Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I want to indicate that it was approximately 16 items, and over 64 questions that we wanted to ask today, of which a great deal of them happen to be with aboriginal issues. We did not have the opportunity to get to all of them and, I am going to table, in this House, all the questions that we wanted to ask. I will be forwarding those questions to the National Aboriginal Organizations to respond to those questions, so that in our efforts to convince, if we have to convince, our communities, we will have more detailed answers to the question we wanted to ask about issues like the Senate, economic issues, and aboriginal issues, in order for us to deal with the communities properly, and provide the best answers to them. I will table those questions, hopefully, I will get the opportunity to be asking other questions in this House before we conclude this, but I just wanted to inform you about that. I think that is a better way of dealing with some of the concerns that we have.
Debates of Sept. 28th, 1992
This is page numbers 1113 - 1145 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 aboriginal.
Topics
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1144
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1144
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. As Mr. Belcourt stated, if there are any more questions from the committee regarding the Metis National Council, the floor is open, as he will be leaving shortly. He can respond to us for the rest of his time. Mr. Koe.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Fred Koe Inuvik
I will save my comments for a Member's statement, or something.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Ms. Mike.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Mr. Chairman, since I sent you a note, this is the question that I asked to the Chairman of the committee within our government. Perhaps, while he is here, he can respond to it, but this time through you, Mr. Chairman. I would appreciate it if Mr. Kakfwi could respond, instead of Madam Premier, because the first time I asked it, and she responded, I think she got confused with the two M.P.s.
My question was, Mr. Chairman, in relation to the representation currently enjoyed by the Northwest Territories in the Senate. If division occurs, the existing territory will be smaller in both population and size. Perhaps the Chairman of the special committee can tell me what guarantees we have that the existing territory will retain its one Senate seat. That was my question. Thank you.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1144
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Lewis, point of order.
Point of Order
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre
Yes, Mr. Chairman. I believe that our witness has been with us a long time now, and there was a question asked, if there were Metis issues that he could deal with, he would be quite happy to hear them, and I think we should show some courtesy by allowing Mr. Belcourt to go now that we have been finished with the issues that he has raised, because he has been very patient with us. I still respect my colleague's right to ask whatever she wants, but I think it would be a very good gesture, if we allowed Mr. Belcourt to leave now.
---Applause
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Perhaps Mr. Minister, the Chairman of the Constitutional Reform, could respond later, and I would like any Member who wishes to ask Mr. Belcourt of the Metis National Council, to do so. Mr. Nerysoo.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1144
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, could I ask, Mr. Chairman, if Mr. Belcourt could provide us with a copy of the Metis Accord, the details.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Mr. Belcourt, could you provide us with that copy as requested by Mr. Nerysoo.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Belcourt
I have a copy of the Metis Nation Accord that was circulated previously, and I certainly would be happy to provide that.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Any further comments directed to Mr. Belcourt before he leaves. Mr. Belcourt.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Belcourt
I would just like to thank you again, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to be here. The Metis National Council is very grateful to be given this chance to meet with Members of your Legislature, and to participate in this very, very important debate. I can assure you that questions that are tabled for us will be answered promptly. I would also like to say that we are very anxious to help out as much as we can in trying to explain the Metis Nation Accord, and the entire constitutional package. If some Members of this Legislature are planning some public meetings in the future, if you would let us know, we would certainly see how we might get a representative to attend the meeting, and help out in the communities. That is our number one objective for the next 30 days. Again, I thank you very, very much.
---Applause
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Mr. Belcourt, on behalf of the N.W.T. Legislative Assembly, the committee, the Ministers, the ordinary M.L.A.s, and all the people of the N.W.T., especially Yellowknife, we would like to thank you for taking the time from your very busy schedule to meet with us. It is always a pleasure to have meetings with national leaders. Thank you.
---Applause
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Seeing that the time is not yet 7:00 p.m., I would like Mr. Kakfwi to respond to Ms. Mike's question.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1144
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Chairman, thank you. Both of us, the Premier and myself, were involved in the negotiations, in some parts she was more involved than I was, in others I took the lead. In any case, on the Senate issue, as far as the territories was concerned, when they worked out the numbers, we agreed that each territory would basically have one senator, which is what we have now.
The existing territories would be guaranteed one each. As far as the Nunavut territory is concerned, there is no guarantee that the Nunavut territory, when created, will get a Senate seat. I cannot hear you. If you want to let me finish, then you can...
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Order please. Mr. Kakfwi, please continue.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
The negotiations on the Senate, were quite intense and at times fast-paced. In any case, what we got was assurance that we would get one seat for the existing territory. As far as a new territory is concerned, for whatever reasons, perhaps it seemed hypothetical at the moment, it seemed insurmountable in regard to the way that they were figuring out numbers between the House of Commons and the Senate, that issue was not addressed.
There is an understanding that we will continue to work through the fall to get some assurance, in the event that the Nunavut territory is created, that there will be at least one Senate seat assured to this new territory. I should add that the idea that there will be aboriginal Senators, as well, was also not resolved in the current round, but it was agreed that by October/November all parties will make best efforts to come to some sort of an agreement on how aboriginal people could be represented in the Senate. That is understood, we are going to try and follow-up with our own assurances in that area.
In response to the question, very short, there is no assurance for the Nunavut territory, as far as Senate representation is concerned, at this time.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1145
The Chair John Ningark
Ms. Mike.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1145
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On the fact sheet that we have titled Our Future Together, subtitled Responsive Institutions, it says that generally, the agreement provides for the following: equal provincial representation with six seats per province and one per territory for a total of 62. It is not so much my concern that Nunavut is going to be left out, because Mr. Adams is from the Nunavut territory, but if we do get division, is there any guarantee for the western part to have a seat? For you, Mr. Kakfwi.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1145
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Well, no offence to Mr. Willie Adams, but the understanding is that, within a certain period of time, if this new Senate is accepted, there will be an election, or this Legislature will be given some mechanism by which they could choose a senator of their own. Therefore, Mr. Adams, may or may not, be in that equation.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1145
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. Minister. It is 7:00 p.m., we have decided to adjourn by 7:00 p.m. I will now rise and report progress.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 1145
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you.
---Applause