the incentives is using some of our existing houses and see if we could turn those into housing for staff, if there is a surplus in some of the communities. Thank you.

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Question 100-16(4): Housing For Teachers In Lutselk’e

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister advise this House when we can see some sort of program roll out so we can examine the long-term solution that the Minister speaks of? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 100-16(4): Housing For Teachers In Lutselk’e

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, we are hoping to have something together very shortly here to share with committee before we go into the next session that would help address a lot of the concerns expressed by some of the MLAs from the small communities, especially the non-market communities. We are hoping to have something very shortly here put together. We will be able to share that with committee and get some feedback and input from committee too. Thank you.

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Question 100-16(4): Housing For Teachers In Lutselk’e

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Question 100-16(4): Housing For Teachers In Lutselk’e

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mr. Speaker, as per an earlier commitment, during his next visit to Lutselk’e, can the Minister commit to meeting with the local DEA and the teachers so he can hear firsthand on the issue in Lutselk’e? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 100-16(4): Housing For Teachers In Lutselk’e

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, I will commit to meet with the DEA. It is always in our best interest to hear what the communities are saying, because they know best what is needed in their communities. If we can work in cooperation with them, that would make the whole process a lot smoother and we will be able to provide housing for staff and a lot of the professionals in the small communities. Thank you.

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Question 100-16(4): Housing For Teachers In Lutselk’e

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Frame Lake , Ms. Bisaro .

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Question 101-16(4): Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister for sport, also the Minister of MACA . I had a few questions in my statement. I would like to repeat them here in the hope of getting a positive answer. Does the Minister realize that the multisport games buck stops at his desk? Will he be more receptive to the 55-plus athletes’ request for financial assistance? Thank you.

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Question 101-16(4): Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro . The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs , Mr. Robert McLeod .

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Question 101-16(4): Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish that were true that the buck stops

at my desk and I would be able to dole out the money to all those that asked, because we do get a lot of requests for funding. We do try and tend to look after the youth and try and get them out there and take

part in a lot of these games. If there is a desire to fund adult games, I am not sure if that is where we want to go to, because the requests will start coming in from other adults.

We are always willing to have a list and see if there are ways that we can support all games. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 101-16(4): Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

That is, unfortunately, the answer I expected from the Minister. I appreciate that there is a focus on youth, but I have to remind all of us, the Minister particularly, youth become adults, and adults become seniors and elders. We need to keep them active. It has been stated earlier by another Member that active seniors reduce our hospital and medical care costs.

I think the Minister said that he might look into providing funding for seniors if this is something which is going to be ongoing. It has been ongoing for about four or five games now. What will the Minister do to find the $50,000 to help our seniors get to the 2010 55-plus Games? Thank you.

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Question 101-16(4): Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, I said we will have a discussion as to the process of funding adult sports and I will put the adults in with the seniors, because there will be a lot of requests coming from other sporting organizations, other adult sports groups.

If we were to start this, we do have a mandate to focus the multisport games on the youth. I could have a conversation with my Cabinet colleagues and see if there are pots of money available, but I really can’t make a commitment -- I don’t think I did -- that we are going to fund this from the multisport budget. Thank you.

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Question 101-16(4): Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

I don’t want to thank the Minister, because I didn’t really like that answer. The Minister said that we do, and I stated as well, we do support multisport games. The Seniors 55-plus Games are a multisport game. There aren’t many adult multisport games. I would encourage the Minister to rethink supporting seniors versus supporting adults, because I don’t think we have adult games. I would like to know from the Minister, considering that these 55-plus Games are a multisport game, will the Minister consider in the future on providing funding through the Sport and Recreation Council to fund it through to Sport North so they can assist the seniors in getting to the games? Thank you.

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Question 101-16(4): Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, I don’t expect to be thanked for an answer that is not what the Members are looking for, but sometimes we have to give those answers whether they are popular or needed or not. If it opens me up for criticism as to the position I am taking focussing on

the youth of the Northwest Territories who will become adults, who will become seniors and they will be able to function better and be a better person for going to these games. I am not willing to make a commitment to fund the seniors multisport games out of the multisport game budget, because that mandate is for the youth and that budget is for the youth. Thank you.

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Question 101-16(4): Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Your final supplementary, Ms. Bisaro .

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Question 101-16(4): Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

To the Minister, then, if the Minister won’t change that mandate and it is going to stay focused on youth for funding through the Sport and Recreation Council and lottery proceeds and so on, I would like to know from the Minister whether or not there is any possibility that he will take the lead, canvass four or five different departments and find $5,000 to $10,000 from each of these departments that will assist our seniors. Thank you.

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Question 101-16(4): Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, I will have discussions with my colleagues as to if there is anything we can do to support the seniors. We have supported them in the past. I think it is being noted by a lot of the participants from the other jurisdictions across the country that we do look after our seniors pretty good. They were the envy of the games, because a lot of it was financial backing that they got from this government it was noted. A lot of people appreciated that.

So I will work with my Cabinet colleagues, and, also, we would like to support regional seniors’ games if that opportunity arises, because we have regions all across the Territories where our seniors from those regions don’t get an opportunity to participate in any kind of games at all. So anything we can do to help folks out there lead a healthy lifestyle is something that we’re always willing to look at. Thank you.

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Question 101-16(4): Seniors’ Participation At Canada 55-Plus Games

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Nunakput , Mr. Jacobson .

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Question 102-16(4): H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

Oral Questions

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member’s statement was on the H1N1 flu vaccinations in the communities. I didn’t really have any questions, but got thinking about the issues and the dates that I was reading out. Health Canada said that the flu vaccinations will be given to our communities first, Mr. Speaker, and on the

schedule I have here, Tuk is 10 days away, Sachs Harbour is 12, Paulatuk is 13, Ulukhaktok is 14 days away and 15 days away. Mr. Speaker, why is there such a holdup in the flu vaccinations? Why are they doing Yellowknife, Diavik Diamond Mine and the southern communities first when it’s a more harsh environment in our riding? Thank you.

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Question 102-16(4): H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Question 102-16(4): H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

Oral Questions

Range Lake

Sandy Lee

Minister of Health and Social Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I would like to thank the Member for his leadership and speaking directly to his constituents in his riding to take advantage of this vaccination program, because it is safe and it is important.

Mr. Speaker, as we have communicated to the public, we have action teams travelling to the communities. A couple of things that people should know when they look at these lists on the websites are that even if communities are not listed there, there are vaccinations happening by the local staff.

The second thing about the Beaufort-Delta region is that contrary to what we thought...Because our government fought hard, and I made it clear in our provincial and territorial Health Ministers telephone calls all through the summer that we needed to have the vaccine first, because we knew the fall and winter comes here first and our areas are remote and isolated and we do not have readily accessible acute care facilities everywhere, that we wanted to be first and we did become first, but within the region we do have to make some priority decisions.

So far the Beaufort-Delta region is showing a lot less cases of H1N1 and I think that’s the basis of those decisions.

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Question 102-16(4): H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

Oral Questions

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Well, it just shows that the Minister’s categorizing us again in regard to putting us on the backburner here in regard to our dates for our communities. So the Minister also told me, Mr. Speaker, that if I was to phone my health centres in my communities that I represent, they would say they have vaccine on hand.

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Question 102-16(4): H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

Oral Questions

Range Lake

Sandy Lee

Minister of Health and Social Services

Yes, Mr. Speaker, the vaccines have been distributed and it’s to communities. Communities have them and local staff are able to administer them. What we are doing with these action teams is that we know that our health care professionals, during the normal course of business, are short staffed and overworked in many cases. So we didn’t want to burden them with the extra work that was required to do the vaccinations. So the action teams are augmenting the workload. But, yes, most of our health centres have supplies of the vaccine. Thank you.

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Question 102-16(4): H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

Oral Questions

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, what are the plans if there’s a big outbreak of the flu in our communities? What plans are there in place? Do communities know how to deal with this situation? How is it being dealt with by the local community governments?

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Question 102-16(4): H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

Oral Questions

Range Lake

Sandy Lee

Minister of Health and Social Services

I can advise the House, all of the communities in the Territories are under close surveillance. There are staff ready to react on hours of notice. Inuvik office would react if there is a major breakout in some communities.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to commit to the Member that I’m going to look at this list again and get information on what else is happening in Tuktoyaktuk and his region while they are waiting for the scheduled teams to arrive.

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Question 102-16(4): H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Question 102-16(4): H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

Oral Questions

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Health Canada said that the flu shot should have been given to our communities first and that should have been the way it should have been properly handled, but I do commend the Minister for the work that she’s been doing so far. I look forward to bringing her to the communities and seeing it firsthand. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 102-16(4): H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson . I don’t think I heard a question there. I’ll allow the Minister to answer is she wants to. Ms. Lee .

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Question 102-16(4): H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

Oral Questions

Range Lake

Sandy Lee

Minister of Health and Social Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. NWT is a priority list. We are moving very fast and so far we have vaccinated more than 4,000 people. I will get back to the Member on how we can move some of the communities around. Thank you.

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Question 102-16(4): H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . The honourable Member for Sahtu , Mr. Yakeleya .

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Question 103-16(4): Colville Lake Home Construction Proposal

Oral Questions

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to ask the Minister of the Housing Corporation questions regarding the investments made into the Sahtu of the Northwest Territories in terms of having some simple homes such as log homes or some sort of simple homes in the communities like Colville Lake that could be built, in terms of being supportive of the GNWT’s vision and goals for this Assembly.

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Question 103-16(4): Colville Lake Home Construction Proposal

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . The honourable Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, Mr. Robert McLeod .

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Question 103-16(4): Colville Lake Home Construction Proposal

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, we would like to see the local communities put more input into the houses that go into their communities. We are, for the basic shelter, just redoing that right now. We’re hoping to be able to roll that out pretty soon and we’re looking to get some input.

As far as the log homes go, there were a couple of pilot projects done in the past. At this point in time, it doesn’t make economic sense. If we can do it a lot cheaper than the pilot projects were done, then it’s something that we’re willing to have a look at. Thank you.

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Question 103-16(4): Colville Lake Home Construction Proposal

Oral Questions

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the Minister is correct; there was some log construction homes done in the past and, certainly, we learned some

valuable lessons in there. I think there are some companies out there now that can design certain log homes and certain people could have certain ideas as to how to build.

I would ask more specifically in terms of Colville Lake, in terms of the trappers, in terms of a similar house that they could have a very basic home that when they want to go out to the trapline, they can close down their houses and come back when they open up. Something very simple, very basic, something that the community of Colville Lake or any other small communities in the Northwest Territories like Nahanni Butte or Tsiigehtchic could be appreciative of owning a home. Would the Minister look into that type of concept? Thank you.

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Question 103-16(4): Colville Lake Home Construction Proposal

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

As I stated before, the basic shelter concept is one we’re looking at right now. We need to make sure that we do our due diligence on this one and just not roll it out until we’ve been able to see that it’s something that the communities really do want and something that will work in the communities, and that we won’t have to be asked to go back later and install running water and other things, which has happened in the past. So we will be doing our due diligence on this one and making sure that when we do roll it out, it’s something that’s a worthwhile product. Thank you.

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Question 103-16(4): Colville Lake Home Construction Proposal

Oral Questions

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I think if the Minister were to embark on this concept, it would be very worthwhile to look at in terms of people, I can speak for the Sahtu and, more specifically, Colville Lake, in terms of where there is still a lot of independence in the people in terms of their lifestyle. So this concept would work very well in that community. I’m not going to speak for other communities, but my region would certainly benefit. I want to ask the Minister if he would give his officials some leeway and flexibility in exploring with the people of Colville Lake or in the Sahtu region in terms of seeing if these types of homes can be developed in the region. Can the Minister make that commitment?

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Question 103-16(4): Colville Lake Home Construction Proposal

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, I would make the commitment to the Member that we will have a serious look at this and we’ll make sure that it’s well thought out before we attempt to put it on the ground. We’ll seek some input from a lot of the Members, because a lot of them do represent the small communities. We’ll get as much input as we can before we attempt to roll this out. Thank you.

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Question 103-16(4): Colville Lake Home Construction Proposal

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Question 103-16(4): Colville Lake Home Construction Proposal

Oral Questions

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister also commit to working with other Cabinet colleagues in terms of how they could probably put together sort of a training package, if that makes more sense in terms of the Department of Education or Aurora College, in terms of looking

at a home like this in the Sahtu or any of the other communities in the North that makes sense?

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Question 103-16(4): Colville Lake Home Construction Proposal

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . Mr. McLeod.

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Question 103-16(4): Colville Lake Home Construction Proposal

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

The Housing Corporation will be willing and the Housing Corporation has been taking the lead on a lot of the training. They’ve provided packages to some of the schools where they can use that for training. So we are quite interested in making sure that we’re able to have our Northerners trained in building these units. I would commit to the Member that I’ll have discussions with my Cabinet colleagues as to some of the training monies that we’re able to access to help see this come about. Thank you.

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Question 103-16(4): Colville Lake Home Construction Proposal

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Nahendeh , Mr. Menicoche .

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Question 104-16(4): Blackwater Bridge Contract

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for Minister McLeod, Minister Michael McLeod . I just wanted to follow up on my Member’s statement and ask the Minister of Transportation with regard to some of the contracting opportunities that can be missed when they’re out in our regions and communities. These are huge opportunities. They’re big contracts. There’s the Blackwater Bridge contract near the community of Wrigley. Residents have been advising myself, and probably the Minister’s office as well, that they’re missing opportunities. Some of it can be unfair practice, I believe.

I would just like to know if some of our contracts that we let out, is there any policy or guidelines attached to that saying that they must use as much resources from proximity communities -- in this case, the community of Wrigley -- to employ their people, use their equipment? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 104-16(4): Blackwater Bridge Contract

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . The honourable Minister of Transportation , Mr. Michael McLeod .

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Question 104-16(4): Blackwater Bridge Contract

Oral Questions

Deh Cho

Michael McLeod

Minister of Transportation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I’d like to thank the Member for recognizing the benefits that come from large projects, such as Blackwater, to the communities and to companies in the North. Yes, we do follow a policy. It’s the Business Incentive Policy that requires us to have certain content that is listed in the contract that has to be adhered to, and we do monitor the situations and the projects very closely. Thank you.

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Question 104-16(4): Blackwater Bridge Contract

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

So the Minister is then aware of some of the complaints from the community of Wrigley, especially in the case...Like in the joint venture contract there right now offered the community of Wrigley I think it was $200 to rent a water truck for the whole day. Mr. Speaker, that just

covers wages only. That’s very unfair to ask the community to provide almost free services for the water and, as well, they use that very same excuse, Mr. Speaker, because they use a lowball figure, they use that very same excuse to bring in their own water truck and not use the community of Wrigley’s. Our government is all about developing capacity and giving them opportunities. Like I said, in the spring contract, they purchased equipment and that’s not even being used as well, Mr. Speaker.

Once again, is the Minister aware of the lack of working with the community of Wrigley to use their equipment and employ their people? Thank you.

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Question 104-16(4): Blackwater Bridge Contract

Oral Questions

Deh Cho

Michael McLeod

Minister of Transportation

Mr. Speaker, I am very familiar with this project. We went far above what was required to ensure that the community was involved. We gave a lot of flexibility to the community to become a partner and negotiate a contract. Six million dollars worth of work went to the partnership. We extended time frames. We facilitated discussions with subcontractors. So I think there’s been a lot of work in this area and certainly our department has been involved every step of the way. We are well aware that there are some companies, some sub-trades are not able to negotiate good arrangements.

Mr. Speaker, we as a government cannot get involved with the discussions with every company that needs to work with a general contractor. We look at the bottom line. Right now the community has benefited close to $7 million from this project and that’s over 20 percent, Mr. Speaker. I think that the community should be very proud of their ability to take

part in this project and generate revenue for their community. Thank you.

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Question 104-16(4): Blackwater Bridge Contract

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Indeed. Like I mentioned in my Member’s statement, it was quite an achievement, the work that they’d done in the springtime, but to complete the bridge, they’ve got some new contractors, Stan Dean and I believe it’s Ruskin had joint ventured. But these are the people that the community are having difficulty with. They’re giving the opportunities to meet and sit and negotiate for their equipment, but I don’t believe that the rates they’re using are fair and they’re using that excuse to get their own equipment, employ their own people and, as a result, leaving out the community of Wrigley.

They did have some opportunities, but they just cannot seem to be using their equipment. They’ve used that previous contract, they developed the capacity and we’ve got to continue to support it. So I’d like to ask the Minister, Mr. Speaker, what can be done in this instance to help continue to build the capacity of the community of Wrigley? Thank you.

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Question 104-16(4): Blackwater Bridge Contract

Oral Questions

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

As in every project with every community, there has to be a demonstrated capacity to take on some of the work. The

equipment has to be in good shape, whether it’s a CAT or a grader or a truck, and the price has to be fair and the people that are going to operate it have to be experienced enough to ensure their safety. Our department has facilitated, we’ve worked with the community at every step and we’ll continue to do so. If there is a situation here, I’m not sure what the water truck number is referring to, whether it’s a municipal water truck or if they have one of their own, I wasn’t aware of that. But we certainly can look into it.

We encourage the company, we have inspections, we have discussions with the contractors to ensure that they’re involved and they involve the community and we’ll follow that up.

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Question 104-16(4): Blackwater Bridge Contract

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Question 104-16(4): Blackwater Bridge Contract

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I guess, overall, the biggest contract here is Ruskin and it can almost be viewed like they’re an outside contractor. What I’d like to see is to ensure that there is proper follow-up, proper documentation that they use as much local content as possible. Can the Minister ensure a mechanism like that when they do their post-mortem at the completion of this project, to show how much local content that they have used on this $50 million contract? Thank you.

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Question 104-16(4): Blackwater Bridge Contract

Oral Questions

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

We certainly can do that. Mr. Speaker, I have to point out I don’t share the Member’s concerns. The community, the job contract from the community requested to do the site preparation and they did the contract, they had that contract, they requested to do the earth works, they got the contract, they did that work, they wanted to do the gravel pit development, they requested that, they got that, and they did it, and they wanted to provide camp services, Mr. Speaker, and they are providing camp services. I wasn’t aware there was water truck involvement in here.

I only know that the Municipality of Wrigley has a water truck. If that’s what we’re talking about, then we’ll follow that up. The post-mortem is going to be done, in any event. Our indication is that this project has exceeded all local and northern requirements and it’s only going to improve as the time goes on. Thank you.

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Question 104-16(4): Blackwater Bridge Contract

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Kam Lake , Mr. Ramsay .

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Question 105-16(4): Animal Protection Legislation

Oral Questions

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Government House Leader and it gets back to my Member’s statement where I was talking about animal rights legislation in the Northwest Territories and another incident just last week where three puppies were found in the dump in Behchoko with their throats cut. We start to ask the question again, the public asks us

questions, it makes us look bad both on a national stage and on an international stage when incidents like this happen. In the Northwest Territories, the legislation just has no teeth to do much about it, as was evidenced with the 34 dogs that had to be put down in Behchoko because the Crown felt they couldn’t get a conviction against the person who did that.

So I’d like to ask the Government House Leader today, what is the current status of animal rights legislation in the Northwest Territories today and where is it going? Thank you.

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Question 105-16(4): Animal Protection Legislation

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . The honourable Government House Leader, Mr. Miltenberger .

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Question 105-16(4): Animal Protection Legislation

Oral Questions

Thebacha

Michael Miltenberger

Government House Leader

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government is taking a two-track approach to this particular issue. The amendments to the Dog Act are being worked on, there’s a legislative proposal expected in November that will be ready by a review by committee and, hopefully, introduction in the winter session. That will give some immediate relief and more authority to the people dealing with issues of animal cruelty. At the same time, Justice is at work doing the necessary preliminary work on a whole new piece of legislation for animal cruelty, keeping in mind that our legislative cycle takes, on average, about two years.

So because of that gap, the amendments to the Dog Act are being proceeded with. Thank you

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Question 105-16(4): Animal Protection Legislation

Oral Questions

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

That’s interesting, considering what happened yesterday with the Petroleum Tax Act that went through the House in one day. I’d like to ask the Minister, last spring the Justice Minister had talked about a working group that was being formulated by government to take a look at animal rights legislation here in the Northwest Territories. I’d like to know exactly what that working group has accomplished in the past six months, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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Question 105-16(4): Animal Protection Legislation

Oral Questions

Thebacha

Michael Miltenberger

Government House Leader

A full briefing on both these particular pieces of legislation has been offered to committee and the folks stand ready to sit down with committee to be able to go through in detail both pieces of legislation, the amendments to the Dog Act as well as the new legislation and the work that the working committee has done. Thank you.

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Question 105-16(4): Animal Protection Legislation

Oral Questions

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

I appreciate the work that is being done on the Dog Act, but that doesn’t begin to address other domesticated animals in the Northwest Territories and cruelty or abuse that’s inflicted on those animals, Mr. Speaker. I know the Minister said the legislative process takes two years. Is there any way, any possible way that the government can see to it that animal rights legislation in the Northwest Territories gets a higher priority than us waiting two years and that won’t

even be conducted until the next government comes through the doors in two years? Thank you.

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Question 105-16(4): Animal Protection Legislation

Oral Questions

Thebacha

Michael Miltenberger

Government House Leader

As the Member noted, when the House puts its mind to issues of legislation, be it the Petroleum Products Act or in other legislation like the Family Violence Act, things can move relatively quickly. It would depend on the advice we get from the Legislative committee, if there’s a piece of legislation that can be adapted and modified to the Northwest Territories without rewriting right from scratch. But I think it’s an issue that if the will of the House is such, that could be looked at. Thank you.

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Question 105-16(4): Animal Protection Legislation

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay .

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Question 105-16(4): Animal Protection Legislation

Oral Questions

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s response. The Yukon had a similar occurrence with some animal cruelty, which led them to bring in

an act two and a half years ago; the Animal Cruelty Act in the Yukon. We don’t have to look that far and wide to find a piece of legislation, I think, that we could take a look at here in the Northwest Territories. Again, I want to ask the Minister, I know the Justice Minister said this in March, but can we please get another piece of legislation and get moving on this sooner than two years? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 105-16(4): Animal Protection Legislation

Oral Questions

Thebacha

Michael Miltenberger

Government House Leader

I will be talking about this issue with my Cabinet colleagues tomorrow morning and we’ll look at what’s possible and is there an ability to use existing legislation from other jurisdictions modified to the northern reality and not have to do this from scratch to see what’s possible. Thank you.

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Question 105-16(4): Animal Protection Legislation

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta , Mr. Krutko .

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Question 106-16(4): GNWT Support For The Fur Trade

Oral Questions

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are directed to the Minister of ITI , Mr. McLeod. Mr. Speaker, in regard to the importance of the harvesting industry in the Northwest Territories and the important role that it played in developing the Northwest Territories going back to the mid-1800s, I think it’s important to realize that it is still a very good part of our communities and the subsistence dependence that people have is to still trap and still harvest as a means of sustaining themselves.

I’d like to ask the Minister in regard to this government’s programs that they have, we have programs in regard to supporting the secondary industry for diamond polishing, we have funds available for the tourism industry, we have funds available in regard to APG and supporting their initiatives in regard to a pipeline, we have oil and

gas money in regard to providing that service and also we just learned that the outfitters businesses are receiving some $300,000 in regard to the Barren Ground Outfitters. I’d just like to ask the Minister to explain exactly what are we doing as a government to support the trapping industry in the Northwest Territories?

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Question 106-16(4): GNWT Support For The Fur Trade

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . The honourable Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment , Mr. Bob McLeod .

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Question 106-16(4): GNWT Support For The Fur Trade

Oral Questions

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our government has been involved with providing support to the trapping industry for many years and when I count up all the programs that we have, we’re providing approximately $1.75 million that we make available to assist trappers, and that’s not counting the $14.250 million that we’ve made available over the past some years since division as part of the Western Harvesters Assistance Program to allow harvesters to purchase new equipment. Thank you.

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Question 106-16(4): GNWT Support For The Fur Trade

Oral Questions

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

I know in the past, through economic development through our EDA agreement with the federal government, we have programs such as special Arctic grants where people were able to apply for grants to get snowmobiles, equipment, we have the Grubstake Program, which was there to assist people basically to stake claims and whatnot in the Northwest Territories.

I’d just like to ask the Minister, in light of the economic dollars we’re seeing from the federal government, have we looked at the possibility of implementing these types of programs which worked in the past and we’re there to support harvesters like we do with the fishing industry, the diamond industry and the other sectors of our economies so that people can really see the benefit of sustaining this industry?

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Question 106-16(4): GNWT Support For The Fur Trade

Oral Questions

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

The federal government recently announced the CanNor program. It’s headquartered in Iqaluit and it has district offices in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon. Also they do have programs that are operated out of there. The Member is correct; in the past there was ARDA programs, special ARDA programs, and when I questioned the federal government about was there ever any potential for ARDA programs coming back, they said there were already ARDA programs in existence and the funding is going to aboriginal governments. Although instead of ARDA it’s ARHDA funding. So as far as I understand, each of the aboriginal governments are receiving ARHDA money. Thank you.

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Question 106-16(4): GNWT Support For The Fur Trade

Oral Questions

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Again, this government is doling out money to the outfitters industry because of so-called impacts, because of the numbers dropping in caribou. I mean, the same herd is going to affect the people that depend on subsistence harvesting, especially the aboriginal people that depend on

those herds for subsistence. You have to offer them an alternative for hunting or harvesting caribou. One of the areas that you can seriously make a difference in is the trapping industry so that those people can realize that if we support them in that sector, that they’ll be able to continue to sustain the lifestyle that can sustain them, they’re able to bring in the furs and have an industry in harvesting and expanding the processing of those products in the Northwest Territories.

So, again, I’d like to ask the Minister, have you looked at the implications from the harvesters’ perspective, not the outfitters, and what are we doing to realizing these decisions made in regard to not harvesting the Barren Ground caribou herd or whatever? It’s going to have more of an impact on aboriginal harvesters than it will to the outfitting industry.

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Question 106-16(4): GNWT Support For The Fur Trade

Oral Questions

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

We have looked at those sectors. The Barren Ground Outfitters probably provide something in the neighbourhood of four to five million dollars in direct economic benefits to the Northwest Territories. Similarly, we looked at trapping and it’s very difficult to quantify other than the actual return, plus we estimate that if you had to go to the stores to buy country foods that the harvester provides, you’d probably be looking at something in the neighbourhood of $20 million. So we think that both sectors do provide economic benefits to the Northwest Territories and we try to continue that they do survive. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 106-16(4): GNWT Support For The Fur Trade

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Question 106-16(4): GNWT Support For The Fur Trade

Oral Questions

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I find it kind of hard to hear the Minister’s comments regarding not being able to quantify the importance of the trapping industry in the Northwest Territories but we’re doling out money to every industry that’s from outside the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, my last question in regard to the importance of harvesting to people in our small rural and remote communities. People still have to sustain themselves by some sort, unless this government’s willing to dole out more money for income support and put everybody in our communities on income support and make that an industry, because that’s exactly where this government is going and not realizing the importance of this industry on rural and remote communities. So I’d like to ask the Minister again, exactly why is this government not taking the importance of the trapping industry in the Northwest Territories like we do the diamond industry?

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Question 106-16(4): GNWT Support For The Fur Trade

Oral Questions

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

I like to think that trapping is a success story. We are contributing $1.75 million in assistance for 800 trappers, and I think it’s a very important way to maintain a way of life.

The diamond industry and about 1,200 miners that work and it contributes significant dollars to our

GDP. The diamond mines and the mining industry have resulted in the Northwest Territories having the highest GDP for the past 10 years. So it’s very difficult to compare a billion dollar industry to a maybe one or two million dollar industry. But we are contributing to try to make all sectors successful in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 106-16(4): GNWT Support For The Fur Trade

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Weledeh , Mr. Bromley .

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Question 107-16(4): Proposed Taxation Initiatives

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up on my Member’s statement, my questions are for the Minister of Finance . Yesterday the Premier was asked about the current state of devolution negotiations and gave answers describing their status. Completion of a deal will take some time, and meanwhile, the revenues owed to our citizens for the sale of our resources go uncollected. Many Members have called for a resource tax as a desirable interim measure. Will the Minister commit to bringing forward a proposal for the increase of revenues through resource rents as part of his package of recommendations in the next budget? Thank you.

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Question 107-16(4): Proposed Taxation Initiatives

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley . Honourable Minister responsible for Finance , Mr. Miltenberger .

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Question 107-16(4): Proposed Taxation Initiatives

Oral Questions

Thebacha

Michael Miltenberger

Minister of Finance

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are committed to bringing forward a proposal for a heritage fund. We know that from some quarters there is an interest in a resource tax. We have indicated that we’re looking at tax shifting at this point, given that we’re still in a recession that while there are some weak signs of recovery, it’s not clear that we’re on the way out and that we don’t have anything further to worry about.

But we have committed, as a result of our roundtable, to do work on a resource tax, and look at the feedback we’ve received and put a discussion paper out there so that we could initiate that policy discussion to see. Keeping in mind the last time, about a year ago, when we talked about revenue options and looked at creating $30 million in revenue and we talked about a whole host of things -- resource taxes, hotel taxes, road tolls, all these types of things -- there was almost unanimous denunciation in the House for any contemplation of raising taxes and the cost of living.

So we will come forward with a discussion paper and we are going to move on the heritage fund. Thank you.

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Question 107-16(4): Proposed Taxation Initiatives

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Very good news to hear about the heritage fund intent. I’m happy to hear that some work is being done on the resource tax. Of course, times change and, as I say, there has been quite a shift, as well, in our thinking on the resource tax that, of course, would not affect the cost of living.

The tax shifting is of interest, though. Studies show that when taxes are lowered for low and middle income people, the money is spent priming the economy and improving standards of living. The studies also show that high income earners who get tax cuts spend their money on imported goods or they put it into savings, providing only limited benefit to the community. Will the Minister commit to including a lowering of income taxes for lower and possibly middle income earners in his revenue recommendations? Mahsi.

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Question 107-16(4): Proposed Taxation Initiatives

Oral Questions

Thebacha

Michael Miltenberger

Minister of Finance

We would be prepared to look at all of the suggestions. I am not prepared to negotiate the contents of the upcoming budget in the House. At this point, there have been lots of recommendations made. We are looking at trying to maintain tax levels, so we are looking at things like tax shifting, recognizing, as well, it’s a delicate balancing act.

The other concern is if you continue to raise taxes at the high income level as well, you have trouble attracting people when they look at the tax regime and where is the best place for them to come and provide their services. We recognize the pressures at both ends and we will try to find that appropriate balance. Thank you.

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Question 107-16(4): Proposed Taxation Initiatives

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thanks again for those comments. I recognize it’s difficult to commit at this point and I am happy to see work is being done at this point. I hope we do go forward with that opportunity.

It’s shocking, of course, that nearly 20 percent of our earned income in the NWT economy is paid to people who don’t pay taxes in the NWT. I recognize that the MOU between the government and the diamond mines is working on that to base workers here in the North and that there is some effort to look at immigration to sort of help in an indirect w