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

Supplementary To Question 140-12(6): Process For Obtaining Bingo Licences
Question 140-12(6): Process For Obtaining Bingo Licences
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 280

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Have those communities been advised where they could get their licences?

Supplementary To Question 140-12(6): Process For Obtaining Bingo Licences
Question 140-12(6): Process For Obtaining Bingo Licences
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 280

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 140-12(6): Process For Obtaining Bingo Licences
Question 140-12(6): Process For Obtaining Bingo Licences
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 280

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I believe that most of the communities are aware, particularly municipal councils are aware and have been advised. However, what I will do on behalf of the honourable Member is to advise again, through letter, immediately, as to where they should contact and the appropriate number of where to contact and apply for lottery licences.

Further Return To Question 140-12(6): Process For Obtaining Bingo Licences
Question 140-12(6): Process For Obtaining Bingo Licences
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 280

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik, Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, earlier today I made a statement about the Northwest Territories Seniors' Society and some of their initiatives and concerns. We know that, by letter, the Northwest Territories Seniors' Society requested a meeting with the Minister of Health and Social Services. I would like to ask whether the Minister has met with that society recently.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Health and Social Services, Madam Premier.

Return To Question 141-12(6): Minister's Meeting With Nwt Seniors' Society
Question 141-12(6): Minister's Meeting With NWT Seniors' Society
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 281

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, in the last 30 days, I've met with the seniors on two occasions, as well as attended and addressed their annual meeting. Thank you.

Return To Question 141-12(6): Minister's Meeting With Nwt Seniors' Society
Question 141-12(6): Minister's Meeting With NWT Seniors' Society
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 281

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 141-12(6): Minister's Meeting With Nwt Seniors' Society
Question 141-12(6): Minister's Meeting With NWT Seniors' Society
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 281

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi. I'm glad the Minister has been able to actively participate with this group. Also by letter, the society had requested some financial assistance to help them get organized and coordinate some of their activities across the north. Has the Minister been able to secure any money for the society?

Supplementary To Question 141-12(6): Minister's Meeting With Nwt Seniors' Society
Question 141-12(6): Minister's Meeting With NWT Seniors' Society
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 281

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Health and Social Services, Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 141-12(6): Minister's Meeting With Nwt Seniors' Society
Question 141-12(6): Minister's Meeting With NWT Seniors' Society
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 281

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, there were a number of requests and suggestions from the seniors' group on how we can work together. I did commit to meet with them on a regular basis so that we could coordinate our activities. The issues that were brought up -- there were a number of them -- are being dealt with at this time.

The specifics on asking for dollars to help them organize was not one of the issues that were immediate, although we did discuss how we would work together in the future. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Further Return To Question 141-12(6): Minister's Meeting With Nwt Seniors' Society
Question 141-12(6): Minister's Meeting With NWT Seniors' Society
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 281

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Question 142-12(6): Questions On Municipal Election Ballots
Item 6: Oral Questions

October 13th, 1994

Page 281

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs a question which is similar to the questions I posed to the Minister of Safety and Public Services with regard to questions during the municipal election. I would like to ask the Minister if questions that are asked to the citizens in the community, if these questions -- depending on the way they're worded -- are binding to the municipal council after the election. Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Mike.

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would have to check. I am not particularly aware of that one, so I'll take his question as notice.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Item 7, written questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My written question is to the Minister of Health and Social Services.

Would the Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services please advise this House of the following:

1)How many doctors are employed by the department and/or health boards in the NWT?

2)What are the locations where these doctors are based and what areas do they serve in the NWT?

3)Are they full-time employees or on service contract to the department or health boards?

4)What speciality medical services are contracted to provide health care services to the Department of Health?

Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, replies to...Did you have your hand up for replies to opening address, Mr. Arvaluk? Okay. Item 10, replies to budget address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. The honourable Member for Inuvik, Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I am pleased this morning to present the report from the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions on the First Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner.

Introduction

The First Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of the Northwest Territories was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on December 14, 1993. After considerable discussion in the House, a motion was carried on March 21, 1994 to refer the report to the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions. The standing committee was also directed to, "make recommendations on a mechanism to establish reporting relationships and accountability of the Languages Commission to the Legislative Assembly."

This standing committee considered this matter in meetings in Yellowknife from April 25 to 29, 1994. On April 27 and 28, 1994, public hearings were held with the Premier, the Honourable Nellie Cournoyea; the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Honourable Jeannie Marie-Jewell; and, the Languages Commissioner, Ms. Betty Harnum.

The standing committee wishes to acknowledge the input of the witnesses and thank them for their appearance at the public hearings. We would also like to thank the Languages Commissioner and her staff for their assistance in preparing this review.

Reporting Relationship Of The Languages Commissioner

The Languages Commissioner is to be an independent entity. Although the resources for the office are provided from government appropriations, the Languages Commissioner is to act independently of government itself.

This independence is reflected in the fact that the Languages Commissioner is to report to the Legislative Assembly, and not to a government Minister. To date, the Languages Commissioner has made appearances before the committee of the whole. However, this does not appear to have been an appropriate forum for the effective review of the Languages Commissioner's reports.

Recommendation 1 in the annual report suggests that a new committee be struck to be responsible for official languages issues. Members of the standing committee disagree. The Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions is quite able to take on the task of reviewing the Languages Commissioner's annual reports.

Recommendation 1

The committee recommends that the terms of reference of the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions be amended as follows, by adding the following paragraph:

"The annual reports and any other reports of the Languages Commissioner of the Northwest Territories will be referred to the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions after tabling in the Legislative Assembly. Notwithstanding this formal process, the Speaker is authorized to provide these documents to the standing committee in advance of tabling, to expedite the review by the committee. For further certainty, this review in advance of tabling, may include public hearings and all other authorized activities of the standing committee."

The standing committee also notes recommendation 24 of the Standing Committee on Finance's Report on the Review of the 1994-95 Main Estimates:

"The committee recommends that the Legislative Assembly establish an overall reporting relationship for the Languages Commissioner such that overall reporting is to the Assembly and financial reporting is through the Standing Committee on Finance. The committee further recommends that, in future, the Languages Commissioner should appear before the Standing Committee on Finance to defend her budget."

We agree that the Languages Commissioner should report to, and appear before, the Standing Committee on Finance for budget-related matters.

Madam Speaker, at this time, I would like to turn the next section of the report over to my colleague, Mr. Ningark.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.

Role And Responsibility Of The Languages Commissioner

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The final report of the Special Committee on Aboriginal Languages, tabled in April 1990, included the recommended amendments to the Official Languages Act, which created the office of the Languages Commissioner. The special committee considered whether the exact powers and duties of the Languages Commissioner should be spelled out explicitly. However, they decided that the best choice was not to be specific; rather, the amendments would allow the Languages Commissioner to exercise political will and discretion in determining the powers and duties of the office.

Whenever someone takes on a new job, there is bound to be a period of adjustment and confusion. This is especially true in the case of this newly-created position, where the first incumbent was expected to quickly establish guidelines and boundaries for the responsibilities and authority of the job.

The recurring theme of the First Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner is that this has not been done. Throughout the report, the Languages Commissioner bemoans the lack of guidance regarding the scope of the position. Many of the most important recommendations in the report are essentially pleas for direction.

Committee Members are of the opinion that much of the responsibility for providing that direction rests with the Languages Commissioner herself. As head of an agency which is technically independent of the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Languages Commissioner does not have a Minister or deputy minister to report to. The Languages Commissioner does report to the Legislative Assembly; however, the Assembly's direction has already been made clear in the Official Languages Act, and specifically, in the sections relating to the position of Languages Commissioner, as developed by the Special Committee on Aboriginal Languages.

It is the committee's opinion that further specific direction from the Assembly is not necessary at this point. Therefore, the standing committee does not endorse recommendation 2. Rather, we would encourage the Languages Commissioner to be decisive in determining the range and limits of the authority of the office. Negotiations with the government, such as those surrounding the administrative protocol, are one solution to this aspect of the Languages Commissioner's job.

However, there may be times when the Languages Commissioner must just act, without waiting for direction. Committee Members appreciate that the Languages Commissioner might hesitate, concerned that decisive action might lead to uncomfortable situations. But the political nature of the position means that uncomfortable situations are unavoidable. The position of Languages Commissioner, by its very nature, is independent of the government. As a watch-dog position, the Languages Commissioner will sometimes be critical of the government, so the relationship between the Languages Commissioner and the government may not always be friendly and cordial. Committee Members feel this is a risk that the office of the Languages Commissioner must bear, if he or she is to effectively carry out the mandate of the office.

Madam Speaker, I will ask Mr. Antoine to continue.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

The Need For Focus

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Madam Speaker, a number of inquiries and complaints have been directed to the office of the Languages Commissioner, and the office has done an admirable job in trying to deal with them all. However, committee Members feel the Languages Commissioner should have defined a limited scope and set of objectives upon first being appointed. The result has been that the Languages Commissioner has become involved in too many areas, and the office has not been able to focus its attention adequately.

The report addresses a number of individual concerns, either through action taken by the Languages Commissioner or through recommendations made; in doing so, however, the report also reflects the lack of clearly defined and limited goals and objectives. The standing committee feels that the Languages Commissioner should develop and stick to a limited set of objectives, such as the definitive objectives defined in the 1994-95 main estimates. This will allow the office to be in control of events as much as possible, rather than letting events control the duties of the office.

Recommendation 2

The committee recommends that the Languages Commissioner annually define a set of goals and objectives to guide the activities of the office. These goals and objectives should be stated in the office's annual budget and reviewed in the Languages Commissioner's annual reports.

Employee Complaints And Inquiries

Recommendation 3 in the report reflects this lack of focus. In the report, the Languages Commissioner describes a number of complaints from government employees, and then recommends that the Assembly provide direction to the Languages Commissioner on the hearing of employee complaints.

Committee Members feel that such complaints should generally be dealt with through accepted grievance procedures, whether through the UNW or otherwise, as appropriate. While some of the complaints listed were merely requests for information, actual complaints are best handled by the grievance process. If the issue is not dealt with satisfactorily, the Languages Commissioner may then wish to get involved. But doing so before proper grievance proceedings are initiated and completed could put the Languages Commissioner and the complainant in a difficult situation.

As well, committee Members were confused by the frequent use of the word "complaint" by the Languages Commissioner when referring to any contact with the office. We would prefer that the Languages Commissioner be more discriminating

when referring to files, perhaps classifying them as complaints, inquires and so on.

In short, the standing committee feels strongly that the Languages Commissioner should give more careful consideration to the range and nature of complaints dealt with by the office. As with grievances, some complaints might be better dealt with through other channels. Also, the Languages Commissioner should work with the official languages unit to provide a consistent, effective means of answering routine inquires about official languages from employees and the public. Committee Members expect that the forthcoming official languages handbook, discussed on page 8, will address this issue.

Madam Speaker, I will turn over this portion of the report to my colleague, the honourable Tony Whitford.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Prior to proceeding of the completion of the report, the House will take a short recess. Thank you.

---SHORT RECESS

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

I'll call the House back to order. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.