Wildlife — 16 August 2007 (15th Assembly, 6th Session, pp. 341–376)

2007-08-16, 15th Assembly 6th Session, pp. 341–376

Northwest Territories — Debates (Hansard)

Wildlife — 16 August 2007 (15th Assembly, 6th Session, pp. 341–376)

2007-08-16, 15th Assembly 6th Session, pp. 341–376

Northwest Territories — Debates (Hansard)

Debates of Aug. 16th, 2007

This is page numbers 341 - 376 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 6th 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 name .

Topics

Members Present

Item 1: Prayer

Richard Popko - Jim Bourque Award

Employee Consultation On Whistleblower Protection

Hamlet Of Enterprise

Core Housing Needs In The Nwt

Administration Of Social Housing Subsidy Program

Support For Families Affected By Tragedy

Highway No. 3 Maintenance Contact

Northern Arts And Cultural Centre Core Funding

Access To Paulatuk Gravel Source

Distribution Of Cbc North Regional Personnel

Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resources Review

City Of Yellowknife Land Transfer Application

Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Arts And Culture Program Funding

Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Condition Of Dempster Highway

Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Land Transfer Process

Public Review And Consultation On Consolidated Health Clinics

Sahtu Wilderness Camp For Youth

Status Of Barrier-free Housing Project

Restrictions On Kakisa River Bridge

Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Tabled Document 36-15(6): Eighteenth Annual Report Of The Victims Assistance Committee Of The Nwt

Tabled Document 37-15(6): The Feasibility Of Whistleblower Protection In The Government Of The Northwest Territories

Tabled Document 38-15(6): Professionals' Statement Calling For An End To Water Fluoridation

Tabled Document 39-15(6): Letters From Residents Of Gameti

Tabled Document 40-15(6): Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowance Fund Financial Statements For The Year Ended March 31, 2007

Tabled Document 41-15(6): Pension Administration Report - Retiring Allowances Act And Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act, As At March 31, 2007

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Bill 11: Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2007

Bill 12: Public Health Act

Item 23: Orders Of The Day

Members Present

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

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---Prayer

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Item 1: Prayer

Item 1: Prayer

Page 341

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the House. Orders of the day. Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources , Mr. McLeod.

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Minister's Statement 29-15(6): Richard Popko - Jim Bourque Award

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 341

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to offer congratulations to a member of our public service, Mr. Richard Popko, who was recently honoured by the Fur Institute of Canada with the Jim Bourque Award in recognition of his support of the sustainable development of Canada's modern fur trade.

Richard is known for his commitment to the principles of sustainable use of wildlife. These principles include humane trapping practices and furthering indigenous peoples' cultures. He is a good example of the vital stewardship role that trappers play in the conservation of wildlife resources.

He began his career with the Government of the Northwest Territories soon after his graduation and was first assigned to posts in the Eastern Arctic. It was here he met his wife, Napatchee. They now have two sons, David and Michael.

After working in the Eastern Arctic, Richard and his family moved to northern Ontario to live out his long-time dream. For five years, they lived on and maintained their own trapline. However, the lure of the North was too much for them and they returned north of 60 in the mid-1980s. They moved to Norman Wells, where Richard took on the position of conservation education and resource development officer. During this time he was heavily involved with local fur harvesters in trapping programs and workshops.

In 1995, Richard jumped at the opportunity to become the region's wildlife technician and get back into research, fieldwork and away from the office and a desk. He has become known for his contagious enthusiasm for the trapping industry and the natural beauty of the Sahtu. His enthusiasm and support is appreciated by his colleagues

in the GNWT, the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board and other government departments and agencies. He has worked on many field studies and scientific papers that contribute to our collective knowledge about wildlife resources.

We should all be proud to have a man of such integrity, dedication and ability in public service. His enthusiasm and passion for the conservation and sustainable use of our wildlife resources should be recognized by all of us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

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Minister's Statement 29-15(6): Richard Popko - Jim Bourque Award

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 341

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Human Resources , Mr. Dent .

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Minister's Statement 30-15(6): Employee Consultation On Whistleblower Protection

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 341

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories, GNWT, strives to create a work environment that recognizes professionalism, leadership, integrity and respect for others. These shared values help public service employees adhere to high standards that maintain and foster public confidence in the government. To ensure continued public confidence in the territorial public service, the government is considering the feasibility of whistleblower protection for employees in the GNWT.

There are a number of different approaches to achieve the goal of whistleblower protection from stand-alone legislation to regulations under an existing act to government policy. It is important to consider which approach would be most practical for the GNWT.

At the appropriate time today, I will be tabling a consultation discussion paper: The Feasibility of Whistleblower Protection in the Government of the Northwest Territories. The paper is designed to encourage employee participation and discussion in the development of whistleblower protection for the territorial public service. The discussion paper is available on the Department of Human Resources website.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, a message was sent to all employees, along with information posters, inviting them to provide comments on the concept of whistleblower protection and what should be included by September 30, 2007. The unions representing GNWT public service employees have also been invited to comment.

---Applause

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Minister's Statement 30-15(6): Employee Consultation On Whistleblower Protection

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 341

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Dent . Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs , Mr. McLeod.

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Minister's Statement 31-15(6): Hamlet Of Enterprise

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 342

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to announce that, after extensive consideration by the residents of Enterprise and their council, the Settlement of Enterprise will become a hamlet on October 29, 2007.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has been working with the Enterprise council and residents to explain the differences between a hamlet and a settlement and what the changed roles and responsibilities mean. There are many benefits to the community in becoming a hamlet, including the ability to pass legally enforceable bylaws, the authority to develop land management and development schemes, the ability to acquire and dispose of real property, and authority and control over capital programs and infrastructure.

The new hamlet will take over its jurisdiction within the same boundary currently enjoyed by the Settlement of Enterprise. The new hamlet will also become the owners of the municipal infrastructure currently owned by the GNWT in the community.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs will continue to support the hamlet of Enterprise through increased financial support for operations and maintenance funding.

As well, for the first time, the community will receive funds allocated for capital through the capital funding formula and a funding allocation available through the Canada-NWT Gas Tax Agreement.

The community has selected October 1, 2007, for its election, at which time a new hamlet council will be elected. On this date, for the first time in Enterprise, the community will have the authority to elect a mayor separate from the rest of the council.

Community residents are looking forward to the increased authority, responsibility, local control and accountability that will come with this change. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is also looking forward to continuing to partner with the new hamlet council to build capacity as it addresses local issues and priorities.

I would like to congratulate the community of Enterprise for taking this very important step towards greater responsibility and autonomy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.

---Applause

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Minister's Statement 31-15(6): Hamlet Of Enterprise

Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 342

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Core Housing Needs In The Nwt

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 342

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Housing in the NWT, in terms of availability, quality and affordability for renters and owners, continues to be a major barrier to personal, community and economic progress across the NWT. Here in Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, the YWCA Transitional Housing Program and the Yellowknife Housing Authority continue to see demand for their housing stock well beyond the supply. The housing authority has seen a waiting list of over 100 families in need over the past three years, with a significant number of those on the waiting list being seniors and persons with disabilities.

Affordability is an issue. Mr. Speaker, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation tells us a typical residence in Yellowknife will sell for close to $300,000 this year. That's up 7 percent in each of the past two years. Vacancy rates for this year will be about 2.5 percent, tightening up from last year. The average two-bedroom apartment in Yellowknife rents for about $70 more than it did in the past year.

At the territorial level, Mr. Speaker, we previously have seen in this House vigorous discussion on the merits of the ATCO Novel housing project. This is an innovative project, Mr. Speaker, that will have seen several hundred housing units converted from a construction camp to the pipeline project and the permanent housing in virtually every community in the NWT.

This would have been, I believe, a very viable part of our housing needs. Mr. Speaker, it seems that this is going to be something that's not going to be on our radar screen because of changes in the way the pipeline project is going to be constructed.

The NWT community housing needs survey in 2004, Mr. Speaker, showed that 2,260 households in the NWT are in core need. That means they need some kind of adjustment, change or replacement, or opportunity to move into something that is more appropriate.

Mr. Speaker, the Bureau of Statistics indicates that about 1,600 new homes will be needed to satisfy population growth and overcrowding between now and 2014. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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Core Housing Needs In The Nwt

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 342

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Core Housing Needs In The Nwt

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 342

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Thank you, colleagues, Mr. Speaker. The NWT continues to have a dramatic housing need. Of course, demonstrated by that information, it amplifies other social problems, but we face considerable constraints in solving this issue, Mr. Speaker. Developments, red hot economies all across western Canada, labour shortages increasing, materials supply costs have added pressures on how we are going to solve this problem.

So what I am looking for, Mr. Speaker, what we should all be looking for, are answers on how we are going to meet our housing needs, current and future. What are the options our government is going to be looking at to ensure affordable and adequate housing? I am going to have some questions for the Minister responsible later this afternoon, Mr. Speaker.

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Core Housing Needs In The Nwt

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 342

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Administration Of Social Housing Subsidy Program

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 343

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there's an old saying that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But I think with this ECE housing transfer issue, they are trying to invent that to say if it ain't broke, let's break it.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, we brought motions forward recently, asking Housing to take the ability to do the assessments for the tenants back from ECE because, Mr. Speaker, we have been hearing for months now that this is just not working. I don't know what it's going to take for the department to realize it's not working, that they should transfer the money back to the Housing Corporation to look after the assessment themselves.

We have 30 to 40 forms that are behind people in an authority office looking to pay their rent, but they can't pay their rent because these assessment forms are not done. It seems to be that this is very low on the totem pole and the government tries to justify it by saying we need one-stop shopping. Well, one-stop shopping is fine, Mr. Speaker. It's fine down south when you have a two-hour drive between point A and point B, but in a lot of communities we don't have to worry about one-stop shopping. Who is this one-stop shopping supposed to be for? Is it for the benefit of the tenants or is it for the benefit of ECE or the Housing Corporation?

I still can't figure out why they took that responsibility away from the Housing Corporation. They were doing a good job. It was good for the tenants because they were assessed. They paid their rent when they had the money. Now the housing authorities are having problems getting clear audits because they can't collect rent for three months back because the assessments are not done. There's not much blame put on the regional level, Mr. Speaker, because a lot of problems we do have in the government start at the top. I mean there's 14 PYs assigned to this transfer of $32 million. Where did they go?

They didn't go to the regional level. I am sure they didn't go to the regional level because they seem to be swamped with all the work that they have.

Mr. Speaker, it's time for this government to realize that they did make a mistake. Be big enough to admit it and correct it for the good of the tenants who don't have to be running all over the place. Thank you.

---Applause

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Administration Of Social Housing Subsidy Program

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 343

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Support For Families Affected By Tragedy

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 343

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to pay honour to the people in Fort Good Hope in the Sahtu region. From time to time, with our people across the Northwest Territories, it's time to stop, put the issues aside and reflect inside our hearts. Today, the people of Fort Good Hope have organized themselves, with the support of many wonderful people in our region and across the Northwest Territories, to support families, children, grandparents and the people of the Sahtu for the victims of the plane crash that happened there last year today.

Mr. Speaker, issues that are very important for the Northwest Territories such as my colleagues are speaking on and are talking about today, sometimes in our communities those issues are put aside and we look at the real human issues of how to support these young children who lost brothers, uncles, grandparents...One family in Fort Good Hope, young children, lost their mother and their father; the father to the plane crash and the mother to cancer. The parents are gone and these children are orphans. The system sometimes has to play a role to take care of them.

At this time, Mr. Speaker, we put aside these difficult issues that we face on a day-to-day basis. As MLAs, we are faced, numerous times throughout our terms, to deal with the real hard issues, the ones that really hit us in the heart and tests our spirit of compassion and for some thought to our children.

I want to thank the Department of Health and Social Services from last year for really supporting the family in Fort Good Hope. I can clearly remember a phone call from the mayor in Fort Smith offering me anything that his community can do to help these families in Fort Good Hope. There were numerous calls across the North, from Hay River to Kugluktuk and right down the valley to help these families.

Honouring them today is a real big thing, especially in Fort Good Hope. There are many good people. And this government too, this government went a long way to help the families. Mr. Speaker, I want to say to the people of Fort Good Hope, to the families and to the young kids who lost their friends, loved ones, brothers or sisters, parents, that we are with them in our prayers today and will continue to be from here on in. Mahsi cho.

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Support For Families Affected By Tragedy

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 343

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Highway No. 3 Maintenance Contact

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 343

Jackson Lafferty

North Slave

Mr. Speaker, this is the third time I have raised the issue. There are two Department of Transportation crews that work on Highway No. 3. The Yellowknife crew is responsible for the

section from Yellowknife to just before the Behchoko access road, the junction. The Edzo crew is responsible for the access road to Chan Lake towards Providence.

Mr. Speaker, I asked the current Minister of Transportation in February of this year if he would consider transferring the responsibility for maintaining a

section of Highway No. 3 between Boundary Creek and Behchoko access from the Yellowknife crew to the Edzo crew. He replied that all maintenance crews that DOT does have are employed and live in Edzo at this point. But, Mr. Speaker, the Minister was mistaken. I am referring to the Boundary Creek to Behchoko junction road maintenance. The Yellowknife crew currently have responsibility for this

section of the road, and we want the

Edzo crew to take over the Yellowknife stretch to the Behchoko junction.

Mr. Speaker, it just makes sense that these jobs should be filled by Behchoko residents rather than have workers and equipment from Yellowknife travel as far as 100 kilometres to the access road and extra costs in time and fuel. It is more efficient to use the nearby Edzo crew. As I have said before, maintenance work on the highway is an important source of employment for the community of Behchoko. It should be a government priority to ensure that these jobs are filled by people from local communities whenever possible.

Mr. Speaker, this area is in the Monfwi jurisdiction. The Wekeezhii boundary, the Wekeezhii Land Water Board also is within the boundary that we signed between the GNWT, federal government and Tlicho Government. It is in a settlement area. Our people should have the responsibility for maintenance and the job that goes along with maintaining the stretch of Highway No. 3.

Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Department of Transportation at the appropriate time. Mahsi.

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Highway No. 3 Maintenance Contact

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 344

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Northern Arts And Cultural Centre Core Funding

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 344

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about the value of arts funding, particularly the importance of arts funding that benefits the communities. As a small jurisdiction, we can be proud that we have a professional performing arts centre in the NWT. This fully equipped live performance theatre is located in Yellowknife, but the mandate of the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre reaches to the NWT community. NACC is mandated to encourage the development of the performing arts from all cultural traditions in the entire Territories.

Mr. Speaker, NACC has existed more than 20 years. Its growth and development over that time was largely possible through volunteers and support from community groups and business sponsors. NACC's board of directors and administration have taken their territorial mandate very seriously. For example, during their 2006-07 season, community outreach workshops and performances were hosted in six communities outside of Yellowknife. Now, this is a great start given the limited resources the arts centre has, but we all know that there are 33 communities in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, it is important that community audiences and artists are exposed to a variety of cultural and artistic events. Young artists need to be encouraged to develop. Not all of our young people are involved in sports. We have to provide opportunities for performances and inspiration for actors, dancers and musicians. We must admire NACC for expanding their Community Outreach Program despite an unchanged GNWT core funding of $30,000 a year since 1983. Over the past 24 years, no adjustments were made, not even to acknowledge the rising costs due to forced growth.

NACC has submitted a detailed proposal to the Department of ECE asking for an increase of $50,000. This funding is essential to sustain and expand NACC's territorial program. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, ECE did not respond favourably. Supporting community outreach for performing arts is obviously not a priority of this government.

Mr. Speaker, I make a plea for the value of the arts funding. Allowing the requested increase would mean an annual core funding of $80,000 for NACC, and this is still a very moderate amount of money for the value that we receive in return. The funding would allow the arts and culture to find expression in our communities and it would allow more communities to experience the importance of arts as audiences and performers. I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Northern Arts And Cultural Centre Core Funding

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 344

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Northern Arts And Cultural Centre Core Funding

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 344

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Adding funding to the long-established and well run Northern Arts and Cultural Centre would multiply its value because this minimal government spending would leverage many volunteer activities making these community events possible.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Marilyn Barnes, the Hay River member of the NACC board of directors, for drawing this situation to my attention and thank her for her tireless efforts in developing and supporting artistic and cultural events in Hay River. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Northern Arts And Cultural Centre Core Funding

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 344

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Access To Paulatuk Gravel Source

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 344

Calvin Pokiak

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During a visit in Paulatuk, I had an opportunity to meet casually with the mayor, council and residents of Paulatuk. An issue the mayor, council and public raised is the completion of a 35 kilometre plus access trail from Paulatuk to Rat Lake gravel source and the recent erosion problem that has occurred in Paulatuk. The erosion problem seems to be occurring all across the Beaufort because of climate change. I guess one can argue this fact.

Mr. Speaker, the previous MLA, the late Mr. Vincent Steen, was instrumental to work with the mayor and council of Paulatuk in accessing funds for the start of the access trail to Rat Lake. The hamlet, with the assistance of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, have worked together on this project for the past seven and a half years, which I understand was funded $50,000 annually towards this project.

The hamlet informed me that they are now at a point where they cannot continue this project because they require assistance for further funds to construct a bridge so they can gain access to the Rat Lake gravel source.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to applaud and thank the Hamlet of Paulatuk and MACA in working together to try and reach a much needed gravel source for municipal requirements. At this point in time, I would be

disappointed if the Department of MACA and Transportation decided not to continue and fund and complete this project. Completion of the access road to the Rat Lake gravel source will address the long-term needs for the Hamlet of Paulatuk.

In closing, it is encouraging to see the Hamlet of Paulatuk and the government departments have such a close working relationship on this project. I would continue to encourage the government to continue working with the Hamlet to find funds to complete this access road. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Access To Paulatuk Gravel Source

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 345

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak . Members' statements. The honourable Member for Thebacha , Mr. Miltenberger .

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Distribution Of Cbc North Regional Personnel

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 345

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the CBC provides a vital link across the North, linking all of the communities, providing us a way to keep track of what is happening in this vast territory. We have 33 communities as well as Fort Chipewyan. Mr. Speaker, however, there is a significant problem, in my mind, on how resources are distributed across the North when it comes to CBC coverage. In Yellowknife, we look at the phone listings. There are 74 positions for CBC. In Inuvik, they do somewhat better. They have five to cover the North.

The South Slave to cover all of the southern part of the territory including Fort Chip, there is one person. There is very little community reporting ability available. The person in the South Slave is a long-term employee, one of the best in the business. She just took on territorial duties so she has even less time to go to the communities than she had before. The paper media in the South Slave from Hay River and Fort Smith are commenting that they are the only ones covering events because the CBC is no longer present there.

In Inuvik, they have the same struggles trying to cover all of the communities they have up there with the five people they have and the limited resources.

Mr. Speaker, I have raised this issue with CBC. As a northern communication arm, it is so important to us. They should be taking the steps to redistribute these resources a little more equitably. Ideally, it would be nice if they had more resources that they could actually put out to the field. When you look at the positions that are there, 74 in Yellowknife, five for the whole Inuvik region and one for the whole South Slave, clearly the balance is not right. They have a ton of bureaucratic reasons why it is so and how important it is to have all of these folks huddled here in the capital.

They don't even have on-the-ground in-the-communities in-the-North community reporters like they used to have that they would call in with what is happening in their communities. So we have even less community input into this very important meeting that connects us all.

Mr. Speaker, I know that this is not a government issue, but this is a public forum. I know CBC is listening. CBC is important. They should be close to the people. Thank you.

---Applause

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Distribution Of Cbc North Regional Personnel

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 345

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . Members' statements. The honourable Member for Kam Lake , Mr. Ramsay .

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Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 345

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to speak today about issues surrounding the operation of Stanton Territorial Hospital. During the summer months, the surgery ward has remained closed. It has been closed on and off for the last few years. The excuse, Mr. Speaker, is usually staffing. With the surgery ward closed, patients are being housed in pediatrics. For many obvious reasons, the reliance on pediatrics to house surgery patients seems to be an accident waiting to happen.

Post-operative patients should not be subjected to further possibility of infection nor should they be housed in close proximity to our sick children. Nurses on the ward are having to look after both the pediatric patients and the surgery patients. Mr. Speaker, for a hospital of this size and responsibility, it just doesn't seem appropriate that this practice is condoned.

Mr. Speaker, this government has a proposed plan to spend at least $27 million at Stanton for the next few years to renovate the hospital. Mr. Speaker, a major incentive for the renovations is to have better space utilization. Mr. Speaker, this is a noble idea. However, what I truly believe Stanton needs to do is refocus its operation on solely providing the delivery of medical services to our residents, to have the hospital fully staffed and resourced. We have been struggling with staffing at this facility for the past 10 years. How many studies, reports, consultants and committees are we going to need to have staffing issues addressed at this hospital?

Recent decisions are being made that just make people wonder what exactly the hospital is there for. Mr. Speaker, this definitely impacts staff morale. Recently, the patient lounge on the surgery ward was turned into four offices to house staff from the medical centre. Certainly, space is at a premium; this is true. But are we looking at turning an entire ward into office space? When you visit hospitals in southern Canada, they seem to have office complexes and buildings near the hospital to house administrative staff.

The time has come that the government needs to seriously examine the idea of building a dedicated medical administrative building near Stanton Hospital. If we can't get the capital dollars, let's let the private sector step up to the plate and get involved in building this much needed building.

Mr. Speaker, a hospital should be just that, a hospital providing the delivery of health services for our residents, not an office building. Mahsi.

---Applause

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Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 346

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resources Review

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 346

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on the Member's statement from the Member for Kam Lake , I just want to also speak a little bit about the issue surrounding Stanton Hospital. Mr. Speaker, I believe that, in this House, it is important that we get the job done based on what our constituents are telling us. Over the years, we have heard many questions and concerns about operations of the hospital, the morale, the deficit situation and such.

I thought that, months ago, it would be a good idea for us to undertake a human resource review and get feedback from the staff there as to what the issues are and how we could address them. I supported this initiative because I really feel that it is much more important to be productive than to just be critical, although being critical can help too. Mr. Speaker, I do respect the work that the hospital people do. There are many people in my riding and right on my street who work at the hospital. I know there are lots of people who are happy working at the hospital without much issue, but there are many others.

There are some real serious issues that have been brought to us that we owe them to look into.

Now, the human resource review that we have undertaken, we haven't got the results of that yet. We have a briefing scheduled, but I just want to put it on record that I feel like I am getting very conflicting information. On that, there is already a campaign or something going on that things are really not that bad. I just want to say that I am not interested in targeting anybody or anything. This is not a critical exercise. I still have a good will and good intention with the days remaining to do something productive and something good.

I would like to call upon the Minister and the officials and everybody who is involved in this study to give us the goods, give us the information. Try not to make it anything other than what it is, because I believe, Mr. Speaker, if we don't know what it is, we can't fix it. We can't fix things unless we have all the facts.

On Monday, when we are having a briefing, I will be expecting full information and a very good plan as to how we go about addressing issues that I am sure will come about, about how to improve the morale situation there or any issues that they may have and to make it easier for our human resources in the hospital. Thank you.

---Applause

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Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resources Review

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 346

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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City Of Yellowknife Land Transfer Application

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 346

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The NWT has an abundance of many things, one of which is land. What we don't have is an abundance of affordable lots to build houses on, Mr. Speaker. I would like to discuss an issue with regard to the City of Yellowknife's application for land and the process involved.

The City of Yellowknife applied for a transfer in February 2006, for six parcels of land, and all the land, with the exception of two properties, have been transferred. A year or more later, Mr. Speaker, in 2007, the city's land application was returned, with MACA saying that they do not agree with the scope of the request. Therefore, revise it and then maybe we will look at it again. Well, the city prefers not to revise their application and remove the parcels that MACA doesn't want to consider. The city would rather have this, Mr. Speaker.

They want a fair, open process, something that is transparent where they can hear from any third party regarding their interest on this land that the city wishes to seek for disposition. So what land, we may ask? Well, Mr. Speaker, the areas of concern are Tin Can Hill, Yellowknife golf course, Grace Lake, northeast end of the city and even Pilot's Monument. MACA is saying they cannot circulate the city's application because they can't offer the land. That is, they are saying it is not theirs to sell. The city is of the opinion that the decision should be made after consultation. So, Mr.

Speaker, where is the fair public process? Certainly it is not in this situation.

Secondly, in February 2007, the city expressed interest in reviewing options for purchasing the Con and Rycon trailer courts. In July of the same year, the city passed a motion to acquire the common areas of the trailer courts and recommended that MACA should offer fee-simple titles directly to the existing lease holders. Mr. Speaker, MACA responded that they would be required to consult again through the IMA on the disposition of lands to the residents and the city. So the city has requested they proceed so the title transfer can occur by early 2008. Mr.

Speaker, this is twice that the IMA process is being invoked. It seems like an unfair hurdle that the city is being put through this process twice.

Mr. Speaker, one of the priorities of AOC was to see the improvement of land transfer and to expedite the land transfer process. The Housing Corporation received more positions and so did MACA, but what are they doing? Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister later today. How do we get rid of the red tape and start transferring lots so we can build houses? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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City Of Yellowknife Land Transfer Application

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 346

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . Members' statements. Reports of standing and special committees. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The Member for Kam Lake , Mr. Ramsay .

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Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 346

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with great pleasure I have some constituents in the gallery with us today. Mrs. Juanita Green and her son Nelson, who is checking out the skylights. Welcome. I also have a couple of special people up in the gallery, as well, today. My nephew Aaron Ramsay and his sister, Julianna Ramsay. Welcome. They are here to watch their big brother, Ryan Ramsay, who is a Page here in the Assembly with us this week.

---Applause

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Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 346

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Great Slave , Mr. Braden .

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Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 347

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a family friend, Mr. Wayne Sweeney, from Yellowknife, and visiting from Richmond, B.C., Alison Fraser. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 347

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden . Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we have missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to the House. I hope you're enjoying the proceedings. It's always nice to have an audience in here. Acknowledgements. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty .

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Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 347

Jackson Lafferty

North Slave

Mr. Speaker, as I highlighted in my Member's statement, the importance of having a maintenance contract on the Edzo crew from Boundary Creek to the Rae access road. Mr. Speaker, we need to respect the jurisdiction, the Monfwi Gogha De Niitlee traditional territory on which Highway No. 3 is situated and operated. My question is to the Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation. What efforts have the Minister's department made to ensure it uses local workforce whenever possible? Mahsi.

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Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 347

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . The honourable Minister of Transportation , Mr. Menicoche .

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Return To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 347

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The department, along with many other departments in our government, have been using and will continue to ask for local workforce in all its communities and regions that we represent. Thank you.

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Return To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 347

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty .

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Supplementary To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 347

Jackson Lafferty

North Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that was just the beginning of my oral questions here. My next question, Mr. Speaker, is I asked the former Minister of the Department of Transportation to consider the pros and cons of transferring the responsibility for Highway No. 3 maintenance to Behchoko, taking into consideration the cost efficiency as well as the need to stimulate employment outside of the capital city. The Minister was to report back to this Assembly. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister confirm if this work has been done and, if so, what were the results? If not, why not? Mahsi.

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Supplementary To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 347

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . Mr. Menicoche .

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Further Return To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 347

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. No, I cannot confirm if that study has been completed, nor deny it. Thank you, honourable Members. I have not requested the department to see if this work has been completed. It's only now been brought to my attention, but having our base at Behchoko right now is suitable for our current needs. Mahsi.

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Further Return To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 347

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty .

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Supplementary To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 347

Jackson Lafferty

North Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has been over a year, almost two years now, since I last asked that question and the department was going to come out with a study and then come back to this Assembly, which they are currently still working on for almost two years now. I'm not sure how long it takes to supply that information. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to seek another question to the department and also to the Minister. So for the third time I will ask, Mr. Speaker, has the Minister considered the option of transferring the maintenance contract from Boundary Creek to Rae access road to be under the Edzo crew? Mahsi.

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Supplementary To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 347

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . Mr. Menicoche .

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Further Return To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 347

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I actually heard a couple questions there and I'll follow up with the first one, which was the commitment to follow up on the study that's been previously committed. I can certainly do that. I'll check with the department and see where that assessment is at. As well, in answering the second part of his question is, I'll continue to do the same with the department and find out where the assessment and evaluation of extending the boundary from Behchoko to Boundary Creek. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 347

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 347

Jackson Lafferty

North Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am looking forward to the transferring of the contract; the sooner the better. So my next questions I guess would lead to that. Mr. Speaker, after all this time and out of courtesy to the Tlicho Government and the people of Behchoko, the Minister must make some effort to give this issue some consideration before the close of this 15th Assembly. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister agree to meet with the chief of Behchoko regarding the maintenance contract before the end of this Assembly and make a commitment to transfer the maintenance contract that is rightfully under Wekeezhii and Monfwi Gogha De Niitlee traditional area? Mahsi.

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Supplementary To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 347

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . Mr. Menicoche .

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Further Return To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 347

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'll be glad to sit down with the chief of Behchoko. I believe we're organizing a meeting with the Tlicho chiefs some time towards the end of this month and I'll be glad to sit down and discuss that item separately with them. Mahsi.

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Further Return To Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Question 129-15(6): Transfer Of Maintenance Contract For Highway No. 3

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 348

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . Oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South , Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 348

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when we look at neighbouring jurisdictions like the Yukon, for example, we always compare ourselves to them when it comes to things like tourism and the arts, and why is it with all the richness we have here in terms of culture and traditions in the Northwest Territories, do we not put more emphasis in this government on the arts? We're going backwards when it comes to the arts in the Northwest Territories.

I remember when I came to Hay River 33 years ago, you could buy season's tickets for these different events that would take place, and they would come in, like musical ensembles and we even had the Canadian Brass come into Hay River and set up on a stage in the school and perform. Now we have nothing like that. We had a Hay River Drama Society that put on fabulous shows in Hay River. We don't have that anymore. Mr.

Speaker, why would this government find it necessary to turn down an application from the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre for a $50,000 expansion in their core funding that would have allowed them to enhance the performing arts and cultural activities in our communities? Thank you.

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Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 348

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment , Mr. Dent .

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Return To Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 348

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to make it perfectly clear that their application for increased funding has not been turned down. I think there's perhaps a lack of understanding here on the timing of how our budget process works. An application that was received by this government after the budget was passed this past spring would normally be put into the budget process for the next budget, for the next budget year, and decisions for that budget will be made, of course, by the next government because this government won't be in place to pass that budget. So the application is still in place; it would be considered.

I'd like to also make sure that Members are aware that over the past two years we have found extra money for the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre. We're aware of the deficit situation and I have advised them that we are looking for ways to help them resolve their current deficit, and their application, then, for an increase in the budget will be considered as part of the process for developing the next budget. Thank you.

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Return To Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 348

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 348

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that's a very generous offer on the part of the Minister, that they will look for ways to help, but why hasn't the core funding to the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre, even in light of their community emphasis and their Outreach Program, not been changed in 24 years? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 348

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Mr. Dent .

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Further Return To Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 348

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The issue has always been one of finding adequate funds to be able to develop our programs. We're not in a situation where we have ever had excess funds that we could throw around. Over the course of this government, we have been trying to get, for instance, the pupil/teacher ratio back to where it was back in 1984. An important thing like education, this government has been struggling to be able to get back to the standards that we had 10, 15 years ago before we had substantial cuts in our funding by the federal government. So it's been a challenge for us to increase funding.

However, over the past two years, the department has been able to find an extra $30,000 a year to assist the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre over and above what their core funding has been. So we're aware of the issue and where we've been able to help out, we have moved to do that. We agree that it's time to move on increasing their core funding and it will be one of the priorities that is brought forward by the department for the new government to consider.

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Further Return To Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 348

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 348

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the point that I make...and I'd like to thank the Minister for pointing out that I don't understand the budgeting process of this government, because I have only been here 12 years but I am sure I will get on to it next term. Mr. Speaker, the fact that we are just on an ad hoc basis looking for money here and there to give to this very important initiative, will the Minister just admit that arts and performing arts and cultural activities are just not a priority to this government? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 348

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Mr. Dent .

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Further Return To Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 348

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I won't admit that. This government has invested considerable time and energy in developing an NWT Arts Strategy. After the first strategy was developed and tabled in this House, we also brought the people who helped develop it, along with others, back together to review the strategy and advise us on how to further develop it. Both ECE and ITI have, over the life of this government, increased funding into the arts; ECE specifically into the funding that goes to the NWT Arts Council. That has seen an increase during the life of this government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 348

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 349

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister indicates that this government doesn't have money to throw around and we don't have enough time here today for getting me started on that topic, where we actually throw money around. He brings up the teacher/pupil ratio, something dear to all of our hearts, but that's still no excuse for the limited and measly, meagerly support that's gone into support for arts and culture in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, as a former colleague of ours in this House, Mr.

Picco, used to say, a strategy without any funding is just a slogan, and I don't want to hear lip service paid to this important initiative. I'd like to know where's the money? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 349

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Mr. Dent .

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Further Return To Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 349

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have said, the department has consistently over the years found money to provide extra funding to organizations like NACC and we will continue to do that. I have no doubt that the new government will find the resources to increase the funding to the arts. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Question 130-15(6): Arts And Culture Program Funding

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 349

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 349

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for Mr. Handley as the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation . As I referenced in my statement, this Assembly has been very busy with one of the potential outcomes of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline, and that being a chance to use the Novel housing approach which is a design put forward by ATCO to potentially convert some camp housing into permanent housing in the NWT.

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Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 349

An Hon. Member

Bring back Novel.

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Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 349

Bill Braden

Great Slave

But we learned a little while ago that due to changes in the project that the Mackenzie Valley pipeline people might not or it's not likely they'll be using this particular idea and it takes off our list of options, Mr. Speaker, potentially several hundred housing units that we had thought could be put into place over the next few years. So my question, Mr. Speaker, to the Premier is, does the Novel housing project remain a viable option for our housing situation in the foreseeable future? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 349

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden . Honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation , Mr. Handley .

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Return To Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 349

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I haven't heard that Imperial and other proponents have dismissed the idea of using Novel housing. They've not told us that. They are reconsidering how they'll build the pipeline, where camps will be located and where they won't. They may use less, but they have not said they will not. So that still remains a viable option. Mr. Speaker, the pipeline is scheduled to begin construction as early as 2010; no earlier, possibly later. We continue to work with ATCO on some technical issues. We still have not received a commitment from the federal government, so it has some challenges. But we're continuing to keep it very much as an option for housing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Return To Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 349

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley . Supplementary, Mr. Braden .

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Supplementary To Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 349

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Okay, Mr. Speaker. Thanks very much for the answer from the Minister. But my information, and I think it's been quite well noted in the media, is that the camp housing proposals that they were looking at for building the pipeline have changed from building I believe it was five major permanent or semi-permanent camps to ones that are far more mobile, smaller and less sophisticated. So that was the point of my question. Maybe we need to compare some notes on it.

But regardless, we put a lot of our eggs in that Novel basket, potentially a lot of money had been talked about from this government, the federal government; some $300 million at one point. What are we doing if this proposal is not going to be coming forward? What are we doing, Mr. Speaker, to replace this plan and continue on to look at the several hundred housing units that our people tell us we need?

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Supplementary To Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 349

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden . Mr. Handley .

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Further Return To Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 349

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again I want to assure Members that the Novel housing concept is very much on the books. We're working on it; we haven't dismissed it. It may be less houses than what was originally contemplated; I don't know for sure yet because I don't think Imperial have really made a final decision on how they're going to manage the construction of this, but we'll keep it there. In the meantime, the only other major initiative we have is the affordable housing initiative. Mr.

Speaker, I'm pleased to say that out of the estimated 530 or so houses over the next couple of years that we would be building, we're now up to 336 houses that are either completed or in construction or were in design. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 349

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley . Supplementary, Mr. Braden .

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Supplementary To Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 349

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Thank you for the update, Mr. Speaker, on the affordable housing project. One of the aspects of the Novel plan that had come under some discussion was that we would be, in effect, exporting a lot of jobs and a lot of value to factories in southern Canada that would be prefabbing this, and it caused some of us ask, well, why couldn't we create that kind of an industry here in the NWT for ourselves, knowing that housing is, of course, a perpetual need. So I'm wondering to what extent the Housing Corporation is looking at enabling the creation of a viable housing manufacturing facility here in the NWT that we know is going to be something that we will need

all the time every year and it looks like in an increasing way, Mr. Speaker?

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Supplementary To Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 350

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden . Mr. Handley .

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Further Return To Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 350

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, while the concept of a housing manufacturing plant has been debated and discussed for a long time, some community corporations have looked at it. Without a steady confirmed market, it's very difficult to set up such a factory. We have to look at the benefits of doing it that way and moving modular homes or houses that are pre-built into communities versus building in the communities and building up the capacity of the development corporations.

Up to now, the Housing Corporation has received more pressure to work with communities to build up the corporations in each community so that they can build their own houses. So that's the direction we have been taking up to now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Question 131-15(6): Core Housing Needs Of The Nwt

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 350

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley . Final supplementary, Mr. Braden . Thank you, Mr. Braden . Oral questions. Honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes , Mr. McLeod.

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Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 350

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I spoke on the condition of Highway No. 8, also known as the "Dumpster Highway." I closed my statement by saying we deserve to drive on a nice highway. That was wrong, Mr. Speaker. We deserve a highway that's not dangerous. Some of the most beautiful country in the world you can't really look at it because you don't want to take your eyes off the road, otherwise you'll have a building named after you.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Transportation has been on that highway. I'd like to know his honest assessment of Highway No. 8. Thank you.

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Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 350

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Return To Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 350

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I was very happy to take the opportunity to go to Inuvik and to the northern reaches of our great territory and drive on the infrastructure that we do have over there. My opinion, it would be moot at this point but I can give the Member some facts, and the fact is that we have spent $35 million on the Dempster Highway over the years, and the last two years, Mr. Speaker, we have spent $5 million upgrading that piece of infrastructure and we've been very happy with the contractors that work there and work hard on our highways.

We are working towards safe transportation infrastructure and that's important to our communities and the regions and our people, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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Return To Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 350

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

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Supplementary To Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 350

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can tell you where that $35 million is and the $5 million they spent recently. It's in the ditch.

---Laughter

---Applause

Because they are not getting the work done properly and it's no fault to the contractor; they are given a contract to go by. So they go by that contract and I agree with the Minister, they do work hard, and that's not what I'm getting at. What I'm getting at is the money that is going into the Dempster Highway has to stay on the Dempster Highway and not go into the ditch, because that's the way it's happening and the highway is still dangerous. I'd like to ask the Minister if he's instructed his department to look at ways they can improve the highway and allocate more funds into it? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 350

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Menicoche .

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Further Return To Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 350

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. No, we are extremely happy to be using our resources and the money that we do have allocated to the Dempster Highway for culvert replacement, road widening, geometric improvements, improving the sight lines around the corners, and a lot of the money too has been expended on our passing zones by the application of calcium. So we are working hard to improve this piece of infrastructure. I have driven it, Mr. Speaker, and I can appreciate the frustration of the residents of Inuvik and of the Mackenzie Delta riding as well.

There is a long piece of road that goes all the way to the Yukon and it's 670 kilometres long and I can appreciate the frustration of people driving for long hours on gravel road, but our section, Mr. Speaker, is 270 kilometres long and we're spending as much money as we can on that highway and upgrading and improving it and I did receive many, many positive comments during my tour. Mahsi.

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Further Return To Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 350

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

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Supplementary To Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 350

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

I think the positive comments on his tour were coming from the fellow Minister. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister, with business plans coming up, if they can commit 125 kilometres from Inuvik to Tsiigehtchic. My colleagues were with me on that road; we're still wondering where the dust control is. It was dusty all the way. I'd like to ask the Minister if he could commit his department to doubling the amount of money they put on the Dempster and in particular fix the road between Inuvik and Tsiigehtchic, because it is a dangerous little stretch of road and it's not very wide, there are no sight lines. Would he commit to that? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 350

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Menicoche .

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Further Return To Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 351

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Our priority right now is to do the 44 kilometres from the border towards Midway Lake and that's where we're expending our efforts. We've got regular O and M funding that does, as well, address some of the issues of that particular

section the Member is talking about, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.

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Further Return To Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 351

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 351

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know it's difficult right now for the Minister to commit any extra funding to the Dempster Highway, but I would like to see him make a recommendation to the department to double the amount of money that they allocate to the Dempster Highway. Would he be able to do that? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 351

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Menicoche .

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Further Return To Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 351

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The challenges of my department and many other departments is how to best allocate the resources of the Government of the Northwest Territories. I can tell the Member that my personal experiences on the Dempster are leaning toward extra recommendation of funding for that portion. Mahsi cho.

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Further Return To Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Question 132-15(6): Condition Of Dempster Highway

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 351

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . Oral questions. The honourable Member from Kam Lake , Mr. Ramsay .

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Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 351

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Health and Social Services and it goes back to my Member's statement from earlier where I was making mention of the fact that the surgery ward at Stanton Territorial Hospital has been closed on and off now for the past three years. It recently closed again for the summer and, as well, recently the patient lounge in that surgery ward was turned into a four-person office room. I'd like to ask the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services if it's the intent of the department and the hospital to turn that ward into an office wing of that hospital? Thank you.

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Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 351

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services , Mr. Roland .

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Return To Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 351

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know we've worked with Members of this Assembly around our territorial facility here in Yellowknife at Stanton Territorial Hospital. I must say that maybe sometimes I need to get the information the Member is getting to help me do the job a little better. He seems to have a very good source.

Mr. Speaker, the area of the Stanton utilization is something we do when we work with all authorities in the area of master development plans and that is something that we will continue to do. In this situation, through the Stanton territorial facility, we've had an additional 11.5 physicians that will work throughout the territory in some of the rehabilitation areas. Because of our shortage of office space in a lot of our facilities, we've had to make some changes in there and those are just interim. We're hoping that we can go forward and put a submission into the workplace shortfall fund and look at making the necessary changes from that point on. Thank you.

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Return To Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 351

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay .

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Supplementary To Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 351

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can assure the Minister that my source, as he says, is my constituents and my constituents advise me of things that are going on at that hospital. They're staff at that hospital and I take what they say quite seriously and that's why I'm here today voicing the concerns of my constituents, Mr. Speaker. So if the Minister is looking for a source, that's it.

I also wanted to ask the Minister if the surgery ward is shut down, when exactly will it be opening again? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 351

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . Mr. Roland .

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Further Return To Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 351

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the surgery ward, as the Member stated earlier, for a number of years now when they look at the utilization rates, the number of surgeries that were being done, the elective surgeries being done, there's a number of times throughout the year when the volumes drop. So looking at how we utilize our staff best and our facility, that's been decided quite some time ago, but we would, during a number of times throughout the year, close the surgery ward down to elective surgeries. Everybody remains on call if there is surgery required and that continues to happen.

Recently, the past five weeks, the surgery ward has been consolidated with the paediatrics ward and what I'm told is the surgery ward is back to normal operation as of the 13th of this month. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 351

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay .

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Supplementary To Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 351

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess the Minister's source is better than mine if the ward was reopened on the 13th. So I commend him on that.

---Laughter

I wanted to get back to a point that I raised in my Member's statement and that was the fact that from a staff perspective, if the department and the hospital are turning

patient lounges into offices and other patient rooms into offices in that hospital, it sends up alarm bells, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to ask the Minister if in fact the Department of Health and Social Services has taken a serious look at building a dedicated medical administration building at or near Stanton Territorial Hospital? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 352

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . Mr. Roland .

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Further Return To Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 352

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we've already heard, the demand for more funding for a number of sources or activities in the Northwest Territories continues, whether its highways, arts funding or medical facilities or infrastructure or office space. What we've done is, again, looked at our utilization rate and right now at the Stanton facility there's approximately a 60 percent occupancy for in-patient wards.

We're finding a heavy usage on the outpatient side of it and that's why a utilization report is being done to look at how we use our facilities best and a temporary move has been to locate some of our staff into some of those empty rooms until we can sort out how we're going to make room for the extra offices we need, whether it's in this facility or another facility. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 352

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

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

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Supplementary To Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 352

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if you're looking at relocating employees to a hospital, that to me is very, very expensive office space, absolutely. I think the department has to come up with a game plan to try to house their employees. That should be in a dedicated medical administration building.

It shouldn't be in patient rooms at Stanton and they should look at amalgamating or bringing under, if the utilization of that building is 60 percent, they should look at bringing in some other services that are currently provided in other locations here in Yellowknife under one roof, not making that hospital into an office building, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to, again, ask the Minister what the game plan is going forward. Are they going to take a look at building a dedicated medical administration building in Yellowknife? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 352

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . Mr. Roland .

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Further Return To Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 352

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the situation we find ourselves in, if we were to go after a dedicated facility as a Department of Health and Social Services, we'd have to work through our capital plan, get it established, get agreement that it was a priority that it would receive the funds. There is another route that we are working with and that is the workplace shortfall capital fund and we're putting a plan together to try to see if we can access that to help us in our office shortfall right now.

From time to time, whether it's in this facility or other facilities throughout the territory, we've had people and staff in places where the space is tight, but that's the best we can do in our existing climate and conditions. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 133-15(6): Operational Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 352

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . Oral questions. The honourable Member from Yellowknife Centre , Mr. Hawkins .

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Question 134-15(6): Land Transfer Process

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 352

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I was reading my Member's statement and I was starting to wonder, is the MACA department standing in the way of accessible lots and, therefore, affordable housing here in the city of Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, I have to try to figure out why the Minister of MACA has refused to allow the application to come forward by the City of Yellowknife to go to the public process, the interim measures agreement. So, Mr. Speaker, maybe the Minister can help explain to this House and to the City of Yellowknife where the transparent process has gone and why he refused to allow it to go to a public hearing like every other piece of land should go through? Thank you.

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Question 134-15(6): Land Transfer Process

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 352

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs , Mr. McLeod.

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Return To Question 134-15(6): Land Transfer Process

Question 134-15(6): Land Transfer Process

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 352

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can't understand why the Member would stand up and say that MACA is standing in the way of transferring land. I think historically this government has gone on record for transferring large parcels of land over the last while.

---Applause

This last land acquisition request that has come forward contains land that we don't have jurisdiction over and, therefore, can't disclose that. If we can't disclose of it, it doesn't make any sense to go to consultation, Mr. Speaker.

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Return To Question 134-15(6): Land Transfer Process

Question 134-15(6): Land Transfer Process

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 352

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins .

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Supplementary To Question 134-15(6): Land Transfer Process

Question 134-15(6): Land Transfer Process

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 352

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Well, Mr. Speaker, the land request that came in a couple of years ago was cut in half by this department and once they came up with an agreement with the local folks, the aboriginal folks, they could have just, therefore, transferred the rest of it. But, no, they shelved it and sent it back and said apply some other day. Mr. Speaker, at the City of Yellowknife, the land cupboard is bare. They do not have lots available for affordable housing, Mr. Speaker. It is a very bare cupboard, but it's just not that long ago we gave MACA six more positions to deal with land transfers specifically. So, Mr.

Speaker, I'd like the MACA Minister to illustrate today to this House what these people are doing, because I'm kind of concerned because we do not have land being transferred over to the City of Yellowknife. Is he padding his department? You know, what are they doing over there? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 134-15(6): Land Transfer Process

Question 134-15(6): Land Transfer Process

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 352

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . Mr. McLeod.

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Further Return To Question 134-15(6): Land Transfer Process

Question 134-15(6): Land Transfer Process

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 353

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the land request from the city, if the Member had checked, would indicate that there is privately held land in the acquisition request. I'll have to check to see if the Member's property is included in there.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, there's bodies of water that we don't have jurisdiction over. There's federal lands that we don't have jurisdiction over. We can't pretend that we're going to transfer these over; we can't take it to consultation. We have been talking to the city for I think around three months now to see if we can work our way around it. We'll either have to carve these properties out of there to take the rest to consultation or the city will have to change their request, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 134-15(6): Land Transfer Process

Question 134-15(6): Land Transfer Process

Item 8: Oral Questions

Page 353

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins .

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Supplementary To Question 134-15(6): Land Transfer Process

Question 134-15(6): Land Transfer Process

Item 8: Oral Questions

Document details

CollectionNorthwest Territories — Debates (Hansard)
Citation2007-08-16, 15th Assembly 6th Session, pp. 341–376
Typehansard
Volume / chapter16
Languageen
Formathtml
SourceTERRITORIAL
Identifierf11f90e6e135d833e60222d1f0f9aefc65485ba0

Source file is stored in the law ingest library (html).