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.

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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 122

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, just a couple of points. One is that I do not know that to be true, any more than the Member can say that she can make specific allegations about specific individuals, but I do know that there have to be a few things remembered here. One, is that in a discipline process that we take for employees, they must have some access to some of the information the government has in order to make sure they represent themselves in the best way possible in that process, and that is not a process in which we deny government information to.

Secondly, they are not responsible for the actions of their unions. The unions work on behalf of their members and in the end I think the unions use information that comes to them in whatever way they want. There is no recourse, as well, I think for employees that suffer under managers or supervisors that must be brought to light, in their opinion, so there has to be some flexibility in the kind of iron hand we would try to extend over employees. As I said, this type of thing was looked at some time ago and it is still my view that the actions that were taken were reasonable and there is nothing to revisit at this time. 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

Page 122

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

If I could just make one comment to the House. Originally this line of questioning gave me some difficulty and my comment on it at that point in time was that Members, I think, have to be quite careful when impugning motives of individuals within or outside the House. To my knowledge, none of the allegations have either been officially confirmed or denied, at least within my knowledge, so I have some difficulty with that line of questioning. I would ask Members to be careful with that line of questioning when we are talking about either Members in the House or officials outside the House. Oral questions.

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 122

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

A point of privilege, Mr. Speaker.

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 122

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Point of privilege, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

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 122

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

A point of privilege, just for clarification, Mr. Speaker, and I do not want you to feel that I am challenging you with respect to your comments; but I do want you to know that these types of questions that were formulated I did get reviewed with the Law Clerk prior to bringing them into the House. 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

Page 122

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you. That was not a point of privilege, but you did get your point across. Oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question to the Minister of Education, Mr. Allooloo. There were, Mr. Speaker, two positions vacant this summer at the school in Fort Providence and one teacher position, but when the advertisement for those positions went out it was based on the affirmative action policy being adhered to, and it said very little about the qualifications of an individual. I would like to know if it is the intention of the department to hire people regardless of what their qualifications are, as long as they adhere to the affirmative action policy. I would like to know if that is the direction in which the Department of Education is now going.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Education.

Return To Question O129-12(1): Hiring Qualified Teachers
Question O129-12(1): Hiring Qualified Teachers
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 122

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I would like to point out that the qualifications of teachers are very important to the department because they are teaching our children, who will be taking over our responsibilities, and who are our future. I would like to point out that, in hiring teachers, the people who are working in the department take into account the affirmative action policy. Thank you.

Return To Question O129-12(1): Hiring Qualified Teachers
Question O129-12(1): Hiring Qualified Teachers
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 122

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Supplementary To Question O129-12(1): Hiring Qualified Teachers
Question O129-12(1): Hiring Qualified Teachers
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 122

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, I have here two employment opportunities with regard to two positions, a teacher position and a special needs position. It does not say anything about qualifications with regard to the teacher's position. All it says is, "A holistic teacher, able to teach in all subjects is required." I do not know what a holistic teacher means; if you have grade 12, a bachelor degree in education or teaching. I do not know what the qualifications are. It does say that affirmative action will be adhered to. I would like to ask the Minister if he would look into the advertisement that was used, in Fort Providence specifically, because I am concerned about the quality of education and the qualifications of the educator.

Supplementary To Question O129-12(1): Hiring Qualified Teachers
Question O129-12(1): Hiring Qualified Teachers
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 122

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Education.

Further Return To Question O129-12(1): Hiring Qualified Teachers
Question O129-12(1): Hiring Qualified Teachers
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 122

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question O129-12(1): Hiring Qualified Teachers
Question O129-12(1): Hiring Qualified Teachers
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 122

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Transportation. On Friday, December 13th I asked a question about the agreement between the GNWT and the federal government regarding the Arctic airports. I would like to know if he has found a response to this question.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Transportation.

Return To Question O130-12(1): Response To Question Re Arctic Airports
Question O130-12(1): Response To Question Re Arctic Airports
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 122

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Mr. Speaker, I will reply tomorrow.

Return To Question O130-12(1): Response To Question Re Arctic Airports
Question O130-12(1): Response To Question Re Arctic Airports
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 122

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

The question is taken as notice. Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Transportation. I realize Mr. Zoe is having problems with regard to contracts, but my situation is over two years old. It is with regard to the contract that was done by Curry Construction two years ago. The subcontract was given to the Hay River Reserve band for clearing the right-of-way. Apparently Curry Construction folded and Ptarmigan Construction took over, which is the same people, I believe. The reserve has not been paid $25,000 and they are still waiting payment. I would like to know if the Minister would look into the situation to see if he would be able to resolve it.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Transportation.

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Mr. Speaker, I would have to take the question under notice and get back to the Member.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Question is taken as notice. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Last week he provided us with a copy of the results of the recent election. In that copy he missed quite a few communities. Could he provide us with a complete copy of the results of the elections that were held this last fall throughout every community?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Return To Question O132-12(1): Results Of Recent Community Elections
Question O132-12(1): Results Of Recent Community Elections
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 123

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Yes, Mr. Speaker. Since the elections in tax-based communities were held in late October, I did not include those in the list that I circulated to Members. That was an oversight and I will be happy to provide a complete list. I should be able to do that by tomorrow if my department operates with its usual efficiency.