This is page numbers 211 - 238 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 6th 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 information.

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. Ningark, Mr. Patterson, Hon. John Todd, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 211

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Kivallivik, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, in May, before I became the Minister of Renewable Resources, I had the privilege of leading one of two delegations to meet with European governments. We discussed the harvesting of furs and animals, which is an important part of our northern economy and the foundation for our northern cultures.

The European community still intends to establish a regulation which could result in the end of the wild fur trade. Our primary mission in Europe was to gain support for Canada's request to delay the implementation of this regulation for one year.

I am pleased to report that our mission was successful. However, the one-year delay does not provide enough time for us to meet the conditions of the regulation as they now exist. We must now focus on two tasks.

First, we must change the European regulation so that it meets its original objective of promoting humane harvesting without killing the wild fur industry. To accomplish this, we must work with the Canadian government and our Canadian embassies in Europe. As well, the Department of Renewable Resources will monitor activities in the European Parliament. I also believe we must take every opportunity to meet directly with European governments and provide as much information as possible. In this way, European governments can make decisions that will help our economy, not hinder it.

Our other task is to continue the progress we have made in leading the world in developing and adopting humane harvesting methods. To accomplish this, the Department of Renewable Resources is continuing to work with trappers on using humane trapping methods. Both the trap exchange program and trapper training workshops will continue. As well, the department is participating in the process to develop international standards for humane trapping methods. Such standards are needed to implement the European regulation.

In our draft NWT Fur Strategy, we refer to the need to investigate alternative markets for our high quality wild fur pelts and products. We will proceed on this initiative in consultation with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

Lastly, I would like to thank the delegation Members: the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi; the MLA for Nahendeh, Mr. Jim Antoine; the MLA for Yellowknife South, Mr. Tony Whitford; Chief James Ross and sub-Chief Joe Charlie from Fort McPherson; Mr. Sandy Tongola from Rankin Inlet; and, the deputy minister and assistant deputy minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Joe Handley and Mr. Bob McLeod. I also appreciate the support from the Legislative Assembly, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Gwich'in Tribal Council in sharing the delegations' costs. Qujannamiik.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Baffin Central, Ms. Mike.

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is a return...Oh, I'm sorry, I'm in the wrong place.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Nerysoo.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish to advise Members that the Honourable John Pollard will be absent from the House for the remainder of the week to attend a federal/provincial/territorial meeting of Finance Ministers in Toronto to discuss the replacement of the goods and services tax. Mr. Pollard will also be meeting with Members of Parliament of the NWT to discuss the health billings dispute and the formula financing negotiations. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Sivullik Building In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 211

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today with more good news from Iqaluit.

---Applause Thank you. A striking new building, the Sivullik Building, now graces the downtown skyline of my constituency. Madam Speaker, it is a new building featuring 24 apartments, including penthouse apartments with spectacular lofts on the third floor and about 7,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.

What is exciting about this brand new edifice, Madam Speaker, is that it is majority-owned by 15 Inuit shareholders from all over Baffin Island who have put up real money, their own money, without government grants or subsidies of any kind, for 51 per cent equity along with Grinnel Properties Ltd. in this modern, $4 million building.

Their new company is called Sivullik Development Corporation. I'm told that the name "Sivullik" is derived from an ancient Inuit legend. Time does not permit me to relate it here, but briefly, Ninguraaluk, an old woman, Utuqqalualuk, an old man, and Iliarjugaarjuk, a little orphan boy, are transformed respectively into the stars Vega, Arcturus and Muphrid. Amongst the Inuit, Vega is known as Kingullialuk, "the big one behind," while Arcturus and its companion star are together called Sivullik, "the two in front."

Madam Speaker, I'm delighted that this project, which was the major capital project this summer, is entirely funded from the private sector, including financing from the Bank of Montreal. Iqaluit is coming of age in reducing its dependence on government.

---Applause

I'm especially pleased that this is yet another Inuit-owned and controlled venture; a second major real estate venture, following the Ivavik apartment building put up by Katujjijiit Development Corporation several years ago. I wish to particularly congratulate Harry Flaherty, president of Sivullik Development Corporation; Carmen Levi, vice-president; and, their board and shareholders for this major step towards becoming landlords in their own land.

It looks like, Madam Speaker, because of all the applause, that I'm going to have to request consent to conclude my statement.

---Laughter

Sivullik Building In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 212

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his Member's statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Patterson.

Sivullik Building In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 212

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you very much. I'm also very pleased to announce, Madam Speaker, that today it has been announced that the ground floor of this new building will be occupied by a new corporate constituent to Iqaluit, the Bank of Montreal, who will be opening their new Iqaluit branch this spring. Canada Post Corporation, which is relocating to enlarge their space, is going to move in to this new building at the end of March. They will be adding modern counters, more space and additional post office boxes to meet Iqaluit's growing population.

Both the Bank of Montreal and the new location for the new post office are well-situated in the commercial centre of the community, a handy walking distance from the downtown and residential core of Iqaluit. I wish to congratulate and thank the Bank of Montreal and Canada Post Corporation and their northern services division for placing their confidence in Iqaluit and its future, and for placing their valued business with the Inuit owners of this splendid, modern, new building in our dynamic community.

I believe it augurs well for our future that these important corporate constituents have chosen to do business with a new, northern-owned, Baffin-owned, forward-looking company. Congratulations to all. Qujannamiik.

---Applause

Sivullik Building In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 212

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Recycling In The North
Item 3: Members' Statements

October 11th, 1994

Page 212

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, a few years ago I lobbied the then Minister of Finance, Mr. Butters, and other Members to put a deposit on whiskey, wine and other bottles in the Northwest Territories to encourage recycling; to encourage collection of these items after the contents had been used up, rather than leaving them lying around everywhere in dumps, on the streets and so on.

To my understanding, the program has been quite successful. There is a deposit at purchase that the purchaser can collect once they take the bottles to a recycling depot. They can have 25 or so cents returned to them for each of the containers that they had with them.

Madam Speaker, I think you are well aware that anywhere you travel in the north today, you are going to find tin cans all over. One of the leading items sold in the Northwest Territories is either beer or pop. Although the beer cans are recyclable -- they are made of aluminum -- there is no deposit requirement for pop cans. They are all over the place by the thousands. If there were a deposit on that can, it would be picked up and put into collection areas. People could make a business out of it and have this return. Right now, there is a market for them in southern Canada. People I know pick up these empty pop containers and take them to Edmonton and sell them for 20 cents or 30 cents a piece. Tin cans are the same. They just have to flatten them and they are sold.

I would like to see something like that happen here in the north, Madam Speaker, so it would encourage people who consume beverages from aluminum cans to keep them and return them to a depot where they can be collected and sent out for recycling. At the present time, there is no incentive to do this. If we were to put a deposit on them, it might encourage people to recycle a bit more. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Recycling In The North
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 212

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Highway Patrols In The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 213

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. First of all, let me say that I appreciate the efforts of past Ministers in ensuring that the quality and safety of our northern highways were maintained. I know that the present Minister is equally committed to improving the visibility and road conditions on our highways. Now if we could get together with the Minister of Renewable Resources and keep the buffalo from pulling hit and runs on me, I would be very happy.

---Laughter

---Applause

Madam Speaker, I have made some slightly negative comments in the past regarding our over-enthusiastic highway patrols, but that was a long time ago and I am sure Members have forgotten. In fact, I have changed my opinion, along with a lot of motorists and constituents in recent months, as we have made some startling observations.

Since the chipseal program began between Fort Providence, Yellowknife and Hay River -- a stretch of road I have travelled often -- I have noticed heavy vehicles travelling the highways at dangerous, unsafe speeds. They travel much faster than they need to and it is a great danger to the ordinary passenger vehicles.

I should note that many of these large vehicles are northern-owned and operated, which surprises me. Not only are they a danger to motorists, but their excessive speed is damaging the road surface and costing us money as taxpayers.

In one instance outside of Hay River, I can recall a large truck passing five vehicles in a row, including me, at a speed of at least 140 kilometres per hour. We can do without this dangerous activity on our highways. Madam Speaker, lately, I can say in all honesty, I have noticed more buffalo on the road than highway patrol units and would like to encourage the Minister and the Department of Transportation to increase the number and frequency of highway patrols, if at all possible, to address the problems before there is serious tragedy. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Speaker's Ruling

Highway Patrols In The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 213

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Prior to calling item 4, returns to oral questions, I would like to indicate that yesterday the Minister of Health and Social Services, under the item "returns to oral questions" gave a return to Oral Question 54-12(6), asked by Mr. Koe, the Member for Inuvik on October 6, 1994.

A review of the House records and Hansard indicates that this question was answered on the day it was asked. It is quite clear that the Minister did not take it as notice, which would have permitted a response on a subsequent day under the item returns to oral questions. I note that on page 298 of the unedited Hansard, the Minister, in response to Mr. Koe's second supplementary question, indicated she would provide information to the Member.

The chair fully understands that all Ministers wish to live up to the commitments they make in the House, however, another avenue will have to be found to do this when a question is not clearly taken as notice. I am sure Members will appreciate that if Ministers were allowed to make further returns, questions could go on for some considerable time. I noticed that the return given by the Minister of Health and Social Services yesterday could have been provided to the Member by letter.

Therefore, to ensure we comply with rule 38(2)(b), only oral questions that are clearly indicated by the Ministers that the question is taken as notice should be given under item 4, returns to oral questions. Thank you.

Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 89-12(6): Ece Policy For Student Exchange Programs
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 213

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Ningark on October 11, 1994 with regard to Education, Culture and Employment's policy for student exchange programs.

Student travel and exchanges are important educational activities. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment provides some funding directly to boards and divisional boards of education to contribute to the travel and exchange activities of their students.

Individuals and groups may apply for the support for these activities through their board or divisional board of education. Decisions on student travel and exchange proposals are made by the boards.

The department has prepared information regarding student travel and exchange programs in a report called, "A Guide for NWT Teachers and Students: Travel, Awards, Exchanges, Scholarships, Contests and Other Opportunities." I will provide all Members with a copy of this guide for their information. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Return To Question 89-12(6): Ece Policy For Student Exchange Programs
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 213

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Kivallivik, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Return To Question 86-12(6): Status Of Smouldering Forest Fires
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 213

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Gargan on October 11, 1994 regarding forest fires and comparison with the 1993 season.

At this time last year, one forest fire was still smouldering and eventually went out over the winter.

One fire was discovered burning in the mountains in the Sahtu area in the spring of 1994. Departmental staff suspect a 1993 forest fire ignited a coal seam and that this fire burned throughout the winter. This was the first fire that the department put out in the Sahtu in 1994.

Four other fires were discovered in January 1994 in the North Slave area. They burned throughout the winter and were put out in the spring. These fires were thought to have started from winter campfires. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Return To Question 86-12(6): Status Of Smouldering Forest Fires
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 214

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Zoe.

Return To Question 86-12(6): Status Of Smouldering Forest Fires
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 214

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to item 3, Members' statements.

Return To Question 86-12(6): Status Of Smouldering Forest Fires
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 214

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 3, Members' statements. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Zoe.

Federal Funding Cuts For Language
Revert To Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 214

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, almost five years ago, on October 26, 1989, a point of order was raised by Mr. Pedersen, then the honourable Member for Kitikmeot West in this House.

The Assembly was in session in Norman Wells at that time. Mr. Pedersen raised a point of order because I attempted to make a Member's statement in Dogrib and no translation was available. The House had to shut down that day until a Dogrib interpreter was available.

I refer to this incident to emphasize the importance of our aboriginal languages. The Northwest Territories is unique in this country in the way we recognize and acknowledge how important aboriginal languages are.

I am told of a story of the days of Commissioner Hodgson. The story is that someone who received a letter from the Commissioner noticed that the letterhead was in English only. This person complained to the Official Languages Commissioner in Ottawa that the letterhead should be bilingual, in English and French. Mr. Hodgson's response, apparently, was that he would have French put on his letterhead after all the aboriginal languages of the Northwest Territories were put there. I do not know if this story is true, but I think every Member of this House would agree with the moral of the story.

In 1983, a resident of the Yukon challenged a speeding ticket because it was in English only and not in French, as well. This scared the federal government. They were worried that they could get in trouble with the new Constitution because French was not an official language in the two territories and the laws of those territories had not been translated into French. So they introduced bills which would force the territorial governments to make French an official language.

The Government of the Northwest Territories reacted quickly to this development. The Government Leader at that time, the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, moved to meet the concerns of the federal government, while recognizing the importance of aboriginal languages. The result was the official languages ordinance, accompanied by the first Canada/NWT languages funding agreement.

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member's statement.

Federal Funding Cuts For Language
Revert To Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 214

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to continue with his Member's statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Continue, Mr. Zoe.