This is page numbers 915 - 940 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 education.

Topics

Members Present

Hon. Titus Allooloo, Mr. Antoine, Mr. Arngna'naaq, Hon. James Arvaluk, Hon. Michael Ballantyne, Mr. Bernhardt, Hon. Nellie Cournoyea, Mr. Dent, Mr. Gargan, Hon. Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Koe, Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, Hon. Don Morin, Mr. Nerysoo, Mr. Ningark, Hon. Dennis Patterson, Hon. John Pollard, Mr. Pudlat, Mr. Pudluk, Mr. Todd, Hon. Tony Whitford, Mr. Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 915

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Okay, we think we have the difficulties resolved. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Minister's Statement 86-12(2): Phone Service To Small Communities
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 915

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to give a progress report on the improved telephone service to small communities. This was a matter raised earlier this year by Mr. Zoe, Mr. Antoine, and Mr. Gargan.

Seven communities in the Northwest Territories have very limited telephone services. Five of these are on NorthwesTel's schedule for an upgrade. Snare Lake is scheduled first, in 1993, and the last is Colville Lake, scheduled in 1997.

I have exchanged letters with the president of NorthwesTel and met with him. We agreed to set up a working committee. They will assemble data on the requirements for each community. Then the most appropriate method of funding can be determined so that the planned provision of improved services can be accelerated. The recommendations of the committee will be ready in early October. I will keep the concerned Members informed of the progress made. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister's Statement 86-12(2): Phone Service To Small Communities
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 915

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Minister's Statement 87-12(2): Northern Hire
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 915

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, a motion was passed in June recommending that a "Hire North" policy be developed to ensure the hiring of northern residents to the public service takes place. Members asked that the Minister of Personnel to give a status report on this matter at the September session.

Since that time, I have had the opportunity to consult with the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs and would like to make the following remarks.

The hiring of northerners has always been, and continues to be, a priority of this government. That is why we have the Affirmative Action Policy. The policy is constitutionally sound, and provides us with the tools we need to make sure that aboriginal people, long term northerners, women, and the disabled get every opportunity for a first chance at jobs in the public service.

Many of our achievements, however, are overshadowed by publicity given to other events. In the absence of a public document to explain the government's policy and approach to northern hire, the impression is left that there is no strategy. That is not the case.

As a result, I welcome the opportunity to speak on this matter.

Mr. Speaker, the objective of hiring northerners applies to more than just government. It involves all sectors of our economy, government, boards and agencies, and private enterprise. Maybe more so in private enterprise. Everyone who writes a pay cheque should be doing whatever they can to make sure our workforce is gainfully employed.

We have a lot of talent out there. Unfortunately, many of the unemployed are inexperienced. They require skills upgrading and training. In addition, many of those who are employed require additional training to enter management level positions. There is work to be done and we are prepared to take any steps designed to increase job opportunities, and the hiring of northern residents.

The government also knows that not everyone wants to be a civil servant. Investment and partnerships with private enterprise will also make it possible for people to enter the workforce and, in the long run, help to reduce the cost factors involved in employee turnover and the hiring of southern expertise.

Mr. Speaker, the government's employment strategy began in 1976 with the establishment of the Office of Native Employment to promote aboriginal employment in the public service. At that time, there were only 650 aboriginal public servants who made up 22 percent of the total employee population.

In 1985, when the Native Employment Policy was introduced, the figures had increased to 1,136 aboriginal employees or 29.8 percent.

Four years later, we came to grips with the fact that many other northerners were disadvantaged, and the Native Employment Policy was expanded into the broader based Affirmative Action Policy that is in effect today.

As a result of these policy initiatives, we now have 1,902 aboriginal employees who make up 35 percent of the government workforce of 5,406.

Mr. Speaker, a total of 1,451 appointments were made last year and of that total, 1,082 employees, or 74.5 percent, were hired in the north.

However, this is only part of the picture.

The government provides contributions to a variety of operations, boards and agencies who employ their own staff. The majority of these staff members are northern and aboriginal people and although they are not public servants, the government funding does make a significant contribution to northern hire.

The Department of Transportation, for example, funds about 367 jobs through its ferry, highway maintenance, and airports operations. At least 200, or 54 percent, of these employees are aboriginal people. The N.W.T. Housing Corporation funds housing associations and authorities who employ 360 people, of whom 284 are aboriginal, making up 84 percent of the total.

The Dogrib Tribal Council and the Northwest Territories Power Corporation on the other hand, are working together on development of hydro plants in the Fort Rae/Lac La Martre area. This type of joint venturing means jobs. Jobs mean money and money results in increased business opportunities.

In addition, the government's business incentive policy gives preference to northern businesses and contractors, who in turn draw from the territorial labour pool to get their jobs done.

Mr. Speaker, our highest priority continues to be increasing the representation of aboriginal northerners in the public service. However, figures from the 1989 labour force survey show that there is no simple solution.

There are about 18,390 aboriginal people between the ages of 15 to 64. Only 7,610 of them were employed at the time of the survey. Of the remaining 10,780, more than 8,600, or 80 per cent, of the total had less than grade nine.

Those who stand the best chance of employment are the 2,133 unemployed who have a grade ten or higher education. However, over one third of these residents are unable to work due to disability, caring for children, or attending school. The number is further reduced by those who are unwilling, or unable, to relocate to another community to work. Many of these would also require upgrading to meet the requirements of many jobs.

Mr. Speaker, those are the statistics. Skill shortages within the northern workforce means we must continue to hire for some positions outside of the Northwest Territories until northerners take full advantage of our education and training systems. This is unavoidable in the short to medium term.

The government's strategy for maximizing the skills of the northern workforce includes a number of elements. The first priority is expanding the skills based with projects such as Arctic college's government oriented training programs. For instance:

- Academic upgrading programs with 731 full-time and 1,666 part-time students; and

The social services worker program with 39 full-time and 78 part-time such as Arctic College's government orientated training programs. For instance:

- Academic upgrading programs with 731 full-time, and 1,666 part-time students;

- Social service worker program, with 39 full-time and 78 part- time students;

- The teacher education program, with 76 full-time, and 168 part-time students;

- The renewable resources and environmental technological programs, with 40 full-time, and four part-time students;

- The management studies program with 98 full-time and 391 part-time students; and

- A variety of other programs such as nursing assistants, community health representatives and interpreter/translators.

In addition our strategy includes:

- Encouraging parents to do all they can to keep their children in school and motivate them towards higher education;

- Encouraging individuals to take on more responsibility themselves; and

- A stay in school campaign to encourage youngsters to complete their education.

It is interesting to note that post-secondary educational grants to aboriginal students have increased from only 83 in 1982 to over 560 in 1992. In 1983 only 203 forgivable loans were issued to students, compared to over 550 in 1992.

Mr. Speaker, we are also doing all we can to:

- Provide for grade extensions to eliminate the need to leave home to complete education in grades 10 to 12; and

- Establish Career Development Centres to provide career counselling and employment support programs for adults.

Secondly, Mr. Speaker, we are eliminating barriers to northern employment and maximizing access to government jobs by:

- Replacing the existing classification system which rates job factors instead of a person's qualifications;

- Revising job descriptions to get rid of unrealistic qualification requirements;

- Continual monitoring of our Affirmative Action Policy to make sure hiring and training preference are provided to northerners;

- Administering a competition appeals system which gives all affirmative action candidates, including non-employees, the right to appeal competitions;

- Working with graduating post-secondary students to develop individual career plans and to locate government jobs; and

- Minimizing southern recruiting by strictly limiting the number of southern advertisements.

Mr. Speaker, jobs for communities are a key element of the strategy. As the Minister of Finance stated the other day, "we need to train people and assist them in finding jobs, rather than pay them to stay at home." As a result, we are:

- Maximizing job opportunities at the local levels when positions are decentralized to communities; and

- Developing plans for the transfer of programs and services and jobs to community levels as part of the community transfer initiative.

We are also attempting to improve our ability to keep northern employees in order to develop a more stable northern public service through:

- Orientation programs, including a cross cultural component, for all new employees;

- Surveys of present and former aboriginal employees to determine how they feel about government employment and to make changes that will improve retention rates; and

- Collective bargaining which focuses on negotiating "use in the North" benefits to attract northerners.

In addition, we providing opportunities for employees to enhance their career potential by:

- Working with departments to ensure employees have an opportunity to develop individual career plans;

- Making it possible for employees to take two year transfer assignments to other jobs to broaden their skills and improve their career potential;

- Providing education leave programs which provide funding for over 30 employees per year to take post-secondary education; and

- Operating a public service career training program, and an in-service apprenticeship training program that employs 125 trainees, over 90 per cent of whom are aboriginal people.

Mr. Speaker, the Government cannot tackle this important job by itself. Sharing the responsibility for hiring northern residents is perhaps the most important part of our strategy. As a result:

- The private sector, particularly contractors who do government work, are encouraged to recognize and demonstrate their responsibility for northern hiring; - Organizations totally funded by the government must conform to the government's northern hiring strategy;

- Organizations partially funded by the government must develop their own policies to satisfy the spirit of the northern hiring strategy;

- Government contractors and organizations funded by the government are required to report regularly on their success in northern hiring; and

- Wherever it is economically feasible, government funded construction projects include mandatory training and employment quotas for northerners.

Mr. Speaker, the various elements of our northern hiring strategy have gone a long way to increase the numbers of northerners in the government workforce. We can expect a slow but steady growth in the numbers of aboriginal and northern employees as more jobs go to the communities, and educational levels increase.

The fact remains, though, that it will not be possible for us to downgrade qualification requirements for all jobs without seriously effecting levels of service to the public.

I am prepared, however, to tighten restrictions on southern hiring by requiring departments to obtain ministerial approval before they consider southern hiring. I have also instructed my officials to conduct exit interviews for all employees to identify ways and means of reducing turnover and retaining our northern talent.

As well, we are examining the feasibility of establishing a support program for employees who need help to deal with personal and family problems, as well as substance abuse. We also plan to develop a public document outlining our strategies for northern hire, and are certainly prepared to consider recommendations of the Standing Committee on Finance.

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, we do have a comprehensive Affirmative Action Policy and northern employment regime that have produced some good results. Regardless, the government is open to any suggestions Members may have for other steps we can take to improve our record of northern hires.

There is always room for improvement. Thank you.

Minister's Statement 87-12(2): Northern Hire
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 917

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements, Ms. Cournoyea. Ms. Cournoyea, I am sorry, you have to seek Members' consent. I asked you three times.

Minister's Statement 87-12(2): Northern Hire
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 917

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to make a Minister's statement.

Minister's Statement 87-12(2): Northern Hire
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 917

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays, please proceed, Ms. Cournoyea.

Minister's Statement 88-12(2): Minister's Absence From The House
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 917

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, the honourable Dennis Patterson will be absent from the House today, tomorrow, and Thursday, to attend a Ministers of Health conference. Thank you.

Minister's Statement 88-12(2): Minister's Absence From The House
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 917

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 3, Members' statements, Mr. Koe.

Municipal Elections In Inuvik
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 917

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I rise today, Mr. Speaker, fresh from attending an International Symposium on Democracy. Therefore the word and concept of democracy sticks in my mind. Mr. Speaker, I am not going to give a report on the symposium, which the honourable Speaker also attended. This report will be given at a later date. However, I wish to relate some of the things which I learned that are going to happen in Inuvik in mid-October, and are probably going to happen in many other communities in the north. Mr. Speaker, the dictionary defines democracy as "a government that is run by the people who live under it. Under a democracy, the people rule either by direct vote or indirectly through the election of certain representatives to government."

Mr. Speaker, the municipal elections in Inuvik will be held in mid-October. I am pleased to state that the process of democracy is alive and well, as indicated by the number of candidates who put their names forth to run for Mayor and town council. Mr. Speaker, there are four candidates for mayor, and 16 candidates vying for eight councillor positions. This is impressive and probably indicates that people are concerned, and wish to participate in the governing of their municipal affairs.

This is very healthy, and I wish the best of luck to all of the candidates. I also have a bit of advice to the voters of Inuvik. On election day exercise your democratic right, and get out and vote. Mahsi Cho.

Municipal Elections In Inuvik
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 917

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Todd.

Member's Statement Regarding Government Response To Report Of Traditional Knowledge Working Group
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 917

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express my concern and disappointment at the government's response to the report of the Traditional Knowledge Working Group. Mr. Speaker, the honourable Members will be aware that this initiative was established by the previous Government Leader back in October of 1989.

The purpose of the project was to define traditional knowledge, examine its current and potential use, and identify obstacles and solutions which will increase its influence in northern society. Elders worked hand in hand with government officials and the staff of aboriginal organizations, eventually producing a report which, I thought, was excellent.

The report lays out 20 recommendations which pinpoint areas where this government can enhance its programs and services by drawing from the accumulated wisdom of elders across the Northwest Territories. Although the report was tabled in the Assembly in July of 1991, two successive governments have failed to implement the directions outlined by the working group.

Now the initiative, at least to me, appears to have been either stuck in the mud or placed on the shelf. The Government Action Report is on hold while the bureaucrats put its contents into an implementation paper for a review by Cabinet. It is disrespectful, not only to the elders who advised the Traditional Knowledge Working Group, but to the elders throughout the Northwest Territories.

My honourable colleagues from Deh Cho and Inuvik both raised this matter in this Assembly in June. I want to advise the Minister that the Members on this side of the House are not prepared to accept any further delay in seeing that the principles outlined in the report of the Traditional Knowledge Working Group become incorporated into northern government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Member's Statement Regarding Government Response To Report Of Traditional Knowledge Working Group
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 918

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Pudluk.

Immigration Of Aboriginal People To Canada's North
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 918

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Aboriginal people have long been concerned and sympathetic for other aboriginal individuals who want to immigrate to Canada's north from other countries. These individuals must make a commitment to follow the laws of Canada if their request is approved. The immigration officials are very slow and have taken a long time to answer requests.

Inuit people have always been close knit and many years ago there were always people who moved to Canada's north from Alaska, Canadians to Alaska and from Greenland to Canada and vice versa. Years ago we never used to have any problems welcoming our fellow Inuit to our country. Such is not the case today. We have to go through immigration laws of governments and numerous bureaucracies for people to be accepted into this country.

These people should be given fewer restrictions to allow them to immigrate to northern communities if it is their wish. I have relatives who moved to Qaanaaq, Greenland many years ago and I am also aware that there have been Inuit who immigrated to Canada to the Igloolik area.

Today it is very hard for our fellow Inuit to immigrate, and we should have fewer restrictions so that we can welcome our Inuit from other countries. I feel this kind of problem should be reviewed so it would be easier for our fellow Inuit to come and live in our communities. Thank you.

---Applause

Immigration Of Aboriginal People To Canada's North
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 918

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Member's Statement Regarding Constitutional Amendments
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 918

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I explained to the House, yesterday, I was away for part of August and part of September. While I was away I made it my business not to read newspapers and watch television, and to stay away from the media as much as I possibly could. However, I was delighted when I came back and found that, as a result of a meeting in Charlottetown; Canada, at least, has a consensus agreement on our Constitution.

While I was away, I did spend a bit of time reflecting on the fact that all over the world people are dealing with constitutional problems. We think we are unique until you realize that there are six countries in Yugoslavia that are now working on their constitutions. There are more than a dozen republics in the old Soviet Union that are working on their constitutions. Both East and West Germany are trying to unify, and they are working on their constitution. You find that the Philippines are working on their constitution. The people of Israel are working on their constitution. So, we are not unique.

However, Mr. Speaker, the point I want to make, today, is that things can happen when people of good get together. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this process, which has taken such a long time, has resulted in the kind of compromise which will not please everybody, of course. For example, when we buy a house, we may not like the front look of it, we might not like the look of where the garage is, or the colour of the paint, or the exact location of the grounds, the gate, and so on. But overall, we think, well, a lot of people have worked on this, this is what we have come up with, and it represents a compromise among people.

Having read through that consensus agreement now, Mr. Speaker, I feel very pleased at the part that many people throughout this country have played in trying to come to a sensible conclusion to what has been a long and acrimonious debate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Member's Statement Regarding Constitutional Amendments
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 918

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you. Recognizing the Speaker's Gallery, the Council General from the Netherlands, Monsieur Dominique Bauduin and his wife Marie Bauduin. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Gargan.

The Council For Aboriginal Justice
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 918

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have already spoken about the federal government's $26 million initiative dealing with the administration of aboriginal justice. While I believe that this project is long overdue, I am concerned about the federal position to appoint a former Chief Crown Counsel for the Northwest Territories as Director General of the Minister's Aboriginal Justice Council. The lawyer, Don Avison, is the same Crown Prosecutor who ordered the arrest of Kitty Nowdluk Reynolds, an Inuit woman who had been beaten and raped in Iqaluit.

Ms. Nowdluk was subsequently arrested at her new home in British Columbia, detained in a Vancouver jail for 4 days, dragged across Canada in handcuffs, and locked in a van with the same man who had raped her. After all of that, the Crown Counsel made a last minute decision that her testimony was not even needed. This shameful episode was initiated by the same Don Avison, who is now Director of the Federal Initiative on Aboriginal Justice.

Mr. Speaker, when the R.C.M.P. Commissioner, Norman Inkster, appeared before the House of Commons Justice Committee in April of 1992, he apologized for R.C.M.P. mistreatment of the victim. In contrast, shortly after the incident was reported, Mr. Avison appeared on Focus North and attempted to justify his decision to arrest Kitty.

The federal initiative on aboriginal justice is long waited.

The Council For Aboriginal Justice
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 918

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Point of order, Mr. Kakfwi.

Point Of Order

The Council For Aboriginal Justice
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 918

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the Member continues to name an individual, in the course of his statements the last few days. I think it would reflect badly on this House if he continues that, because the individual that he is naming did not act as a private individual. He was acting as the Crown Attorney, and the Member should refer to the person in the capacity of the office that he held at the time. Thank you.

Speaker's Ruling

The Council For Aboriginal Justice
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 918

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

In listening to the Member's statement, that is not a point of order, however, I will caution the Member to be cautious in making allegations, or insinuations, about individuals. To this point, the Member has not done that, but I would caution all Members to be very careful when we are

talking about individuals who are not able to defend themselves in this House. Carry on, Mr. Gargan.

The Council For Aboriginal Justice
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 919

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you. One has to ask how the credibility of the initiative may be impacted by the selection of a director whose apathy and understanding of aboriginal issues has been drawn into question, as a result of this insensitive and highly bureaucratic treatment of this aboriginal women.

One also has to question how much, or what sort of input was received from northerners, and from the Government of the Northwest Territories, when the appointment was being considered. I will have more to say about that at a later time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Council For Aboriginal Justice
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 919

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Arngna'naaq.