This is page numbers 1 - 17 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 5th 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 housing.

Topics

Members Present

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

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 1

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

It is my duty to inform the House that the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories is not prepared to address the Assembly until a Speaker has been elected. I would call for a motion to elect the Speaker. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for High Arctic, that Mrs. Jeannie Marie-Jewell, of the electoral district of Thebacha, take the chair of this House as Speaker.

---Applause

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Are there any further nominations? Being no further motions, all those in favour of the motion, please indicate. All those opposed to the motion? The motion is carried unanimously.

---Carried

I therefore declare that the honourable Member for Thebacha, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, has been elected Speaker of the House.

---Applause

I would request the mover of the motion and the seconder to escort the Speaker to the chair.

Speaker's Opening Remarks

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Honourable Members, first of all, I want to express to this House my gratitude for the honour which you have placed upon me by choosing me as your Speaker. It is a gratifying feeling to also recognize that you have chosen me, I am sure, not only for my attributes to be fair as a chair, but more importantly as the first woman Speaker of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly...

---Applause

...and the very first aboriginal woman Speaker in Canada.

---Applause

I graciously accept your trust to be Speaker.

My first obligation to you, however, is the traditional requirement that the Speaker ensures that the rights and privileges of all Members are upheld, and to ensure you are each able to fulfil your duties. The most important are fundamental rights, freedom of speech in your debates and freedom from interference in carrying out your duties. I can assure you that I will do my best to ensure that these fundamental rights are upheld, as are other rules and procedures that this House has adopted.

I am acutely aware of my responsibilities, and I will ensure that each Member of this House allows for the voice of the citizens we represent to be heard in this House. It is through you that the territories, as a whole, expresses itself and its legislature which tries to reflect the aspirations of the whole territory.

My responsibility is merely to ensure that everyone can speak freely, without constraint, but also within the rules this House has adopted. I will be cognizant of the rules to apply, however, within the purpose of enhancing freedom of speech, the very foundation of parliamentary democracy must be upheld. I take up this task, aware of my limitations, and will endeavour to fulfil exactly what role you are asking me to play so that this Assembly can work for the greater good of the Northwest Territories as a whole.

There is no doubt, some Members and some of illustrious media have indicated that the support for the Speaker's chair is to keep me from continuing my normal role in the House. I can assure all Members and the people of the Northwest Territories, through our media, that this is not the case.

---Applause

This has been one of the most difficult political decisions to make. Even though I may not be able to speak in the debate, the duties of a Member are not only in this House, they are in our constituency dealing with the problems of the people who elected us. There is no doubt I will miss the opportunity at times to speak in your debates, but I believe you all have the ability to debate accordingly and the results of your debates will reflect the spirit and the consensus and the for health and prosperity of the Northwest Territories.

I would like to take the time now to thank the constituents of Thebacha who were first to trust me by electing me and who, even now, I am confident, will still support me in my new responsibility. I would also like to say to my constituents that accepting the position of Speaker will not diminish my efforts to continue to serve each and every one of them to the best of my ability. I want to advise my constituents, I have met with the Premier to establish a protocol to ensure all my constituents' concerns are addressed. I am sure my constituents will be proud of the history we are making today.

I am particularly proud of our Assembly. Even before we moved into this building, we have tried to bring traditions from all cultures in the north, from language to decor. I can assure you that in the time I continue to have the support of the Members, as Speaker, I will continue the work which has been started, particularly where changes and additions are required to have our Assembly reflect our diverse cultural make up, I will continue to do so.

I would like to thank the Members of the Ordinary Members' Caucus for allowing me to obtain the experience of being your chair. We have worked out our differences when we needed, we've laughed together and I am particularly proud to have been part of the process for the Ordinary Members' Caucus.

Before closing, I would like to mention the most important people to all of us. These are our husbands, our wives and our children. I am well-aware, as we all are, of the time that we have to be away from our families, but I would like, on a personal note, to mention my husband Malcolm, our children, Clinton, Trina, Shelley and Melanie, for their constant love and support, day by day, without which nothing in my political commitment would have been possible. I might add that my daughter Trina has always been impressed by the term "Mr. Speaker" as she thought, because he had a big chair and everyone kept calling him "Mr. Speaker," he must be really important. I am not sure if she'll understand the term "Madam Speaker." Maybe we should use the term "Mrs. Speaker" so my daughter knows who we are talking about.

In conclusion, my ability to preside over this House ultimately rests in your hands. I will do my best, inspired by the trust and confidence that you have placed in me.

With that, I would like to thank you. For the remainder of our 12th Assembly, it is my honour to serve you as your Speaker. Thank you.

---Applause

Mr. Clerk, would you ascertain if the Commissioner would open the session.

Item 2: Opening Address
Item 2: Opening Address

Page 2

Commissioner Norris

Madam Speaker, and Members of the Legislative Assembly, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Fifth Session of the 12th Legislative Assembly.

I would like to take this opportunity to express appreciation for the work of the Honourable Michael Ballantyne, who served this House well during the two years he sat in the Speaker's chair.

---Applause

May I also offer my congratulations for a job well done to the Dean of the Legislature, Ludy Pudluk, who also...

---Applause

...resigned Wednesday, as Deputy Speaker.

Congratulations are also in order for the Honourable Jeannie Marie-Jewell who was elected as the seventh Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Friday, and to Silas Arngna'naaq, who was elected to Cabinet, during the weekend.

---Applause

As you know, the Fifth Session will be recessed later this week, until February 9, when the main estimates for 1994-95 will be presented.

Of particular importance to government at this time, is the need for Members to discuss and establish spending priorities and agree to a process of managing the deficit. As a result, the Minister of Finance will be tabling a discussion paper on deficit management, before the business of this House is recessed for the holiday season.

Madam Speaker, during this session, your government will also be presenting a legislative program including the following bills for the consideration of the House: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1994-95; Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act; Workers' Compensation Act; Charter Communities Act; Cities, Towns and Villages Act; Hamlets Act; Personal Property Security Act; and, the Partnership Act. Madam Speaker, your government considers these bills essential to the good conduct of government business and I recommend passage of each of these acts.

I would now like to commend to you for your earnest consideration and wise judgement, the business of this House as I declare open, the Fifth Session of the 12th Assembly of the Northwest Territories.

Before leaving the Chamber, Madam Speaker, I would like to wish each one of you, together with members of your family and the people of the Northwest Territories, a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

---Applause

Item 2: Opening Address
Item 2: Opening Address

Page 2

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Just before we go to opening remarks, I would like to recognize in the gallery, one of my daughters, Trina Jewell, who has come to see me take the role of the Speaker's chair today.

---Applause

Orders of the day. Item 3, Ministers' statements. Item 4, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.

Review Of Ministers
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 2

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I am privileged to be the first one to speak with you being the new Speaker. Madam Speaker, on December 10 and 11, we met as a territorial leadership committee to review the performance of the Ministers and the Government Leader

over the past two years. The review was agreed to by Members at the beginning of the 12th Assembly. The ordinary Members have spent time since that review, considering what was said, what action should be taken next. We have some serious concerns regarding specific portfolios. However, Members were generally satisfied with the responses and actions of most of the Ministers. On behalf of the Ordinary Members' Caucus, I would like to advise this House that tomorrow we will make a detailed statement regarding the outcome of the review. Thank you.

Review Of Ministers
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 3

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you, Mr. Ningark.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Congratulating New Speaker And Minister
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 3

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. First, I would like to officially congratulate you on your election as the first female Speaker in the history of the NWT Legislature and I would also like to congratulate you as being the first aboriginal female Speaker in Canadian legislative history. I would like to also congratulate Mr. Silas Arngna'naaq, Member for Kivallivik, for his election to the Executive Council and, finally, I would like to thank the honourable Member for Natilikmiot for nominating me on Saturday and I would like to thank the Members who supported me. It will be an experience that I'll remember. Thank you.

---Applause

Congratulating New Speaker And Minister
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 3

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

Congratulating New Speaker
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 3

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, I wish, on behalf of the people of the Sahtu, to congratulate you as well on your election and recognize you as the first aboriginal woman in Canada to hold this position. I just want to say that I am assured that with you in the chair, my rights and privileges as a Member of this Assembly will be respected. Thank you.

---Applause

Congratulating New Speaker
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 3

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Congratulations to you, too. I rise today to speak about a certain Minister's conduct, in relation to facility funding for the Dene Cultural Institute. In the capital budget, this House had approved $500,000 under item 16-14, to provide the Dene Cultural Institute with the money to start construction of their new home. Madam Speaker, the Minister, the Honourable Richard Nerysoo, in a meeting on April 29 with some board and staff members of the Dene Cultural Institute, was questioned on when the funding could be expected. The Minister's response both shocked and dismayed me. The response, which was relayed to myself and some other MLAs, was as follows and I quote, "I have two cultural centre proposals in front of me, one from you and one from the Gwich'in. There is not enough money for both and we both know who elected me." In response to a question about the fact that the Legislative Assembly had already committed $500,000 towards the project for this fiscal year, the Minister replied, and I again quote, "There has been no commitment made to the Dene Cultural Institute for this project and as far as I'm concerned, it is still open and I am faced with a similar proposal from the Gwich'in. As the Minister, I have to decide between them. They need to show me that they represent my region."

Madam Speaker, on December 8 we passed a set of conduct guidelines for all Members to live up to. We are supposed to distribute resources fairly and justly and we are not supposed to act in ways that are dishonest or which exploit positions of privilege for personal gains. Madam Speaker, I really have to question the Minister's commitment to fairness. I believe that, in this case, the Minister has used, or at least thought of using, his power for personal political gains.

Madam Speaker, I see this incident as no different than the time I was passed a threatening note in the House by a previous Minister. The only difference as I perceive it is, instead of threatening one Member, the Minister has threatened an entire organization. Madam Speaker, as an ordinary Member and because of the Minister's action, I have had to spend a considerable amount of time working with this concern on behalf of the Dene Cultural Institute, to the detriment of the rest of my constituents.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Mr. Gargan, your time has expired. Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Madam Speaker, I would like to get unanimous consent to continue my statement.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

The honourable Member for Deh Cho is seeking unanimous consent to proceed with his Member's statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker and honourable Members. I would like to say that I am disappointed that my fellow Members did not regard this incident as a serious enough breach of trust on the part of the Minister to support me in a vote of non-confidence. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.

Congratulating New Speaker
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 3

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, at the risk of not complying with the single issue rule, I wish to extend to you, on behalf of all the people of the constituency of Yellowknife South, congratulations on your appointment to the seat of Speaker. I am confident that you will serve all the Members of this House and all the people of the territories with fairness and concern. I look forward to

continuing to work with you in the operation of the business of this House and with other issues across the territories.

I was going to speak on another issue, but I believe today is the day that I would like, at least on my part, to reserve my speech to a congratulatory nature. Tomorrow we can go on with the other issues that do concern us. On behalf of the people I represent, our sincere congratulations on your appointment.

---Applause

Congratulating New Speaker
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 4

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' Statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Relationship Between Dene And The Crown
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 4

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I, too, would like to congratulate you, as Speaker, on behalf of the people I represent in Nahendeh. On Friday and Saturday, Madam Speaker, we went through a leadership process. We asked a lot of questions. There was crucial set of questions that I wanted to pursue, but we ended before I got to it. It is with regard to the relationship between the Dene and the Crown.

The relationship between the Dene and the federal government is a long-standing one. Formal agreements between the two parities go back to 1899 with Treaty 8, and to 1921 with Treaty 11. This relationship is a special one. It is a bilateral relationship that includes all aspects of Dene life. The treaties were made in good faith by the Dene and the Crown and are to be adhered to forever. As our elders remember, and it is a famous quote, "As long as the sun shines, the river continues to flow, and the grass grows." This is a sacred oath, Madam Speaker. It is part of a prayer and it is part of a spiritual ceremony.

I was amazed this summer, when I attended special summer ceremonies the Blackfoot Nation have called, The Sun Dance, that this famous quote was used in the most crucial part of the ceremony. This nation to nation relationship has eroded over time, and has resulted in a situation whereby now, the majority of responsibility between our respective peoples is being administered by this Government of the Northwest Territories and this Legislative Assembly.

This occurred without the consent of the Dene. As a result, we hear the Dene telling us very clearly that the Government of the Northwest Territories is not their government and it is not responsible for administering on their behalf. At the same time, it is clear that this House, and the Government of the Northwest Territories, in general, do not recognize the Dene as self-governing with an agreement in place that recognizes their independence.

I thereby suggest that this dilemma be dealt with immediately, and be recognized as a priority in Cabinet. All the Members are sitting here today on disputed Dene land. I recommend to Cabinet that you immediately develop a new relationship with the leadership of the Dene and recognize them, as intended in the treaties, consistent with the new Liberal government's approach. I suggest, further...

Relationship Between Dene And The Crown
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 4

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Mr. Antoine, your time has elapsed.

Relationship Between Dene And The Crown
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 4

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude.