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

Election Day In Fort Simpson
Item 3: Members' Statements

October 13th, 1994

Page 273

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Today I would like to say something about the coming elections in tax-based municipalities. I have the tax-based municipality of Fort Simpson in my constituency. On Monday, people from the community will go to the polls to elect a mayor and councillors for the village council. I just want to say that running for municipal office is a very challenging three years. It is a very important three years.

We are talking about a lot of issues that are going to affect the lives of everybody. The main one is constitutional development in the north, and people in the communities have to be more involved in the whole process. There are outstanding land claim issues in my area, as well as economic development issues. People who are running are all good people. I just wanted to say whoever gets in, I will certainly be, as an MLA, willing to work hard with them to achieve whatever their goals are. I just wanted to say that. Mahsi. Thank you.

Election Day In Fort Simpson
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 274

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik, Mr. Koe.

NWT Seniors' Society
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 274

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I rise today to say a few words about a segment of our population who are well-respected; I certainly respect a lot of them and these are our seniors and elders who, over time, have provided good guidance and wise counsel to myself and, I'm sure, all of my colleagues in this House.

In the report on the Special Committee on Health and Social Services which was issued or released last November, and in our trips across the north, in the communities we visited and people we've talked to, we talked to a lot of elders and seniors in their homes and meetings, wherever we had opportunities to meet them. We took their counsel and information. We had a section in the report on elders and their needs and wishes and made some recommendations.

Madam Speaker, there is now, in the territories, a Northwest Territories Seniors' Society. They've written some correspondence to the different Ministers and also to the committee, when it existed, on their wishes. I just wish to reiterate a few of their comments. The number of seniors and elders in the Northwest Territories continues to increase and with this growth, government faces new challenges in the expansion and the delivery of programs and services to Northwest Territories residents.

The seniors' society also made some points they wish the government to consider when deliberating about their needs and programs for seniors. First, during the next two years, federal, territorial and provincial governments will be embarking on ambitious programs to reform health care and social services for Canadians. They will also be examining existing taxation regimes which affect disposable and pension incomes for seniors and elders. Finally, governments will be considering measures to reduce overlap and duplication in a number of programs and services.

Madam Speaker, my time is up. I seek unanimous consent to complete my statement.

NWT Seniors' Society
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 274

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Continue, Mr. Koe.

NWT Seniors' Society
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 274

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, my colleagues and thank you, Madam Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories then, will need timely advice and input from seniors and elders on how these initiatives will affect them. Secondly, the Government of the Northwest Territories as we know it will no longer exist at the turn of the century.

Division, aboriginal self-government initiatives and transfer of responsibility and delivery of programs and services to community and regional governments will mean major changes in the way in which seniors and elders interact with their governments. These initiatives will hopefully improve the quality of life for all northern residents including seniors and elders who are major users of these programs and services.

Thirdly, there are a number of current and ongoing initiatives which could have significant implications, including the need for more social housing, violence and abuse of the elderly, health care benefits for aboriginal and non-aboriginal seniors and facility care for the frail seniors. The governments need constructive and coordinated advice on these issues from a senior's perspective.

Fourthly, while we may well be into the information age, the Government of the Northwest Territories needs to take steps to coordinate its approach to providing information to seniors and elders and process these inquiries.

Madam Speaker, the elders have also made many suggestions to the government and I hope they take these very seriously and assist our elders and seniors wherever they can. Mahsi.

NWT Seniors' Society
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 274

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Congratulating Wcb
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 274

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Workers' Compensation Board for the progress they've made over the past year, according to the Workers' Compensation Board report that the honourable Mr. Todd tabled or read into the record this morning.

I'm going to take the report and the Minister's statement at face value, Madam Speaker, and offer congratulations to the hard work that's gone into bringing this corporation around from a deficit, from what was perceived to be a very tough, hard-nosed, uncaring department by people who need to use their services. It's good to see that perhaps we're going to see a kinder, gentler department in the future.

Congratulating Wcb
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 274

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Continue, Mr. Whitford.

Congratulating Wcb
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 275

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. While I recognize there is not just one side, although it is just the one side often times I hear. There are two sides to the stories and I try to get both sides so that we can understand. But sometimes it doesn't take much to assuage a person's fear. A little extra help does go a long way and I know there are certainly some very good employees who are taking that extra effort to make things a little better.

---Applause

Congratulating Wcb
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 275

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Morin.

Return To Question 76-12(6): Investigation Of Contractor
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 275

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

In Pond Inlet

Return To Question 76-12(6): Investigation Of Contractor
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 275

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Allooloo on October 7, 1994, on the investigation of a contractor in Pond Inlet. On October 7, 1994, the honourable Member for Amittuq asked a question regarding an RCMP investigation into potential false claims by the contractor in Pond Inlet.

Return To Question 76-12(6): Investigation Of Contractor
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 275

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Madam Premier.

Return To Question 112-12(6): Testing To Ensure Safety Of Drinking Water
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 275

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a reply to an oral question asked by Mr. Gargan on October 12th, as to whether the Department of Health and Social Services is doing any monitoring of drinking water in the Mackenzie and Slave rivers.

The Mackenzie health service monitors drinking water quality in all communities on the Slave and south Mackenzie river systems at least monthly for bacteria. The other regional health boards have similar monitoring programs.

In addition, full chemical analysis is conducted on an annual basis in cooperation with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has recently completed a Northwest Territories water quality study in which the water quality of all NWT communities was examined and found to conform to the national drinking water standards.

Return To Question 112-12(6): Testing To Ensure Safety Of Drinking Water
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 275

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Return To Question 125-12(6): Criteria For Selection Of Candidates For Tep
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 275

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Ng on October 13, 1994 regarding the criteria for selection of candidates for the teacher education program.

The criteria for the admission of students in an NWT teacher education program, delivered on campus or in a community, is identified in the Arctic College program calendar. Generally, the criteria for admission in a teacher education program requires that the candidate:

-is 17 years of age or older;

-has a strong desire to work with children; and,

-is mature, responsible and reliable.

The candidate must have one of the following:

-a high school diploma; or,

-a minimum of grade 10, two years successful experience as a classroom assistant, and a reference from both the principal and the community education council; or,

-the numeracy and literacy skills required by the teacher education program.

Arctic College selects candidates for campus-based teacher education programs based on these criteria. The college, in partnership with boards and divisional boards of education also uses this criteria to screen candidates for community-based programs.

Return To Question 125-12(6): Criteria For Selection Of Candidates For Tep
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 275

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin Central, Ms. Mike.

Further Return To Question 117-12(6): Participation Of Nwt Athletes At North American Indigenous Games
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 275

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Zoe on October 13, 1994.

The department continues to support involvement and participation from the NWT in the North American Indigenous Games. These games are held every second year, in 1993 in Prince Alberta, Saskatchewan and in 1995 to be held in Bemidji, Minnesota.

Previous support for the North American Indigenous Games has been, as Mr. Zoe noted, on an ad hoc basis as our resources allowed. The department assisted 50 athletes and officials from Rae-Edzo to attend the games in Prince Albert. I would like to see a more formal program approach to our support for these games and continue to support the ministerial initiative developed by the former Minister.

The department has discussed this matter with several teachers for the Dogrib Divisional Board of Education and advised them that we are continuing to try and establish a proper program to assist our participation in these games. Discussion on specific support for possible participants is premature, however, until we make further progress on a program for assistance. Any interpretation that we will not support participation in the games is mistaken, and unfortunate; it is that we simply do not yet know the scope and nature of our involvement.

I would, again, confirm that I support our involvement in the 1995 North American Indigenous Games and will give priority to establishing a program of support in time for proper preparation for the 1995 games. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 117-12(6): Participation Of Nwt Athletes At North American Indigenous Games
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 276

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. You have another return to oral question, Ms. Mike. Proceed.

Further Return To Question 118-12(6): Maca's Role In Land Use Permit Applications On Crown Land
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 276

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This question was asked by Mr. Ng on October 13, 1994 on land use permit procedures.

DIAND procedures do call for the circulation of land use permit applications on Crown lands outside municipal boundaries to the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs for comment. The department's opportunity to comment does vary, however, and in some cases we are not involved at the application stage. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 118-12(6): Maca's Role In Land Use Permit Applications On Crown Land
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 276

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Housing, but as he's not here right now I'll pose it to Madam Premier. It's regarding the access housing home ownership program. We know that there's been a big increase in the interest in that program over the past few years since it's been established. I would like to ask what criteria the corporation uses for establishing the repayment amount for applicants.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Return To Question 131-12(6): Criteria For Repayment Of Access Housing
Question 131-12(6): Criteria For Repayment Of Access Housing
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 276

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, there are criteria set. I will take the responsibility to have the Minister of Housing provide that information to the honourable Member. Thank you.

Return To Question 131-12(6): Criteria For Repayment Of Access Housing
Question 131-12(6): Criteria For Repayment Of Access Housing
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 276

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Supplementary, Mr. Ng.