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

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Return To Question O126-12(1): Municipality Of Rae-edzo Cash Flow Problem
Question O126-12(1): Municipality Of Rae-edzo Cash Flow Problem
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 120

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Mr. Speaker, I do thank the Member for drawing to my attention the financial problems currently facing his community and also his explanation to me that these financial problems, in addition to the accumulated deficit, also flow from problems with the discharge of ground water into the sewage system, for which the hamlet has had to bear financial responsibility.

Mr. Speaker, as to the ground water problem, the extra cost that the hamlet has incurred this year, I have asked the department to look into that problem. They are at the moment discussing these problems with the agencies and departments of the government whose works have contributed to this problem. As of today, I have no results to report to the Member... so we will be looking for a short-term solution to that issue this year.

The long-term solution recommended to the hamlet, Mr. Speaker, is that they should enact a by-law within the authority of section 81 of the Hamlets Act, to either regulate or prohibit discharge of substances and liquids, including ground water, into a sewage or drainage system. That would prevent disputes of this kind in future as to who is and who is not responsible for discharge of ground water into the sewage system. Thank you.

Return To Question O126-12(1): Municipality Of Rae-edzo Cash Flow Problem
Question O126-12(1): Municipality Of Rae-edzo Cash Flow Problem
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Supplementary To Question O126-12(1): Municipality Of Rae-edzo Cash Flow Problem
Question O126-12(1): Municipality Of Rae-edzo Cash Flow Problem
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that the cash flow of the municipality is a real serious situation. I understand that the contractor has not been paid for a number of months now. What measures is the department taking? I understand that in the short term they are going to try and resolve but how soon are they going to try and resolve this particular problem?

Supplementary To Question O126-12(1): Municipality Of Rae-edzo Cash Flow Problem
Question O126-12(1): Municipality Of Rae-edzo Cash Flow Problem
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 121

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Further Return To Question O126-12(1): Municipality Of Rae-edzo Cash Flow Problem
Question O126-12(1): Municipality Of Rae-edzo Cash Flow Problem
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 121

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the problem was only brought to my attention late last week, Mr. Speaker, I am not able to give the Member a clear idea today as to when we will have a solution. But I can assure him that the department is making it a priority and we do understand the urgency of the problem. We will try and resolve it as soon as possible.

Further Return To Question O126-12(1): Municipality Of Rae-edzo Cash Flow Problem
Question O126-12(1): Municipality Of Rae-edzo Cash Flow Problem
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 121

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are plans by the Government of the NWT to improve the water source for the community of Arviat. My question is to the Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs. I would like to know if he knows whether the water source will be changed from a still water to a flowing source in the summer of 1992. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Member for drawing this problem to my attention. Since the capital plan is still being developed, I cannot today make any kind of firm commitment about what will be done in the coming fiscal year on that issue. In the short term I understand that the water needs of the community this winter are being pursued by the hamlet. But, Mr. Speaker, it would be premature of me to make a commitment on the capital plan until it is finalized. That is what the next session is for. Thank you.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Personnel. The Minister of Personnel indicated that every employee is required to swear an oath of office and secrecy when they are hired. The Minister said that the oath states that an employee shall not release information gained in their employment without proper authority. Will the Minister of Personnel determine whether proper authority was given to Ann Enge, Priscilla Hamann and Marj Sakundiak for releasing confidential information that they had gained in their employment? Thank you.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Personnel.

Return To Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I think that it should be said, as I said earlier, we had looked at cases where allegations were made about the conduct of employees in the past, and it was the view at that time that the actions taken by employees were reasonable, and that the information that is being bandied about again now is information that was released publicly by the union representatives, who are duly assigned members on staff in the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Return To Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I did not clearly hear his reply or basically have been able to interpret his reply as to what he had indicated. I would like to ask a supplementary. Will the Minister review the situation and determine if a violation of the oath of office and secrecy that they had initially signed has been violated? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Personnel.

Further Return To Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

December 15th, 1991

Page 121

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

I think I indicated last week that we did look at it at the time and it was our view that there was no violation. Thank you.

Further Return To Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

My question is again to the Minister of Personnel, a supplementary. I do not recall the Minister of Personnel ever looking into that situation, but I would like to ask the Minister, what is the purpose of a civil servant signing an oath of office and secrecy when they are hired? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 121

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Personnel.

Further Return To Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 121

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I think as employers we wish to have some statement from each employee that basically says they will respect the office they are going to occupy and the responsibility they would have to use the information and materials available to them in a reasonable way during their employment with us. That is what I understand the oath of office and secrecy to be demanded for. Thank you.

Further Return To Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Your final supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the Minister of Personnel now knows that employees did violate this oath of office and secrecy, and since he does feel that they should not use the information against their employer, I would like to know why he will not consider following through and recognize that these employees violated their oath of

office and secrecy.

Supplementary To Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Question O128-12(1): Authority To Release Information In Department Of Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 122

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Personnel.