This is page numbers 113 - 142 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 chairman.

Topics

Item 11: Tabling Of Documents
Item 11: Tabling Of Documents

Page 124

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Tabling of documents. Tabling of documents. Item 12, notices of motions. Mr. Lewis.

Item 12: Notices Of Motions
Item 12: Notices Of Motions

Page 125

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Wednesday, December 18, 1991, I shall move that the Legislative Assembly approve terms of reference for the special committee on constitutional reform established by Motion 17-12(1).

Item 12: Notices Of Motions
Item 12: Notices Of Motions

Page 125

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Lewis, your notice is out of order. Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, December 18, 1991, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kitikmeot, that the following terms of reference for the special committee on constitutional reform be approved:

The special committee on constitutional reform may on its own authority:

1) review proposals for constitutional and institutional reform as outlined in the Government of Canada's document entitled "Shaping Canada's Future Together" and any additional national, federal, provincial, territorial and non-governmental materials and any other related matters;

2) undertake or request any legal or economic analysis necessary to assist this committee in the development of recommendations for the Legislative Assembly on matters relating to the substance and processes for constitutional and institutional reform;

3) undertake such consultations, discussions or meetings that are necessary with national aboriginal organizations that have responsibility to consider national constitutional and institutional reform in Canada;

4) undertake such consultations, discussions or meetings that are necessary with such national, federal, provincial or territorial bodies that have responsibility to consider constitutional and institutional reform in Canada.

5) make presentations on behalf of the Legislative Assembly and the GNWT to such bodies that the committee agrees appropriate;

6) prepare reports at times to be decided by the committee and as appropriate to the progress of the national unity debate;

7) review and recommend on any related matter referred to it by the Legislative Assembly;

8) establish a quorum to be three Members, including the Chair.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to proceed with this motion today.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Notices of motions. Mr. Allooloo.

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

I want to give notice on Wednesday, December 18th, I am going to make a motion to appoint Ms. Betty Harnum as a languages commissioner; and further, that the appointment be effective February 1, 1992.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to proceed with this motion today.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Notices of motions. Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, December 18, 1991, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for High Arctic, that a special committee for health and social services be established; and further, that the following terms of reference for the special committee on health and social services be adopted: The special committee on health and social services shall:

1) inquire into such matters as may be referred to it by the Legislative Assembly;

2) inquire into current problems and public concerns about health and social services in the NWT, including but not limited to the following: service and program delivery; administrative organization; departmental infrastructure; affirmative action policy implementation plan;

3) present interim reports to the Legislative Assembly from time to time and a final report by September 30, 1993.

The special committee may, on its own authority:

1) examine all matters that are under the authority of the Department of Health and Social Services and all legislation, policies and philosophies of the GNWT in the areas of health and social services;

2) consult with Members of the territorial government and its departments, public and interest groups, in a manner approved by the committee, including hearings, meetings, oral and written submissions and other appropriate means;

3) recommend changes in existing policy from time to time as deemed necessary.

Mahsi.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Notices of motions. Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, December 18th, I will move the following motion: Now therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that this Legislative Assembly support the establishment of a tax reform commission for the NWT; and further, that the Minister of Finance and cabinet prepare a prospective terms of reference for the tax reform commission to be presented for approval to the Legislative Assembly during the second session. Thank you.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Notices of motions.

Item 13, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 14, motions. Mr. Allooloo.

Item 14: Motions
Item 14: Motions

Page 125

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to proceed with my motion today concerning the appointment of a languages commissioner.

Item 14: Motions
Item 14: Motions

Page 125

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Unanimous consent has been requested. Are there any nays? Proceed, Mr. Allooloo.

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Members.

WHEREAS section 18(1) of the Official Languages Act permits the appointment of a languages commissioner by the Commissioner of the NWT, after the approval of the appointment by resolution of the Legislative Assembly;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly considers the appointment of a languages commissioner essential for ensuring recognition of the rights, status and privileges of each of the official languages and compliance with the spirit and intent of the Official Languages Act;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly is of the opinion that the appointment of a languages commissioner should now be made;

NOW THEREFORE, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik, that Ms. Betty Harnum be appointed as languages commissioner;

AND FURTHER, that the appointment be effective February 1, 1992.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Your motion is in order. To the motion.

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am particularly pleased today to have moved this motion concerning the appointment of the Northwest Territories' first languages commissioner. With the appointment of the languages commissioner, one of the last steps necessary to fully implement the Official Languages Act of the NWT have been taken. As I stated when I introduced this legislation to the House, I feel it was one of the most important pieces of legislation that I could take to this House.

The languages commissioner will be assisted in her work by the requirement to get advice from representatives of each official languages group in the Territories. The languages commissioner is also charged with the responsibility to investigate any complaints that a government institution does not recognize the status of an official language, is not complying with provisions or regulations of the act, or is not complying with the spirit or intent of the act.

The languages commissioner has to report annually to the Legislative Assembly relating to the conduct of the office of the languages commissioner and to assist in the 10 year review of the provisions and operation to the act.

I may say, knowing the work of Ms. Harnum, I know the love of her life is language, no matter from which cultural background. I feel that we have found in Ms. Harnum the talents, fairness and degree of authority that is required by our languages commissioner. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support this motion.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you. Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I echo the Minister's statements. It has taken quite a while for this Assembly to be in this position to be able to make this announcement. Respectfully, Mr. Speaker, I would like to call for the question.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had the opportunity during the weekend to meet with the Deh Cho Tribal Council, and one of the difficulties with regard to the languages commissioner is although the act itself looks at seven aboriginal languages, we have here an individual that is of non-aboriginal descent. She is not born in the North but has lived in the North and developed the skill through experience. She has also, perhaps, been funded by this government to develop that skill that is required.

Having a master's degree in linguistics does not mean you can apply the Official Languages Act, and the application of the act itself is more important than the qualifications of an individual. I would like to say I am not going to support the motion. It was the Deh Cho Regional Council that suggested I should not support it. If you are going to be promoting aboriginal languages, you should have an aboriginal person.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

To the motion.

An Hon. Member

Question.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Question has been called. Recorded vote has been called. Mr. Kakfwi.

Motion 39-12(1): Appointment Of Languages Commissioner
Item 14: Motions

December 15th, 1991

Page 126

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I should say a few words, as well. I want the other Members to know, and the public as well, that I was one of the MLAs who, for the past two years, have been quietly, sometimes loudly, promoting their own candidates for this position. And through the months and years I had my heart set on my own candidate. We had a session in caucus where we had interviews and discussions amongst ourselves last week to finally make a decision. I want the Members and the public and my own constituents to know that I am in full support of the decision that the caucus had made, and I will be giving my full support to Betty Harnum in carrying out her duties on behalf of the Legislature. I want to make that known. A decision has been made, and I am not going to be dwelling on my own personal agenda that I have been carrying around for the last couple of years. I will be pushing ahead to see what we can do in this very important field. Thank you.

An Hon. Member

Hear, hear!

---Applause

Motion 39-12(1), Carried