Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Whitford.
Debates of Feb. 23rd, 1993
Topics
Return To Question 320-12(3): Reinstating Assistance For Hunters And Trappers
Question 320-12(3): Reinstating Assistance For Hunters And Trappers
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 572
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Question 321-12(3): Investing WCB Funds In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 572
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. I was pleased to hear about the positive outlook for the economic future of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, my question deals with WCB investment policy. The honourable Member will recall questions have been raised in the past with respect to the investment of WCB funds in the Northwest Territories. Before assuming his portfolio, the current Minister expressed his support for the idea that board funds should be invested in northern construction and development projects, and I expect, Mr. Speaker, that his position is still the same
today. Mr. Speaker, what has the Minister done to ensure that members who he has appointed to the Workers' Compensation Board are not biased against the idea of investing WCB funds in Northwest Territories initiatives?
Question 321-12(3): Investing WCB Funds In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Todd.
Return To Question 321-12(3): Investing Wcb Funds In The Nwt
Question 321-12(3): Investing WCB Funds In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would hope that the honourable Member knows well the integrity of the appointments which we made and that the jurisdiction of investment lies solely in the hands of the board. I am confident that jurisdiction will remain where it was before, and where it is now, in the hands of the board.
Return To Question 321-12(3): Investing Wcb Funds In The Nwt
Question 321-12(3): Investing WCB Funds In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.
Supplementary To Question 321-12(3): Investing Wcb Funds In The Nwt
Question 321-12(3): Investing WCB Funds In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not think I questioned the integrity of the present members of the board. I am quite aware of them. I wanted to know what the Minister has done to ensure that they are not biased against this. I think that the record will show that members of his board have stated publicly in early December that there has been a loss of investor confidence in the Northwest Territories as the result of various controversies which have arisen in this Legislature. Mr. Speaker, I was only asking what had he done to ensure that the people were not biased against that. He still has not answered.
Supplementary To Question 321-12(3): Investing Wcb Funds In The Nwt
Question 321-12(3): Investing WCB Funds In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 321-12(3): Investing Wcb Funds In The Nwt
Question 321-12(3): Investing WCB Funds In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
John Todd Keewatin Central
Mr. Speaker, I have not discussed the matter of investment and investment portfolios with old members or new members. Under the legislation, the board has exclusive jurisdiction. At this time, I have said nothing with respect to the investment plans.
Further Return To Question 321-12(3): Investing Wcb Funds In The Nwt
Question 321-12(3): Investing WCB Funds In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.
Supplementary To Question 321-12(3): Investing Wcb Funds In The Nwt
Question 321-12(3): Investing WCB Funds In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recognize that the WCB has exclusive jurisdiction over investment decisions, but the Minister has been very vocal in the past about support of investing WCB funds in appropriate northern ventures. I would like to know whether he still has a strong feeling toward investment. I want to know if he has done anything to assure the people of the north that the north is a sound place to invest. Mr. Speaker, before I lose my place, I would like to request unanimous consent to extend question period.
Supplementary To Question 321-12(3): Investing Wcb Funds In The Nwt
Question 321-12(3): Investing WCB Funds In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Before you respond, Mr. Todd, I just want to remind Members that any statements made by any Member in a former capacity, before that Member was a Minister, are not relevant to the proceedings of this House. Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 321-12(3): Investing Wcb Funds In The Nwt
Question 321-12(3): Investing WCB Funds In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my former life, as an ordinary Member, I was a strong proponent of northern business and I still am. I want to remind everyone that the financial responsibility lies with the board and they have exclusive jurisdiction over it.
Further Return To Question 321-12(3): Investing Wcb Funds In The Nwt
Question 321-12(3): Investing WCB Funds In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Koe.
Question 322-12(3): Status Of Teacher Education Program In Beaufort/delta Region
Item 5: Oral Questions
February 22nd, 1993
Page 573
Fred Koe Inuvik
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Government Leader, who I understand is part of the aboriginal language funding group. Can the Government Leader please advise as to the status of the joint submission on the teacher education program for the Beaufort/Delta region?
Question 322-12(3): Status Of Teacher Education Program In Beaufort/delta Region
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Ms. Cournoyea.
Question 322-12(3): Status Of Teacher Education Program In Beaufort/delta Region
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput
Mr. Speaker, I had hoped that we would have had an update last week on where we are with that. We are a bit concerned about the overall cuts in the federal policy. There was an indication that there might be a ten per cent cut in the overall aboriginal language agreement, but I will take the question as notice and see if I can hurry along the reply to some of the questions we have outstanding on that negotiation. Thank you.
Question 322-12(3): Status Of Teacher Education Program In Beaufort/delta Region
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
The question has been taken as notice. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.
Question 323-12(3): Teacher Recruitment Problems Because Of Housing Policy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education. Mr. Speaker, I am sure the Minister is aware of a letter of February 1 sent to him by Mr. Joe Enook, chairperson of the Baffin divisional board of education, which noted alarming problems the board is already experiencing with respect to teacher recruitment next year. Mr. Enook, in his letter, states that prospective applicants ask about rent and type of accommodation for teachers. When informed of the rents they will probably pay, they have immediately declined any further interest in a position with our board. The high rents and utilities, coupled with the cost of living, are scaring away many potentially good teachers. We may be left with only those teachers who simply cannot get a job elsewhere. Is the Minister aware of this problem?
Question 323-12(3): Teacher Recruitment Problems Because Of Housing Policy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Nerysoo.
Return To Question 323-12(3): Teacher Recruitment Problems Because Of Housing Policy
Question 323-12(3): Teacher Recruitment Problems Because Of Housing Policy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 573
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am aware of the letter that Mr. Enook wrote. However, I am not aware of those same circumstances existing in other regions.
Return To Question 323-12(3): Teacher Recruitment Problems Because Of Housing Policy
Question 323-12(3): Teacher Recruitment Problems Because Of Housing Policy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 574
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.
Supplementary To Question 323-12(3): Teacher Recruitment Problems Because Of Housing Policy
Question 323-12(3): Teacher Recruitment Problems Because Of Housing Policy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 574
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
Is the Minister aware of the problem with teacher recruitment recorded by the chairman of the divisional board in the Baffin region?
Supplementary To Question 323-12(3): Teacher Recruitment Problems Because Of Housing Policy
Question 323-12(3): Teacher Recruitment Problems Because Of Housing Policy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 574
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Nerysoo.
Further Return To Question 323-12(3): Teacher Recruitment Problems Because Of Housing Policy
Question 323-12(3): Teacher Recruitment Problems Because Of Housing Policy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 574
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the concerns that Mr. Enook wrote. However, I am not aware of any other concerns in other regions. That was a question in addition that you made a remark to.
Further Return To Question 323-12(3): Teacher Recruitment Problems Because Of Housing Policy
Question 323-12(3): Teacher Recruitment Problems Because Of Housing Policy
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 574
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.