This is page numbers 464 - 491 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 2nd 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 chairman.

Topics

Members Present

Mr. Antoine, Mr. Arvaluk, Hon. Michael Ballantyne, Hon. Nellie Cournoyea, Mr. Dent, Mr. Gargan, Hon. Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, Ms. Mike, Hon. Don Morin, Mr. Nerysoo, Hon. John Ningark, Hon. Dennis Patterson, Mr. Pudlat, Mr. Todd, Hon. Tony Whitford, Mr. Zoe

--- Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 464

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Good afternoon. Orders of the day for Thursday, March 26, 1992. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Honourable Government Leader, Ms. Cournoyea.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I would like to advise Members of the pending changes to the regulatory regime in which the Northwest Territories Power Corporation operates. Since purchase of the corporation from the federal government in May 1988, regulation of the corporation has been a combined responsibility. The Government of the Northwest Territories has had authority in the areas of budget approval and rate setting, while the Public Utilities Board has been responsible for revenue requirements and terms and conditions of service.

It was the previous government's intention, and I would affirm the intention of this government, to establish the Northwest Territories Power Corporation as a going concern responsive to northern needs and to offer the corporation for private sector participation.

Consistent with that objective, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation Act was amended during the eighth session of the 11th Assembly. This amendment gave the Public Utilities Board, the PUB, the authority to set the rates of the corporation. This regulatory regime is consistent with that of Centra Power and Northland Utilities and will come into effect April 1, 1992.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories maintains authority over the corporation, as owner, and may issue directives to the corporation as required. The corporation remains accountable to this Assembly through myself, as Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. ,

The Public Utilities Board was established to protect the public interest in the supply of energy throughout the Northwest Territories by public utilities and to remove the opportunity for political influence. As of April 1, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation will be subject to the same review, accountability and regulation as any public utility operating in the Northwest Territories.

Since 1988, the corporation has prepared for transfer to an independent regulatory environment. In December 1989, the corporation made a submission to the Public Utilities Board with respect to revenue requirements and terms and conditions of service. In 1990, at -the request of the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Public Utilities Board conducted an electrical rate structure review of all utilities, including the NWT Power Corporation. Finally, in

April 1991, the corporation submitted a cost of service methodology to the Public Utilities Board. Each submission to the Public Utilities Board included a thorough public consultation process and resulted in clear directives from the PUB to the corporation.

During the next several months, the corporation will participate in public hearings into its current revenue requirement submission. The corporation then intends to file a cost of service study, incorporating the PUB's December 1991 recommendations, and to file a rate zone proposal.

I am confident that these regulatory changes, coupled with operational experience, will result in further improvements in the delivery of electrical service and profitability by the corporation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Ministers' statements. Ms. Cournoyea.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, as Members know, I have returned from a trip to Ottawa. If Members would like, I could make a report today or tomorrow. There was not ample time for translation...

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Excuse me, Ms. Cournoyea. There is no statement filed.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, as I began, I said the statement was not filed because I have just returned from Ottawa, and I would like to offer to the Legislative Assembly, today, a statement as an emergency statement. although it can wait until tomorrow. Thank you.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

The Minister has just indicated it is an emergency statement. Proceed, please.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Members.

I would like to take the opportunity today to inform Members of the Legislative Assembly of the discussions at the recent First Ministers' Conference on the Economy.

To begin with, it is important to note that the Government of the Northwest Territories was a full and equal participant. Officials were part of each and every working group. I believe this is a sign of the growing acceptance and recognition of the North's place in Canadian confederation.

An Hon. Member

Hear, hear!

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Because the meetings covered many of the different issues and areas, I will not try to summarize them. Rather, I would like to focus on the North's interests and concerns and thereby illustrate why we must continue to be at each of these meetings.

The discussions focused on eight topic areas including social programs, training, investment in infrastructure, interprovincial trade, international trade, fisheries, agriculture and crossborder shopping.

Social Programs

The discussion on social programs focused primarily on health care and the need to find more cost-effective ways of delivering this vital service. Ideas which were debated included increased efforts to promote health and prevent illness and disabilities; reduced reliance on hospital and medical doctors in favour of more flexible community-based care; development of national health goals and objectives; and increased public input and awareness of health issues.

What is of particular importance is how far ahead this territory and Assembly are in these areas. We have already initiated public awareness programs focused at preventing the need for high-cost treatment. Consultations are already under way with regional health boards as to the best model of health care delivery. Finally, a special committee on health and social services has been established by this Assembly.

Training

The second issue area included not only training in the narrow institutional sense but brought in all facets of education, social insurance, unemployment insurance and on-the-job training. The consensus which emerged was that there must be greater flexibility and willingness by the federal government within a broad national framework to allow for a redesign of current programs to address regional human resource development needs.

A new round of consultation between federal officials and representatives of provinces, territories and the private sector will soon be initiated. The Government of the Northwest Territories intends to participate actively in these discussions so that the changes to the current system will allow us to use social assistance and training funds more effectively to help train people and assist them in seeking out jobs rather than pay for them to stay at home.

Investment In Infrastructure

The third issue area, investment in infrastructure, received a great deal of debate. All First Ministers saw it as a means of creating jobs in the short term while investing in long-term economic opportunities. Roads, wharves and other forms of infrastructure will be a key component in unlocking the Northwest Territories' huge resource and tourist potential. A new federal cost-sharing highways program would allow us to upgrade and build vital infrastructure which we could otherwise not afford. At the same time, it would free up funds to spend on other infrastructure initiatives such as airports or resource-based facilities. This initiative has been fast-tracked, and I hope to be able to report back to MLAs very soon.

Interprovincial Trade

On the fourth subject, interprovincial trade, I am able to announce immediate implications for the Northwest Territories. First Ministers agreed to move aggressively to reduce all forms of internal trade barriers such as subsidies, contracting

restrictions, procurement rules, and restrictions to labour mobility. However, as part of this initiative, we were able to achieve a special exemption for the Northwest Territories in light of its high level of unemployment and cost of doing business. In conjunction with the business incentive policy and other initiatives designed to maximize northern benefits from our capital spending, this should help northern businesses in these tough economic times.

The areas which were of lesser interest to the Northwest Territories international trade, agriculture and cross-border shopping received little discussion. But the final one, fisheries, did provide us with an important opportunity to press our point. We were successful in ascertaining our role in all facets of the Atlantic fishery and the management of those fish stocks off Baffin Island. This included clear and unequivocal recognition of all provisions of aboriginal land claims agreements which provide for the participation of aboriginal people in this important economic resource.

Mr. Speaker, this has only been a short summary of a day and a half of very intense discussions, and I have tried to outline only the key issues to the Northwest Territories. Of equal importance was the tone and conduct of the meetings themselves. All First Ministers recognize the grave economic situation facing the country and the need to work cooperatively in dealing with these problems. As we face the tough choices brought on by difficult financial times, I believe we in this House will have to do the same. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Minister's statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Todd.

Formation Of Kiguti Dental Services, Keewatin
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 465

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with great pleasure that I rise today to inform this House of the formation of Kiguti Dental Services. Kiguti Dental Services is a joint venture between the Tapiriit Development Corporation of the Keewatin and the Adam Dental Clinic out of Yellowknife and lqaluit.

Mr. Speaker, one of the most exciting aspects of this development is its marriage of dental care expertise, as provided by the staff of the Adam Dental Clinic, and strong Inuit participation as provided by the Tapiriit Development Corporation.

--- Applause

Mr. Speaker, up to now dental services have been provided from the South and, to put it bluntly, teeth in the Keewatin are in bad shape. With the formation of Kiguti Dental Services, Inuit will no longer. be merely patients; they will play an integral role in the decision-making process.

Kiguti Dental Services will begin operating at the end of this month with a staff of nine residing in Rankin Inlet. This means dental services will now be provided by residents rather than outsiders. It also means tax revenues will belong to the Northwest Territories, rather than Manitoba, and that additional jobs will be created in Rankin Inlet as local businesses provide logistic services.

I should also point out that the switch to these dental services from those provided out of Manitoba will not add any additional costs to the health care system in the Northwest Territories. In fact, Mr. Speaker, Kiguti will operate as a non-profit organization and any surplus revenues will be used to improve the state of dental health care in the Keewatin.

I think this development shows that the people of Keewatin have once again taken the initiative to make changes which will better their socio-economic circumstances.

Before closing, Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not reiterate a point I made in my Member's statement on Tuesday -- that this government has gone on long enough about downsizing, postponing projects and reducing the size of government. It is time to move on; build consumer and investor confidence to ensure the long-term health of the economy of the Northwest Territories. As you can see, Mr. Speaker, the people of the Keewatin understand this and have done exactly that. Thank you.

--- Applause

Formation Of Kiguti Dental Services, Keewatin
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 466

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

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

Return To Question O313-12(2): Conservation Plan For Peary Caribou
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 466

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to Question O313-12(2), asked by Mr. Ludy Pudluk on March 12, 1992. A Peary caribou recovery plan is being developed by a team of caribou researchers from across Canada. The chairman is a biologist from the Department of Renewable Resources. She wrote a letter last year to hunters and trappers associations' presidents informing them that the Peary caribou recovery team was established and that communities would be involved in making management decisions. Meetings or workshops will be held with communities in the High Arctic when a draft recovery plan is developed.

Residents of Resolute and Grise Fiord are concerned about the low numbers of Peary caribou and have voluntarily reduced the harvest. The Department of Renewable Resources had been providing funds to assist residents to travel to other hunting areas. Until Peary caribou increase in numbers, the department will continue, as much as possible, to assist residents to obtain caribou from other areas. Thank you.

Return To Question O313-12(2): Conservation Plan For Peary Caribou
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 466

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Returns to oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Return To Question O231-12(2): Negotiation Of Agreement With Federal Departments
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 466

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to Question O231-12(2), asked by Mr. Nerysoo on March 3, 1992. The Canada/Northwest Territories Accord, currently under negotiation for a five-year extension, has been in place in the Northwest Territories on a year-to-year basis since 1987. The accord was designed to redirect money previously spent on social assistance, for the development of new training and work experience programs. These programs are directed to social assistance recipients to enhance their employment opportunities.

The new agreement proposes that both the federal government, through the Canada Employment and Immigration Commission, and the territorial government, through the Department of Social Services, will continue to provide $750,000 from each government, for a total of $1.5 million toward funding employment enhancement projects. The Department of Education is a partner to the agreement, as is Health and Welfare Canada.

The Department of Social Services retains the responsibility for referral of clients to the projects. During the first three years of the agreement the Government of the Northwest Territories' funding of $750,000 was transferred to Canada Employment and Immigration Commission for administration along with the federal portion under their Canadian job strategy program.

During the last two years, approximately half of the Government of the Northwest Territories' portion was administered by the Department of Education through their training-on-the-job program, and half by Arctic College through their upgrading and specialized skill development programs. Canada Employment and Immigration Commission will continue to administer their portion through their Canadian job strategy program. The Department of Social Services retained the client referral responsibility to all administrative bodies.

The new agreement proposes to continue the current arrangement for five years, from 1991 to 1996. The five year extension will allow more time for planning projects and allow clients to embark on career paths from upgrading, to training on the job, to job placement.

The agreement recognizes that the Government of the Northwest Territories will administer the accord by utilizing two committee structures: regional committees made up of representatives from Canada Employment and Immigration, Social Services and Education, who will approve projects submitted by community groups; 2) a management committee in Yellowknife made up of similar representation which will provide policy guidelines and administrative procedures.

Mr. Speaker, approximately 250 social assistance recipients per year have participated in the accord projects in the past. Some participants may remain on from year to year to accommodate their upgrading, training and job placement needs.

The five-year agreement is in the final draft process and is expected to be finalized and signed in early spring of 1992. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question O231-12(2): Negotiation Of Agreement With Federal Departments
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 466

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Returns to oral questions. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Health. Mr. Speaker, in reviewing unedited Hansard of yesterday, when we discussed the issue of abortions with the Minister of Health, the Minister replied, 'I stand behind the process that we have.' I would like to ask the Minister if he can explain to this House what is the process that they have,

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Whitford.

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to get a clarification if this is the process of complaints by patients.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mrs. Marie-Jewell, if you could clarify the process you are referring to.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, my question was formulated from page 1623 of unedited Hansard. It was asked by one of my colleagues, Mr. Nerysoo, in respect to how he was going to address the matter with department officials in regard to medical procedures regarding abortions with the hospital.

Mr. Speaker, maybe for further clarification, if I may be allowed to preamble prior to my question, the fact is that he did indicate that there is a proper process that he stands behind. What is the process? Is it a medically standard procedure?

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Whitford.