Debates of Dec. 9th, 1993

This is page numbers 565 - 633 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
Comic Book - Arctic Plei
Country Food
Canadian Council Of Catholic Bishops
Social Assistance Food Rates
Government Contractual Practices
Closure Of Akaitcho Hall
Return To Oral Question 239-12(4): Funds For Meeting Of Alcohol And Drug Board Of Management
Further Return To Oral Question 242-12(4): Stockpiles Transferred For Roads In Chesterfield Inlet
Return To Oral Question 235-12(4): Alcohol And Drug Board Of Management
Return To Oral Question 211-12(4): Canada/nwt Languages Agreement
Further Return To Oral Question 213-12(4): Canada/nwt Language Agreements
Further Return To Oral Question 225-12(4): Type Of Expertise Shared With Other Groups
Further Return To Oral Question 231-12(4): Division Secretariat Established By Cabinet
Further Return To Oral Question 226-12(4): Training Programs For Heavier Involvement In The Mining Industry
Return To Oral Question 94-12(4): Policy For Non-medical Escorts
Return To Oral Question 210-12(4): Consultation Prior To Non-native Adoptions
Further Return To Oral Question 193-12(4): Examine Guardianship Act In Detail
Return To Oral Question 200-12(4): Fire And Liability Insurance Carried On Government Units
Consultation With Other Jurisdictions Re Guardianship Trustee Act
Reductions In Food Allowances In Natilikmiot Communities
Review New Food Rates And Increase In Communities That Were Decreased
Food Allowance Rates
Responsibility For Snow Removal For Social Housing
Agency Responsible For Food Cost Surveys
Eligibility For Senior Citizens' Fuel Subsidy
Transfer Of Gravel To Hamlet Of Chesterfield Inlet
Cut-off Of Family Allowances For School Age Children
GNWT Takeover Of Federal Tank Farm
Monitoring Of Contracts To Ensure Local Labour Hired
Reasons For Increases In Food Allowances
Staff Housing Buy-back Policy
Revisions To Conflict Of Interest Guidelines Since 1988
NWT Birthrate For 1992
Tabling Of Strategic Planning Report
Review Of Policy For Mackenzie River Barging Contract
Number Of Custom Adoptions In 1992
Application Of Language Bonus
Counselling For Pregnant Teenagers
Commitment To Respond To Outstanding Questions
Status On Baffin Fishing Industry Quotas
Update Of Mine Safety Act
Transfer And Consolidation Of Responsibilities
Item 7: Returns To Written Questions
Return To Written Question 1-12(4): Government Of The Northwest Territories In Court As Defendant
Return To Written Question 4-12(4): Iqaluit Hot Water System Shutdown Costs
Return To Written Question 6-12(4): Details And Costs Of Government Repaired Houses
Return To Written Question 13-12(4): Hay Plan Status
Return To Written Question 17-12(4): Fort Smith Garage Purchases
Return To Written Question 20-12(4): Capital Contracts List
Return To Written Question 22-12(4): Public Works Contracts
Return To Written Question 26-12(4): Government Buildings Written Off After Fires
Item 8: Replies To Opening Address
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
Independent Review Of Triple Designation Of River Ridge Facility
Road Construction Through Wood Buffalo National Park, Carried As Amended
Referral Of The Comprehensive Audit Of The Department Of Economic Development And Tourism To The Standing Committee On Public Accounts
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Committee Report 10-12(4): Standing Committee On Agencies, Boards And Commissions Review Of The NWT Power Corporation
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 8
To Adopt Recommendation 9
To Adopt Recommendation 10
To Adopt Recommendation 11
To Adopt Recommendation 12
To Adopt Recommendation 13
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Bill 1, Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1994-95
Bill 5, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 5, 1992-93
Bill 6, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1993-94
Assent To Bills

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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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Department Of Justice

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 Ludy Pudluk

Thank you. Justice, registries and court services, not previously authorized, $1.413 million. Mr. Arvaluk.

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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James Arvaluk Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Under the territorial court, how many judges are involved with the increases for $97,000?

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 Ludy Pudluk

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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John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Chairman, I don't know, but I know the Minister of Justice is rushing in here right now, so that he can tell us, Mr. Chairman.

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 Ludy Pudluk

Do you want to wait for the Minister to come in and give you an answer? Does the committee wish to wait for the 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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An Hon. Member

He's here.

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 Ludy Pudluk

Mr. Arvaluk, could you repeat your question, please?

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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James Arvaluk Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to know how many judges are involved with the salary increase of $97,000.

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 Ludy Pudluk

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

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Can we defer this item until the Minister is ready, and deal with the next one?

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 Ludy Pudluk

You will have to get agreement from the person who asked the question. Mr. Arvaluk.

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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James Arvaluk Aivilik

I agree. We can go back as soon as the Minister is ready. Mr. Chairman, perhaps to help the Minister, I will ask three questions and then we'll be able to go back after he find all of them out. If you don't mind, Mr. Chairman.

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 Ludy Pudluk

Proceed, Mr. Arvaluk.

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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James Arvaluk Aivilik

Mr. Chairman, my questions are as follows. How many justices are involved in the $97,000 salary increase? What percentage of individuals are being increased? Is it comparable to the percentage that are on the union pay raise? And, the last question is, how is the raise evaluated? Surely, you don't expect the government to raise their pay on the basis of merit? They are judges. What method do you use to give them a raise? Mr. Chairman, we can come back to them when the Minister is ready. Qujannamiik.

Department Of Safety And Public Services

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 Ludy Pudluk

We will defer page 16 for further discussion and answers. We'll go on to Safety and Public Services, operations and maintenance, directorate, special warrants, $75,000.

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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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---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 Ludy Pudluk

Thank you. Public utility board, not previously authorized, $62,000. 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

December 9th, 1993

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Just one question, how many consultants are there and what is the value of what the consultants do for the Public Utilities Board?

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 Ludy Pudluk

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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John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Chairman, during 1992-93, $200,000 plus was expended on consultant fees. The firm was Steven Johnson Chartered Accountants Limited in Calgary. With the creation of a financial analyst position, we estimate that there will be some cost avoidance of between $60,000 to $100,000 per year. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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 Ludy Pudluk

Thank you. 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

Again, consulting work is going to a consulting firm based in Calgary. Are there no firms that can do this type of work that are located in the north? Or, can they hire the expertise in the north? Has that been looked at?

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 Ludy Pudluk

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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John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Chairman, yes, that kind of expertise has been looked for in the north, in accounting and in the legal area, as well. Public Utilities Board work is such a specialized field that, to our knowledge, at the present time, we don't have anybody specializing in that field in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.