This is page numbers 301 - 332 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 science.

Topics

New Jet Service For Coppermine
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 305

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, earlier today history was made in Coppermine. At approximately 12:10 pm, the first scheduled Boeing 737 jet service touched down on the Coppermine airstrip. NWT Air flight 951 signalled the start of an additional new airline service to residents of Coppermine. Coppermine residents are excited and appreciative of the fact that their community now has the opportunity to utilize jet service for their travels. The current NWT Air schedule allows Coppermine residents direct flights to Yellowknife twice a week and to Yellowknife through Cambridge Bay once a week.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of my constituents, I wish to thank the Minister of Transportation, the Honourable John Todd, and his departmental officials for their efforts in planning and financing the Coppermine airstrip upgrade project under the cost-shared NWT transportation initiative with the Government of Canada.

We would also like to thank NWT Air for their commitment to providing jet service to Coppermine by expanding their service in Kitikmeot. NWT Air jet service to Coppermine for this winter season only runs up until April 4, 1995, due to changing runway conditions as a result of the warmer season. However, the completion of the airstrip upgrade late next year will allow for full year-round access by Boeing 737 and 727 jet aircraft and will benefit all air carriers to the community.

Finally, Madam Speaker, although they may be disappointed by the start-up of NWT Air into Coppermine, on behalf of my constituents, I also wish to acknowledge and thank First Air and Ptarmigan Airways for their past and continued commitment to providing air service to the residents of Coppermine and the Kitikmeot.

---Applause

New Jet Service For Coppermine
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 305

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Gun Control
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 305

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I want to thank our Minister of Justice for encouraging the federal Minister of Justice to come here and learn more about justice concerns in the Northwest Territories, specifically on the current issue of gun control. I am sure all Members agree that we must be committed to developing our renewable

resource economy, our fishery, the harvesting of muskox, caribou, seal and other country foods and furs.

Our renewable resource economy is valuable, cherished and, more than a long-standing tradition, it's also a reflection of aboriginal culture and values. Those values include teaching the young how to hunt and live on the land from an early age, the sharing of resources harvested and the sharing of equipment needed to harvest resources, including firearms and ammunition.

Our hunters and trappers choose to live on the land and work on the land. This is not an easy life. They are very skillful, self-reliant people. They don't have the benefit of many of the programs and facilities available to those who live in town and have jobs. They are often people who don't have extensive cash income, even though what they harvest and share is very valuable. They are often not amenable to paperwork, record-keeping and filing, and they can ill-afford fees and permits.

Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that these values and the special circumstances of the majority of our aboriginal population can be considered by the Honourable Allan Rock when he looks at the issue of gun control in Canada. There must either be flexibility in the north or an exemption for subsistence hunters.

Gun Control
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 305

An Hon. Member

Hear, hear.

Gun Control
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 305

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

If there are to be exemptions for subsistence hunters, then subsistence must not be narrowly defined. Madam Speaker, I hope these comments and the other comments that Members have had the chance to make privately to Mr. Rock will assist in producing a law that can be enforceable and can be applied and can be accepted in the Northwest Territories.

---Applause

Gun Control
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 305

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Madam Premier.

Return To Question 66-12(6): Progress On Policy For Respite Care
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

October 16th, 1994

Page 305

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

I have a return to an oral question which was asked by Charles Dent on October 6, 1994, regarding the progress on policy for respite care.

Madam Speaker, in implementing the government's response to the Special Committee on Health and Social Services, the department has developed guidelines for the provision of respite care in the long-term care program. These guidelines were developed in consultation with the NWT Council for Disabled Persons as well as long-term care facility operators, home care coordinators and staff of health boards. Based on these guidelines, a pilot project is being developed for 1995-96 to provide respite care in several communities across the Northwest Territories. Based on the results of the pilot project, the department will be looking at ways and means of integrating respite care into the range of services currently offered in communities. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Return To Question 66-12(6): Progress On Policy For Respite Care
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 306

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Return To Question 142-12(6): Questions On Municipal Election Ballots
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 306

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to Mr. Jim Antoine's question on October 14, 1994, on municipal election questions.

Questions asked by a council during a municipal election may or may not be binding on the council, depending on the nature of the question and/or whether council wishes to be bound by the result.

For example, if the question is to seek approval to borrow money, then the result of the vote is binding; if the council asks a question which is seeking an opinion, then the results may or may not bind council.

In the case of the question being asked in Fort Simpson, which I believe is the basis for the Member's question, the council is asking the eligible voters if they are in favour of continuing the present liquor rationing system in Fort Simpson. The question is seeking an opinion and, as such, council is not bound by the result. To actually change the present liquor rationing system, council will have to apply to the Minister of Safety and Public Services to conduct a plebiscite under the Liquor Act. The results of such a plebiscite would be binding. Thank you.

Return To Question 142-12(6): Questions On Municipal Election Ballots
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 306

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 306

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to welcome Mr. Don Farrell, president of Farrell Financial Limited of Vancouver, and Edgar Fenwick, who is in charge of corporate communications. This company is engaged in venture capital and the environmental and biotechnical field. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 306

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for High Arctic, Mr. Pudluk.

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

On Friday, October 14, 1994, I asked a question of the Minister of Transportation regarding the airports, which he took as notice. I have reviewed unedited Hansard and realize that there was a mistake in translation, so I will just ask this question to replace Question 135-12(6) in unedited Hansard, which was wrong. Last summer, the airport at Resolute Bay was upgraded and the runway lighting improved. I would like to ask the Minister of Transportation if there are plans to transfer the airport to the hands of the

territorial government from the federal government. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 143-12(6): Transfer Of Resolute Bay Airport
Question 143-12(6): Transfer Of Resolute Bay Airport
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 306

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, the transfer of the airport at Resolute Bay is part of the negotiations that are currently under way with the federal government with respect to the transfer of Arctic airports. Thank you.

Return To Question 143-12(6): Transfer Of Resolute Bay Airport
Question 143-12(6): Transfer Of Resolute Bay Airport
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 306

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Premier with regard to a return that she gave regarding to the testing of drinking water. I was more concerned about the water in the rivers than I was with drinking water. Sure, testing drinking water out of a tap or that type of testing is done all over. I was more interested in finding out if the Mackenzie River and the Slave River are still safe enough to drink while people travel on the river.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Madam Premier.

Return To Question 144-12(6): Testing Quality Of River Water
Question 144-12(6): Testing Quality Of River Water
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 306

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, the reply I gave to the honourable Member indicated action that was to be taken and testing that is being done. To my knowledge, the testing, whether it is with Renewable Resources or the Department of Health, does not indicate that there is danger or there should be restrictions put on drinking water, from the information we have received. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Return To Question 144-12(6): Testing Quality Of River Water
Question 144-12(6): Testing Quality Of River Water
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 306

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Supplementary To Question 144-12(6): Testing Quality Of River Water
Question 144-12(6): Testing Quality Of River Water
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 306

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Madam Speaker, I would like to ask the Premier, when you do the testing, is it prior to it going through the water treatment plant or after it comes out of the water treatment plant.

Supplementary To Question 144-12(6): Testing Quality Of River Water
Question 144-12(6): Testing Quality Of River Water
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 306

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 144-12(6): Testing Quality Of River Water
Question 144-12(6): Testing Quality Of River Water
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 306

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, it is my understanding that it is done in various locations. It would take into consideration sources above stream and downstream, as well. The testing has a wide range of locations. It is not restricted to locations that are anticipated to produce safer measurements, Madam Speaker.

Further Return To Question 144-12(6): Testing Quality Of River Water
Question 144-12(6): Testing Quality Of River Water
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 307

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Supplementary To Question 144-12(6): Testing Quality Of River Water
Question 144-12(6): Testing Quality Of River Water
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 307

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you. I would like to thank the Premier for that answer. I would like to ask the Premier, then, whether she might be able to give me some information about the kind of testing that was done in Fort Providence, upstream and downstream; how often it has occurred and the results of those tests.