This is page numbers 367 - 395 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 3rd 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 languages.

Topics

Members Present

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

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' Statements. Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Early this fall, I spoke out about my surprise at the manner in which the Department of Personnel was trying to dictate to the moving industry a new set of rates, by which the department would pay for the movement of employees goods. I was told by the Minister when I raised this issue, that the institution of these rates would be delayed and that a process of negotiation with representatives would begin.

Mr. Speaker, according to industry sources there has been very little progress. The government has not changed its position on any significant point. It continues to state that the most it will pay northern moving companies is a rate which is approximately 40 per cent less than what they currently receive. Mr. Speaker, the moving companies are willing to compromise. They understand that times are tough but they are not willing to agree to rates which will force them out of business almost immediately.

Mr. Speaker, I do not understand what the government expects it can accomplish with this. I am all for efficiency and saving government money, but I will think it will cost the government much more if we lose these northern businesses.

Mr. Speaker, the rates the government is still insisting on for line haul are simply not viable. They are less than those paid by B.C., Saskatchewan and the Yukon. I am certain that this government would not try to say that the cost of a moving business in B.C., Saskatchewan or the Yukon is greater than in the territories. Even worse though is the department's approach to this issue. The department has not gone, as far as I am aware, to the airline companies and told them that it will no longer pay the regular air charges. Has it told suppliers of materials for house construction with the Housing Corporation that it will now pay 40 per cent less for construction materials? Has it told fuel distributors that it will no longer pay the same price per litre of gas or motels, and that it will now pay less per room rented to government employees?

Mr. Speaker, the government is proud of its Business Incentive Policy and has said that it is worth incurring greater cost to ensure our dollars stay in the north. It is time that the Department of Personnel put its money where its mouth is.

---Applause.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Bernhardt.

Process Of Selecting Cabinet Members
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Ernie Bernhardt Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about the process used to select Members of Cabinet. This process was first established by previous Legislatures and has been adopted by a majority of Members of this House. As all Members are aware, under our current practice, this House selects four Cabinet Ministers from the east and four from the west. This selection process does not serve the best interest of the people of the Northwest Territories collectively.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that, especially during these tough times, we must change the way we select the Cabinet so that the best and the most capable candidates are chosen for the job, no matter what part of the territories they come from. It is my opinion that we have reached a stage in our constitutional development at which all Members of this Legislature will have to work together on the equitable process for dividing the N.W.T. into Nunavut and the western territories. To make these important decisions, I believe all Members should have the best interest of the territories as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, when decisions are made to select Cabinet Ministers, I for one, want to see a process in which I can vote for whom I consider to be the best possible candidate for the job, no matter if they are from the east or the west.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, the selection of Cabinet should not be based solely on region or culture, but on credibility, honesty and commitment to the people of the Northwest Territories. After all, all cultures in the whole creation...

Process Of Selecting Cabinet Members
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Bernhardt, you allotted time has lapsed.

Process Of Selecting Cabinet Members
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Ernie Bernhardt Kitikmeot

Mr Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to complete my statement.

Process Of Selecting Cabinet Members
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Bernhardt.

Process Of Selecting Cabinet Members
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Ernie Bernhardt Kitikmeot

Thank you, honourable Members. In conclusion, the selection of Cabinet should not be based solely on region or culture, but on credibility, honesty and commitment to the people of the Northwest Territories. After all, all cultures in this whole creation have borrowed something from other cultures in order to survive and compete. I would have loved to be nominated to sit over there for half a day and come back on this side. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Process Of Selecting Cabinet Members
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mr. Bernhardt. Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Patterson.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to rise briefly to thank Mr. Pudlat and also a number of honourable Members, both Cabinet Ministers and ordinary Members, who have spoken to me about the unfortunate loss of the Nanook School in Apex by fire last week. I would like to thank the honourable Members for the sympathy and the support they have expressed to do their part to help this close-knit community rebuild its beloved school as soon as possible. I am also grateful for the commitment of the government to involve the community and myself fully in the planning process. Qujannamiik.

---Applause

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Antoine.

Cabinet Ministers Representing All Of The N.w.t.
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Today, we had an election for a new Minister and that is the reason why I am speaking now. I was asked to run for Minister as well. I have five small communities in my region and we need a lot of government help. When I was first elected I wanted to help the people of my region so I put my name in for nomination. At that time I felt that I could do the job of a Minister and still represent my riding, but the people that voted for me are the ones I have to help first. When you are a Minister you have to represent everyone in the territories. There are eight Ministers appointed. Richard Nerysoo, John Todd and Rebecca Mike are new Ministers. The process now is that we select four from the east and four from the west to represent all the people from the territories. They are supposed to think of everybody throughout the territories, not only their specific region. They are Ministers representing everybody from the territories. They have to think that from now on. They are good people elected to be Ministers and I feel they will represent the people of the N.W.T. well. Thank you.

Cabinet Ministers Representing All Of The N.w.t.
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Whitford.

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

My congratulations and support for the three newly elected Ministers. I am confident at this time, Mr. Speaker, that they will do honour and justice to the portfolios that they receive and they will, with an unbiased loyalty to the people of the north, serve all the people of the north while they are there.

I would like to take this opportunity as well, Mr. Speaker, to offer my thank you to the Premier for all the guidance and support that she has given me during the past 13 months. As well, I would be negligent if I did not say the same thing to my colleagues on this side of the floor; they have offered me 13 months of excellent opportunity to gain experience and to, in that short period of time, do the best that I could for all of the people in the territories. I would like to say to my constituents, as well, that they stood by me and I am here to continue to assist this House in dealing with the issues at hand for the territories. Good luck, Madam Premier.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Gargan.

Thanking Former Ministers
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer my thanks to some of the former Ministers who just resigned. I would like to first express my thanks to Mr. Ningark, who served for a short while in the area of Renewable Resources. I also want to thank him for offering to travel to my constituency. Unfortunately, he did not get the opportunity to do that. I also want to thank Mr. James Arvaluk for assisting in ensuring that the Dene Cultural Institute is well into operation and that it did have planning money for its initiatives. I would also like to thank Mr. Whitford for his contribution to my constituency in the area of transportation and, in particular, the construction that has gone on for the last several years with regard to road construction. Finally, to Mr. Patterson. Oh, just wait now. Dennis, what did you do for my....

---Laughter

I would also like to thank Mr. Patterson for his assistance. I understand that there were going to be major renovations worth millions of dollars, for my community in Fort Providence but I think now the priority lies with the Apex School and I am sure that the people in my constituency would understand if they hold back in order for the school to be a reality in Apex. Thank you.

---Applause

Thanking Former Ministers
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mr. Gargan. Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Ningark.

John Ningark Natilikmiot

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to congratulate Richard Nerysoo, Rebecca Mike and John Todd. We all know that the Ministers go through a hard time. They have children and families. They are people like us. They are human beings. They have feelings too and they have gone through a tough time. If we try to give them support they can give us in return the same support that we give them, not just in the Legislative Assembly; they have work outside the Legislative Assembly throughout the Northwest Territories. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that people from Kitikmeot, sometimes we call them the middle

east, are going through hard times, so we would like to get support from them. Thank you.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Item 3, Members' Statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Anonymous Note Delivered To Chamber
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did not intend to make a Member's statement today, however, I should have checked my desk before the day had started. Mr. Speaker, I came to clear my desk and I read this note. It was addressed to me with no stamp so I know it was hand delivered to this Assembly. It says, "the public is watching you. It is time to put some credibility back into government and stop your personal vindictiveness. Put somebody in with education and credibility. Vote for Brian Lewis. Remember, we are watching."

Mr. Speaker, I find that quite appalling. This morning, when I think of it, I did get a nomination for the Cabinet seat and I certainly would like to take the time to thank my honourable colleague for Baffin Centre for her confidence and for honouring me with the nomination. However, Mr. Speaker, I want to comment that during the first Territorial Leadership Committee a year ago, this House passed a motion that established a two year review to the Executive Council and I voted for that motion, Mr. Speaker. I regret that it has been necessary to see Cabinet changes before that time. Some days I regret the process we use in this House, however, on consensus I agree and I go with the majority. That is democracy.

I do not believe in saying we will do one thing and then do another. Once I give my word, I want to fulfil the commitments that I have made. I felt it would have been inappropriate for me to allow my name to be put forward. I certainly hope that this is noted by some of the political pundits who, for example, wrote this note and the media, which have tried to attribute to the resignation of Cabinet Ministers to a personal bias or ambition on my part. This is not true at all. Mr. Speaker, the work of a Minister requires the commitment of a Member of this House to serve all the people of the Northwest Territories. I have made commitments to serve on committees and I would like to attempt to finish the commitments that I have made as a Member. I seek unanimous consent to continue.

Anonymous Note Delivered To Chamber
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Anonymous Note Delivered To Chamber
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, honourable colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I enjoy my life as an M.L.A. Believe it or not, I have a lot of fun. At the same time I believe I work hard too. One of our responsibilities is not only to make government accountable, but to bring the issues and concerns of Members of this House to the public forum. My constituents voted me into office because they know I am not afraid to speak, to work, and to bring forth the issues and make sure they are addressed. I thank them for their support.

No doubt, when you serve as an M.L.A., you have to work hard to be effective. When you work hard to be effective people look at you as though you are trying to get power. I do not look at it as power. I believe when you work hard to be effective you are trying to be responsible. In order to be responsible you also have to be accountable. I sometimes wonder why people find that the amount of power a person gets makes them feel that they are very important. In the eyes of our constituents we are all important because they place faith in us to serve them. I have tried to make the commitment to serve my constituents well. I will continue to serve them well. I will continue to make the government accountable.

Mr. Speaker, on a closing note, I certainly want to give my full congratulations to Mr. Nerysoo. I congratulate the other Members who placed forth their names for the empty seat on Cabinet. I know Mr. Nerysoo will be capable of filling the position. Most of all, I do want to urge the people of Yellowknife not to fear that they do not have a Minister on the Cabinet because the government is right at their doorstep. I have worked with these people for one year. I believe that many of the Cabinet Members are open and approachable. I know they will treat all the people of the N.W.T. with fairness. Thank you.

---Applause

Anonymous Note Delivered To Chamber
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. I would like to put on the public record that the note came from outside of this Legislative Assembly. I would like to state for the public record that it is very important that the Members of this Assembly can make their decisions free of the fear of intimidation or threats. I would like to state strongly that visitors to our Legislative Assembly please refrain from passing notes that might be construed as threatening to the Members of this Legislative Assembly. Thank you.

---Applause.