This is page numbers 271 - 299 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 languages.

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, Hon. Jeannie Marie-Jewell, Hon. Rebecca Mike, Hon. Don Morin, Hon. Richard Nerysoo, Mr. Ng, Mr. Ningark, Mr. Patterson, Mr. Pudlat, Mr. Pudluk, Hon. John Todd, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Good morning. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Keewatin Central, Mr. Todd.

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, next week, I will table the 1993 annual report of the Workers' Compensation Board. This is the official record of the year ended last December 31st, and is being tabled to comply with the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act.

---Applause

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. This turnaround allowed the board to freeze the 1994 rates.

Last year, I told this Assembly that the board had adopted a funding strategy to return it to a fully funded position within one year without increasing employer premiums. There was some concern that this might be accomplished at the expense of injured workers. Let me stress that this was not and is not the case.

Throughout 1993, the WCB worked to create a more efficient, less costly and more accessible operation. Many internal changes were made to streamline the flow of information and improve the level of customer service.

The board introduced or refined policies on affirmative action, official languages and northern incentives, all of which are important to this Legislature. A communications campaign was initiated to reach all stakeholders through a series of community visits, focus groups and speaking engagements. A quarterly newsletter called "Directions" has been very well-received.

On July 1, 1993, the board began using a newly developed NWT impairment rating schedule to ensure fairness in awards for permanent disabilities.

Rehabilitation and medical programs were managed more effectively. The focus of rehabilitation programs was shifted from academic studies to on-the-job retraining. New courses were developed to promote safety awareness. More than 1,000 participants took part in 10 safety courses offered by the WCB in nine communities.

These changes were all directed at improving and providing quality customer service to both claimants and employers.

Faced with mounting liabilities and a sluggish economy, some jurisdictions reduced the level of benefits paid to injured workers. I'm pleased to say that our WCB has made no such cuts, and none are planned.

Turning briefly to the annual report, Madam Speaker, the board has responded to the concerns of Members of this House by including more and better information. The report shows that during 1993, the board accepted 3,307 claims, down slightly from 1992. The claim rate per 100 workers was also lower. The board served a total of 3,150 employers, which paid assessments totalling $22.5 million.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the board's careful attention to the balance between workers' and employers' needs has resulted in a fully funded position without cutting benefits.

The board's contingency reserve, which was completely depleted in 1992, has been re-established as two new reserves to ensure that stakeholders understand what they are intended to do. The catastrophic reserve, at $3.3 million, is to provide funds for disasters and unforeseen events. The operating reserve, at $1 million, is intended to protect against adverse financial results in future years.

Madam Speaker, I commend the board for its work during 1993, and I am pleased to accept this report and table it in the House later next week. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Madam Premier.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Anthony Chang as the new chairman of the board of management of the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital.

As the Members know, the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital has taken on an expanded role as the regional referral hospital for the western Arctic. This expanded role required a new board structure including regional representation from all western Arctic health boards, as well as the north Great Slave. All representative groups, including the Stanton board, were contacted for nominations to the position of chair.

Mr. Chang is a 20-year resident of the Northwest Territories and brings to the position considerable management, business and volunteer experience. He is well-known as a result of his extensive travel within the north. He is an owner and operator of several enterprises and his strong management skills complement his experience in volunteer activities.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Chang will provide stability and strong accountable leadership to the hospital as it develops its new role as a regional referral hospital. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Baffin South, Mr. Pudlat.

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation not provided)

Translator

I'm sorry, we're not getting any of the technical feedback.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Excuse me. I'm sorry, according to the translators we're not getting any of your comments back. It appears that we are having some technical difficulty. We'll recess for about five minutes to address it. Thank you.

---SHORT RECESS

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 3, Member's statements. The honourable Member for Baffin South, Mr. Pudlat, do you want to try again?

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am sorry for the inconvenience I have caused. Madam Speaker, maybe you can hear what I have to say now. I stand today to express my apologies for not being in the House for the last two days. I want to apologize to my constituents. I realize I have a lot of work that I have to carry out. But, I was having health problems and was unable to participate during the last two days. I wanted to express that to you, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for High Arctic, Mr. Pudluk.

19th Anniversary As An Mla
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. As we are all aware, we won't be meeting tomorrow as it will be Saturday. It will be October 15th tomorrow. I remember back in 1975, I was first elected on October 15th. I am very happy today that I am still here.

---Applause

At the same time, I realize there are difficulties we have to work through, whether they are verbal, or difficulties concerning our families and friends. I am very happy that I have been able to face those challenges. I expect to continue working within this House.

Looking back to October 15, 1975, it seems like a short time ago, but it has been a long time now. I want to express my gratitude to the people who have continued to vote for me and I want to thank you for helping me meet my challenges. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

19th Anniversary As An Mla
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Alternatives To Watching Hockey On Tv
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, you may recall that last week I rose in the House to make a statement on the lack of baseball in October and how it affects my constituents. As Canadians, Madam Speaker, we now face a much greater crisis. There is no hockey.

Alternatives To Watching Hockey On Tv
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Some Hon. Members

Shame, shame.

Alternatives To Watching Hockey On Tv
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Madam Speaker, with the lack of sports on television, people are going into withdrawal. Grown men are crying because they are being forced to watch Walt Disney movies...

---Laughter

...instead of Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday nights. The Toronto Sports Network, also referred to as TSN, with the lack of hockey and baseball, have been showing some really interesting sports, such as camel racing, to satisfy the sports fan.

---Laughter

Madam Speaker, if I might be permitted, I would like to offer those poor, misguided sports fans some thoughts that may be of comfort to them in their hour of need. Now that there is no hockey to watch on Saturday night, perhaps a person could spend some quality time with their families. Go hunting, watch your own kids play hockey, confuse the wife and take her out for supper on Saturday night.

---Laughter

The possibilities are endless, Madam Speaker. They could take up the sport of MLA bashing, complain about their personalized licence plates, complain about the fact that some of us drive four-wheel drives and our plates are at eye-level. Little do they realize, Madam Speaker, that this is so we can find our trucks after a hard session at the Gold Range, the Northwest Territories' unofficial Assembly.

Madam Speaker, a person has to realize that professional hockey and baseball are games played by grown men who are paid outrageous sums of money to do what a majority of Canadian males only dream of. Whether your team wins or loses means nothing in the grand scheme of things. Your life will not improve because the Montreal Canadiens win another Stanley Cup.

Finally, Madam Speaker, a sports fanatic has to realize that Don Cherry is not a god. The man, himself, admitted that, if it wasn't for hockey, he would be digging ditches in Ontario somewhere. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Alternatives To Watching Hockey On Tv
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Sedluk's Soapbox
Item 3: Members' Statements

October 13th, 1994

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Madam Speaker, as you may have noticed, I've been feeling a little bit feisty this week. Some honourable Members have commented to me on this and have even asked whether I'm running for re-election again. Yesterday, I even got so worked up that when the Minister of Public Works and Services took my question as notice -- even though I had given him a generous two hours notice -- I came close to uttering an unparliamentary word.

Sedluk's Soapbox
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

You uttered it, we heard it.

---Laughter

Sedluk's Soapbox
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

In fact, Madam Speaker, I guess I should be grateful that your ears were averted at a certain point in time yesterday, for which I thank you.

So, I've been thinking about how wise it is to be angry, strident and confrontational, especially after I noted the remarkable change in tone of Sedluk's Soapbox in Nunatsiaq News' latest edition. Sedluk's Soapbox, as we all know, is written by my honourable predecessor in this House, Mr. Bryan Pearson. Up until now, his very well-written columns have been full of venom and vitriol, often directed at government, sometimes even directed at the current MLA for Iqaluit, who had the gall to challenge Mr. Pearson, not once but twice, for the MLA job.

But, remarkably, Bryan Pearson has mellowed and softened. In his latest column, Madam Speaker, which begins, "Dear reader," Mr. Pearson shows his gentler, kinder side. He writes, "I appreciate the support and interest that you have shown in this column since I was invited to write it more than two years ago. Now, however, after careful consideration and soul-searching, it has occurred to me that the issues and concerns that I have raised and felt were important don't seem to bother others as much as they did me. Therefore, I have decided to write this in a much lighter vein, and to be positive for a change."

So, he then wished the new mayor and council the best of luck. He said it was a thankless job...I would like to carry on, with consent, Madam Speaker.

Sedluk's Soapbox
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Sedluk's Soapbox
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. He said that the mayor and councillors' jobs were thankless and then he went on to tell funny stories about tourists who thought they could drive from Iqaluit to Pangnirtung. He finished his column with a recipe for pasta Marinara.

So, Madam Speaker, inspired by Bryan Pearson, I have decided to try to become kinder and gentler from here on. I will try not to criticize the government. If I do, I will try to be more sympathetic and understanding.

For example, I've been thinking about Mr. Morin. Instead of thinking about his Department of Public Works and Services as a bloated, centralized bureaucracy with layers of architects supervising architects supervising architects, I should try to sympathize with the Minister. As he said yesterday, he is struggling with the loss of 67 person years. I think they must have all been architects, Madam Speaker, because DPW used to have hundreds of architects. I suppose now they only have dozens.

So, Madam Speaker, you will not be hearing a lot of outrage, shock and dismay from me in the coming week. In fact, I will be spending most of the week in Rankin Inlet at the NTI economic conference. Happy Friday. Thank you.

---Applause

Sedluk's Soapbox
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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