Debates of June 25th, 1992

This is page numbers 762 - 787 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 services.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
Ministers' Statement 76-12(2): Minister's Absence From The House
Ministers' Statement 77-12(2): Training Northerners In Construction Trades
Ministers' Statement 78-12(2): Yellowknife Correctional Centre
Reassignment Of Ministerial Portfolios
Funding For Vessel, Sanikiluaq
Traditional Knowledge Working Group And Aboriginal Languages Conference
Decentralization Of NWT Science Institute
Telephone Services, Snare Lake
Social Problems In The North
Confidence In Government Leader's Ministerial Assignments
Government Working For The People
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Question O645-12(2): Civil Action Against GNWT And Doctor Re Malpractice
Question O646-12(2): Telephone Lines For Snare Lake School
Question O647-12(2): Result Of Negotiations Re Polar Bear Quotas
Question O648-12(2): Support For Great Slave Lake Fishermen
Question O649-12(2): Block Funding For Capital Projects
Question O650-12(2): Criteria For Selecting Members Of Abortion Services Review Committee
Question O651-12(2): Recommendation Of Public Utilities Board Re Rate Structures
Question O652-12: Results Of Abortion Review Committee
Question O653-12(2): Co-ordination Of Northern Science Activities
Question O654-12(2): Assessment Of Students By Health, Social Services And Education
Question O655-12(2): Increase In Licence Fee By Liquor Licensing Board
Question O656-12(2): Obtaining Legal Aid For Medical Malpractice Suits
Question O657-12(2): Meeting Mental Health Needs Of Northern Communities
Question O658-12(2): Accelerate Provision Of Additional Phone Lines Into Snare Lake
Question O659-12(2): Ministerial Action If Students Are Unfairly Held Back From Advancement
Question O660-12(2): Increase To Liquor Licence Fee
Question O661-12(2): Review On Cost Impact Of Indexing Social Assistance Rates
Question O662-12(2): Approved Financial Assistance For Educational Leave Applicants
Question O663-12(2): Update On Review Of Fuel Purchasing
Question O664-12(2): Bringing Mentally Handicapped Persons Back From Southern Institutions
Question O665-12(2): Power Rate Increases
Question O666-12(2): Number Of Electrical Inspectors In The Nwt
Question W44-12(2): Annual Operational Costs And Liquor Tax Revenue Of The Liquor Licensing Board
Item 7: Returns To Written Questions
W37-12(2): Status Of The Board Of Management For Alcohol And Drug Services
Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Committee Report 14-12(2): Report Of The Special Committee On Health And Social Services, Interim Report No. 1
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
Notice Of Motion 23-12(2): Appointments To Fill Standing Committee Vacancies
Notice Of Motion 24-12(2): Election Of Deputy Chairperson Of Committee Of The Whole
Notice Of Motion 25-12(2): Extended Adjournment Of The House
Notice Of Motion 26-12(2): Tabled Document 62-12(2) To Committee Of The Whole
Item 15: Motions
Appointments To Fill Standing Committee Vacancies
Election Of Deputy Chairperson Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 19: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Third Reading Of Bills
Item 21: Orders Of The Day

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Mr. Chairman, the committee felt that many residents do not know their rights and obligations. The present system is an imported system based upon the English model of justice. It does not adapt well to the needs of aboriginal residents in small remote communities. Many NWT residents have their own cultural beliefs and traditions including dispute-settling mechanisms which are different from the imported legal model. They feel that the present criminal justice system is biased against them.

Members heard and recounted examples of inequity of treatment by the system, including treatment of aboriginal persons by law officers. The committee felt that, while improvements are needed to the legal aid system, this cannot be done without considering the major problems in the NWT justice system as a whole.

Motion To Accept Recommendation 7, Carried

Our committee, then, makes two recommendations. First I move that government should carry out an independent review of both the legal aid program and the whole criminal justice system itself. This review should focus in upon whether people are treated equally and fairly, whether services are of a consistently high quality, and whether programs and services are cost effective.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

The Chair John Ningark

Your motion is in order.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

An Hon. Member

Question.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

The Chair John Ningark

Question is being called. All those in favour? Opposed, if any? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Motion To Accept Recommendation 8, Carried

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Our second recommendation pertaining to the same issue, I move that a simply worded code of rights should be drawn up and be translated into all official languages.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Your motion is in order. To the motion.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

An Hon. Member

Question.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

The Chair John Ningark

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Continue, Mr. Zoe.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The next area we looked at was government travel. The Government of the Northwest Territories spends about $70 million annually on travel. The Auditor General identified significant problems with the management and control of government travel. There is no comprehensive travel policy. Over the years, the travel policy has become fragmented and appears in several documents. The committee was particularly concerned at the way some travel policies have become institutionalized in union agreements. These tie the hands of government, and making changes is difficult. We, therefore, have a recommendation pertaining to that, Mr. Chairman.

Motion To Accept Recommendation 9, Carried

I move that government should produce a single document that contains all travel-related policies and procedures; that the document should be distributed to all government departments, corporations and agencies, and that it must be updated regularly.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Your motion is in order. To the motion.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

An Hon. Member

Question.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

The Chair John Ningark

All those in favour? Opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Proceed, Mr. Zoe.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Auditor General also pointed to poor management control over travel budgets and expenditures. In many cases, documentation was poor to non-existent. Managers are wasting money, and the committee has a serious concern about the integrity of many managers when authorizing travel. The committee heard testimony from the comptroller general who indicated that he was aware of the many problems reported. The Auditor General's observations suggest that he had not been successful in imposing changes. The comptroller general indicated that he struck a committee to provide a complete review of government travel policy, and that the committee has completed its work. It is the understanding of the public accounts committee that the new comprehensive travel policy and procedures is now before cabinet.

Motion To Accept Recommendation 10, Carried

The committee agreed with the Auditor General's recommendation regarding travel and recommends, and I move, Mr. Chairman, that government incorporate into the new travel policy all the recommendations made by the Auditor General in his 1990-91 report.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Your motion is in order. To the motion.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

An Hon. Member

Question.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

The Chair John Ningark

Question is being called. All those in favour? Opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Carry on, Mr. Zoe.

Motion To Accept Recommendation 11, Carried

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

On the same issue, Mr. Chairman, our second recommendation, and I move, that government puts its new travel policy into place throughout government, along with appropriate training and orientation sessions, by September 1, 1992.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

The Chair John Ningark

A lot of motions. Mr. Zoe, your motion is in order. To the motion.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

An Hon. Member

Question.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 784

The Chair John Ningark

Question is being called. All

those in favour? Opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Proceed, Mr. Zoe.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 785

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you. During discussion with departmental officials, Mr. Chairman, committee Members were particularly concerned with the high cost of travel. While some of these costs might be attributed to travel in the North, many others seemed to be the result of poor planning and poor management practices. The committee came up with two specific recommendations that might directly reduce the cost of travel.

Motion To Accept Recommendation 12, Carried

I move, Mr. Chairman, that government should cut down on the number of air charters and use commercial seats whenever possible.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 785

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Your motion is in order. To the motion.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 785

An Hon. Member

Question.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 785

The Chair John Ningark

The question is being called. All those in favour? Opposed? The motion is carried. Continue, Mr. Zoe.

---Carried

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 785

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Mr. Chairman, as I indicated, we had two specific recommendations pertaining to the issue at hand.

Motion To Accept Recommendation 13, Carried

Our second recommendation: I move that the government should investigate the use of a new technology, video interviewing, to reduce travel costs. The Department of Personnel should explore the potential of this technology to interview job applicants in the South. And, Government should experiment with the technology to see if it can reduce the need for, and costs of, travel.