This is page numbers 181 - 210 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 social.

Topics

Supplementary To Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 191

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Social Services.

Further Return To Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 191

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, when I was a young child I was given over to my grandparents to be looked after. They looked after me for many years. I understand that in the old days a parent not wishing to, or not able to look after a child of their own, their biological child, could, under custom within that group of people, give that responsibility over to someone else of their choosing; someone within the family. As I said with myself, my grandparents looked after me. It did not have to go through any legal process because there was no legal process at the time. I understand that it usually was done in consultation with the family and it was the choice of the family to accept. It was the choice of an individual to pass that child on, for a number of reasons; either for some tradition, necessity most often. Most often it was a desirable situation. It was good for the child and I think everybody had the child's safety and well-being in mind.

I do not believe things have changed too much today. The law has required individuals to do certain things to meet certain criteria now to meet the changing times. I do not think the principle of custom adoption has been eroded. I think it has been enhanced with certain Supreme Court judgments of some time ago. I think Sissons and Morrow would be some references that I may use.

I think that our society has complicated things a bit and I think that is what I was trying to deal with when the honourable Member asked me a question earlier on. I do not think the principle of custom adoption -- it is certainly not my intention to change that. I only want to emphasize that I think times have changed and customs, although they may be desired, must tolerate in some instances the changing times and requirements. That is briefly my understanding of it.

Further Return To Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 191

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mrs. Marie-Jewell, second supplementary.

Supplementary To Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 191

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to know if the Minister still upholds that respect to native traditions of the native people of the NWT wanting to practise custom adoption.

Supplementary To Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 191

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Social Services.

Further Return To Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 191

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, yes I do. I uphold and support native people taking these matters into their own hands, but from a department point of view, we still must be involved in some minute way to ensure the safety and well-being of children. Again, to assure the Members that are concerned that the principle of custom adoption is being upheld, it is just the matter of dealing with the legalities, the formalities that are required by our society today. I think the principle of it is being upheld by the department, the principle of it is being upheld by myself.

Further Return To Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 191

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

This is your last supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 191

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recognizing that the Minister has a concern with respect to

the departmental concerns and recognizing now that he states that he still does respect and uphold the tradition of native people in the NWT to allow custom adoptions to be done accordingly, will the Minister give a commitment to this House to ensure that he and his department makes every effort to respect that tradition for custom adoption whenever it is requested to take place?

Supplementary To Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 192

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Social Services.

Further Return To Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 192

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes.

Further Return To Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Question O164-12(1): Minister's Understanding Of Custom Adoption
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 192

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Personnel. Several Members in the current Executive, before they became Executive Members, were real advocates of hiring Northerners for senior positions. Can the Minister advise this House why it was necessary to seek a southern contractor who had already decided to leave the North to fill the position of deputy minister in the Department of Public Works?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Personnel.

Return To Question O165-12(1): Deputy Minister Of Public Works
Question O165-12(1): Deputy Minister Of Public Works
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 192

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, it is the prerogative largely of the Government Leader to deal with the deputy ministers and to take the lead in filling these positions. I do not like to talk about individuals by name in the Legislature. I think there is a proper way to deal with issues like this, without personalizing it. I wish the Member would respect that as well.

Return To Question O165-12(1): Deputy Minister Of Public Works
Question O165-12(1): Deputy Minister Of Public Works
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 192

An Hon. Member

Hear, hear!

Return To Question O165-12(1): Deputy Minister Of Public Works
Question O165-12(1): Deputy Minister Of Public Works
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 192

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A question to the Minister of Personnel. Could he indicate to this House, under the Public Service Act, who appoints senior civil servants?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Personnel.

Return To Question O166-12(1): Appointment Of Senior Civil Servants
Question O166-12(1): Appointment Of Senior Civil Servants
Item 5: Oral Questions

December 17th, 1991

Page 192

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, as I recall it is the Government Leader that does that on behalf of the Executive Council for deputy ministers. Other positions are filled through regular job advertisements.

Return To Question O166-12(1): Appointment Of Senior Civil Servants
Question O166-12(1): Appointment Of Senior Civil Servants
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 192

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A question to the Minister of Personnel. It is very difficult not to personalize issues when dealing with deputy ministers. It has been brought to my attention that there are very few of them. Can the Minister let this House know whether or not it is the policy of the government to hire senior staff through open competitions?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Personnel.

Return To Question O167-12(1): Policy For Hiring Senior Staff
Question O167-12(1): Policy For Hiring Senior Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 192

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, in most cases the senior management positions are advertised and in some cases they are direct appointments, depending on if there are specific people targeted to fill these positions, where the relevant department would make strong recommendations to make direct appointments. In the case of deputy ministers there is a practice of identifying through cabinet and the Government Leader's office, suitable candidates, and approach them in that manner.

Return To Question O167-12(1): Policy For Hiring Senior Staff
Question O167-12(1): Policy For Hiring Senior Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 192

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health. I want to know if the delivery of health programs and services has improved since that responsibility has been transferred over to the Government of the NWT.