Debates of Dec. 6th, 1993

This is page numbers 431 - 469 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 chairman.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
Premier's Absence From The House
Member's Statement Re Condolences To Families Of Those Killed In Plane Crash Near Tuktoyaktuk
Member's Statement Re Condolences To Family Of Person Killed In Fire In Rankin Inlet
Member's Statement Re Condolences To Families And Friends Of Those Killed In Plane Crash Near Tuktoyaktuk
Recognition Of Pages From Fort Providence
Report Of Official Languages Commissioner
Project Surname
GNWT's Handling Of Canada/nwt Languages Agreement
Elders' Birth Certificates
Attendance At Geo-science Forum
Further Return To Oral Question 120-12(4): GNWT Involvement In Keeping The Circle Strong In Northern Communities Conference
Further Return To Oral Question 102-12(4): Quality Of Water On The Mackenzie River System
Maintenance Positions, Sanikiluaq
Change Of Name Procedures
Tabling Of Guardianship And Trusteeship Act
Review Of Languages Commissioner's Report
Review Of South Slave Divisional Board's Terms Of Reference
Status Of Alcohol And Drug Consultant's Report
Examine Guardianship Act In Detail
Status Of Payment Of Payroll Tax By Federal Government
Payroll Tax Retroactive To July 1, 1993
Locations Of Units Sold Under Staff Housing Strategy
Handling And Transportation Of Firearms
Success Of Payroll Tax
Report On Western Constitutional Steering Committee Proceedings
Fire And Liability Insurance Carried On Government Units
GNWT Contribution Towards Road, Fort Chipewyan
Requirement For Payment By Hunters And Trappers For Facs
Availability Of Tep Students' Incentive Loans To Others
Non-payment Of Payroll Tax By Union
Actions To Alleviate Fraud In GNWT
Written Question 24-12(4): Language Commissioner's Travel List
Written Question 25-12(4): Bosco Homes Contracts And/or Contributions
Written Question 26-12(4): Government Buildings Written Off After Fires
Item 9: Petitions
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
Independent Review Of Triple Designation Of River Ridge Facility
Adopting Members' Conduct Guidelines
Legislatures Recommendation To The Electoral District Boundaries Commission
Appearances Of Witnesses Before Committee Of The Whole When Dealing With Family Violence In The Nwt
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
To Adopt Recommendation 5
To Adopt Recommendation 6
To Adopt Recommendation 7
To Adopt Recommendation 8
Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
To Adopt Recommendation 1
To Adopt Recommendation 2
To Adopt Recommendation 3
To Adopt Recommendation 4
To Adopt Recommendation 1
To Adopt Recommendation 2
To Adopt Recommendation 3
To Adopt Recommendation 4
To Adopt Recommendation 5
Committee Report 5-12(4): Report On Tabled Document 145-12(3): Legislative Action Paper On The Workers' Compensation Act
To Adopt Recommendation 1
To Adopt Recommendation 2
To Adopt Recommendation 3
To Adopt Recommendation 4
To Adopt Recommendation 5
To Adopt Recommendation 6
To Adopt Recommendation 7
To Adopt Recommendation 1
To Adopt Recommendation 2
To Adopt Recommendation 3
Item 19: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 21: Orders Of The Day

Committee Motion 56-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 8, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 453

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Page 12-7, department summary, total capital expenditures, $8.374 million. Agreed?

Committee Motion 56-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 8, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 453

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Committee Motion 56-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 8, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 453

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

That concludes the Department of Health. Does the committee agree that this matter for the Department of Health is concluded?

Committee Motion 56-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 8, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 453

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Committee Motion 56-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 8, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 453

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

I would like to thank the witnesses and the Minister for their presentation to the committee. What is the wish of the committee? Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Committee Motion 56-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 8, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 453

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Committee Report 8-12(4), Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions Final Report on the Elimination of the Highway Transport Board, Mr. Chairman, followed with Committee Report 9-12(4), Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions Final Report on Arctic College. Thank you.

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 454

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

All right. Committee Report 8-12(4), Standing Committee on Agencies Boards and Commissions Final Report on the Elimination of the Highway Transport Board. Copies are being handed out. The representative is going to be Mr. Lewis, Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Introductory Remarks

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is the report of the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions, on the elimination of the Highway Transportation Board. The Minister of Transportation appeared before the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions on September 7, 1993. At that time, he described the history of territorial regulation of commercial vehicles, and discussed the federal deregulation of the Canadian transportation industry, from 1987 to 1992.

Since this deregulation, the workload of the NWT Highway Transport Board has been greatly reduced. The few functions remaining could be handled by the motor vehicles division of the Department of Transportation. As a result, the Minister has proposed eliminating the NWT Highway Transport Board. This would be accomplished by repealing the Public Service Vehicles Act, and incorporating some of its provisions into the Motor Vehicles Act.

The Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions would like to thank the honourable John Todd, Minister of Transportation, Bruce Rattray, Assistant Deputy Minister of Transportation, and their officials, for their presentation and their response to committee Members' questions and concerns.

Observations And Recommendations

As well, in keeping with the spirit of deregulation, this initiative should help foster healthy competition in the NWT transport industry. We also recognize that the NWT Motor Transport Association supports the Minister's initiative. We support the Minister's proposal to eliminate the Highway Transport Board. We do have some recommendations, and we assume the enabling legislation to be tabled by the Minister will deal with them adequately.

Recommendation 1

The Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions recommends that fees charged by the Highway Transport board should be transferred into the Motor Vehicles Act fee schedule, unchanged.

With the elimination of the board and the transfer of the licensing function to the motor vehicles division, an adjudicator position would be created to hear appeals from decisions by the registrar of motor vehicles. However, the committee has no information regarding the nature of this position: to whom the adjudicator will report and whether the position will be a permanent position within the government, a contract position, or an addition of responsibilities to an existing position.

Recommendation 2

Therefore, the standing committee recommends that, prior to the establishment of a position of adjudicator, the Minister must clarify and justify the nature of such a position.

Finally, the committee feels the Minister's figures concerning the amount of money to be saved by eliminating the board may be incomplete, especially concerning hidden costs.

Recommendation 3

Therefore, the standing committee recommends that, prior to any legislative changes, the Minister must provide the Legislative Assembly with more detail regarding the financial effect of eliminating the board.

Recommendation 4

To enable the Minister to respond to these recommendations, the committee recommends that, in accordance with rule 93(5), the Minister shall table a comprehensive response to this report.

That's the report of the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions on the elimination of the Highway Transport Board. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 454

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. Does this conclude your report? We have some motions, I believe. Mr. Lewis.

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 454

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

I believe there is some question whether all of these should have been motions, Mr. Chairman. As I understand it, the request for the final recommendations is that the Minister table a response to this report. My suggestion was that we try to get a vote on whether to accept this report or not.

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 454

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. The chair recognizes Mr. Dent.

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 454

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Mr. Chairman, perhaps you could clarify something for me. I believe, in order for recommendation four to have any effect, we have to actually vote on it as a motion in this House. Could you clarify that for me, please?

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 454

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Yes, the chair has taken that under advisement. You're quite right, it should be put forward in the form of a motion. The chair recognizes Mr. Lewis.

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 454

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Yes, if it is the wish of the committee, Mr. Chairman, I can go through each one of the recommendations as motions.

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 455

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 455

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you. Mr. Lewis, proceed.

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 455

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Okay, motion number one, is that fees charged by the Highway Transport board should be transferred into the Motor Vehicles Act fee schedule, unchanged.

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 455

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. We have a motion on the floor. Mr. Lewis, I have been advised that you should have put in the form, "Therefore, I move that the committee recommends." It should be in the form of a formal motion that way. Mr. Lewis.

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe I had done that, but I will do as you direct.

I move that the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions recommends that fees charged by the Highway Transport board should be transferred into the Motor Vehicles Act fee schedule unchanged.

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 455

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. We have a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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An Hon. Member

Question.

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 455

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Question has been called, but we don't have a quorum. Sound the bells. The chair recognizes a quorum. We have a motion on the floor. Mr. Lewis.

Committee Report 8-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Final Report On The Elimination Of The Highway Transport Board
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

There was no quorum, Mr. Chairman, so I'll repeat the motion.

Committee Motion 57-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 1, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

December 5th, 1993

Page 455

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

I move that the committee recommends that fees charged for the highway transport board should be transferred into the Motor Vehicles Act fee schedule, unchanged.

Committee Motion 57-12(4): To Adopt Recommendation 1, Carried
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 455

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. We have a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.