Good afternoon. Orders of the day for Thursday, February 27, 1992. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Ministers' statements. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Hon. Perrin Beattie, federal Minister of Communications, has advised me that the federal government intends to table new telecommunications legislation today.

The tabled telecommunications legislation strives to deal with the importance of this high technology industry in an increasingly global community. Of particular importance is an obligation of the federal Minister to consult with the two territories and the provinces in the discussions of communications issues.

The Minister has also advised me of his intention to regionalize the CRTC, Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission. He will be obtaining the views of the provinces and Territories regarding the location, method of appointment, and duties of commissioners, including regionally-based commissioners. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Beattie also intends to establish a conference of Ministers to discuss emerging policy issues on a regular basis.

Mr. Speaker, I point this out particularly as an indication of the success of the Government of the Northwest Territories in being accepted as a partner with the federal and provincial governments in the management of Canada. I am pleased that we continue to move forward in our efforts to strengthen our position in confederation. Thank you.

Ministers' statements. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today and had a Member's statement prepared on a different subject from the one I am going to address today. I keep a journal and have kept one for over 30 years, Mr. Speaker, and had thought that your birthday was tomorrow. I have since learned that, in fact, it is today. I would like to point out that as the Minister of Justice our honourable Speaker kept his cards very close to his chest. It was very, very tough to get information out if he really did not want to divulge it.

I remember trying to get from our current Speaker the information I wanted about a lady called Mrs. Hope, who was in the prediction business, who would tell you your fortune, and I found it very, very difficult to find out under what kind of regulation or law she, in fact, practised this profession of predicting people's future. So since we now have a northern government with an access to information act, I would like to urge all Members to use whatever force they can so that this very carefully guarded secret would be available to all people in the Northwest Territories.

I would like to know, and I ask all Members to help me in this process, to find out not only how old the Speaker is, how many years he has got on the clock, but also where he was born, what time of the day, in fact, this great event took place, so that we can refer the information back to Mrs. Hope so that she can predict the future, not only of our Speaker, but also of this Legislative Assembly. Thank you.

---Applause

That information, as all information, will be

available when the freedom of information bill comes out. Thank you for those wishes as I enter my golden years. Members' statements. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make a statement regarding the ordinary MLAs' participation on the newly formed Reshaping Northern Government working group. The motion was passed in this House which requested that the Government Leader include three ordinary Members of this Assembly on its strategy committee for implementing the recommendations of the report, Strength at Two Levels. Subsequently, I, along with my colleagues Jim Antoine and James Arvaluk, were chosen by the honourable Members on this side of the House to represent them on the proposed committee, and now everyone in this House is aware of the feelings of most of the ordinary Members relating to the perceived implementation plan of the Strength at Two Levels report.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I rose in this House and spoke about my concern about participating on this committee at this time. When I spoke, I had no information or plans as to what the ongoing process and task of the working group would be. Subsequently, later in the afternoon, I and all my colleagues received a letter from the Government Leader inviting us to participate with three Ministers on the newly named Reshaping Northern Government working group. Also, during discussions in committee of the whole yesterday, the Minister of Finance talked about involving other ordinary Members by channelling any proposed changes through the appropriate standing committees. Mr. Speaker, this is the type of information which we were waiting to hear. We wanted to be reassured that the government was not moving ahead full bore without our involvement.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to proceed with my statement.

Unanimous consent has been requested. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed, Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am probably one of the last people to criticize or curtail management ability to get the job done, even if this entails making changes. In one of my first speeches to this Assembly I stated that I do not support the status quo. Changes are necessary to make the business of managing and running government more effective and efficient, and let us get on with it. I am from the school of thought always looking at ways of how do you do something, rather than hearing all the reasons of how not to do anything.

---Applause

Of course, I do not necessarily agree with everyone on everything, but through talking and discussions we can all make our viewpoints and opinions known. If it eventually comes to a vote, we can vote accordingly.

By allowing us to participate in developing an implementation plan and strategy, all Members will have an opportunity to express their views and those of their constituents.

Mr. Speaker, the honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine, the honourable Member for Aivilik, Mr. Arvaluk, and I have received the full support of our colleagues, and we will accept the invitation from the Government Leader to meet with their representatives to begin the task of reshaping northern government. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My constituency has a concern about mail delivery since Canadian Air stopped delivering it from the East and the West. First Air now has the contract to deliver mail. They fly from Ottawa to Iqaluit, Nanisivik, Resolute Bay and Yellowknife. From Yellowknife, they return the same route. The mail that is coming into my constituency from the West is flown first to Ottawa. The mail arrives very late, which causes real problems for people expecting urgent mail. We did not have a problem with late mail delivery when Canadian Air was delivering it. Canada Post should look into this problem so that my constituents can have better and faster mail delivery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased to bring to the attention of all Members a scientific achievement which has been developed in the Baffin Region, and which I am sure all Members will find most exciting. The project involves a scientific method to convert DC power to AC power. In simple terms, the invention uses power from ordinary car batteries and changes this battery power into a form that is exactly the same as what we get from an ordinary wall socket in any home. For example, it can take two 12-volt car batteries and convert that into 1500 watts of power that will last for a minimum of 100 hours. All of this from a box weighing about 36 pounds!

In addition, the system can be easily recharged in a number of ways from windmills and solar panels to an ordinary battery charger. This means that the power is virtually available at all times, and the life of these batteries becomes spectacular in length.

The implications for power in remote communities is fantastic as it will offer options for a power source that eliminates much of the capital costs we presently incur when we install or provide portable generators. A new company called North Port, under the capable leadership of its president, Mr. Richard Porter, who is in this House today, has recently announced the completion of their factory in Iqaluit to meet the heavy demand for orders of this marvellous product. Initially, 10 local residents -- and I am happy to say they are to be all women -- will be employed in the factory, and with expanded growth potential, these figures will undoubtedly rise.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the efforts of my constituent, Mr. Jean Lambert, who invented this marvellous device, and I believe very strongly that the benefits from the manufacture of this amazing invention should stay in the North. I am also delighted that he has had collaboration with residents of Igloolik, notably Mr. Porter and Mr. Ike Haulli, to get this product marketed and off the ground.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to distribute a recent newspaper article that provides more detail for Members. In doing so, I want to object to the...

Mr. Patterson, your time has expired.

May I make a brief final

statement?

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to proceed. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed, please.

Humbly requesting unanimous consent, Mr. Speaker. In distributing this newspaper article, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take strong exception to the patronizing statement in that article that Iqaluit is a part of the world not noted for technological breakthroughs. Obviously that is no longer the case, Mr. Speaker. Qujannamiik.

Thank you. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As many honourable Members know, there are provisions within our Plebiscite Act, Local Authorities Elections Act and the territorial Elections Act which state that incarcerated persons are not eligible to vote. Honourable Members will also be aware, though, that on January 28th the federal court of appeal heard the case of Belczowski versus Canada. On February 27th the court rendered a judgment that in essence held that it is arbitrary, unfair and irrational to prohibit incarcerates from voting.

Members who were here during the 11th Assembly will remember that I raised this issue way back on July 3rd, 1991. At the time, I sponsored a motion recommending that the Government of the NWT should use the Legal Questions Act to obtain a judgment on the constitutional validity of provisions in the territorial Elections Act which prohibit inmates from voting in territorial elections. Unfortunately, this motion was defeated. Some Members, including the current Minister of Justice, expressed an opinion that this issue should be decided "by people elected to this Assembly" rather than by the courts. It does not appear that the government has been able to address this issue to date. Now, instead of having a legislative amendment that we could debate, or a legal ruling on the constitutionality of the inmate voting prohibitions in our legislation, we only have confusion and uncertainty.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories is about to embark on the most significant vote of its political history. There is a risk that the entire procedure may be impacted by these new constitutional developments. I would urge the Minister of Justice to move quickly...

Mr. Gargan, your time has expired.

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

Unanimous consent has been requested. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. I would urge the Minister of Justice to move quickly in analyzing this federal court decision and in developing a proactive strategy for government action in this regard. Thank you.

On behalf of the Assembly I would like to welcome the president of the NWT co-operatives and its board of directors, Mr. Bill Lyall.

---Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Whitford.

I would also like to add that Mr. Bill Lyall is a former Member of this Legislative Assembly. Members' statements. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome two people from Sanikiluaq, since I represent this community. Johnny Cookie, a member of Nunavut; also Lucassie Arragutainaq, a board member for Arctic Co-ops. I would like to welcome these two people to the Assembly. They are representing Sanikiluaq. Thank you.

---Applause

Members' statements. Members' statements. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to speak a little bit about the snow problems that we have in Baker Lake. As most people may be aware, the amount of snow in Baker Lake is a major problem. In some years there have been houses which have been completely covered by snow. The only way in which one could tell there was a building in that area was because there was a chimney sticking out of the snow. As a matter of fact, snowmobiles have driven over these houses. These conditions are not only hazardous, they are unacceptable. There was a project which was started a number of years ago. This project was to build a snow fence on the northwest side of the community, in the older section of the community. Today, the new area of the community is now being built with the prevailing winds in mind; however, the older section of the community is still being covered with snow today. I would just like to point out that the snow fence which was started a number of years ago has not been completed, and this is a concern that I would like to make Members aware of. Thank you.

---Applause

Members' statements. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Returns to oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have an answer to an oral question asked by Mr. Antoine on February 17, 1992, with respect to the review of policies and procedures of Akaitcho Hall Residence. The Member for Nahendeh requested a review of all policies and procedures regarding the supervision and care of the students staying at the Akaitcho Hall Residence.

The Department of Education is currently working with the Akaitcho Hall administrative staff to improve the procedures and staff guidelines for the supervision and care of the students. This will include a review of staff job descriptions to ensure that their responsibilities are stated clearly. As well, the department will conduct a full operational review of the Akaitcho Hall Residence in May, 1992. The review will focus on all aspects of operation, including the goals and objectives of the residence, training of staff, recreation and weekend activity programs for students, student leave procedures, and student support and participation in the operation of the residence.

We will do all we can to make sure that Akaitcho Hall provides the support and supervision a student needs. Thank you.

Returns to oral questions. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs regarding the community of Jean Marie River. Last July the secretary/manager left the community, and the department knew well ahead of time that this person would be leaving, and up to date this position has not been filled. As a result of that, there are a lot of problems within the community in terms of taking care of the administration of the community financially and project wise, and I know the problem there is that there is no co-ordination. Is the department going to be filling this position soon? Mahsi.

Mr. Minister.

Mr. Speaker, I will have to take that question on notice and get back as soon as I can. Thank you.

The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for the WCB. Section 1 of the Workers' Compensation Act defines the YMIR, year's maximum insurable remuneration, as $40,000. This means that no matter how much money a worker has been earning at the time of his injury, he will never be paid any more than $40,000. Mr. Speaker, it appears to me that this situation is rather unfair, particularly to the high income earners who suffer permanent disability injuries and must try to meet existing mortgages, pay the bills, and look after their children.

My question to the Minister is, since becoming Minister, has he received, by way of a formal motion or resolution of the Workers' Compensation Board, a recommendation to adjust the YMIR by amending the Workers' Compensation Act?

Mr. Patterson

Mr. Speaker, to answer the Member's question in its narrowest sense, no, I have not received a formal recommendation from the Workers

Supplementary, Mr. Todd

Thank you. In that case, will the Minister therefore make a commitment to introduce an amendment to the Workers' Compensation Act, during the second session of the 12th Assembly, which would adjust the earnings ceiling to an appropriate level in the YMIR?

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, following discussions with the Workers' Compensation Board on this issue, I did ask the board if they would give me advice about what would be an appropriate level. They are reviewing the matter and, once I get that advice, I will proceed as expeditiously as possible to take the matter to cabinet and to this House to be dealt with.

It is a rather easy amendment to make, Mr. Speaker, but it does have financial implications that have to be studied carefully. I cannot guarantee next session, but I will work toward that goal. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Zoe.

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, I do not know if there is a formal process that is followed across all departments, but I can tell Mr. Zoe that in mid-December, 1991, Bob McLeod from Renewable Resources, in a telephone conversation with Chief Isadore Zoe, informed Chief Zoe that construction of the Lac la Martre office/warehouse complex was under review.

In 1992, on the 3rd of February, Len Hedberg advised Chief Isadore Zoe that the office/warehouse complex was under review and that no decision had been made. There was some consultation in that regard but, in answer to the Member's question, I do not know if there is a formal policy. I will undertake to find out, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism regarding the craft centre that was recently completed in December. I would like to ask the Minister what kind of equipment and tools the craft centre at Baker Lake will be using.

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, they are using a wet grinding process which involves an electric motor that drives a grinding head. That demonstration is presently being put on in Yellowknife this afternoon. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Personnel with respect to his Minister's statement on the sale of staff housing. Can the Minister tell me how many units out of 113 are located in Fort Smith?

Minister of Personnel, Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister indicate what the criterion is for an occupant to be eligible to purchase these units?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Would the Minister be able to tell me whether there are certain criteria, besides occupying the units, to be eligible to purchase one of these units?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Mrs. Marie-Jewell, supplementary.

Mr. Speaker, I received a concern from one of my constituents stating that it was indicated to them that only government employees are allowed to purchase these units after giving five years of service. This is why I am asking the Minister whether there are criteria set aside for disposing of these units. Can he tell me if this is correct?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Mr. Lewis.

Mr. Speaker, I heard only a few days ago about the technological advance which will now lead to development of a manufacturing plant in Iqaluit to produce the converter. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for Economic Development, is the Government of the NWT in any way involved, either in providing technical assistance or providing financial support for this particular company?

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Pollard.

I think they have been working with our department, Mr. Speaker, but they have not received any funds as yet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The technology has been around a long time, but this is a much more efficient development. I would like to ask the same Minister, and I hope I will not be ruled as asking a hypothetical question, Mr. Speaker, from the Minister's understanding of this development, would the generation of power by such a company have to be in any way regulated by any agency of the NWT government?

Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, as the Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board, I would have to say that utilities are regulated in the NWT. If the power was being generated and sold, then that might be something that the Public Utilities Board might have to look at. But if it is merely the use of this particular instrument in the NWT, I would not see that it would fall under the PUB, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Personnel regarding the statement he made on the sale of staff housing. I would like to know why only Yellowknife, Hay River and Fort Smith will be the communities where staff houses will be sold. There are other communities that have staff housing as well. Thank you.

Minister of Personnel, Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the government employees who are living in government-owned staff houses in the smaller communities would feel that they have been dealt with unfairly with this new initiative. I know that some occupants in the past have indicated that they would not mind buying the units that they are presently living in. Would the Minister and cabinet consider selling these homes to the staff people living in them in the smaller communities, such as Fort Simpson? Mahsi.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Oral questions. Mr. Bernhardt.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister responsible for Social Services. Mr. Speaker, I believe that the successful delivery of social services at the regional level requires the presence of qualified managers. Would the Minister agree with me that because his department is trying to meet the needs of communities, it is important for regional superintendents in this department to be well qualified in terms of both theoretical and the practical parts of the job?

Minister of Social Services, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary, Mr. Bernhardt.

Does the Department of Social Services have a policy which puts a priority on hiring local candidates for regional management positions, regardless of their level of professional qualifications?

Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary, Mr. Bernhardt.

Can the Minister explain to the House why he decided to make a direct appointment which places a minimally qualified person in a training position which can eventually lead to her or his assuming the role of regional superintendent in my region, the Kitikmeot?

Mr. Whitford.

Oral questions. I wonder if I could take this opportunity to welcome some distinguished guests to our Assembly. George Cleary, the president of the Sahtu Tribal Council; Sandy Whiteman, executive director of the Sahtu Tribal Council; Gordon Yakeleya, council member; Henry Tobac, council member; Leonard Kenny, from the Fort Franklin band; and Danny Gaudet, from the Fort Franklin band.

We have some special guests from Manitoba. From the Swamp Cree Tribal Council, Harold Turner, Grand Chief; and Richard Flett, assistant executive director. Welcome.

---Applause

Oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Justice. Last week, in responding to a question from my honourable colleague for Yellowknife Centre, the Minister indicated that his department was studying the potential implications of the Belczowski decision. Can the Minister now advise the House as to the status of this review?

Minister of Justice, Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I would have to tell the Member that it is still under way within my department. I could add that the matter was raised by the standing committee on legislation of this House at its meeting today, and I have been asked to get back to that committee on this very important issue related to their consideration of the plebiscite and other elections acts which are now before them. I would also note that the recent federal electoral boundaries commission also recommended that prisoners be permitted to vote in federal elections.

Mr. Speaker, my department is examining the federal ruling, and they are also examining just what kind of administrative procedures and changes would be required if we were to implement that ruling for territorial prisoners in facilities in the NWT and in the South. So the review is still under way, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Personnel once again in respect to his Minister's statement, does he intend to dispose of 49 of these units all at one time?

Minister of Personnel, Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Justice a question supplementary to the question that Mr. Gargan asked on another item relating to the elections. I wanted to know if the honourable Member is asking his department to review the matter of the residency requirement that is being asked in the Plebiscite Act.

Minister of Justice, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do recall that this very same issue of the validity of the residency requirement for the NWT Plebiscite Act was litigated around 1982 when the last territorial plebiscite was held. I would be pleased to provide Members of this House with a briefing on that decision, which I understand basically validated the residency requirement and which, I believe, would state the law as it now exists on that subject. So I will provide the Members with a briefing on that decision and its implications on the Plebiscite Act.

Supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The honourable Member will recall one of the reasons for not invalidating the requirement for the three-year residency was the fact that it was prior to the coming into force of the Charter of Rights. I think there have been subsequent rulings. So I would ask the honourable Member if he could have the appropriate research done into that particular matter.

Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would be pleased to have that done, and I believe that request was also made by the standing committee on legislation at its meeting this morning. So yes, I will see that it is done as expeditiously as possible.

Mr. Gargan.

I would like to direct my question to the Government Leader with regard to the hiring of executive assistants. In the process of the selection of executive assistants, have these people applied for the positions and have they been successful in getting those positions, or are those direct appointments?