Debates of March 12th, 2003

This is page numbers 701 - 746 of the Hansard for the 14th 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 community .

Topics

Members Present

Item 1: Prayer

Amendments To Workers' Compensation Act

Minister Absent From The House

Sittichinli Recreation Complex In Aklavik

Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Heavy Equipment Operator Training Program

All Weather Road To The Slave Geologic Province

Public Awareness Of New Drinking And Driving Legislation

High Cost Of Rent And Cost Of Living In Yellowknife

Recruitment And Retention Of Health Professionals At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Fiscal Legacy Of The 14th Legislative Assembly

Visit To K'alemi Dene School In Ndilo

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Update On Federal Health Funding

Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Improving Collection Of Mortgage Payments

Seniors' Home Heating Subsidy Program

Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Recognition Of Ndilo As A Separate Community

Gwich'in Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Written Question 4-14(6): Cost Of Wildlife Act And Species At Risk Act Consultations

Petition 4-14(6): Rental Rates And Affordable Housing In The Nwt

Tabled Document 47-14(6): List Of Interactivity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 - April 1, 2002 To January 31, 2003

Bill 15:

An Act To Amend The Workers' Compensation Act

Bill 14:

An Act To Amend The Public Service Act

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

Committee Report 9-14(6): "one Land, Many Voices": The Final Report Of The Special Committee On The Review Of The Official Languages Act

Committee Motion 13-14(6) To Accept Recommendation No. 1 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

Committee Motion 14-14(6) To Accept Recommendation No. 2 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 3 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 4 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 5 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 6 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 7 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 8 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 9 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 10 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 11 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 12 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 13 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 14 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 15 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 16 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 17 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 18 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 19 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 20 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 21 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 22 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 23 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 24 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 25 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 26 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 27 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 28 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 29 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 30 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 31 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 31 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 33 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 33 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 35 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 36 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 37 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 38 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 39 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 40 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 41 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 42 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 43 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 44 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 45 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 46 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation 47 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 48 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 49 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 50 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 51 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 52 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 53 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 54 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 55 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 56 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 57 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 58 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 59 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 60 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 61 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 62 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 63 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 64 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

To Accept Recommendation No. 65 Of Committee Report 9-14(6), Scol Final Report

Bill 4:

An Act To Amend The Consumer Protection Act

Bill 9: Youth Justice Statutes Amendment Act

Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003

To Delete $378,000 From Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2003-2003, Under Maca, Operations Expenditures, Regional Operations

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Bill 3: Appropriation Act, 2003-2004

Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Members Present

Honourable Roger Allen , Honourable Jim Antoine , Mr. Braden , Mr. Delorey , Mr. Dent , Mrs. Groenewegen , Honourable Joe Handley , Honourable Stephen Kakfwi , Mr. Krutko , Mr. Lafferty , Ms. Lee , Mr. Nitah , Honourable Jake Ootes , Mr. Roland , Honourable Vince Steen , Honourable Tony Whitford .

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-- Prayer

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Item 1: Prayer

Item 1: Prayer

Page 701

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh , Mr. Handley .

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Minister's Statement 39-14(6): Amendments To Workers' Compensation Act

Item 2: Ministers Statements

Page 701

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, it will be my pleasure later today to introduce a bill to amend the Workers' Compensation Act. There have been no major amendments to this act since it became law over 25 years ago. This bill will be the first of two phases of amendments that will give the people of the NWT an entirely modern and effective workers' compensation system.

Members will recall that a legislative panel was appointed in 2000 to make recommendations for changes to the Workers' Compensation Act and the Safety Act. Made up of representatives from both the NWT and Nunavut, the panel's report Act Now, was received by me and the Minister responsible for the WCB in Nunavut the Honourable Kelvin Ng in January 2002, a little over one year ago.

The Workers' Compensation Board of the NWT and Nunavut is unique for both jurisdictions as it is the only remaining shared institution between the NWT and Nunavut. Although we have a shared board of directors, however, both jurisdictions maintain their own legislation.

Mr. Speaker, it is no easy task to develop legislative amendments for the workers' compensation system. First of all, as mentioned, the WCB serves two jurisdictions. In order for the board to maintain a unified legislative base, all amendments made to one government's act, should be reflected in the other jurisdictions. Secondly, by its nature, the legislation also serves two main interest groups - employers who pay for the system and employees who must access the system when an unfortunate incident occurs.

I would also like to note that this bill presents a first for both our Legislative Assembly and that of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. The content of the legislative proposal was developed with input from both governments. The bill itself was drafted by the GNWT Department of Justice, with French translation provided by the Government of Nunavut. I am also pleased to report that the Honourable Kelvin Ng and I were able to discuss and agree on a number of issues, which have been included in the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise the House that the amendments I will be introducing later today, address over 70 percent of the 85 Act Now recommendations calling for legislative change. Many of the remainder of the panel's recommendations addressed operational and other issues not requiring legislative change.

Accountability is key for any system to work effectively. These amendments will clearly establish the roles and responsibilities of all the players in the system so that the public will know how it is to work and who is responsible for making it work.

The amendments will also establish, in legislation, the office of the worker's advisor to help injured workers with their claims. The appointment of the workers' advisory will change from the board to the Minister, as will the workers' advisory's reporting relationship. This will create a direct line of communication and accountability from the workers' advisor to the Minister.

When workers are injured, they need quick access to effective treatment so that they can return to work as quickly a possible. The proposed amendments will mandate the workers' healthcare provider, the worker and the WCB to cooperate in the process of the worker's recovery through early assessment, diagnoses and the development of a treatment plan.

From time to time, Mr. Speaker, there can be differences of medical opinions with respect to the treatment plan for an injured worker. The proposed amendment mandate is a cooperative, consultative approach to help resolve these differences. This will remove some of the adversarial nature of the current process.

The proposed amendments will also clarify major sections of the act and make it easier to read and understand. The amended Workers' Compensation Act will be much more user friendly.

As I mentioned earlier, this bill will address over 70 percent of the recommendations that were made in the Act Now report. These amendments will go a long way to improving the workers' compensation system in the NWT and Nunavut, but the bill we will introduce this afternoon is not the end of the process. A second phase of legislative amendments, including a complete rewrite of the Workers' Compensation Act, is needed to address the remaining Act Now recommendations. I expect these amendments to be ready for introduction early in the life of the next government; and I hope that the Members of the 15th Legislative Assembly will continue to support the completion of this important work.

I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight, who spent a great deal of time reviewing the legislative proposal. Our discussions with AOC were constructive and helpful and I thank them for their contributions to this bill. In closing, I would like to thank the members of the Legislative Review Panel who provided the foundation for the amendments that will be introduced later today. Mr. Speaker, they are Louise Vertes, chairperson; Shona Barkley, Dan Halldorson, Steve Petersen, David Simailak, Alex Stuit and Don Yamkowy.

I would also like to thank the board and staff of the WCB and the Department of Justice for their diligence in developing this first set of amendments and the Government of Nunavut for their cooperation in ensuring that his bill would be ready to go forward during the life of our respective governments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 39-14(6): Amendments To Workers' Compensation Act

Item 2: Ministers Statements

Page 702

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Premier , Mr. Kakfwi .

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Minister's Statement 40-14(6): Minister Absent From The House

Item 2: Ministers Statements

Page 702

Stephen Kakfwi

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Michael Miltenberger will be absent from the House for the remainder of the week to attend the Ministers of Social Services meeting in Toronto. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 40-14(6): Minister Absent From The House

Item 2: Ministers Statements

Page 702

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Colleagues, before I proceed to the next item on the order paper, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize in the visitors' gallery some members of the Esteem Team North program. They are touring the Northwest Territories, particularly the Beaufort-Delta region a little later on in the springtime, this week perhaps. With us, we have Mr. Joe Dragon, former Pittsburgh Penguin draftee, Ms. Sharon Firth, an Olympic cross country skier from the Delta; Mr. Jamie Taras, former BC Lions football player; Chris Wilson, Esteem Team Canada executive director; and, Mr.

Rob Meckling, the Esteem North coordinator for Sport North. Please welcome them to the Legislative Assembly.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta , Mr. Krutko .

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Sittichinli Recreation Complex In Aklavik

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 702

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we all know the importance of infrastructure in our communities, especially our recreation facilities. Mr. Speaker, we've heard a lot about ensuring that we protect the government's assets, infrastructure, protection of people and assets, but, Mr. Speaker, coming from a small community, sometimes we lose sight of how important our recreation facilities are, especially with regard to the community of Aklavik. The Sittichinli Recreational Complex is an important place not only for meeting, dancing and other activities such as hockey programs.

This facility is presently under threat because of the condition of the building. The roof is leaking and also they have done an in-depth report of the Sittichinli Recreation Complex in Aklavik with regard to the technical status evaluation. In that report, they've found there is damage to the recreation complex and there is violation of the fire marshal's code and the Canadian Building Code we have to follow.

Mr. Speaker, we heard a lot in the House about certain reasons this government had to replace certain buildings and also accommodation for certain constituencies. Mr. Speaker, I think it's important that we have to keep in mind that we do represent some 30 communities and that we have to be fair. Mr. Speaker, it's important that we know, as a government, we are not above the law and whenever we find ourselves violating building codes and are in contravention of the fire marshal codes and orders, that we follow them.

I feel that in this report that has been done with regard to the Sittichinli Recreational Complex, it's important that this government does something to not only protect this asset, but to ensure we extend the life of this asset in the community of Aklavik. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be asking the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs about the Sittichinli Recreation Complex in Aklavik.

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Sittichinli Recreation Complex In Aklavik

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 702

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake , Mr. Dent .

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Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 702

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in 1993, the Minister of Renewable Resources stood in the Assembly and said that a comprehensive review of the Wildlife Act had been underway for a year. Here we are, 11 years since the review started and a new Wildlife Act has not been introduced. In fact, Mr. Speaker, a couple of weeks ago, the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development told the House, in answer to a question by Mr. Krutko , that a new wildlife bill would not be introduced during the life of this Assembly. Surprise, surprise, surprise.

Mr. Speaker, since the last election, no fewer than three Ministers of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development have promised we would see new wildlife legislation done in a timely way by this Assembly. After the last election, the consultation process was started again by Mr. Kakfwi , who was the first Minister responsible for RWED . It was carried on by Minister Handley after he took over and lastly by Minister Antoine during his tenure. Mr. Speaker, all three Ministers have noted that one of the main driving forces behind the need for revision was to deal with provisions of settled claims. Well, as Mr.

Krutko noted, it's nearly 10 years since the Gwich'in claim was signed, nine years or so since the Sahtu Dene-Metis claim and here we are, nearly at the end of another four-year Assembly mandate with no legislation coming forward.

Mr. Speaker, last year, I brought forward a private Member's bill that would have reduced the waiting period for NWT residents to apply for hunting licences. That bill was killed by Cabinet when they refused to let it come out of Committee of the Whole. The reasons? The Minister said it was because a comprehensive wildlife bill was coming forward within the life of this Assembly and items like my amendment should be dealt with as part of the overall review. So, since the review was underway and it would result in new legislation in the fall of 2002, the private Member's bill should not receive consideration. Mr.

Speaker, as Mr. Krutko noted, the government has promised for a long time that we would see a new Wildlife Act. Now, they say we have to wait for a new Assembly. I have tried to deal with the issue of a two-year for resident hunting licences in the 12th, 13th and now the 14th Assemblies, to no avail. I am always told that, since a new Wildlife Act is coming forward, I should be patient and wait for changes as part of that new act. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Krutko expressed the frustration that he and his constituents feel over the time it has taken to see this new legislation. My constituents are frustrated as well.

It's now been more than 10 years since I raised the issue. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 703

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent . The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his Member's statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays, Mr. Dent . You may conclude your statement.

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Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 703

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, the only positive note that I can point to is that in the latest progress report on new wildlife legislation sent out by the Minister of RWED in January, I see the government proposes to reduce the residency requirement for a hunting licence to one year. A flicker of hope, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I guess I am going to have to confer with my colleague from Mackenzie Delta on this issue. Perhaps we should collaborate on a new private Member's bill to move the whole process along. Perhaps we could bring it forward in June. At least one Cabinet Minister said he would support my private Member's bill if a new act wasn't going forward. It may be time to put that commitment to the test. Mr. Speaker, given the speed with which this process is moving, that may be the only way that we will see any action on a new Wildlife Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 703

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

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

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Heavy Equipment Operator Training Program

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 703

Steven Nitah

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to talk about something good for a change in this House.

---Applause

I would like to congratulate a constituent of mine, Grant Giroux who partnered with Carter Industries to provide a unique opportunity to work towards his journeyman certification. He started a joint venture company to provide heavy equipment training in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, in this unprecedented time of development, this kind of entrepreneurial spirit is what's going to make sure that we, as a society, benefit the most in our non-renewable resource development.

They joined forces to offer people in the North a heavy equipment operation journeyman apprenticeship program; Grant, a certified heavy equipment trainer, and Carter Industries, a northern company that has been operating for over 30 years in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, I am glad to also inform the House that our government has participated a great deal in this area. The departments of RWED and Education, Culture and Employment have supported this joint venture. It's this kind of collaboration and entrepreneurial spirit that's going to make their model a reality. Their motto is "Together we can Make a Brighter Future for the People and For the Business of the NWT." Mr. Speaker, they offer a program where, instead of going to Fort Smith, they will come to you.

If you have a project in Lutselk'e, Wha Ti or Tsiigehtchic, and you want heavy equipment operation trainers, they will come to you. This is the beauty of this business. They will provide a service, they make money and they provide viable training and apprenticeship hours, so our northern workforce are certified and benefit to the maximum that's available to them. I would like to congratulate Carter Industries and Mr. Grant Giroux. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Heavy Equipment Operator Training Program

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 703

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah . Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave , Mr. Lafferty .

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All Weather Road To The Slave Geologic Province

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 703

Leon Lafferty

North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I mentioned that the proposed Bathurst Inlet port and road would have a serious economic and environmental impact on the Northwest Territories. I have always felt that my region was overlooked in this government's transportation studies and strategies and I also know that nothing much has happened with these initiatives because of the lack of territorial and federal dollars.

Mr. Speaker, an opportunity is before us to create our own road into the Slave Geological Province and the time to act is now. Mr. Speaker, along with developing our own road into the Slave Geological Province, I think it is critical that we ensure that territorial concerns about the Bathurst Inlet port and road are heard. In my region which is rich in minerals, a gold mining company is looking for all weather roads and the opportunity to access existing hydro power in the Dogrib region. As I've said in the past, I think we need to look at connecting the communities and hydro and the mines.

The clock is ticking and we can no longer delay decisions on an all-weather road and hydro activity in our territory.

I realize that a coalition of Northern businesses is currently lobbying the provinces as well as the federal government for infrastructure funding. The problem with this is that this lobbying is based on the Corridors for Canada document. This government document does not benefit or address the opportunities in the Dogrib region. I'm sure that residents within my region would love to have input into creating this road if an independent household survey was done.

As I mentioned yesterday, the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs is going to decide in the next month which type of environmental review will be given to the supply routes. I think this government needs to ensure that a federal and environmental review process known as a

Part 6 is undertaken and I think we better get moving on our own road to resources through the Dogrib region. This government could make a powerful statement by just putting an all weather road into Wha Ti. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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All Weather Road To The Slave Geologic Province

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 703

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

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

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Public Awareness Of New Drinking And Driving Legislation

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 703

Greonewegen

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, the Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act, recently given second reading, proposes to toughen up our drinking and driving laws by reducing the legal limit to .05 percent. This is an important step towards the goal of reducing traffic fatalities in the Northwest Territories. However, Mr. Speaker, I believe in order to make this law more effective the public must be aware of the lower blood alcohol limit and what this new limit really means.

We've all heard the ads that equate one beer to one glass of wine to one ounce of liquor. In the past we have done a fairly good job of informing the public about how much the average person can consume while safely being below the limit of .08 percent level. With the new limit on the horizon, the public must be informed on how the new rate reduces what can be consumed before getting behind the wheel of the vehicle. If the public isn't familiar with the new limit, the benefit to public safety that this bill was meant to provide won't be realized and that, Mr. Speaker, would be a tragic waste.

There are many ways to get the message out. Increased presence of the RCMP, perhaps including more frequent road side breathalyzer testing, is one possibility. But it is critical that we find ways to get the word out before someone gets behind the wheel. Setting up breathalyzer equipment in a few bars could be an eye opening experience for many.

Other possibilities include informative posters or signs for display in all businesses that serve or sell alcohol and other key locations; stickers or messages on cans, bottles, and paper bags; a mass mail out informing the public of the new limit and what the change means; or perhaps an insert in any government mailing. Public service announcements targeting youth and a notice of the lower blood alcohol limit could be provided at the same time as driver licenses or vehicles are registered.

There are a great number of things that can be done to inform the public of the new limit and to make the public aware of how the new tolerance will decrease the amount of alcohol that can be legally consumed before getting behind the wheel. This government must do all that it can to get the word out and I hope they will consider these suggestions. Mr. Speaker, laws that are not understood are unlikely to be effective and there can hardly be a more important law than one that helps prevent another death from drunk driving. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Public Awareness Of New Drinking And Driving Legislation

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 704

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

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

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High Cost Of Rent And Cost Of Living In Yellowknife

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 704

Bill Braden

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have already expressed concern about the desperate housing and cost of living situation faced by low and middle income families many times in this Assembly. I believe it is shown by the almost 500 signatures on the affordable rental housing petition that we do need a better way of looking at the skyrocketing cost of rent and the cost of living. In these replies to the petitions that I've tabled, I'm looking forward to the Minister's positive and hopefully innovative approaches to dealing with the crisis, not only here in Yellowknife but in other NWT communities.

Mr. Speaker, in this Assembly in the last few days, we've been grappling with other aspects of housing, namely the harmonization proposal. The redistribution of wealth is an important part of government's job and is very much at the core of this initiative. It is clear that subsidies and supports such as income support and housing are an essential part of our work and these are principles that I won't abandon. This government clearly needs to look at how we support those citizens with the greatest need and balance that with those who can pay accordingly, so that we won't break the bank.

Speaking of banks, Mr. Speaker, housing isn't the only signal of the sustained and increased economic pressure on low and middle income families. Here in Yellowknife this is evidenced by the growing lines at our food bank. Where there used to be about 60 families coming in every two weeks, there are now over 100. Mr. Speaker, this is more people than the population of a number of our smaller communities. Where the food bank spent about $3,500 a month, it is now spending about $4,500. The volunteer board says that at this rate they will run out of funds by June.

Is the government's social safety net meeting the needs as it should? What's happened to the increases for the food allowances that we worked so hard to establish?

Mr. Speaker, work goes on to try to address these issues. In fact, in Yellowknife there is a seminar that is put together by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation which is going to look at the current and future situation of housing in Yellowknife. I'm going to be going there, and perhaps tomorrow I will have some more things to say about this dramatic need here in the territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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High Cost Of Rent And Cost Of Living In Yellowknife

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 704

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

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

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Recruitment And Retention Of Health Professionals At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 704

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the continuing challenges facing the recruitment and retention of the health care professionals in the North and in particular, the nursing staff at the Stanton Territorial Hospital. During this budget session, Mr. Speaker, this Assembly has already approved an additional $8.3 million and we will be asked to approve more money under the supplementary appropriations bill later on today. What concerns me is that all of this additional money may not translate into an increased number of positions at the hospital. I must say, Mr.

Speaker, it is highly frustrating when, as an MLA, you push hard to get more money to a certain program area and see no visible benefits.

Mr. Speaker, the information I have is that there continues to be a real deficiency in the retention area of the government's recruitment and retention strategy. In fact, the health care professionals have dubbed the latest strategy from the government as the "recruitment" strategy because it lacks the element of retention. Mr. Speaker, we should feel alarmed about this because logic would dictate that, without a meaningful retention effort, any recruitment effort will be fruitless. This is affecting all areas of staffing at Stanton, whether they be doctors, nurses, physio and occupational therapists, X-ray and other imaging technicians or lab technicians.

Mr. Speaker, in the case of the nursing staff, the government's guarantee of jobs for new nursing grads coming out of the school have been a mixed blessing in practice. No one can argue that this is a good thing for those new grads and I appreciate that we will benefit as a society from having northern nurses in our midst. What the government has failed to do thus far is to recognize fully and compensate appropriately the experienced nurses who are already there. Unless the government takes care of retaining the experienced nurses with proper compensation and benefits, we will not be able to rely on them to train and mentor the new grads.

I don't believe, Mr. Speaker, that it is fair and it is not right for the government to expect the experienced nurses to continue to fill overtime shifts and mentor and train the new grads without being properly compensated and recognized for that extra work. Their compensation, as it is, is not competitive in comparison to their counterparts in other jurisdictions. Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge that the government's objective of guaranteeing all nursing grads placement is laudable in theory, but it must come with the government's commitment to recognize the extra burden it is asking the experienced nurses to take on. Mr. Speaker, I would like unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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Recruitment And Retention Of Health Professionals At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 705

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may continue, Ms. Lee .

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Recruitment And Retention Of Health Professionals At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 705

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. May I conclude by saying, the government's objective of guaranteeing all new nursing grad placements is laudable in theory, but it must come with government's commitment to recognize the extra burden it is asking the experienced nurses to take on. Reclassification of current positions is one thing, Mr. Speaker, but this is taking way too long and this will not move far enough to get the nurses to be competitive when it comes to retaining the experienced nurses we have. I know the government is aware of this problem, Mr.

Speaker, and I want to put the government on notice that I will be paying very close attention to this area in the coming weeks and months. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Recruitment And Retention Of Health Professionals At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 705

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake , Mr. Roland .

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Fiscal Legacy Of The 14th Legislative Assembly

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 705

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, an old saying "red sky at night, sailor's delight; red sky in the morning, sailors take warning." Mr. Speaker, the Good Ship NWT had better look towards the horizon to see if it's a red sky in the morning. Mr. Speaker, I say that because in the budget we've been dealing with, we are just over $2 million from cresting $1 billion in expenditures throughout the NWT. One billion to 43,000 people in the NWT.

Yet, Mr. Speaker, we heard of concerns that health care issues aren't being dealt with, that education issues aren't being dealt with, that economic activities and demands are placing greater demands on our transportation infrastructure and so on. We are having difficulty meeting those needs. Mr. Speaker, as we've gone through this term as the 14th Assembly, we have indeed set high expectations and the residents of the NWT will now look to see if the government can continue to spend as it has spent in the 14th Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, in the Finance Minister 's Budget Address, he spoke of initiatives we are doing and potentials we had of our deficit situation. In his Budget Address, Mr. Speaker, in appendix B5, it shows a fiscal framework operation

summary. Mr. Speaker, it shows that by the end of the fiscal year 2003-04, total debt will hit $214 million. The 15th Assembly will be looking potentially at a $370 million debt by the first year they are in the government. Mr. Speaker, is this what we have been planning for? We've taken from where we are, we are saying we are leaving the next government better off than the way we found it. Well, we are still close to the debt wall, but the demands out there are going to be higher than ever.

Mr. Speaker, I am concerned that we have looked to the horizon and said that it looks good, but from where I am standing, I see this picture, although they put a rosy lens on at the start of the 14th Assembly, I think we should have been looking to see that "red sky in the morning, sailor take warning." So watch out, Good Ship NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Fiscal Legacy Of The 14th Legislative Assembly

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 705

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh , Mr. Handley .

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Visit To K'alemi Dene School In Ndilo

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 705

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So often in this House, we look at things so pessimistically and at problems and so on. I want to follow Mr. Nitah 's example and talk about a real success story. There are a lot of good things happening out there.

Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity, along with other MLAs in Yellowknife, to visit K'alemi School in Ndilo. That is one successful school. In fact, I would venture to say the best school in the Northwest Territories. It opened in 1998 with 14 kindergarten to Grade 3 students. Today there are 68 students in kindergarten to Grade 7 and they will be adding Grade 8 next year, up to 80 students. These are all Ndilo children who have chosen to go to that very exciting school. They also have the Aboriginal Head Start Program, which opens a full Dene kindergarten for 10 students in that community.

Mr. Speaker, the children attending the school know that it's their school, they believe it's their school and they identify it as their school. I want to say the teachers do an excellent job, a super job. The principal, Angela James, and her staff are some of the best educators. They are voluntarily at school at 8:00 in the morning, allowing children to come in if they wish and spend time in school before the school day opens. They stay there voluntarily until 5:00 in the evening, all of them, in order to have an atmosphere for the students.

The program in the school is exciting. It's based around Dene language and culture, academics and technology, virtual education, physical and active living. They are very successful with their culture-based and on-the-land program. The atmosphere in the school is warm; it's welcoming and is full of love and a perfect place where children want to spend the day. The teachers are a committed, caring group of professionals that exceed any expectations that we may have generally.

The community of Ndilo is a small community, but it's a community that has long believed in having the school next door, the school across the street, and they have shown a lot of success. I think we have to say congratulations to the Ndilo parents, the students and the staff who have worked hard to have the best school in Canada. Good government should reward success. This school, the way it is going, Mr. Speaker, is going to be bursting at the seams within two years and I think that as a government, we have to use this as an example for all our educators and provide them with the resources, the space and so on that they need.

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Visit To K'alemi Dene School In Ndilo

Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 706

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Mr. Handley , your time for Member's statement is over. Mr. Handley . Okay, the honourable Member has concluded his statement. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes , Mr. Allen .

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Further Return To Question 160-14(6): The Need For Changes To The Residential Tenancies Act

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 706

Roger Allen

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Braden on March 5, 2003 regarding annual reports of the rental officer and the status of the government as a landlord under the Residential Tenancies Act.

There is no statutory requirement for the rental officer to file annual reports. The rental officer's contract requires him to make annual reports to the Department of Justice. The reports include information on statistics, trends, issues, recommendations and the activities of the rental officer I would be pleased to make copies of the reports available to the Member if he wishes to see them.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT and its agents, the NWT Housing Corporation and local housing organizations, are subject to Residential Tenancies Act.

In the NWT, subsidized public housing is the responsibility of the Housing Corporation and either it or an LHO is the landlord.

Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct that there are some provisions of the act which do not apply in the case of subsidized public housing, the main one being the requirement to give a three-month notice of increasing rent. In essence, if an individual qualifies for subsidized public housing, the guidelines of that program apply. The rent paid is based on income, and when that income increases or decreases, the subsidy is adjusted immediately, not three months later. In such circumstances, the giving of three months notice would make no sense.

Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, the act provides that a landlord can increase rent only once a year. This does not apply to subsidized public housing. If it did, it would obviously be impossible to adjust the subsidy and, in effect, the rent, on an ongoing basis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 160-14(6): The Need For Changes To The Residential Tenancies Act

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 706

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Weledeh , Mr. Handley .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 706

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize five very important people in the gallery today. First of all, Bob Haywood with the Federation of Labour; Steve Petersen and Dan Halldorson, who are on the Act Now panel; Andy Wong, the chairperson of the Workers' Compensation Board; and John Huffman, an injured worked who has provided me a lot of good advice over the last few years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 706

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Frame Lake , Mr. Dent .

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 706

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to welcome from Ecole Allain St-Cyr the 6th and 7th grade with their teacher Mr. Pierre Ouellette.

---Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 706

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent . Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone to the Legislative Assembly and enjoy your visit. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish my youngest son, Ian, happy birthday today. It's his 32nd birthday.

---Applause

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Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 706

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta , Mr. Krutko .

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Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 706

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question concerns my Member's statement and is directed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs . Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to follow up on a letter I wrote to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs to urgently request repairs to the Sittichinli Recreational Complex in Aklavik. Mr. Speaker, the technical assessment commissioned by his department states the water damage to the recreation complex brings the facility into violation under the fire marshal's code.

The community has also expressed concerns about the safety of this facility and the implication to the residents. The community wants to ensure that it is up to certain standards and there is not a potential danger of the ceiling falling in and hurting residents.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of MACA to please confirm that the protection of people and the protection of assets are high priorities of this government, especially the corporate capital planning process. How does a community like Aklavik meet this criteria and see something done when it comes to their recreation facility?

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Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 707

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you. The honourable Minister of MACA , Mr. Steen .

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Return To Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 707

Vince Steen

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a request to MACA, Public Works did an assessment in February 2002. The recommendations from the report for Public Works recommended that an inspection on the roof be done by a qualified engineering firm and that the department get an assessment of the amount of damage to the roof. MACA, as a result of that report, notified the hamlet that if the cost to repair the building was under $100,000, the community would have to bear the cost themselves. They were funded for that type of project. If it was over $100,000, then MACA would put it into the capital planning process.

The community informed MACA that they would be using the Housing Corporation in October to do an assessment of the roof. However, to date we have nothing back from the community or been advised that the Housing Corporation was involved at all in the inspection because they said it couldn't really be done until May. So MACA is waiting for a report back from the community.

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Return To Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 707

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko .

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Supplementary To Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 707

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the recreation facility in Aklavik represents a central infrastructure for the community and it's very important that the community have access to this and they don't want to see it shut down. So I would like to ask the Minister, knowing there is potential danger and a hazard to its users, the residents of Aklavik, the community and myself would like to know, will the community receive the necessary funds and resources to repair the complex so that no one is hurt by the roof caving in?

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Supplementary To Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 707

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . The honourable Minister of MACA , Mr. Steen .

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Further Return To Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 707

Vince Steen

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, before I could commit to any kind of expenditures, I would have to have a report from Public Works or the community on what the actual cost of repairs is. Like I said, MACA informed the community if it's less than $100,000, they will have to do it themselves. If it's over $100,000, then we will consider putting it into our capital plan.

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Further Return To Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 707

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko .

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Supplementary To Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 707

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am in a haze with the Minister's comment. If something is over $100,000, his department will look at it. He is also the Minister of MACA . This is an infrastructure that is owned by the government and the people of the NWT. What has to happen here? Does the roof have to cave in? Somebody has to get hit in the head before this government does anything?

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Supplementary To Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 707

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

The honourable Minister of MACA , Mr. Steen .

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Further Return To Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 707

Vince Steen

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. MACA has already advised the community that there is nothing that Public Works can do until May. Up to now, the community had given the impression to MACA that they were going to be doing an assessment on the roof themselves using the Housing Corporation. That was in October, so we didn't do anything. MACA didn't request any more from Public Works because Public Works recommended that the assessment of the roof damage be done by qualified engineers. Without the funding to do it, Public Works could not do the assessment.

So MACA has to have an agreement with the community that either the community is going to do the assessment or we are going to have to go back and ask Public Works to do it again. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 707

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko .

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Supplementary To Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 707

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there have been continued repairs and replacement of community facilities in the NWT. We hear from the Minister's riding, all of a sudden, bang, a project pops up because of fire code violations. This is a fire code violation. Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation to ensure public safety in government facilities. This is a government facility. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain in this House what efforts are being made to implement the plan of this government to ensure that we protect the life of the residents of our community, protect the public and protect the assets?

This is the criteria we hear from this side of the House day in and day out. So why is it in the community of Aklavik they don't meet that criteria when it comes to their recreation facility?

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Supplementary To Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 707

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you. The honourable Minister of MACA , Mr. Steen .

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Further Return To Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 707

Vince Steen

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am trying to give the Member assurance, Mr. Speaker, that after May, MACA will have an indication of whether or not we will put the project into the budget. We can't do anything until we get the report back from Public Works or the community agrees that Public Works will do it rather than them. The last indication from the community was they would do it. That's what I am waiting for.

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Further Return To Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Question 218-14(6): Repairs Required To The Aklavik Recreation Complex

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 707

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Colleagues, before we proceed to the next question, I would like to direct your attention to the presence in the Speaker's gallery of Mr. Robert Vandersanden, of Hewitt Associates of Calgary and Sean Macaulay of James P. Marshall, a Hewitt Company from Vancouver here to assist Board of Management with some of their work. Welcome.

---Applause

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Frame Lake , Mr. Dent .

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Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 708

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development . Mr. Speaker, the progress report that the Minister has issued recently notes that the current Wildlife Act is 20 years old and outdated. It doesn't report that consultation has now gone for more than 10 years on a new act. During the 14th Assembly, we continually heard from Ministers that new legislation would come forward and now we are hearing that it won't. Mr. Speaker, my question is, what happened? How did this get thrown off the rails and why is it that legislation is now only going to be tabled instead of being introduced?

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Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 708

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you. The honourable Minister of RWED , Mr. Antoine .

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Return To Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 708

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess the simple answer to that question is we worked with the aboriginal governments, the Inuvialuit, the Gwich'in and the Sahtu Dene-Metis. They have land claims and in one particular case, we have been working with the Inuvialuit Game Council. There was a difference of approach and it subsequently slowed down our process. As I indicated earlier in this House, we have come to an agreement and things are moving along fairly quickly. Unfortunately, there won't be enough work done to have legislation in place by June.

We intend to have a tabled document and the intention is that the tabled legislation would be a draft that would include all the different components of legislation and the intention is to table it so it's public and everybody in the North will see it. We want to do it right and that's the process we have identified and it looks like with all our working partners, the aboriginal governments, this seems to be acceptable. Thank you.

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Return To Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 708

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent .

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Supplementary To Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 708

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the last time the act was amended was done to reflect the Inuvialuit claim. It took several years for that to come forward. It's been more than 10 years since the Gwich'in claim and almost 10 years for the Sahtu Dene-Metis claim. Why has nothing been done to accommodate those two claims?

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Supplementary To Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 708

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

The honourable Minister of RWED , Mr. Antoine .

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Further Return To Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 708

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are doing the work right now, but the question is to go back to an era before becoming familiar with this file. However, my understanding is that the work seriously started in the life of this government. Prior to that, there was no real political will. There were lots of disagreements out there with the aboriginal governments and those who haven't settled their claims have to be considered as well. In the life of this government, we seriously undertook to try to have legislation passed in the life of this government. My recollection of my involvement has been that.

Roughly, the Gwich'in agreement came into place in 1992 and the Sahtu was in 1994. So we are a little bit behind schedule, but it's legislation that needs to be done right. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 708

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Supplementary, Mr. Dent .

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Supplementary To Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 708

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as things have progressed, it's taken this long to look at dealing with settled land claims. Does the Minister believe the legislation that's tabled will be able to be passed by the next government if we haven't seen settled land claims in all regions? Can this legislation go forward before all land claims are settled in the Territories?

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Supplementary To Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 708

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you. The honourable Minister of RWED , Mr. Antoine .

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Further Return To Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 708

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that the amount of consultation that we have undertaken in this process to date -- we've had three rounds of consultation and we are currently engaged with the Inuvialuit, Sahtu and the Gwich'in with legal counsel giving direction and drafting the legislation. That's how involved we are at this table. Usually with other legislation, we do it ourselves. However, with this one, the aboriginal governments want to be more involved, so that is part of the reason for the slow process.

With the amount of consultation we have done to date with the Aboriginal Working Group that we set up, they covered all the regions and went to all the communities. I would like to say we've done a thorough consultation on all the areas in all the communities including areas that aren't settled. Having said that, I think we have done as much consultation as we could. We are hoping this will be enough so that once we table this draft legislation towards the end of the life of this government, that in the new government all the work will be there. It's a matter of consultation and approval.

Hopefully, it will be enough to satisfy the areas that have settled land claims. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 708

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

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

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Supplementary To Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 708

Charles Dent

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think we've spent a lot of time and effort on consultation on this. I think one of the problems is clearly that some areas haven't settled their claims. Why will the Minister not consider bringing forward legislation that deals with those areas of settled claims only and look at subsequent legislation as claims are settled throughout the NWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 708

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

The honourable Minister of RWED , Mr. Antoine .

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Further Return To Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

We looked at the legislative proposal that we put in earlier on to initiate this process. However, we thought that it would be better to keep the legislation whole, together, and we've been moving in that direction. I think there was a discussion of that nature earlier on and it was decided not to go that route but to have it all comprehensive. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Question 219-14(6): Delay In Amendments To The Wildlife Act

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Colleagues, with your concurrence, I would like to direct your attention to the presence in the Visitors' Gallery of Ms. Penny Ballantyne, president of the Workers' Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories.

---Applause

As well, colleagues, we have Mr. Dave Grundy, the senior policy advisor for WCB; and, Michael Triggs, legal counsel for WCB.

---Applause

I hope they are here as visitors and not expecting any accidents here. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave , Mr. Lafferty .

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Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

Leon Lafferty

North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development , the Honourable Jim Antoine . In my Member's statement yesterday, I mentioned that within the next month, the federal Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs will make a decision as to what type of environmental review, either a

part 5 or

part 6, the Bathurst road and port will undergo. What has the Minister and his department done in reaction to this study that is happening? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you. The honourable Minister of RWED , Mr. Antoine .

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Return To Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier on when this issue came up, I wrote a letter to Minister Nault indicating that the nature of the proposal is going to have an effect on us here in the NWT. It's going to have an impact, therefore, we took the position of going after a

section 6, which is a comprehensive environmental assessment looking at the socio-economic impacts that the project is going to have. Thank you.

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Return To Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty .

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Supplementary To Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

Leon Lafferty

North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if the government is committed to doing an economic analysis of this project because it has such a great implication on the whole region of the Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

The honourable Minister of RWED , Mr. Antoine .

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Further Return To Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our department has been looking at the implications of such a proposal from the very first time it was announced that this initiative was being pursued. Of course, it's going to have an impact on us in a lot of different ways. In fact, we also, in the NWT, have been talking for a number of years about a transportation corridor into that part of the country. That's been a scenario that's been around. Surely this type of initiative would have an impact. So, yes, we are looking at this proposal to try to look at the economic impact it's going to have on us.

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Further Return To Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty .

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Supplementary To Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

Leon Lafferty

North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if he or his department have consulted with any of the aboriginal governments or the city of Yellowknife or Lutselk'e, all these people who are going to be affected. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

The honourable Minister of RWED , Mr. Antoine .

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Further Return To Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we haven't formally initiated a new consultation with regard to this project to all the different local governments, all the different organizations that might be impacted. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Your final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty .

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Supplementary To Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

Leon Lafferty

North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if he can make a commitment to do consultations with everyone that will be affected in the Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

The honourable Minister of RWED , Mr. Antoine .

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Further Return To Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 709

Jim Antoine

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think the initiative is on the drawing boards. They are going through their own process of going to the Minister responsible, the federal Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, Minister Nault. He has the authority to make the decision on what type of review is going to take place. Once that becomes formal, of course we will be engaged to do that. At this point in time, I would ask for some direction from my technical staff to see where this process is and at what stage we start consulting. At some point in time, we will do that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Question 220-14(6): Environmental Review Of Bathurst Road And Port

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 710

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

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

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Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 710

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier and it's with regard to the extra dollars that we were able to receive from the federal government. Mr. Speaker, there were discussions and questions on this area earlier in the session, but at the time details had not yet been worked out. I am beginning to get suggestions and advice from health care professionals in my riding as to where best this money should go. So I would like to ask the Premier where the government is in terms of what it's planning to do with the money. Thank you.

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Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 710

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you. The honourable Premier , Mr. Kakfwi .

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Return To Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 710

Stephen Kakfwi

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Health would be in a better position to answer that. As I understand it, it is work that is ongoing with the federal government. We have set up some process and assigned some officials to work with the federal officials over the next few weeks and months. The secretary to Cabinet has just returned from Ottawa and reached agreement on how we would like to proceed. I will be writing a letter, an information item, to Members in the next day or so to outline those, to keep Members informed.

As well, Cabinet will be developing an overall strategy on how to advance these issues and other issues regarding funding programs of the federal government that will become available over the next few months. So Cabinet will be developing a strategy on that as well. Thank you.

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Return To Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 710

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you. Supplementary, Ms. Lee .

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Supplementary To Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 710

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am a little puzzled. There is a lot of information there that the Premier has given. I pursued questions in this area and I was told the details were still being worked out and that we would be advised in due course. I wasn't aware that the Minister was travelling to talk about this. I would have thought we would have had more advice. Mr. Speaker, could the Premier confirm whether or not the Minister of Health is travelling right now to work out the details of this agreement? Is that what he's travelling for? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 710

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

The honourable Premier , Mr. Kakfwi .

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Further Return To Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 710

Stephen Kakfwi

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Minister Miltenberger is chairing the meeting of the Ministers responsible for social services in Toronto. They are dealing with some of the programs that were announced in the recent budget such as early childhood development and it is not to do with health dollars specifically. If the Member will recall, earlier in this fiscal year, we gave a supplementary amount to the Department of Health of $8.6 million to deal with additional costs that were not budgeted for at the beginning of the fiscal year.

Some of the money that we are receiving from the federal government is, in fact, probably already spent. It's the Minister of Health that can better articulate how that money will be used and received. So we will just wait for him to give that answer to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 710

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Supplementary, Ms. Lee .

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Supplementary To Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 710

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was thinking that we were putting in $8.6 million extra into the fund, plus we would get some money from the federal government. But it seems the money has already been spent and we really have nothing to be excited about in terms of new dollars for health care. I guess I will have to ask the Premier , do we have any reason to think that there is going to be any new money going into our health care system within the next little while other than that $8.3 million?

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Supplementary To Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 710

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you. The honourable Premier , Mr. Kakfwi .

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Further Return To Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 710

Stephen Kakfwi

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the money that we were allocated from the recent First Ministers' meeting is what was allocated on a per capita basis. As Members recall, as a Premier , along with the premiers of Nunavut and Yukon, we rejected the notion that we should receive funding only on a per capita basis. The Prime Minister agreed that per capita does not work. We agreed that we need more than what was allocated to us on a per capita basis. The Prime Minister and his staff indicated that they are prepared to allocate an additional $60 million over three or five years for the three territories.

This amount will become available in the new fiscal year and it is to be seen as a floor that raises the prospects for us, and those additional dollars will be available in the new year. We have had some meetings involving all officials and the federal officials to assign a process and assign some people to begin that discussion. As I said earlier, the secretary to Cabinet just returned from Ottawa a day ago. So we will be drafting a letter to inform Members exactly where we are in that process. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 710

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

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

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Supplementary To Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 710

Sandy Lee

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess my point is that I, along with many Members in this Assembly, have brought up a lot of issues about health care, issues concerning health care delivery and the health care system, and I am fully expecting that I will be involved in that process of deciding what to do with that money.

I realize there are other policies that the government and the Premier have to work out with other governments but could I get a commitment from the Premier that, even though we will be out of session and going in all different directions, that we as Members and the other stakeholders in the medical professions and everywhere else will be full participants in deciding where this extra money will go? Thank you.

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Supplementary To Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 711

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Ms. Lee . The honourable Premier , Mr. Kakfwi .

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Further Return To Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 711

Stephen Kakfwi

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, it is the Cabinet and the Minister that have primary responsibility for proposing how dollars and resources are best used for health. At the same time, it is true that the Members are involved. The recent $8.6 million supplementary allocation late in the previous year was, I think, attributed in part to lobbying and the concerns shown by Members as well as the public, and we responded to that. We are committed to working on a cooperative approach with Members of the Legislature and always being accountable and for taking advice on how best to use our limited resources.

So I have no difficulty... in fact, we are very interested in working with Members to ensure that the public and Members of this House are comfortable with the way we make use of the existing annual resources for health. Thank you.

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Further Return To Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Question 221-14(6): Update On Federal Health Funding

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 711

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Premier . Oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe , Mr. Nitah .

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Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 711

Steven Nitah

Tu Nedhe

Mahsi Cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for the public service in his role as chairman of the Financial Management Board , Mr. Handley . Mr. Speaker, we recognize there are a lot of problems in the Northwest Territories. We have a social agenda for that. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, how we handle those dollars is, we give it to NGOs and for my buck there is not enough bang in our communities.

I'd like to ask the Minister, we know there are no fewer than 15 public institutions, territorial institutions, in the capital and the regional centers. I'd like to ask the Minister; what are we talking about in terms of numbers of employees and the staff benefits to our jobs and businesses that supply these institutions such as the hospitals and correctional centres. There are spin offs and opportunities for businesses in those communities so, if the Minister could give us an idea of how many people work in these institutions and the spin off benefits? I don't want an exact number, just a general number. Thank you Mr. Chairman, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 711

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Nitah . The honourable Minister of FMB. It sounds like a very complicated question that would probably be better as a written question but I will allow the Minister to respond to it if he wishes. Mr. Handley .

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Return To Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 711

Joe Handley

Weledeh

No, Mr. Speaker, I don't have numbers, I don't even have a really good estimate of how many people work in the various institutions we have around the Northwest Territories. I told the Member that I would try to get the information for him; I know my people are working on it and we'll get it but, now that he's asked for it by institution, I'll add that to the mix as well. Thank you.

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Return To Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 711

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary Mr. Nitah .

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Supplementary To Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 711

Steven Nitah

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these territorial institutions that provide services to everybody in the Northwest Territories do benefit the people of the Northwest Territories. They provide valuable services. Mr. Speaker, too often we stand up here in the House saying that we don't have enough in our communities and that we regionalize it. I'd like to ask the Minister if the government has ever considered the example of the mining companies, using the people of the communities to be employed in these regional or territorial institutions that provide services to all members of our population.

Similar to what the mines do, these institutions work on rotation. Has the Minister ever considered hiring people from those communities so that we could spread the wealth around? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 711

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Nitah . The honourable Minister of FMB, Mr. Handley .

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Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 711

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, definitely there is a lot of benefit to the communities each time we have another person who has a job in that community, both directly and indirectly in terms of the spending that person is able to do from the wages that they earn. Whenever possible, Mr. Speaker, we try to hire people locally, if we can. If there are people with the qualifications or even people who will take the training, then we try to fit that together so we do hire as many local people as possible in order to maximize the benefit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 711

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah .

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Supplementary To Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 711

Steven Nitah

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a representative of a small community that doesn't see these territorial institutions being put in their communities, these benefits don't accrue to them. Only if you are sick are you sent to the hospital. Only if you get into legal trouble are you sent to institutions that will house you for awhile. So, I don't agree with that philosophy. I think that the Minister should try to break up some of these positions, farming them out to the communities so that everybody could benefit from it. Maybe service providers and product providers could be farmed out to the communities.

Would the Minister consider breaking down the contracts so that small communities and small businesses could provide those services or products? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 711

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Nitah . The honourable Minister of FMB, Mr. Handley .

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Further Return To Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 711

Joe Handley

Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, I think the suggestion is a good one. Wherever we can break down a contract and offer it in the community, then we want to do that. We do have a lot of sole-source contracts that we do through negotiations with community organizations in order to give them the benefits. As a government, we have to keep our eye on the bottom line but, at the same time, we want to maximize the benefits to the community. If I take some communities, Yellowknife for example, Mr. Speaker, of all the government spending in Yellowknife, it works out to about $6,000 per capita in Yellowknife.

If I take another community, for example Fort Liard, it works out to be $12,000 per capita that we spend. In Lutselk'e we are spending $17,500 per capita. So there is a lot of benefit going into each of the communities from the system, and we are making our best effort to break it down so that maximum benefits stay in those communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Further Return To Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 712

The Speaker

Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Your final supplementary, Mr. Nitah .

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Supplementary To Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated From Government Activity

Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 712

Steven Nitah

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the 3,500 or so employees in Yellowknife at $6,000 per capita doesn't compare to one employee at $17,000 per capita in Lutselk'e. That is not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about taking government positions and moving them to the communities so people in those communities don't have to live in a welfare state managed by regional centres or the capital of the Northwest Territories.

If we expect the mines, force the mines to break up their contract and hire people from different communities, I expect the government should be able follow suit and follow their own example by breaking up the contracts for regional institutions or territorial institutions so that people in the communities can benefit. That is what I'm talking about, Mr. Speaker. Mr.

Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if he is not going to bring people in from those communities, would he consider putting these territorial institutions in the different communities so that those communities could benefit from our needs as well? Thank you. Mr. Speaker.

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Supplementary To Question 222-14(6): Benefits Generated Fr