Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.
Debates of Feb. 28th, 1992
Topics
Return To Question O203-12(2): Lack Of Information To Communities Re Abstinence Clause
Question O203-12(2): Lack Of Information To Communities Re Abstinence Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 193
The Speaker
Return To Question O203-12(2): Lack Of Information To Communities Re Abstinence Clause
Question O203-12(2): Lack Of Information To Communities Re Abstinence Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 193
Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I realize now that it was formed in 1990, but I did not become aware of it until 1991. The people I now represent, as of 1991-92, probably had this information in 1990, but I did not receive any information regarding the abstinence clause until 1991. This is why I asked that question. I will not be asking any further questions to the Minister of Social Services. Thank you.
Return To Question O203-12(2): Lack Of Information To Communities Re Abstinence Clause
Question O203-12(2): Lack Of Information To Communities Re Abstinence Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 193
The Speaker
Oral questions. Ms. Mike.
Question O204-12(2): Lack Of Community Consultation Re Abstinence Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 193
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
All the communities in the Baffin Region understand the purpose of this clause. Generally, they agree with it. The objection is that, for example, in Pangnirtung, the committee already had a by-law to deal with their problem employees if they had any. To have this kind of policy without any proper consultation taking place prior to implementing this policy is where the objection lies, not with the policy itself. There was a lack of consultation in the way in which the process was carried out.
Social Services' mandate is to look after social needs, and the Pangnirtung committee members have very high self-esteem. But, I do not think it is the mandate of Social Services to knock off self-esteem on the members on the alcohol committees. Would the Minister get back to these two communities and get the proper recourse on a consultation basis, so that misunderstanding will discontinue?
Question O204-12(2): Lack Of Community Consultation Re Abstinence Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 193
The Speaker
Mr. Whitford.
Return To Question O204-12(2): Lack Of Community Consultation Re Abstinence Clause
Question O204-12(2): Lack Of Community Consultation Re Abstinence Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 193
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not think the policy has, in its objectives, any desire to strip anybody of their self-esteem. While I visited the Baffin I took every opportunity to listen very carefully to the concerns of the two communities that were there, and I was encouraged by the amount of involvement that people had in the alcohol and drug treatment program.
Mr. Speaker, while I was in Pangnirtung I was additionally pleased to be in a community that had already decided, on its own, that alcohol was a very serious problem, and the community itself had gone out of its way to make the community of Pangnirtung dry by passing the necessary regulations to prohibit liquor from coming into the community, to avoid all of the social problems that would result from it, and to lessen the burden that was being placed upon the alcohol and drug workers, and the people who were suffering from the ravages of alcohol; not only the people at present, but the future people too. All these were very encouraging when I heard people saying these things and that they were taking positive action.
Mr. Speaker, some people there were supportive of this policy, but for one reason or another they were not able to come out publicly and state that. I am encouraged to know that in at least one community a decision is very near at hand. In fact, Tuvvik will not sign this clause. They will disband, and another group has come up to take its place. I said this while I was there, that any community would not let something go on unaddressed and that the department, in its policy, is not attempting to take away self-esteem.
The enhancement of any program is our desire. I have heard more comments about the low wages that they get than the fact that they are not allowed to drink while on the job or while they are working for that committee. I think that is a far more serious concern among alcohol and drug workers than is the sobriety clause, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question O204-12(2): Lack Of Community Consultation Re Abstinence Clause
Question O204-12(2): Lack Of Community Consultation Re Abstinence Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 193
The Speaker
The time for question period has expired.
Item 6, written questions. Written questions.
Item 7, returns to written questions.
Item 8, replies to Opening Address.
Item 9, petitions. Petitions. Mr. Antoine.
Return To Question O204-12(2): Lack Of Community Consultation Re Abstinence Clause
Question O204-12(2): Lack Of Community Consultation Re Abstinence Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
I do not have a petition, but I would like to get unanimous consent to return to oral questions.
Return To Question O204-12(2): Lack Of Community Consultation Re Abstinence Clause
Question O204-12(2): Lack Of Community Consultation Re Abstinence Clause
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
The Speaker
Unanimous consent has been requested to return to Item 5, oral questions. Are there any nays? There are no nays. We are back in oral questions. Ms. Mike.
Question O205-12(2): Commitment Of Minister To Meet With Baffin Regional Council Re Abstinence Clause
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to my question to the Minister of Social Services. I was happy to hear the Minister saying that the agencies should understand what the purpose of this policy is. They do understand, but where the communication breaks is, your department does not understand and is not willing to listen to the concerns that have been raised In the last six months; not just Pangnirtung but through BRC. Will the Minister make a point of meeting with BRC officials in the next month or so?
Question O205-12(2): Commitment Of Minister To Meet With Baffin Regional Council Re Abstinence Clause
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
The Speaker
Mr. Whitford.
Return To Question O205-12(2): Commitment Of Minister To Meet With Baffin Regional Council Re Abstinence Clause
Question O205-12(2): Commitment Of Minister To Meet With Baffin Regional Council Re Abstinence Clause
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Yes, Mr. Speaker. I will make a commitment, I guess. I do not have any money to travel, but I will try to find some money to travel to the Baffin to meet with BRC. However, Mr. Speaker, the deadline is fast approaching for the extension. The extension expires tomorrow on that clause, and there will be no new extension of it. However, I will meet and listen to the concerns that the BRC has.
Return To Question O205-12(2): Commitment Of Minister To Meet With Baffin Regional Council Re Abstinence Clause
Question O205-12(2): Commitment Of Minister To Meet With Baffin Regional Council Re Abstinence Clause
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
The Speaker
Oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.
Question O206-12(2): Application Of Sobriety Clause To All GNWT Staff Involved With Alcohol And Drug Programs
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to ask the Minister of Social Services whether or not the sobriety clause is applicable to all of the staff of the Government of the Northwest Territories that are involved with the alcohol and drug program. That was a point that he made, so if I could ask that particular question.
Question O206-12(2): Application Of Sobriety Clause To All GNWT Staff Involved With Alcohol And Drug Programs
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
The Speaker
Mr. Whitford.
Return To Question O206-12(2): Application Of Sobriety Clause To All GNWT Staff Involved With Alcohol And Drug Programs
Question O206-12(2): Application Of Sobriety Clause To All GNWT Staff Involved With Alcohol And Drug Programs
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
Return To Question O206-12(2): Application Of Sobriety Clause To All GNWT Staff Involved With Alcohol And Drug Programs
Question O206-12(2): Application Of Sobriety Clause To All GNWT Staff Involved With Alcohol And Drug Programs
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
The Speaker
Oral questions. Mr. Antoine.
Question O207-12(2): Sale Of Staff Housing In Smaller Communities
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions
February 27th, 1992
Page 194
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Personnel regarding a statement he made yesterday on selling staff houses to people who occupy them. He gave an answer to my question yesterday in which he said there would be a policy in place by June. By that I wonder if he meant that the people in the small communities, for example Fort Simpson, would be able to start buying their homes, if they want to, by June. Mahsi.
Question O207-12(2): Sale Of Staff Housing In Smaller Communities
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
The Speaker
Minister of Personnel, Mr. Kakfwi.
Return To Question O207-12(2): Sale Of Staff Housing In Smaller Communities
Question O207-12(2): Sale Of Staff Housing In Smaller Communities
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, I think I was trying to indicate that we do not know what we will be telling communities like Fort Simpson. We do not have anything to tell them now. What I am hoping is that in June, when we deliver our long-term housing strategy, communities like Fort Simpson will have their questions answered. What do we do with the government units in that community? That is the commitment we are making here. I hope it will be sufficiently addressed in that strategy. Thank you.
Return To Question O207-12(2): Sale Of Staff Housing In Smaller Communities
Question O207-12(2): Sale Of Staff Housing In Smaller Communities
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
The Speaker
Oral questions. Mr. Bernhardt.
Question O208-12(2): Training For Education Professionals
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
Ernie Bernhardt Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have some questions for the Minister responsible for Education. As we have heard over the past few days, education will be one of the priorities of this Legislative Assembly. Perhaps the most important component of the education system is the teachers that we hire to teach our children. I believe it is essential that we hire educated and competent professionals to teach our children. I am not confident that we do this in all cases. Would the Minister of Education agree with me that education professionals should be trained in a recognized college or university before they are hired to teach our children?
Question O208-12(2): Training For Education Professionals
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
The Speaker
Minister of Education, Mr. Allooloo.
Return To Question O208-12(2): Training For Education Professionals
Question O208-12(2): Training For Education Professionals
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
Titus Allooloo Amittuq
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I agree.
Return To Question O208-12(2): Training For Education Professionals
Question O208-12(2): Training For Education Professionals
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 194
The Speaker
Supplementary. Mr. Bernhardt.