This is page numbers 24 - 48 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 1st 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 report.

Topics

Supplementary To Question O22-12(1): Implementation Of Beatty Report Recommendations In Relation To Constitutional Development In Western Arctic
Further Return Question O22-12(1): Implementation Of Beatty Report Recommendations In Relation To Constitutional Development In Western Arctic
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Madam Government Leader.

Further Return To Question O22-12(1): Implementation Of Beatty Report Recommendations In Relation To Constitutional Development In Western Arctic
Further Return Question O22-12(1): Implementation Of Beatty Report Recommendations In Relation To Constitutional Development In Western Arctic
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that at this phase the commission is talking about very broad principles of political evolution in the Western Arctic. I believe that there are a lot of concerns here that life has to go on. These political discussions will take place on an ongoing basis. The recommendations of the commission also takes into consideration -- I am very sure -- what we are doing as a government to support the day-to-day initiatives and desires of communities. I believe while we are proceeding these things will be taken into consideration. But I do not believe that the lives of people at the community level, what they want to do, how they want to carry on their lives, should be stopped. These things gradually work in; people exercise their responsibilities, and they are far better to be brought into a political responsibility, which is exactly what will happen once those broad principles have been established by the commission. Thank you.

Further Return To Question O22-12(1): Implementation Of Beatty Report Recommendations In Relation To Constitutional Development In Western Arctic
Further Return Question O22-12(1): Implementation Of Beatty Report Recommendations In Relation To Constitutional Development In Western Arctic
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Question O23-12(1): Workers' Compensation For Hunters And Trappers
Item 5: Oral Questions

December 9th, 1991

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Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. Mr. Speaker, under section 10(1) of the Workers' Compensation Board, it describes the occupations of hunters and trappers as "principally engaged in hunting and trapping." But under the regulation it also puts a price tag on what that means. In other words a person has to make over $10,000 in order for them to be principally engaged in hunting and trapping. I would like to know why the Minister or the department has chosen to put a price tag on what "principally engaged" means, since the definition does not necessarily restrict it to only money. I think it is a way of life for aboriginal people and I do not think there should be a price tag on it. Why did they decide to put $10,000 on it in order for a hunter or trapper to be eligible for compensation?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

I am not sure if that is within the knowledge of the Minister, but if Mr. Patterson would like to attempt it.

Return To Question O23-12(1): Workers' Compensation For Hunters And Trappers
Question O23-12(1): Workers' Compensation For Hunters And Trappers
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not sure that the definition of "principally engaged in hunting and trapping" is being applied precisely the way the honourable Member suggests; for example, by a dollar figure. However, I would like to explain that, as I understand it, the previous government had made a policy decision that there should be some limits on the definition of "principally engaged in hunting and trapping" because the previous interpretation of the policy had been that the only question that was asked, in order to determine whether a person was principally engaged in hunting and trapping for purposes of being eligible for WCB coverage, the only question that was asked was, "Does this person have a general hunting licence?" I am sure the honourable Member will agree that not every general hunting licence holder is a person who is an active hunter or trapper.

So Mr. Speaker, it was felt that there was a need to give the definition a little more precision because a completely open-ended definition could expose the government to considerable, and perhaps, open-ended kinds of financial obligations.

Mr. Speaker, I will tell the honourable Member that I am aware this issue needs to be paid attention to. I think it is also tied up with the whole question of support for hunters and trappers, which I know the Minister of Renewable Resources is also concerned about dealing with, and I will assure the honourable Member -- I am not trying to take the question as notice -- that it is an issue that I want to pursue in my connection with my new responsibilities for the WCB, but also in consultation with the Minister of Renewable Resources and perhaps other departments of our government that are concerned about this issue.

Return To Question O23-12(1): Workers' Compensation For Hunters And Trappers
Question O23-12(1): Workers' Compensation For Hunters And Trappers
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister responsible for Workers' Compensation whether any of the Members of the board are of aboriginal descent?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Patterson.

Return To Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Mr. Speaker, I have not asked that particular question. I can tell the honourable Member who the current Members of the Workers' Compensation Board are, but I am not aware of their ethnic origin.

Return To Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

For the record, that was a new question to the Minister. Oral questions. Mr. Gargan, supplementary to that question. I understood that the Minister was not taking it as notice.

Supplementary To Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

I am aware that there are no aboriginal people on the board, but those are non-aboriginal people who have drafted up a regulation on "principally engaged", without really any consultation with aboriginal organizations, or for that matter, hunters and trappers. If you read the document, you need to be a lawyer to do that. Most people have limited education. I would like to ask the Minister if he can assure me that aboriginal people will be consulted, including Members of this House, when the definition of "principally engaged" is worked on.

Supplementary To Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Patterson.

Further Return To Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have not enquired as to the ethnic origin of members of the Workers' Compensation Board, and I am not sure he is correct that there are no aboriginal members on the board, but I do not know for sure. His question as to Members of the Assembly being consulted in the process of dealing with the issue of definition of hunters and trappers for the purpose of WCB coverage, I would want to assure the honourable Member that I will consult Members of this Assembly as I deal with this issue, along with other Ministers of this government. I will keep Members informed and I will seek their views.

Further Return To Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Gargan, supplementary.

Supplementary To Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if he could provide the Members of this House with the names of the people who are serving on the Workers' Compensation Board and where they come from.

Supplementary To Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Patterson.

Further Return To Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Question O24-12(1): Membership On Workers' Compensation Board
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, since I advised the Minister of Social Services that three particular workers, Ann Enge, Priscilla Hamann and Marjorie Sakundiak, had acted in a very unprofessional and unethical way in releasing documents, I would like to ask the Minister of Personnel whether he will consider taking steps in respect to looking at the releasing of the documents and why the conduct of work ethics was not used by these particular workers, in particular, the breach of confidential information. Will the Minister of Personnel advise this House on whether steps will be taken by labour relations to avoid the release of confidential information of this sort in the future by civil servants?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

I just want to make the House aware of the fact that I am having a little problem with the question because some of the information contained in the question may not be in the general knowledge of all Members, and there are some inferences contained within the question. So I will ask if the Minister would like to respond to the question, keeping in mind I am having a little bit of difficulty with it. Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question O25-12(1): Disciplining Government Workers For Releasing Confidential Information
Question O25-12(1): Disciplining Government Employees For Releasing Confidential Information
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, during the summer, as a Member of the last cabinet I was a little involved and interested in the goings on by the media and the union and all the politicking that went on at the expense of certain individuals. I know at the time I had looked at whether or not certain staff may or may not be acting properly in the course of their jobs. It was my view at the time that nothing that was brought to my attention warranted any action on the part of government. I left it at that and there is nothing to suggest it should be revisited at this time.

Return To Question O25-12(1): Disciplining Government Workers For Releasing Confidential Information
Question O25-12(1): Disciplining Government Employees For Releasing Confidential Information
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mrs. Marie-Jewell, supplementary.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, will the Minister be able to advise this House whether or not there is a directive in respect to work ethics used by civil servants regarding breach of confidentiality?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Personnel, Mr. Kakfwi.