This is page numbers 13 - 23 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 public.

Topics

Members Present

Hon. Titus Allooloo, Mr. Antoine, Mr. Arngna'naaq, Mr. Arvaluk, Hon. Michael Ballantyne, Mr. Bernhardt, Hon. Nellie Cournoyea, Mr. Dent, Mr. Gargan, Hon. Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Koe, Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, Ms. Mike, Hon. Don Morin, Hon. John Ningark, Hon. Dennis Patterson, Hon. John Pollard, Mr. Todd, Hon. Tony Whitford, Mr. Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 13

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Prior to proceeding with the orders of the day, I wish to inform the House that I have received the following communication from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories: "Please be advised that I wish to recommend to the 12th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of the following bills: Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1991-92; and Bill 2: Borrowing Authorization Act."

Orders of the day for Monday, December 9, 1991. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Madam Premier.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly. All of us are aware of the challenges facing government and residents of the Northwest Territories. We know the job that has to be done, and we all know that we must find a new and better way of doing things to avoid and correct the problems of the past and to build the kind of future all of us want.

Cabinet is determined to begin this process by reshaping the way government does business at both the community and territorial levels. We want all residents of the Northwest Territories to join us in building a uniquely northern-style government: We have to catch up with and recognize community ambitions and the way people at the local level want to get things done; decisions must be made about how we deal with institutions that will result from land claims, as well as accommodating the rights of aboriginal people; we must refine and reshape government operations so that they deliver the best possible service at the most reasonable cost; and we have to lead by example and develop a renewed spirit of partnership.

Mr. Speaker, the problems we encounter do not belong to any one individual or organization. They are shared by all of us. Leadership, teamwork, dedication, and a common purpose are necessary both inside and outside government. Everyone is going to have to work together in order to make progress.

Our budget situation means that tough financial, operational and organizational decisions have to be made right now at both the territorial and community levels. The decisions will not be easy and they will require a great deal of public input, understanding and support. Both government and public expectations will have to decrease. Decisions of cabinet and the Legislature must be based on living within our means.

Decisions on paying for the cost of government and the reshaping of its operation and structures must also reflect a determination to avoid the staggering debt loads faced by other jurisdictions. If we cannot pay for it, we had better not buy it.

Financially, we are in a difficult position, but we do not have to stay there. Finance Minister John Pollard will speak to you later about our financial position and our need to work together to return to a balanced budget.

Part of the answer is found in the report "Strength at Two Levels", which recommends fundamental changes to the manner in which government does business in the North.

In my discussions with Members of the Legislature, I know that many of you have already started talking to constituents about the report. Its observations make good sense, and we intend to move quickly and deliberately in our review and implementation of many of its recommendations. But since that project examined only a limited part of the total government, our challenge will be to expand the field of change to all areas. No issue is more important in this regard than community self-government. Government must recognize the local way of getting things done, and that means changing the way programs and services are delivered.

Mr. Speaker, all of us want to encourage greater community self-sufficiency, with strong community governments making their own decisions on behalf of the people who elected them. We want to see community ownership of programs and services. We want to see programs and services delivered in a way that reflects the unique conditions of each community, controlled by local people who know the community and who can set their own funding priorities.

The newly organized Ministry of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs will take the lead role in this area over the coming months. It will be developing approaches and arrangements designed to provide for local control and to set the stage for increased social and economic self-sufficiency at the community level.

Transfers to community governments could include block or multi-year funding. Increased local responsibilities may include responsibility for building houses, building and maintaining local public works, administration of social services, dealing with drug and alcohol problems and education of the young.

The package eventually transferred to each community will differ just as the communities themselves differ. Each agreement will have to be tailored to the unique circumstances of individual communities. The variety of culture, aspirations and interest among communities will mean that there can be no single model, and that will make the job extremely complex.

As Members of the Legislative Assembly, we must consult with our constituents on these important matters and be prepared to discuss their implementation during our budget session. It is time to get things done and we all recognize that fact.

We have already begun to organize ourselves and set priorities for the restructuring of government. We are taking the steps that are necessary to consolidate the Department of Health and the Department of Social Services into one department in order to improve co-ordination and efficiency in responding to the health and social service needs of northern residents.

It will be necessary to move all programs dealing with education, employment and culture into one department. This will provide a renewed emphasis on the important linkage between education, employment and culture.

The responsibility for the POL, petroleum, oils and lubricants program, will be moved under the NWT Power Corporation in order to gain greater efficiencies in the delivery of petroleum products and their use. The remaining programs and services within Government Services will be consolidated under the Department of Public Works. These initiatives will begin to be reflected in the 1992-93 budget.

We will be discussing them with Members and recommending a comprehensive strategic plan to the Legislature, including an implementation process and timetable for the streamlining of government as well as other initiatives to improve services and program delivery. The plan will be worked out with the involvement of the various committees of the Legislature and will be brought forward at our next session.

Mr. Speaker, all of us are elected to conduct our business in the most efficient, effective and open manner possible. That is what the public wants and that is what the public deserves. That is what the government is committed to delivering.

Our strategy, Mr. Speaker, will include methods of dealing with changes in a way that treats the public service fairly and with respect; that takes advantage of vacant positions and trains staff for new employment opportunities; and that involves new partnerships and levels of communication between the government, Members of the Legislature, interested parties, business and union representatives.

Mr. Speaker, the report, "Strength at Two Levels," provides us with a focus. We have talked about the kinds of things it recommends on many occasions over the years. Now it is time for us to get into action.

Staff at all levels of the organization will have an important role to play in our determination to make the changes that are necessary to streamline the operation of government and to make it more user-friendly and relevant to the people it serves. My message to the public service is simple: We need your skills to get this job done.

Mr. Speaker, co-operation and openness will be extended to all areas of our work. For instance, we know and understand the need for a more receptive government. As a result, we will be providing you with a comprehensive proposal during our second session that deals with the question of access to information.

We are also prepared to give our immediate attention to recommendations of the standing committee on legislation concerning any improvements in the way government drafts, considers and presents legislation and regulations. This is in particular in respect to increased levels of public input.

Later this week the Minister of Safety and Public Services will be making a statement concerning the Mining Safety Act. The statement will deal with how our government proposes to proceed, in consultation with appropriate interest groups.

Mr. Speaker, the process of government does not have to be too complex and difficult to understand, but it does take elected leaders and professional staff, working as a team, to make it relevant to the public. With understanding and commitment all of us have a chance to develop new rules and styles of government at both the community and territorial levels that are complementary, supportive and unique to our own northern style and cultural traditions.

Much of what I have said today is not new. All of us have heard talk about streamlining government, transferring greater responsibility and resources to communities and designing a northern style government, but little has been achieved because we are never able to get all affected stakeholders onto the same team. This time I am confident that things will be different. The desire for change is strong across the NWT and that strength will help us succeed.

In conclusion, I have some further announcements that should be seen as a demonstration of our government's serious commitment to the job at hand and its support for the concept of "living within our means". The Government Leader, Ministers and deputy ministers have all agreed to work for less. My annual base salary will be reduced by $7000; Ministers' salaries will be reduced by $5000, and deputy ministers' salaries will be cut by $2500 per year.

In addition, I have been asked by the Speaker to announce that his base salary will also be reduced by $5000. The changes will come into effect January 1, 1992.

Finally, effective immediately, Ministers will no longer be able to have government cars assigned to them on a permanent basis. Cabinet has agreed to use the Public Works vehicle pool for government business, just like all other government workers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Ms. Cournoyea. Ministers' statements. Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the NWT is in a difficult financial situation. The money we are receiving from Ottawa and from our own taxes and other types of income is not enough to pay for our current levels of spending. Our annual deficit will get bigger if spending is not reduced. We cannot continue to allow our spending to grow at a faster rate than our revenues. We must act now to avoid a crisis.

The main reason that the government is in financial trouble is the low growth in the grant from Canada over the last two years because of changes that the federal government imposed on us in the formula financing arrangements in 1988 and 1990. We estimate that the 1988 and 1990 changes in the formula will have cost our government more than $150 million by the end of 1993.

On a more optimistic note, Mr. Speaker, it is expected that we will have come through the worst of the effects of the formula changes by the end of 1993.

Mr. Speaker, we are currently projecting a $40 million deficit during the current fiscal year, largely because of the formula changes. If we continue with our current rate of spending, we will be faced with an even larger deficit next year. We cannot afford these deficits. If we allow ongoing deficits, we will be very quickly broke with nobody to help us out, not the federal government nor the NWT taxpayer.

Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, as a result of reductions in anticipated revenues which have not been offset by reduced spending, we are faced with a cash shortage. Although the government has an accumulated surplus, according to its books, the surplus is used up by loans to municipalities, by inventories such as petroleum products, and in other assets.

For example, Mr. Speaker, we currently have $44 million in loans to municipalities, some $30 million in petroleum products inventories and over $31 million in unpaid bills for hospital care for status residents that the federal government is trying to avoid paying.

If our spending and our receipt of revenues continues as projected, the government will have to borrow in the region of $50 million before the end of 1991-92 to provide the cash it needs to meet its financial obligations. This borrowing would be temporary. It must be eliminated in the future by taking strong expenditure reduction measures for this year and for next year.

Continued borrowing to finance operating deficits is not an option. The Northwest Territories does not have the capacity to finance a large amount of accumulated debt. If we continue on our present course and do not return to a balanced budget, the government would quickly go broke. Reduced spending, Mr. Speaker, must be the government's main objective. Putting our finances back on track means making do with less. This means making a permanent reduction in our expenditures now to eliminate the current deficit and then slowing down our rate of spending increases in the future to match the rate that our revenues are growing.

Mr. Speaker, last week the government announced a number of short-term measures to reduce our deficit for 1991-92. Although modest restraint measures of this nature will not solve the government's financial problems, they will prevent the deficit from climbing even higher while we prepare for the longer term and the more fundamental changes necessary to fight the deficit.

These short-term restraint measures were carefully designed to keep the impact on services to the public to a minimum, and procedures have been put in place that provide for common-sense exemptions. To seek an exemption a Minister need only provide a short explanation and request to the Government Leader, who will make a decision. For example, Mr. Speaker, we have already exempted teachers and community nurses from the hiring freeze as their services are considered essential.

These short-term restraint measures have caused some concern on the part of the business community, and we understand that concern, Mr. Speaker. The business community counts on government operations for a large portion of its revenues. However, these measures will not bring government activity to a standstill; necessary business will proceed.

We must all recognize that the alternative to taking immediate action to reduce expenditures is a larger deficit this year, which will only result in more drastic expenditure reductions down the road.

Mr. Speaker, the government realizes that actions such as the expenditure restraint measures are not the long-term solution to our fiscal problems. We have to manage our way out of this deficit. Wholesale and arbitrary cuts in existing operations are not the answer. To recover from the current deficit position and create a leaner, more efficient government will require fundamental changes in the way government does business.

Mr. Speaker, the recommendations contained in the report, "Strength at Two Levels," give us some options for becoming more efficient while actually improving service to the public and achieving some of our main objectives.

The Government Leader has already advised you of cabinet support for the general direction of "Strength at Two Levels" and has also advised you of some of the immediate initiatives we propose to take. Actual implementation of some or all of the recommendations will require the full support of the Legislative Assembly and its committees, and determination and perseverance by cabinet. Thank you.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mr. Pollard. Ministers' statements. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Launching Of Book, "living Kindness"
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 15

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Members of the House, last Friday on December 6, I was privileged to be in attendance at the latter part of a book-launching ceremony. The book launching was held in my constituency of Thebacha, and the book was called "Living Kindness." It is the memoirs of Madeleine Bird, who is one of our elders in our community.

Mrs. Bird is a 91 year-old Metis elder who has raised her family for many years in the North. Her memoirs were written with the administrative assistance of Sister Agnes Sutherland, in conjunction with Mr. Chris Stevens, who was until recently with the Northern Heritage Centre.

Mrs. Bird was in attendance for the book-launching ceremony, accompanied by her sister, Rosalie Dempsey, who is one of our elders currently residing in the senior citizens' chalet of our community. She was also accompanied by her brothers, Antoine Mercredi and Roderick Mercredi, who are both currently residing in Fort Chipewyan.

Mrs. Bird had many relatives, sons, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all in attendance and who travelled for many miles around in our country to be in attendance for the book-launching ceremony. Mrs. Bird initially intended to write the book for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to give them fundamental guidance of principles to guide them through their lives.

I had the honour of doing the foreword in the book and truly enjoyed formulating my thoughts on the book. This book gives a good insight on how hard women worked in the North and, at times, I believe this important contribution is overlooked.

Mrs. Bird also stresses how the important work of the Grey Nuns contributed to the development of the North. Mrs. Bird expresses her deep gratification for the work that the Grey Nuns did.

I am very pleased today to be able to provide Members with a copy of this well-written book. On behalf of my constituency, Mr. Speaker, our grateful thank you to Sister Sutherland for the many countless hours she spent in co-ordinating such a wonderful production. Also, our grateful thanks to Chris Stevens, who spent many hours in assisting with such a wonderful adventure to fruition.

Mr. Speaker, I know my time is up, but I would like to seek unanimous consent to continue with my Member's statement.

Launching Of Book, "living Kindness"
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 15

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Unanimous consent has been requested.

Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Launching Of Book, "living Kindness"
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 15

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Stevens had the wonderful task of trying to find the funds for the development and production of this particular book. Our grateful thanks to Outcrop, particularly Ronne Heming, for the final production of this edition. "Thank you" to all funding agencies, particularly UNESCO and Esso Resources, for assisting the community of Fort Smith in this venture. A heartfelt thank you to Joe Bird, Mrs. Bird's son, for co-ordinating the book-launching event.

Finally, and most importantly, a heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Madeleine Bird for sharing her knowledge not only with her grandchildren but with all of us Northerners and for many future generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, sharing is such an important part of our aboriginal culture. This book is a fine example of sharing. I trust the Members will truly enjoy reading this book, "Living Kindness." Thank you.

---Applause

Launching Of Book, "living Kindness"
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 15

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Concise Statement Of Government Leader
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 15

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to congratulate the Government Leader on a Minister's statement that is absolutely clear. It is full of wonderful short phrases that everyone could understand: If we cannot pay for it we better not buy it; we are in a difficult position, but we do not need to stay there; this is the local way of getting things done; it is fine to get things done; that is what the public wants and that is what the public deserves; that is what the government is committed to -- the delivery; now is the time for action; and so on.

I would like to remind the House that this is a consensus government. Although this has a platform that this government seems committed to deliver -- but in the spirit of consensus government it is my wholehearted belief that this will only succeed if, in fact, it gets the good will of all Members on this side of the House. For that reason, I hope these short, very easy-to-understand phrases do not mean that the Government Leader is committed to ramming through a program without proper debate, discussion, consideration and the proper input of ordinary Members on this side. It is a good start to have a Minister's statement that is clear and uses good English so that everybody has no doubt about what it means. Thank you.

Concise Statement Of Government Leader
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 15

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you. If I could bring to the attention of the Assembly that Mr. Mathias Awa, James Arvaluk's father, is in the public gallery.

---Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Zoe.

Winter Road To Snare Lake
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 15

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern that due to cutbacks by this government a very important winter road may not be built to one of the communities in my riding. Mr. Speaker, the whole issue was laid out fairly well in Friday's edition of Press Independent. Mr. Speaker, by not having this particular winter road there are going to be some very serious problems for that particular community. The community I am referring to is Snare Lake.

Mr. Speaker, I will be questioning the appropriate departments today during question period with regard to why they are not providing this winter road as was planned last year. We delayed a winter road going into that particular community because we could not justify the amount of stuff that was supposed to be going into the community.

My understanding was that this particular winter road was going to go through this year, but according to the Press Independent it does not look as though that is going to happen, and later on this afternoon I will be questioning the appropriate departments. Thank you.

Winter Road To Snare Lake
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 15

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Members' statements. Mr. Koe.

Mike Zubko
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 15

Fred Koe Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express my sympathy to the family and friends of the late Mike Zubko. Mr. Zubko was a well-respected friend and businessman of the Delta. He passed away on October 28, 1991, after a year-long fight with cancer. Mike worked for Canadian Pacific Airlines in the early 1940s out of Fort Smith, Fort Simpson and Yellowknife. He flew with Ernie Boffa, a well-known bush pilot of those days who taught him how to fly and how to navigate about the North without maps, which largely did not exist in those days.

He moved to Aklavik in 1946 and started Aklavik Flying Service. He married Dawn Smith, the first nurse in Fort McPherson. In 1950 he started a family and eventually had six children. During the early 1950s he flew on the DEWline project and provided the first and only air service to people in the Delta and Beaufort area, including medical evacuations to Aklavik, which were lifesaving to many during the measles epidemic in the early 1950s. He assisted in the new townsite selection which eventually became Inuvik, where he moved to in 1959 and continued to run his business until 1985.

Tom Butters said that Mike Zubko was one of the few people who lived in the North that always had his door open. Commissioner Dan Norris had his first job working for Mike Zubko in Aklavik as his office manager.

Memorial services were held in Inuvik at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School on November 16th. A trust fund for education of aviation students is being set up in Mike's name, to continue the kind of help that Mike gave freely to all who asked for his help and wisdom.

The family requests that people direct donations to this fund. We all will miss him. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Mike Zubko
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 15

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Members' statements.

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. If I could ask Members if they could address the portfolio of the Minister to whom they are going to ask the question. Thank you. Mr. Zoe.

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister of Transportation. According to this Press Independent report, could I ask the Minister if the

department will be putting through a winter supply road to the community of Snare Lake this fiscal year?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Transportation, Mr. Allooloo.

Return To Question O1-12(1): Winter Supply Road To Snare Lake
Question O1-12(1): Winter Supply Road To Snare Lake
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 17

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am told that part of the road that goes to Snare Lake used to be a private road built by Neptune and Colomac Mines. The department is planning to put in a road and is investigating whether the road will be feasible for the year 1991-92. The department is investigating if the winter road will be too expensive for our government to put it in every season. We are trying to find a more cost-effective way to keep the winter road open. We are looking at it so the winter road will alternate from year to year. Starting with the 1991-92 season, we will open the road every second year. That study is being looked at by my department.

Return To Question O1-12(1): Winter Supply Road To Snare Lake
Question O1-12(1): Winter Supply Road To Snare Lake
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 17

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Supplementary To Question O1-12(1): Winter Supply Road To Snare Lake
Question O1-12(1): Winter Supply Road To Snare Lake
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 17

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Mr. Speaker, maybe I am addressing my question to the wrong Minister. My understanding was that the Department of Transportation is supposed to be a co-ordinating department with the Housing Corporation, Government Services, Municipal and Community Affairs, Public Works and so forth. That is why I directed my question to the leading department. Their mandate is to build roads. So what has the department done in consulting with the other departments to date?

Supplementary To Question O1-12(1): Winter Supply Road To Snare Lake
Question O1-12(1): Winter Supply Road To Snare Lake
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister of Transportation.

Further Return To Question O1-12(1): Winter Supply Road To Snare Lake
Question O1-12(1): Winter Supply Road To Snare Lake
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 17

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What we are trying to do is we are working together with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, the Housing Corporation and also any other agency that might be interested in shipping goods up to Snare Lake. What we are planning to do is work with the other departments. We would like to find a year, starting 1991-92, to ship items that are going to Snare Lake. We will co-ordinate those years with the other departments as well as other groups that might be interested in shipping goods to Snare Lake. Thank you.

Further Return To Question O1-12(1): Winter Supply Road To Snare Lake
Question O1-12(1): Winter Supply Road To Snare Lake
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 17

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary question, Mr. Zoe.