Debates of April 3rd, 1992

This is page numbers 602 - 615 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 boundary.

Topics

Members Present

Item 1: Prayer

Need To Improve Signage At Nwt/bc Border

Stanton Yellowknife Hospital's Diagnosis Of Patient's Source Of Pain

Request For Public Review Of Services And Procedures, Stanton Yellowknife Hospital

Vote Of Non-confidence In Minister Of Social Services

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Question O516-12(2): Licence And Fee For Tourist Accommodations

Question O517-12(2): Total Amount Paid To Chairpersons Of Boards, Agencies And Committees

Question W34-12(2): Payments To Chairpersons Of Agencies, Boards And Commissions

Item 7: Returns To Written Questions

W22-12(2): Workers' Compensation Board Affirmative Action Hiring Record

Question O518-12(2): Funding To Fort Smith Hunters' And Trappers' Association

Question O519-12(2): Funding For Western Public Awareness Campaign On The Plebiscite

Question O520-12(2): Criteria For Funding Hunters' And Trappers' Associations

Question O521-12(2): Provision Of Funds For Plebiscite Awareness Campaign

Question O522-12(2): Advisement Of Release Of Funding To Fort Smith Hunters' And Trappers' Association

Item 12: Tabling Of Documents

Notice Of Motion 16-12(2): To Revoke Appointment Of Hon. Tony Whitford As A Member Of The Executive Council

Notice Of Motion 17-12(2): Funding For Western Campaign On Plebiscite

Item 18: Motions

Funding For Western Campaign On Plebiscite

Extended Adjournment Of The House

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Item 19: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Item 21: Orders Of The Day

Supplementary To Question O521-12(2): Provision Of Funds For Plebiscite Awareness Campaign
Question O521-12(2): Provision Of Funds For Plebiscite Awareness Campaign
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 606

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question O521-12(2): Provision Of Funds For Plebiscite Awareness Campaign
Question O521-12(2): Provision Of Funds For Plebiscite Awareness Campaign
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 606

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I have to go back again to last year. This issue was raised last spring and dealt with last July. All Members of the past Legislature were fully aware of the upcoming plebiscite; they were aware that the question of the boundary would be addressed this fall; it was supposed to be addressed in October originally. The timetables were very, very tight when we talked about it last year. It was later moved to November and then December; it was moved to March and now it is the 4th of May. As leaders, in discussions with the aboriginal groups, all of us made our best political judgments at that time and said, "Here in the West, if we are going to get ready, here is what we think we need." There was no request, in the submissions that I remember, by the committee of western leaders or Members of the Legislature who are from the western part of the territories, who at that time said, "We also want a little pot of money to do a public awareness campaign." The entire amount that was asked for was allocated for this Western Constitutional Commission.

The Members of the Eastern Arctic with TFN said in their best judgment what they needed was an allocation of money just to do a public awareness campaign. That is what was dealt with at the time. There were two motions that were moved one after another. They were as a result of agreements that were made at that time among the MLAs. There was support for both motions by the entire Legislature.

I understand what the Members are suggesting, that somehow we should, even at this late stage, look at trying to provide some money to somebody or some bodies or organization to try to mount a campaign of some sort. But I have to remind Members that that is the way it came out, so if there is anything going to be done, as it was done that time in July --there were motions drafted that were discussed with caucus and moved. These motions were a different kind of creature from ordinary motions. There were discussions in the back room, and some negotiations were done before they were done and approved.

So I am not saying no to the idea at all. I am just trying to put it in context. It is not my oversight. It is not the oversight of Members of this Legislature. It was as a result of a consensus agreement among western leaders that the money that was allocated to us would be used in a specific way. Thank you.

Page 607

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Page 607

Fred Koe Inuvik

It is such a late date now to deal with this, but the Minister has been asked questions throughout this Assembly on this issue. The Minister is a little bit more fortunate than some of us ordinary Members in that you have staff that advise you and can assist you on working on these matters, whereas we have none. It would have been nice if we had been given some advice on how to proceed then, rather than at the 11th hour. We have one more month to try and do something. I have had calls and concerns from my constituency and from other people in the West that I know and talk to on a regular basis. So it would have been nice if we had been able to deal with it.

My question is, if we prorogue today, how can this matter be dealt with in the next week or so? Can it be dealt with in the next week or so?

Page 607

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Kakfwi.

Page 607

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the best way, for me, is if a motion was moved in the Legislature. That would be the best way, since it would be seen as direction from the Legislature, and I would feel very comfortable with proceeding on work that would expend some public money, since I would know, if the motion passed, that the majority of Members support the action 1, or the cabinet, would take. Other than that, the only other recourse might be myself, as a Minister, to consider asking cabinet to look at finding some way to spend some money without knowing if the majority of Members would approve this in the future.

Page 607

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Page 607

Fred Koe Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Minister. We will be proceeding, then, with a motion this afternoon or this morning. Thank you.

Page 607

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

That was not a question, Mr. Koe. Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Question O522-12(2): Advisement Of Release Of Funding To Fort Smith Hunters' And Trappers' Association
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 607

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

I have another question for the Minister of Renewable Resources. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked the Minister whether or not his department has given any funding to the Fort Smith Hunters' and Trappers' Association, and noted to him that they had not had a meeting for their membership for the past three or four years. The Minister indicated that as of yesterday it was not, to his knowledge, and the previous day, or this week, his department had given funding. I would like to ask the Minister of Renewable Resources if his department officials advised him, prior to giving funding to the Fort Smith Hunters' and Trappers' Association, that they were going to release this funding of $31,500?

Question O522-12(2): Advisement Of Release Of Funding To Fort Smith Hunters' And Trappers' Association
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 607

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Ningark.

Return To Question O522-12(2): Advisement Of Release Of Funding To Fort Smith Hunters' And Trappers' Association
Question O522-12(2): Advisement Of Release Of Funding To Fort Smith Hunters' And Trappers' Association
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 607

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To my knowledge, I responded to yesterday's question as honestly as I could. The funding slipped my mind. I know I signed that one, and I apologize to the Member. Thank you.

Page 607

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question O522-12(2): Advisement Of Release Of Funding To Fort Smith Hunters' And Trappers' Association
Question O522-12(2): Advisement Of Release Of Funding To Fort Smith Hunters' And Trappers' Association
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 607

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask how he can state in this House, two days after he signed to release the funding to the Fort Smith HTA on March 31 st, that he had no knowledge of this funding being granted. Thank you.

Page 607

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Ningark.

Further Return To Question O522-12(2): Advisement Of Release Of Funding To Fort Smith Hunters' And Trappers' Association
Question O522-12(2): Advisement Of Release Of Funding To Fort Smith Hunters' And Trappers' Association
Revert To Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 607

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not a computer. I am a human being, and it just simply slipped my mind. Thank you.

Page 607

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie Jewell.

Page 607

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the Minister is not a computer, and thank goodness for that. I recognize he is a human being, and I recognize that he is an honest human being as well as an individual of integrity. But when he signs documents in his office, documents that allow funding for societies that are in non-compliance, does he not remember the type of documents that he signs for funding given by his department'? Thank you.

Page 607

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Ningark.

Page 607

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my practice to read all the documents that I sign; however, sometimes, when I sign a whole bunch of documents, I tend to forget about some of them. Thank you.

Page 607

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Page 608

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

I would like to ask the Minister if he will ensure to advise his executive assistants or departmental officials that, in future, until the Fort Smith Hunters' and Trappers' Association is in compliance with the Societies Act, or at least have the decency to hold a general meeting for members, that his department will not fund the Fort Smith Hunters' and Trappers' Association.

Page 608

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Ningark. Order, please, Mrs. Marie Jewell. Mr. Ningark.

Page 608

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said before, I will review the matter and take the question as notice.

Page 608

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions.

I have gone through written questions, so I will return to Item 8, replies to Opening Address.

Item 9, petitions.

Item 10, reports of standing and special committees.

Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 12, tabling of documents. Mr. Nerysoo.

Debates of April 3rd, 1992

Topics

Help us improve OpenNWT