Members Present
Hon. Titus Allooloo, Mr. Antoine, Mr. Arngna'naaq, Hon. James Arvaluk, Hon. Michael Ballantyne, Hon. Nellie Cournoyea, Mr. Dent, Mr. Gargan, Hon. Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Koe, Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, Ms. Mike, Hon. Don Morin, Mr. Nerysoo, Mr. Ningark, Hon. John Pollard, Mr. Pudlat, Mr. Pudluk, Mr. Todd, Hon. Tony Whitford, Mr. Zoe
---Prayer
Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer
Page 971
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Good morning. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Todd.
Member's Statements On The Role Of M.a.c.a. In The Community Transfer Initiative
Item 3: Members' Statements
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I commented on my concerns with the directions currently being taken by the government, and its handling of the community transfer initiatives.
I do not like to sound negative all of the time, Mr. Speaker, so today I will offer a positive suggestion. Transfer the responsibility to M.A.C.A. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs should be the lead department in matters dealing with community transfer initiatives.
This department has over 20 years experience in consulting with community groups, and negotiating a wide range of agreements. It has the know-how, Mr. Speaker, it has the resources. Most important, it has a carefully established working relationship with hamlets, settlements, and regional organizations.
This was something that was recognized in the 11th Assembly, and I note, that a motion was even passed there stating that M.A.C.A. should be given the mandate to lead and coordinate devolution of responsibilities to the communities.
The current government responded by creating a Community Transfer Committee within the Department of the Executive. This, Mr. Speaker, is not where the responsibility lies. We should not be trying to re-invent the wheel.
Mr. Speaker, I said yesterday, that I realize that some communities and regions are going to want to deal with matters surrounding the inherent right to self-government, and perhaps, even models of government are alternatives to public government. I am fully supportive of their desire to do so and where the expertise of the Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, and his officials, are needed to assist, I trust that his Cabinet colleagues will involve him, and give him a free reign to take on these difficult negotiations.
The mechanics of the process, the time lines, the negotiation of how responsibility areas are to be packaged for transfer and followed up, these should all be the prime responsibility of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.
I say, transfer the initiative to M.A.C.A.
Member's Statements On The Role Of M.a.c.a. In The Community Transfer Initiative
Item 3: Members' Statements
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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Dent.
The Government's Heavy-handed Tactics In Dealing With Northern Moving Companies
Item 3: Members' Statements
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Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my surprise, and disappointment, with the heavy- handed method used recently by the Departments of Personnel and Government Services, in the matter effecting local businesses.
Members of this Legislative Assembly have spoken often in the House about the value that we place on northern business. We have said that the development of the northern economy must be a priority. We want to see a healthy northern business sector, so that we can keep our dollars in the north.
Mr. Speaker, to me this means that the government should work in cooperation with northern business. We are not enemies. We all have a stake in the development of a strong economy, and a healthy business sector.
It seems lately, however, that the government is better at talking than at acting. Recently the government decided to review the rates that departments are paying for the movement of employees' goods. One would expect that the companies supplying the service would have been consulted, and that a process of negotiations would have begun.
In these difficult times, one might expect tough bargaining, but certainly there would have been a process of negotiation. Rather than negotiate, however, the government simply came up with rates, they decided they would pay for the services. The government did not discuss their new tariff system with any moving companies in the north. They simply released the rates, terms, and conditions, on a take it, or leave it, basis.
Northern moving companies were not initially asked for a response. In fact, when the initial rates were released, northern moving companies were specifically told by letter, that no responses were necessary, as responses would be submitted by their national offices in southern Canada.
This dictatorial approach, and unwillingness, to even enter into discussions on issues that will determine the survival of northern business, was not necessary, and is not acceptable from this government.
I welcome the Minister of Personnel's commitment to delay the implementation of the new tariff for moving. He is to allow northern firms time to react to the new tariff. I hope this will lead to the type of consultative process that should have been undertaken from the beginning.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Government's Heavy-handed Tactics In Dealing With Northern Moving Companies
Item 3: Members' Statements
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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.
Level Of Staffing At The Yellowknife R.c.m.p. Detachment
Item 3: Members' Statements
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Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am alarmed that the level of staffing in the Yellowknife detachment of the R.C.M.P. remains at the same level as it was in the 1970s. Yellowknife is still a very small city by Canadian standards, Mr. Speaker, but it has many big city problems, and I am sure many Members are familiar with what I am talking about.
Twenty four hour a day policing is becoming increasingly difficult. Many citizens, including many of my constituents, question whether it is possible to even do that, with current levels of staff.
I have listened carefully to Members who make similar claims for increasing police services in their own communities. I am familiar with many of these communities, Mr. Speaker, and to their credit, they do not have a big city style of crime to contend with, at least not at the moment.
By contrast, on the growth of industries in the city of Yellowknife over the past dozen years, we have security businesses, and the sale of alarm and safety devices, as well as other areas related to the security business, which I will not go into at the moment.
The concern I have is not just simply the level of staffing, but the fact that they no longer can do the specialized kind of work that they did in the 1970s. I would not want to tip my hand to the criminal element that exists in every community. It is so bad, that if they were aware of it, I am sure it would be taken advantage of.
I would like to believe that governments respond to some objective standard of need, when they allocate resources. Increasing these, Mr. Speaker, I am afraid real measurable needs take a back seat to political whim, and the arbitrary exercise of power. I do not think that the government looks at the instances of crime as the basis for allocating resources.
Thank you.
Level Of Staffing At The Yellowknife R.c.m.p. Detachment
Item 3: Members' Statements
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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Kakfwi.
Return To Oral Question O689-12(2): Hiring Southern Summer Students
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, this is in response to a question asked by Mr. Nerysoo on June 29, 1992. Mr. Speaker, I have looked into the matter of the hiring of southern students, raised by Mr. Nerysoo.
As a result of the question, I have conducted a review of the hiring of southern summer students to determine whether qualified northerners were disadvantaged as a result of their employment.
A total of 416 students were hired this summer. Of these, 40 percent were long time northerners, 41 percent were aboriginal people, and 14 percent were northern residents. A total of 17 southern students were hired this year, making up approximately five percent of the total number of students hired.
I reviewed the list of southern students who were appointed to jobs, which we believed required technical qualifications not possessed by any available northern students.
Summer jobs, to which they were appointed, required qualifications such as advanced course work in geology, engineering technology, and mechanical engineering. In overall terms, Mr. Speaker, the summer student employment program was, I believe, extremely successful this year.
While restraint did place some limitations on departmental budgets, the government succeeded in employing nine percent more students than in 1991. This generated 416 jobs, which allowed students with supplementary incomes to go back to school. Departments and agencies conform to the rules for summer student employment, and I am satisfied that this program was a solid success in spite of the impact of restraint. Thank you.
Return To Oral Question O689-12(2): Hiring Southern Summer Students
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Todd.
Question O798-12(2): Development Of Initiative For Training By-law Officers
Item 5: Oral Questions
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John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Justice. Yesterday, I asked a question with respect to what initiatives the Department of Justice is taking regarding the development of local policing where we do not have R.C.M.P. I was not satisfied with the Minister's response when he said, "as I understand it, none of the communities without R.C.M.P. are asking for an auxiliary force, or a replacement type of officer."
I would suggest that Mr. Kakfwi check his mail, because I know that the community of Whale Cove specifically asked for that. My question to the Minister of Justice is, is the Department of Justice prepared to develop an initiative in consultation with those communities that do not have R.C.M.P., to consider training or expanding the role of the by-law officers, so they can act in a policing capacity?
Question O798-12(2): Development Of Initiative For Training By-law Officers
Item 5: Oral Questions
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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Kakfwi.
Return To Question O798-12(2): Development Of Initiative For Training By-law Officers
Question O798-12(2): Development Of Initiative For Training By-law Officers
Item 5: Oral Questions
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, the Members of this Legislature, if they wish, can give direction to this government to do whatever it is that they want it to do. That seems to be a political fact these days. Let me just say, I am prepared to look at it, but the fact is, other jurisdictions across this country have looked at setting up their own police forces, auxiliary forces, and it is understood right across Canada that everybody has come to the same conclusion. Dollar for dollar, you cannot buy a police force that is as efficient, and as well run as the R.C.M.P. That is a lesson well learned across jurisdictions in the country, as I understand it.
That does not mean that here in the north we could not do a better job, so I would be prepared to look at it, and advise the Member on what the initial assessment of that would be. Thank you.
Return To Question O798-12(2): Development Of Initiative For Training By-law Officers
Question O798-12(2): Development Of Initiative For Training By-law Officers
Item 5: Oral Questions
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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Todd.
Supplementary To Question O798-12(2): Development Of Initiative For Training By-law Officers
Question O798-12(2): Development Of Initiative For Training By-law Officers
Item 5: Oral Questions
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John Todd Keewatin Central
I would like to give more clarification if I can. I would like the Minister to understand that I am not suggesting for one minute that we look at an alternative to the R.C.M.P. What I suggested yesterday, and I have tried to suggest again today, is where the communities do not have R.C.M.P., particularly in the small communities, will there be some consideration given to expanding the role of the by-law officers, so that they can provide some minimal policing duties? That is all that I am suggesting. I am not asking for sweeping changes in the policing aspect. This is what has been requested by me from the small communities.
Supplementary To Question O798-12(2): Development Of Initiative For Training By-law Officers
Question O798-12(2): Development Of Initiative For Training By-law Officers
Item 5: Oral Questions
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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Was that a question, Mr. Todd? I did not hear a question. There is really no question there. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.
Question O799-12(2): Upgrade Of Cape Dorset Airstrip
Item 5: Oral Questions
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Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question directed towards the Minister of Transportation. In Cape Dorset, there is a major concern regarding the airstrip. I want to ask the Minister of Transportation if, in the very near future, he would consider upgrading the Cape Dorset airstrip? I know that there is upgrading going on at this time, but I am sure that this will not improve the airstrip as a whole.
During the winter it can get very icy, and this is very dangerous to the citizens of Cape Dorset. For that reason, can the Minister responsible for Transportation, in the very near future, respond to our concerns regarding the Cape Dorset airstrip? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question O799-12(2): Upgrade Of Cape Dorset Airstrip
Item 5: Oral Questions
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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Whitford.
Return To Question O799-12(2): Upgrade Of Cape Dorset Airstrip
Question O799-12(2): Upgrade Of Cape Dorset Airstrip
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 973
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Regarding the airport at Cape Dorset, there is some work underway, at the present time, to do some stockpiling of gravel in anticipation of resurfacing the runway. I received a letter from the Municipality of Cape Dorset, expressing their concerns with the present condition of the runway, and we are going to do everything we can to ensure that they have safe conditions this winter.
Return To Question O799-12(2): Upgrade Of Cape Dorset Airstrip
Question O799-12(2): Upgrade Of Cape Dorset Airstrip
Item 5: Oral Questions
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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.
Supplementary To Question O799-12(2): Upgrade Of Cape Dorset Airstrip
Question O799-12(2): Upgrade Of Cape Dorset Airstrip
Item 5: Oral Questions
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Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to my question. I want to ask the Minister if he could respond to us, as soon as he can, as to what kind of funding they will be allocating for the upgrading of the airstrip? We know for a fact, that funding is tight at this time, but I want a response from the Minister. Will he consider giving funding to that airstrip? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question O799-12(2): Upgrade Of Cape Dorset Airstrip
Question O799-12(2): Upgrade Of Cape Dorset Airstrip
Item 5: Oral Questions
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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Thank you. Mr. Whitford.
Further Return To Question O799-12(2): Upgrade Of Cape Dorset Airstrip
Question O799-12(2): Upgrade Of Cape Dorset Airstrip
Item 5: Oral Questions
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Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is already plans in the budget, the 1995-96 capital budget, but I will get some information to the Member on the amounts of dollars that they are proposing shortly.
Further Return To Question O799-12(2): Upgrade Of Cape Dorset Airstrip
Question O799-12(2): Upgrade Of Cape Dorset Airstrip
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 973
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudluk.
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