This is page numbers 333 - 364 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 services.

Topics

Members Present

Mr. Antoine, Hon. Silas Arngna'naaq, 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, Hon. John Pollard, Mr. Pudlat, Mr. Pudluk, Hon. John Todd, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 333

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Baffin Central, Ms. Mike.

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

(Translation) Madam Speaker, I am pleased to announce that preparations are now under way to hold a municipal lands referendum in each Nunavut community in April 1995.

The lands referendum, Madam Speaker, is a requirement under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, which provides for the devolution of public lands administration to Nunavut communities. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs will see to the turnover of fee simple title to all municipal lands by July 9, 1996.

As owners of municipal lands, Nunavut communities will have control of the allocation of land in their communities. This is a responsibility communities have sought for many years.

Before the municipalities can dispose of municipal lands, however, it is a requirement of article 14 of the land claims legislation that voters in each community decide on the level of authority the local community council should have.

Each community is to hold its own separate referendum on whether the local community council should have the choice to sell any of its municipal lands, or whether the council should be prohibited from selling lands and only be able to grant leases and permits.

I am pleased to advise Members that a key first step has been taken with an agreement with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, (NTI), on the details of the community referendum. The date of April 10, 1995 has been set, and the referendum question has also been finalized.

The question will read as follows, Madam Speaker. "Do you want the Town of Iqaluit to be able to sell municipal lands"? All voters are eligible to vote in their local referendum, which will be decided by a simple majority vote.

Madam Speaker, department staff are already working with NTI on referendum preparations, including public information materials such as posters, pamphlets and advertisements (in both Inuktitut and English) to assist the community voters to understand the question being asked. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the Ordinary Members' Caucus to talk about a group of people who need the support of both government and their communities. These are the children, teenagers and adults who have a special need. There are many types of special needs, ranging from FAS related disorders to blindness, from brain disorders to dyslexia, from autism to speech disorders.

Madam Speaker, the Special Committee on Health and Social Services identified a number of pressing concerns in the provision of services to people with special needs. The more we can support and encourage these people to reach their full potential, the less they must rely on social assistance and other government programs. We should be doing the best we can as a society to help special needs individuals become, to the best of their ability, accepted and functioning members of society.

Madam Speaker, as an example, recently in this House I and other Members have been asking questions regarding respite care for the families of those with special needs. Respite care would give some well deserved time off to these care givers, allowing them to be refreshed in working with their special needs family members.

Members of the OMC still have many outstanding concerns in the area of special needs. These include assessment, treatment services, support structures, early intervention and appropriate budgeting. Members also find the various roles of the departments involved in providing services or programs for special needs, confusing. We are sure families with special needs individuals also share our confusion.

Madam Speaker, during question period today, Members will try to find answers to some of the outstanding issues concerning the services and support for special need individuals. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Fort Simpson Municipal Election
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I rise today to offer my congratulations to the mayor and council of the village of Fort Simpson on their successful election last night.

Madam Speaker, I feel there is a good mix of people on the new council which should make for a smooth transition period. I would like to congratulate Ray Michaud for being re-elected mayor.

---Applause

My congratulations also go out to the following councillors-elect: Andy Norwegian, Tom Wilson, Hilda Antoine, Lindsay Waugh, Robert Hanna, Ken Brown, Stella Gargan and Owen Rowe on their election as village councillors.

---Applause

As the incumbent mayor and councillors on the village council know, Madam Speaker, I am available to work with the village council in Fort Simpson in representing them on territorial matters.

My congratulations also go out, Madam Speaker, to the newly elected members of the community education council. Best wishes go to Ernest Cazon, Hilda Gerlock, Betty Hardisty, John Hazenburg, Marie Lafferty, Anne McKee, Doug Robertson and Albertine Rodh.

The next three years in the term of the village council will be very challenging. There are many important issues to be dealt with at the community, regional and territorial level. The municipal government is there to represent everyone in the community, not only just a small group of residents. The village council must work with the band council and the Metis local of that community. The reality, Madam Speaker, is that there are many common issues, problems and concerns. While there may be a difference of opinion on how to resolve some of these issues, it should not jeopardize the spirit of cooperation in the community.

I look forward to working in the future with them. Thank you.

---Applause

Fort Simpson Municipal Election
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Yellowknife Municipal Election
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate our new city of Yellowknife mayor and aldermen.

Yesterday evening ended a very exciting and trying time for the six mayoralty candidates, 24 aldermanic candidates and for over 16,000 Yellowknifers.

Like some things is life, not all things end up even. There are those who won't earn enough votes to win first place, but they are not losers because by placing their name on the ballots and putting their ideas and talents forward we are all the beneficiaries.

I want to congratulate mayor-elect Dave Lovell on his successful campaign, and say thank you to candidates: Beaumont, Brooks, Byrne, Debogorski and Cyr for their efforts. I also extend congratulations to the alderpersons elected: Blake Lyons, Trevor Kasteel, Jo MacQuarrie, John Dalton, Vi Beck, Ruth Spence, Dick Peplow, Merlyn Williams and to the school boards because their campaign, Madam Speaker, was kind of down-played during this mayoralty and alderpersons' election. The successful persons in the school board I wish to congratulate are: Edwin Castillo, Dennis Crane, Peter Groenen, Jane Haley, Steve Hill, Fred Nowicki, Noel O'Sullivan; public school, Wendy Bisaro, Debra Jepson, Gary Black, Dave Turner, Joan Lovlin, Terry Brooks and Barb Bilodeau. True, Madam Speaker, the election is over, but now the work begins. I wish all the best and offer my support for their work.

Madam Speaker, this morning, being a public person, I went around to many of the places in Yellowknife where people meet and talk. I was around some of the arenas of public opinion and I heard the same old complaints: the grumbling and the whining, as people have their coffee, about who won and who lost. People with all the answers to all of the problems have an opinion on everything, but, Madam Speaker, we never see their names on any of the ballots or any of their hands...My time has run out. I seek unanimous consent to continue.

Yellowknife Municipal Election
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to continue. Are there any nays? Proceed, Mr. Whitford.

Yellowknife Municipal Election
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I was on a roll there, now if I can continue...

---Laughter

People with all the answers to all of the problems have an opinion on everything, but, Madam Speaker, we never see their names on ballots or their hands at the task of helping candidates carry their ideas forward. To them I say they either lead, follow or get the heck out of the way. Put your name forward, put your money forward, put your knowledge where your mouth is. Don't just stand there criticizing. At least we've had 50 candidates willing to do just that and to them I say thank you. They are all winners.

---Applause

Yellowknife Municipal Election
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Inuvik Municipal Election
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 335

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I too would like to congratulate the winners who were elected in the Inuvik municipal election yesterday. The mayor who was re-elected is Tom Zubko. The councillors who were re-elected are Richard Barnes, Alan Davis, Dennie Lennie, Floyd Roland and Bob Simpson. And the newly elected councillors are Vivian Hunter, Harry Joujan and Julian Tomlinson.

I would like to congratulate these elected people, and I would like to congratulate the other people who ran and who weren't successful. But the spirit of democracy is still alive and well, and people still get a chance to put their X on ballots to choose the people they wish to represent them for the next few years.

I would also like to congratulate the appointees to the community education council. They provide a valuable service to the community of Inuvik and I wish them all well.

Again, I want to continue the work that I've been doing with the Inuvik town council and hope that our relationships prosper and Inuvik prospers with us. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Inuvik Municipal Election
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Municipal Elections
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 335

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On behalf of my constituents, I, too, would like to congratulate all the successful candidates elected in the tax-based municipal elections yesterday. Mayor Tom Zubko and councillors-elect in Inuvik, Mayor Ray Michaud and councillors-elect in Fort Simpson, Mayor Jack Rowe and councillors-elect in Hay River, Mayor Dennis Bevington and councillors-elect in Fort Smith, Mayor Max Melnyk and councillors-elect of Norman Wells and, finally, Mayor Dave Lovell and aldermen-elect of Yellowknife.

At this time I would also wish to formally congratulate Mayor Joe Kunuk and councillors elected in Iqaluit last month, and all education and school board members elected in the tax-based municipalities. They are the individuals who are often overlooked due to the higher profile of municipal council elections. However, their job in dealing with educational issues are just as important as those dealt with by municipal councils.

Finally, I would like to congratulate all the unsuccessful candidates for letting their names stand for public office. We all know it's not an easy decision to consider running for public office and we can all attest it's an even tougher job once you get elected. Thank you.

---Applause

Municipal Elections
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 335

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.

Travel Of Unilingual Medical Patients
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 335

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, last month an elderly lady by the name of Agnes Iqquqaqtuq escorted her six-year-old adopted daughter from Pelly Bay to Edmonton for a medical check-up. There is nothing out of the ordinary here, Madam Speaker; a mother escorting a child from a small northern community to a big city except, of course, Agnes Iqquqaqtuq is unilingual. Neither the flight staff on board her flight, nor the airport employees in Yellowknife or Edmonton spoke or understood Inuktitut. Bernadette, her daughter, was too young to interpret for her.

There are other situations I've heard about and we have been lucky so far that nobody has been lost permanently. Will it take a tragedy before we fix the problem? Madam Speaker, I will be pursuing this matter with the appropriate Minister at question period. Thank you.

Travel Of Unilingual Medical Patients
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Health Services For Residents Of Baffin South
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 335

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I stand today on behalf of my constituents, particularly to represent Sanikiluaq and Cape Dorset patients who come here for health services. Many times they have not been picked up at the airport upon arriving for medical services. Although I am not aware of all the incidents, I do know of a few that have actually occurred and like myself, they are unilingual, Madam Speaker. This covers the medical services for Cape Dorset and Sanikiluaq. Especially this past year, a lot of the patients have had to come to Yellowknife because of tuberculosis. I will pursue this further with the appropriate Minister during question period also. Thank you.

Health Services For Residents Of Baffin South
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 335

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

GNWT Achievements In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

October 17th, 1994

Page 335

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Being in a kinder, gentler mood this week, Madam Speaker, I looked hard for good things to say about the government. I had to wrack my brain. No, I'm just kidding.

---Laughter I rise today, Madam Speaker, to report on four wonderful accomplishments that have dealt with significant problems in my constituency.

---Applause

I'd like to also say there was a crisis that arose this summer over relocation, availability of housing and reasonable rents for staff of the soon-to-open Baffin treatment centre. I'm pleased to say that houses were made available, funds were identified for relocation and rents were reviewed to ensure they were affordable considering the wages of the treatment centre staff.

I'd like to thank the Honourable Nellie Cournoyea, Minister of Social Services and the Honourable Rebecca Mike, Minister of Personnel for this achievement.

---Applause

Next, much was made in this Assembly, Madam Speaker, of the plight of families who were living on the beach in Iqaluit. I'm pleased to report that last year, an alternate unit was constructed and made available to one family. This year, two units are, at this moment, being constructed and will be made available to two other families who are living in that situation for which the Honourable Don Morin deserves credit.

---Applause

Finally, Madam Speaker, and I don't know if I'm going to have time to outline this one, I have ranted and raved in this Assembly about the lack of married students' housing for students at Nunatta Campus. Although no long-term solution is in sight yet, an opportunity arose this summer. I'm afraid I will have to ask for consent to conclude. Thank you.

GNWT Achievements In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

GNWT Achievements In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 336

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker and honourable Members. As I was saying, an opportunity arose this summer. Due to the unexpected number of GNWT employees who were either moving out of staff housing or building their own units, some vacancies arose in the government's complement of staff housing units in Iqaluit. At the same time there were married students with families who had applied for Arctic College and were ready to pursue their careers in Arctic College, but could not do so for lack of housing.

I'm very pleased to report, thanks to the Honourable John Pollard, in his capacity as Minister of FMBS and with help from the Honourable Richard Nerysoo, 25 surplus units were dedicated to married students. This will allow that number of students to go to college after all.

Madam Speaker, I would like to say I recognize these achievements and accomplishments. There have been prompt responses to what I'd like to think were practical suggestions to make lives better for my constituents and I'm grateful for that. Thank you.

---Applause

GNWT Achievements In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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