This is page numbers 233 - 277 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 4th 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 report.

Topics

Members Present

Mr. Allooloo, Mr. Arngna'naaq, Mr. Arvaluk, Hon. Michael Ballantyne, Hon. Nellie Cournoyea, Mr. Dent, Mr. Gargan, Hon. Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Koe, Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, Hon. Rebecca Mike, Hon. Don Morin, Hon. Richard Nerysoo, Mr. Ng, Mr. Ningark, Mr. Patterson, Hon. John Pollard, Mr. Pudluk, Hon. John Todd, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mr. Gargan. I take this opportunity to welcome to the Assembly, Mr. Gary Bohnet, President of the Metis Nation.

---Applause

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Madam Premier.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to provide Members of the Legislative Assembly with a short summary of the discussions and agreements reached at the western Premiers' conference, hosted last Thursday, November 25, by the Province of Alberta.

Last year, the Northwest Territories and Yukon were invited to participate as full members of the western Premiers' process. We have continued in the capacity as full participants at this year's conference.

Since many of our economic and social ties flow directly to the western provinces, the Government of the Northwest Territories viewed membership in the western Premiers' process as an important opportunity to build on and consolidate those relationships.

The western Premiers' conference this year, was reduced in time from two days to only one. However, I believe a great deal was accomplished in that one-day meeting.

The agenda for the western Premiers' conference covered the following main topics: the western economy within the Canadian context; federal/provincial fiscal renewal; and, western cooperation.

There were a number of issues discussed within this overall agenda and these issues included job creation and infrastructure, economic development and western economic diversification, skills development and labour market training, internal trade barriers, international trade and agriculture.

Premiers also discussed debt management and deficit reduction and identified these issues as a critical national problem. Western premiers released the western Finance Ministers' report, Partnership for Fiscal Renewal, at the conference following their final meeting on November 24. The Northwest Territories has actively participated in the development of this report.

Finally, Premiers reviewed and released an inventory of existing areas of cooperation between the western provinces and the territories.

Mr. Speaker, I intend to table a copy of this inventory, the western Finance Ministers' report and the communiques from the conference, for the information of Members of this Assembly. For the benefit of the Members, I will briefly summarize the discussions and areas of agreement.

Provincial and territorial Premiers focused on the proposed federal infrastructure program during their discussions on job creation and infrastructure.

While the federal infrastructure program was welcomed, concern was expressed that it should be considered as a supplement which would not result in reduced federal transfer payments or a reduction to existing program and project commitments to territories and to the provinces.

The western Premiers urged that the program allocation criteria be re-examined to make it more equitable for western Canada. The federal government was urged to incorporate the principles and criteria agreed to at the meeting into the national infrastructure program.

I am pleased to say, as a result of the representation from the Northwest Territories and Yukon, western Premiers were unanimous that federal funding and allocations should take into account the special circumstances of the Northwest Territories and the Yukon.

---Applause

The Premiers endorsed the recommendations of the western Finance Ministers' report, which calls for a cooperative and comprehensive strategy to deal with Canada's growing public sector debt.

That actions of the provinces and territories to address fiscal difficulties in their own jurisdictions was recognized. Provincial and territorial governments have plans to resolve their deficit problems and western leaders stressed that they should not be penalized for their responsible actions.

Western leaders called on all First Ministers to work together to set essential program priorities and to work in partnership to resolve this national problem.

A commitment was made by western Premiers, to bring this message to Ottawa at their meeting with the Prime Minister in December.

With respect to western economic cooperation, western and territorial leaders reviewed provincial, territorial and regional priorities for economic development and diversification. They reaffirmed their commitment to a coordinated and cooperative approach to addressing their shared objectives.

Among other initiatives, Premiers and leaders agreed, jointly, to develop a regional trade promotion and marketing plan and a western strategy for cooperation in science and technology.

Ministers responsible for the various initiatives are to report on each item, before the 1994 western Premiers' conference in Manitoba, next spring.

From the point of view of the Northwest Territories, western Premiers recognized the importance of current economic arrangements -- EDAs -- to the territories. More importantly, western Premiers agreed to propose that those current arrangements be expanded to ensure that the territorial governments be full participants in future western initiatives and consultations concerning regional development.

Premiers and government leaders indicated their support for the continuation of multilateral federal/ provincial/territorial negotiations, on the reduction of internal trade barriers. The Northwest Territories is a participant in these negotiations.

Mr. Speaker, I think Members will be interested in the number of different areas where there is existing cooperation between the western provinces and territories. We have a copy of the inventory on these cooperative arrangements that we do have.

The inventory, prepared by Alberta, with the assistance of the western provinces and both territories, provides evidence of the sharing of expertise and resources. These cooperative efforts have provided an access to a broader range of services at less cost than would otherwise be the case. In addition, these cooperative efforts have saved lives and, in one case, saved a community in northern Manitoba, besieged by a forest fire, from destruction.

The inventory provides an excellent basis for future cooperative efforts and actions that are currently under way.

The Northwest Territories provides a significant opportunity, with respect to future cooperation based on potential mining and infrastructure initiatives. I have identified this potential with my western colleagues and intend to provide more detail at the western Premiers' conference, in the spring of 1994, in Manitoba.

Similarly, responsible Ministers from the western provinces and territories have been asked to report on other potential areas of cooperation before the spring conference.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I have another statement. Mr. Speaker, the Honourable John Pollard will be leaving the House this afternoon and will be absent for the remainder of the week, to attend a federal/provincial/territorial Finance Ministers' meeting in Halifax. While in Halifax, Mr. Pollard will also be attending an Economic Development and Finance Ministers' meeting. During his absence, the Honourable Richard Nerysoo will serve as Government House Leader.

The Honourable John Todd will be leaving for Halifax tomorrow to attend the Economic Development and Finance Ministers' meeting and will also be away from the House for the remainder of the week. Mr. Todd's return to Yellowknife will be delayed until next Monday evening due to a meeting in Rankin Inlet with the Honourable Ron Irwin, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Madam Premier. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Ms. Mike.

Minister's Statement 31-12(4): Food Allowances
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government recognizes the need to adjust food allowances in a manner that reflects local realities and keeps pace with the changing economy.

Because of this, the budget available for the Department of Social Services' social assistance food allowance has been increased by over $2 million in the past 18 months.

Members will recall that in April of 1992, there was a five per cent increase in the food allowance. The increase resulted in additional expenditures of about $400,000 per year.

In October of this year, the food scales and food allowance rates were changed based on the results of the most recent food costs survey conducted in cooperation with the Bureau of Statistics. The recent increases are expected to result in additional expenditures of $1.6 million. For a family of four, the changes will mean increases of up to $280 per month.

Mr. Speaker, the changes are responsive to the needs of people who are not able to provide basic levels of subsistence for themselves or their families. The cost of food in communities throughout the territories will continue to be monitored in order to make sure that the allowances reflect changes that take place in local, regional and territorial economies. Qujannamiik.

---Applause

Minister's Statement 31-12(4): Food Allowances
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Ms. Mike. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Nerysoo.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, this government has made a commitment to transfer more government programs to the community level. Some of the 79 positions identified were decentralized in April, while others are targeted

for 1994. To ensure that people have the skills to fill these positions, the Financial Management Board approved $800,000 for 1992-93 and another $784,000 for 1993-94 for decentralization training. I would like to bring you up to date on this initiative.

A total of 86 students from across the NWT have taken various training courses through Arctic College over the past year. Another 33 students have enrolled in Arctic College programs being offered this fall through decentralization funding. These programs are scheduled to be completed by June, 1994.

Approximately twice the number of candidates as the number of positions being decentralized have received training. This is to ensure that there is a pool of trained candidates to compete for these jobs, as well as those vacated by current government or private sector employees moving to decentralized jobs and those freed up by normal staff turnover. To date, 12 students have been offered decentralized positions.

In addition to the students pursuing studies through Arctic College, 13 positions were established through the public service career training program to prepare people for decentralization. These training positions are located in Rankin Inlet, Inuvik, Fort Simpson and Iqaluit. I am pleased to say that the training for the positions in Inuvik are now completed and all candidates were very successful. The trainees from Rankin Inlet are due to finish in December, while the Iqaluit trainees will finish in 1994 and the Fort Simpson trainees in 1995.

Mr. Speaker, the decentralization of government positions has provided an important catalyst for people to improve their skills and education in order to prepare for new employment possibilities. The program has already met with a good deal of success.

My department will produce a detailed student placement report once all the courses are completed, in order to assess the programs' effectiveness. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, later today I will table an overview of the final report of the traditional dene justice project. This project was run for the last three years in Lac La Martre by the Dene Cultural Institute. The final report was finished in September and will be published by the Arctic Institute in December.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be able to table this report for a number of reasons. This project is important because of what it says about how justice was traditionally administered by the Dogrib nation. This is the first time that this information has been collected in a systematic way.

The other significant thing about this study is the way in which the information for the study was gathered. Unlike other studies that are directed by southern academics for their own purposes, this study, from the beginning, was directed by the community. A community advisory committee was chaired by the chief. Not only did community members participate in the direction and operation of the study but also individuals were trained to collect and record information themselves. As a result, this study has left skills and an increased level of self-confidence in Lac La Martre, skills that will be useful in the future.

A draft of the final report was reviewed by all the Dogrib communities to make sure that people agreed with what was written, and with the recommendations. The report confirms that the Dene, long before the arrival of the Europeans, had laws and a system of justice that worked. What is most interesting is the detail provided by the elders about what these laws were and how they were enforced.

The report is frank. It speaks of the difficulties that face the community today. It examines the details of particular cases that have taken place recently in Lac La Martre. These cases illustrate that it is going to be a long process of generating confidence, learning from mistakes and building on successes. The report is forthright about the need to address issues of alcohol abuse and physical abuse in the community. There is an emphasis on the need to pay serious attention to the healing of individuals and families at a community level.

Moving ahead will require commitment from all parties. In particular, there will be a need for a commitment to an inclusive process of pursuing change, a process that includes elders and younger people, men and women.

This is the kind of research that government must encourage. I wish to offer my congratulations to the community members who participated in this project, to the advisory committee, the chief and band council and to everyone in Lac La Martre for their good work and their commitment to this project. I also wish to recognize Dr. Ryan and the research team and the Dene Cultural Institute for initiating this project and seeing it through to completion.

The Department of Justice is committed to doing things in a different way. The department recognizes that the current system is an imposed one and respects the views of elders that traditional values and practices form the basis of this different way of doing things. The department has set out in the direction of encouraging communities to assume responsibilities. Assuming justice responsibilities is part of a larger process of communities taking back responsibility over their own lives.

It is an exciting process, even though it's not perfectly clear at this stage where this process will take us. But that's appropriate, gone are the days when the government will arrive with a great master plan on how things are going to be done at the community level. It is in partnership with the community that we will take our direction and this report is very encouraging news that we are moving in the right direction. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Jim Antoine, has travelled to Brussels. He is meeting today with European parliamentarians on fur harvesting issues. Mr. Antoine has been a strong advocate of traditional lifestyles and is seen as more than capable of representing northern trappers and harvesters on these matters. I am sure Members of this House will want to join me in wishing him well in his travels and meetings in Brussels this week. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ningark.

Resignation Of Mr. Paul Quassa
Item 3: Members' Statements

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John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of the Nunavut Caucus, I rise today to thank Paul Quassa for the work he has done for the Inuit of Nunavut. His resignation on Friday, as President of Nunavut Tungavik, ended a stage in Paul's life in which he played a major role in the evolution of Inuit people in Nunavut.

As a land claim negotiator for TFN and as the president of both the AFN and its successor, the organization Nunavut Tungavik, Paul worked hard for his people. His accomplishments, Mr. Speaker, should not be forgotten. On behalf of all people of Nunavut, I would like to say Qujannamiik to Paul as he goes forward into the future. Thank you.

---Applause

Resignation Of Mr. Paul Quassa
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Fresh Fish From Great Slave Lake
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members who sat in the 11th Assembly will know I'm committed to import replacement, economic diversification and greater use of our natural resources. I'd like Members to join me this afternoon in the Members' lounge to enjoy some fresh fish brought out of Great Slave Lake this weekend. This lake is one of our great treasure houses of food, but during the winter months Yellowknifers are barely aware of it, Mr. Speaker.

As I've said previously, Mr. Buckley and his family are committed to supplying fresh or frozen fish to Yellowknife residents throughout the winter. The Buckley fish outlet has now moved to a new location at 4918 - 44 Street, near the old fire hall. I'm aware of no other business in Yellowknife committed to providing local fresh fish to the Yellowknife market throughout the year. I'm pleased to see local people responding so well to this new renewable resource business venture. I trust Members will enjoy a fresh fish chowder, pickerel, burbot and white fish, courtesy of myself and the Buckley family during this afternoon's break. Thank you.

---Applause

Fresh Fish From Great Slave Lake
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ng.

Economic Utilization Of Country Food
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My first question in this House was directed to the Honourable John Todd, regarding the utilization of country foods economically, within our government institutions. In my preamble to my questions to the Minister, I outlined the economic benefits to our residents, through the utilization of our commercial quotas. Hunters and fishermen receive valuable income for their initial harvesting. Employees receive wages if the country food is sent to processing facilities. The owners of the processing facilities receive a return on their investment. And, finally and most importantly, all income derived from this activity stays and circulates in the community.

Mr. Speaker, since I've become a Member of this Assembly and since moving into our new home, I've had the opportunity -- like all of us -- to sample the cuisine from the Assembly caterers. Although I enjoy a majority of the food, I find it extremely disappointing that we only get pork chops, chicken, lasagna, roast beef, et cetera, when we, as an Assembly, and our government, is attempting to promote our own products.

Economic Utilization Of Country Food
Item 3: Members' Statements

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An Hon. Member

Right on.

---Applause

Economic Utilization Of Country Food
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Mr. Speaker, why couldn't there be caribou, muskox, Arctic char and white fish served instead of salmon? If we, as representatives of our people, can't recognize a problem in this, then we're in deep trouble.

I will be tabling a written question later, on the existing and past commercial quotas in the NWT, and to what extent we are utilizing these quotas.

In response to a question, the honourable Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, over a week ago, said to us that he was working with other departments to utilize commercial quotas. The Minister thought a policy was not required. Mr. Speaker, I disagree with the Minister. I believe the government must develop a policy which forces all departments to fully maximize their usage of our commercial quotas in their operation, whether it be a student hostel under Education, a correctional facility under Justice or an elders' facility or group home under Health and Social Services. If we cannot maximize our utilization of our own renewable resources to our institutions, what hope do we have of improving the lifestyle of our people who depend on subsistence harvesting and our initiatives to provide them with employment opportunities?

Mr. Speaker, I will be seeking the government's commitment in placing a priority on developing a renewable resource commercial quota policy, as soon as possible, in order to maximize the economic benefits from our existing renewable resources. I hope that my colleagues will support me in this matter. Thank you.

---Applause

Economic Utilization Of Country Food
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make a statement on the report of the Special Committee on Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, I have no real problem with the basic recommendations in the report, but I would like to tell the Members and the public about the amalgamation, integration or incorporation of our culture into the Euro-Canadian culture and not to deal with the aboriginal culture in isolation.

Mr. Speaker, the Dene and the Euro-Canadians have very different ways of dealing with the world around them. The report does not go far enough. The majority of all problems in the communities can be attributed to the feelings of alienation and assimilation of our young people into the Euro-Canadian way of life. If a person does not know where they are from or if they have a poor sense of their own cultural identity, Mr. Speaker, it is hard for them to get anywhere with their lives.

I also believe that some of the recommendations are based on hearsay, as opposed to the cold, hard facts. The report states that the older generation of Dene have little impact on the Euro-Canadians and that those members of our community over 75 years of age live a very traditional life. If this is the case, Mr. Speaker, why do many of the seniors drink heavily? I think the reasons many of our seniors drink is because we have taken away their traditional place in Dene culture as the teachers and have replaced them with Euro-Canadian institutions to teach our children.

Mr. Speaker, aboriginal people must live, with the effect of the attempts of Euro-Canadians to assimilate us, to turn us, as a people, into carbon copies of the white ideals.

Mr. Speaker, the final report does not address the root of the problems. Until we have all recovered pride as a people, we will not be able to stand tall, to have a sense of self-worth that translates into action. The report needs to take a holistic approach to the problems we have in the territories, and it fails to do so.

Mr. Speaker, I have been requested to not take too much of the Assembly's time on this issue. Therefore, this will be the last comments I make on the Special Committee on Health and Social Services report in this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Thank you, Mr. Gargan. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Whitford.