This is page numbers 94 - 112 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 age.

Topics

Return To Question O41-12(1): Moneys Spent To Date On Expo '92
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 96

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to a question asked by Mr. Antoine on December 11, 1991, concerning the Expo '92 budget and expenditures to date. Four million dollars have been budgeted for Expo '92, and to date $979,048.30 has been expended or committed. No revenues have been received to date, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question O41-12(1): Moneys Spent To Date On Expo '92
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 96

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question O26-12(1): Directive On Breach Of Confidentiality
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 96

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you. This is in response to a question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on December 10, 1991, on a directive on breach of confidentiality. As the Minister of Personnel, I am responsible for the management and direction of the territorial public service in accordance with the Public Service Act, so breach of confidentiality concerns fall within that responsibility. When allegations of breach of confidentiality are made to the department, they are investigated by officials of Personnel.

At this time there are no directives in place, of which I am aware, that govern the conduct of employees in relation to the release of confidential material. However, every employee is required to swear an Oath of Office and Secrecy when they are hired. This oath states that an employee shall not release information gained in their employment without proper authority. Thank you.

Return To Question O26-12(1): Directive On Breach Of Confidentiality
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 96

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

Return To Question O11-12(1): Snare Lake Winter Road
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 97

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to a question asked by Mr. Zoe on December 10, 1991, with regard to a proposed winter road to Snare Lake. The Department of Transportation considers a public access winter road to Snare Lake to be a logical future extension of the present winter road system and is investigating the possibility of scheduling a road for every second year beginning in 1991-92. Unlike the previous winter truck routes which were only constructed when needed to meet specific shipping requirements and which remained open for about one week only, a public access road would be maintained throughout the winter season and would be available for use by local residents.

The Department of Transportation has never been funded to construct a winter road into Snare Lake. The road to the Colomac mine site and the extension to Snare Lake in previous years were constructed by private companies who charged the costs of construction to those agencies shipping goods to the community.

The costs for a public access winter road are estimated at between $300,000 and $400,000. While these costs are significant, especially in the current financial situation, they would be partially offset by the reduced costs of resupplying the community by road rather than by air. In addition, the various construction projects planned for the community over the next few years require the delivery of materials and equipment. Again, the savings achieved by shipping by winter road rather than by air would partially offset the cost of the winter road construction. A decision on the viability of the public access winter road is expected to be made by the end of December.

In the event that a public access winter road is not constructed, resupply and delivery of construction equipment and materials must once again be accomplished by a combination of air and private truck convoy. Initial meetings have taken place with Robinson Trucking Limited of Yellowknife, who have provided a truck haul service in the past. It is anticipated that such a convoy would be scheduled for late January or early February. I have instructed my department to co-ordinate the government's involvement in such a convoy, and it is attempting to firm up details of the shipping requirements of the various departments.

Thus far, it is understood that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs requires shipment of a front-end loader, a three-quarter ton fire truck, an all-terrain vehicle and materials for construction of an equipment maintenance garage. The petroleum products division requires shipment of 51,000 litres of heating and vehicle fuel. The preliminary estimate of the cost to transport all of these materials by truck convoy or cat-train is $150,000. The NWT Housing Corporation does not have any materials scheduled for Snare Lake this winter.

Return To Question O11-12(1): Snare Lake Winter Road
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 97

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mr. Allooloo. Returns to oral questions. Mr. Allooloo, you have another one.

Return To Question O54-12(1): Policy On Travel Arrangements For Students
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 97

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

I have a return to a question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on December 11, regarding a policy on travel arrangements for students. A new procedure on student travel arrangements was initiated last year. Travel arrangements are now being made through travel agents in a student's home community, wherever possible. Letters were sent to all travel agencies in the NWT to see if they were interested in participating.

The travel agency in Fort Smith contacted the Department of Education a month ago to say that they had not received the letter but that they were interested in taking part. As all Christmas travel had already been arranged, the department made sure that the Fort Smith travel agency would be used by students from Fort Smith when they returned home at the end of this school year. The travel agency in Fort Smith was satisfied with this proposal. Hopefully, this will also result in less confusion in the future for students travelling home to Fort Smith.

Return To Question O54-12(1): Policy On Travel Arrangements For Students
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 97

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome to the gallery Mr. Pierre Simpson, the deputy mayor of Hay River.

---Applause

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Return To Question O66-12(1): Renewable Resources Funding Allocations
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 97

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to Question O66-12(1), asked by Mr. Gargan on December 11, 1991, regarding renewable resources funding allocations. The Department of Renewable Resources provides support to harvesters through its grant and contribution policy. The policy covers a variety of programs. The grant and contribution policy contains a policy directive for each program. The directive explains how to calculate the amount of funding an organization is eligible for. The total amount of funding received by an organization depends on the number of programs it applies for and the departmental budget for a program.

I have provided Mr. Gargan with a copy of the Renewable Resources grant and contribution policy. The policy contains more detail on the types of grants an organization may apply for and the funding formula for each grant. Thank you.

Return To Question O66-12(1): Renewable Resources Funding Allocations
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 97

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question O47-12(1): Nwt Participation At Expo '92
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 97

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to a question asked by Mr. Dent on December 11, 1991, concerning NWT participation at Expo '92, Mr. Speaker. I have reviewed the information provided to me by departmental officials, Mr. Speaker, and the Government of the Northwest Territories is not considering withdrawing from participation in Expo '92.

As I informed the House previously in my answer to Mr. Antoine's question, to date $979,048.30 has been expended or committed for Expo '92. In addition, we have other commitments, both financial and otherwise. We have made job offers to 48 Northerners, the majority of whom are native people from all regions of the Northwest Territories. We have ordered 20 tons of musk-ox meat from the Inuvialuit, and we are in the process of making commitments for 12 tons of fish from northern fishermen. These commitments are worth some $600,000, Mr. Speaker. We have purchased $420,000 worth of arts and crafts from northern producers for sale at Expo '92, and we have a further $270,000 in arts and crafts provided to us on consignment. We expect to purchase a further $450,000 worth by the end of Expo '92 for a total of almost $1.2 million. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question O47-12(1): Nwt Participation At Expo '92
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 97

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

Further Return To Question O43-12(1): Status Of School For Lake Harbour
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 98

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to a question asked by Mr. Pudlat on December 11, 1991, concerning deferral of the school for Lake Harbour. I recognize how important building the new school is to the people of Lake Harbour. The design for the new school was completed in 1991-92. The new school is planned to be attached to the community gym. However, all capital plans are now being reviewed. Final decisions on capital projects will be proposed in the capital main estimates, to be considered at the next Legislative Assembly in the new year. Thank you.

Further Return To Question O43-12(1): Status Of School For Lake Harbour
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 98

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question O60-12(1): Difficulties In Joining Yellowknife Co-operative
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 98

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to a question asked by Mr. Pudluk on December 12, 1991, regarding the difficulties in joining Yellowknife's co-operative. The co-op in Yellowknife is a direct charge co-op, while all other co-ops in the Northwest Territories, with the exception of the co-op in Hay River, are consumer co-ops. Consumer co-ops operate like any other store or business with many shareholders. Goods are purchased and resold. Operating costs are covered by store revenue. The prices on goods sold in any consumer co-op are competitive with similar stores. Anyone can shop in the store, but profits from operations are distributed only to the members through dividends.

A direct charge co-op sells only to members. The reason for this is that goods are sold at prices much lower than those set by competitors. The store operates on a break-even basis. Members pay the operating costs of the store through a weekly fee. The owners get their return on investment by paying less for goods. No dividends are paid to members. Any year-end surplus funds are used to reduce the cost of goods to members.

The Yellowknife Co-op has had to restrict membership because the physical plant could not handle the number of people wishing to join. By extending hours and upgrading equipment, the waiting period to get into the co-op has been reduced. I have been informed that people joining the co-op no longer have to wait 18 months. If application was made today, the new member would likely be shopping in the store by February. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question O60-12(1): Difficulties In Joining Yellowknife Co-operative
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 98

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mr. Pollard. Returns to oral questions. Ms. Cournoyea.

Return To Question O16-21(1): GNWT Approval Of Gwich'in Final Agreement
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 98

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a question asked by Mr. Fred Koe on December 10 regarding the Gwich'in final agreement. The Member, being recently involved in these negotiations as the member of the Gwich'in negotiating team, is fully aware that the Government of the NWT is committed to approving the Gwich'in final agreement and the implementation plan, and related financial agreements as soon as they are completed.

The importance of implementation planning cannot be underestimated. The Auditor General, among others, has stressed that, based on the experience of the James Bay and the Inuvialuit land claims, a final agreement is not enough. An implementation plan must be developed which identifies in detail what must be done, who does it, the funding required and who pays. These requirements are now captured by federal government policy.

The implementation plan must be sufficiently precise and clear so that every party knows where it stands. The achievement of implementation obligations and the expenditure of implementation dollars must be measurable and accountable.

The Member also knows the position of the Government of the NWT in the development of implementation plans is based on the principle that the negotiation and implementation of land claims is a federal responsibility. This means that the incremental costs to the Government of the NWT of a land claims agreement will and should be borne by the federal government and the implementation plan designed accordingly.

The Government of the NWT is not prepared, in the current restraint environment, to run the risk that funds committed to programs and services already pressed for resources will need to be diverted to land claims obligations because the federal government is refusing to live up to its obligations.

A lot of work has been done in recent months to ensure that an implementation plan and related financial agreements are completed to the satisfaction of all parties. The Minister for Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs has written to Minister Siddon reaffirming our support for an early ratification, but outlining the outstanding issues and our concerns. The Government of the NWT is doing everything that it can to ensure that the Gwich'in final agreement is ratified in a reasonable time frame.

Return To Question O16-21(1): GNWT Approval Of Gwich'in Final Agreement
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 98

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Ms. Mike.

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Social Services. Will the abstention policy be extended to the social workers?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Social Services.

Return To Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 98

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This only involves the alcohol and drug counselling service at a community level.

Return To Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 98

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Supplementary To Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 98

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The social workers do similar work to that of the alcohol and drug counsellors in the communities. Will that abstention clause be imposed on social workers as well?

Supplementary To Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 98

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Social Services.

Further Return To Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Question O87-12(1): Extension Of Abstinence Policy To Social Workers
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 98

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I said no.