This is page numbers 397 - 428 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 community.

Topics

Partners For Youth Program
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 401

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I would like to talk about the partners for youth program for the city of Edmonton. The Standing Committee on Finance met this morning from 10:30 until 12:00 and put on an information seminar. We were very fortunate to have a Ms. Maria David-Evans from the city of Edmonton who has been working on the partners for youth program in Edmonton.

Members of the Standing Committee on Finance have been talking about this type of program for the last year. I think we found the information seminar very useful. I know the Members of the committee were very pleased with the turn-out of Ministers and deputy ministers. Mr. Nerysoo was there, the Premier was there, Mr. Kakfwi was there, Minister Mike, senior representatives from the RCMP, senior deputy ministers from Justice, Social Services, Health, and a number of MLAs.

If I could very briefly, Madam Speaker, explain the philosophy of the program. It's a school-based, single entry social service program which has met with great success in San Diego and other places in the United States, and has been quite successful in Edmonton. The basic philosophies of this particular service for children and families are: that it be prevention and early intervention-oriented; it will be based on an integrated and holistic service delivery network; involve children and families in determining desired incomes; will facilitate more self-reliance and accountability of families, for their health and well-being, basic needs and the safety and security of their children; provide communities with the flexibility to make decisions, and be more accountable for providing services in keeping with the overall principles established for this delivery system; and ensure that there is a congruency of service and funding, goals, objectives and standards across provincial, municipal and various boards. The major focus is on outcomes. All of this, I think, is very relevant to the Northwest Territories.

Ms. David-Evans made it very clear that each community could have a different derivative of this particular model.

Madam Speaker, I think I'm about to run out of time. Could I seek unanimous consent, Madam Speaker, to continue my statement?

Partners For Youth Program
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 401

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Partners For Youth Program
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 401

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. There is really nothing new in this approach and there is nothing that the Standing Committee on Finance wants to take credit for something that's a great new idea of ours. I think most of these ideas have been around. The government has put many of these ideas in place over the years. There was quite a successful experiment in Arviat. The Premier has talked many times about the need to have a community-based solution. We've heard Mr. Gargan talk about needing a more holistic approach. And I've heard most Members around this table talk about...We have to break down some of the bureaucratic barriers between departments.

Mr. Nerysoo, yesterday, gave fairly supportive comments on this particular approach. I think it's an approach that has worked, and it's an approach that has the flexibility to make it very applicable here in the Northwest Territories. I know, speaking for myself and for other Members of the Standing Committee on Finance, we really hope to see the government try this approach, and a beginning with this approach in the near future.

On the same subject, Madam Speaker, we're talking about early intervention for children. There was a study just completed by the University of Montreal and McGill University that studied 1,000 five-year-olds, and through this study, which took 10 years, they were able to identify amongst the five-year-olds those who had the most likelihood of becoming violent offenders, and that by putting them through a rehabilitation program they were able to change that pattern in 50 per cent of those who went through the program. So the success rate of intervening early, intervening aggressively is being proven. If there's one basic philosophy that comes from the Standing Committee on Finance -- and I've heard it many different ways from many Members -- it's that if we're to deal with the social problems in the Northwest Territories, in days of diminishing resources we really have to concentrate our efforts on young people. That is where the biggest pay-off will be, and that is the only place where we can even begin to try to undo the damage that is present now in society.

So I know in the government there is a lot of support for this approach. I know the Standing Committee on Finance appreciated the words and the support of the Ministers who were there today. We look forward to a very progressive next few weeks from the government as we pursue this objective. Thank you.

---Applause

Partners For Youth Program
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 401

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Amittuq, Mr. Allooloo.

Appreciation To Search And Rescue Team In Igloolik
Item 3: Members' Statements

October 19th, 1994

Page 402

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I stand up today to say thank you to the government for a couple of items. Madam Speaker, for the last few days, I have had a matter of great concern on my mind. Several days ago, a very close relative of mine who used to take me out hunting all of a sudden went missing from his outpost camp near Igloolik. Apparently, his snow machine broke down, and the poor weather conditions and the seasonal ice conditions hampered local ground search and rescue operations.

I would like to report, Madam Speaker, that yesterday Inuki Kunnuk safely returned to his outpost camp, on foot, after spending six days out on the land, not in the best weather conditions.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the local search and rescue committee, the RCMP and the emergency measures staff of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs for promptly positioning themselves for search and rescue operation. I understand that the RCMP twin otter was taxiing down the runway when they heard the word that Inuki was safe.

Madam Speaker, I would also like to say one more thank you this afternoon, if I may. I was very pleased to hear yesterday from the Minister of Public Works and Services about the positive changes to the business incentive policy that are being introduced; the ability of contractors to work their way through loopholes has been secured, a source of ongoing concern for my constituents.

I thank the honourable Minister for introducing these positive changes to BIP, and I encourage him and his staff...

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

I'm sorry, Mr. Allooloo, I cut you off before you finished your statement. In our rules, Members' statements only allow a Member to speak on one subject. So may I remind Members that Members' statements are only to pertain to one subject. In your statement, you thanked the government for their assistance and then you went to BIP, which is a totally different subject. So I would suggest you attempt to do your other statement tomorrow. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

Receiving Compliments
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 402

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wanted to speak today on something that occurred to me back in 1988. This is the first time I remember having this brought to mind. This is in identifying people who speak publicly who I find more and more frequently are using a certain phrase or a slur of words that are intended to be a compliment. This frequency, I think, is going to continue rising as the number of politicians in the country continues to grow.

I've noted, on a number of occasions, most notably myself on one occasion in 1988, I think it was, of being confused as to the motive and the meaning of an intended compliment, when it was qualified with "I don't always agree with Steve, but..."

---Laughter

I was not quite clear about the motive and the intent of the compliment, whether it is to have some distance placed between the person giving the compliment and the one intended to receive, or to get the public to recall mentally the many fights they may have had with the individual. I wonder whether it is a compliment or a forced reluctant statement of some kind.

I was wondering how difficult it would be for individuals to say, for instance, "I haven't always agreed with this person over the years and I admit I was wrong most of the time."

---Laughter

Or, how about being very positive and saying, "I have agreed with most of the things this person has done over the years," instead of highlighting the differences you've had with the person. I believe we should strive to recognize that a compliment should be clear and simple. It should not be intended to confuse the recipient.

I will ask for unanimous consent to continue, please.

Receiving Compliments
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 402

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Receiving Compliments
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 402

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you. I suppose I shouldn't really get fussy because I know compliments are scarce. But, on the rare occasion should I ever receive a compliment, I want it to be very clear that it is a compliment. Just so you know, and this is the reason I'm saying it, I'm ready for my next compliment.

---Laughter

But, I want the unqualified, unfettered kind I was referring to in my statement. Thank you.

---Applause

Receiving Compliments
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 402

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Lewis.

Integrating Hockey Into Our School System
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 402

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Madam Speaker, I was going to make this statement tomorrow, but then on reflection, I thought if I did it tomorrow, people would think I was not serious. So, I thought I would do it today instead. But, having listened to Mr. Kakfwi, I am a bit confused now because I know he wants his statement to be taken seriously. The subject I want to talk about today, Madam Speaker, is one which is a serious subject. It has to do with schooling.

Twenty years ago it struck me that one of the things that happened in our school system is that the young girls did quite well. They seemed to adapt to it. It was natural. Whereas, the young guys seemed to go reluctantly to school, much as I did, I suppose, at times. But, usually, I found that the young boys in the system really didn't relate to the culture and environment of what a school is.

So, one day, upon reflection, I thought why is it that people want to go somewhere? It is because they are interested in what goes on there. The one thing that does not go on in our schools, from my observation, is the one thing that is central to the life of every young red-blooded Canadian boy, and that is the game of hockey.

I know, from my own experience, that if you really love something, you want to be close to it. You would have no difficulty in getting a young kid up in the morning to go to a hockey practice at 6:00 am if the school had a team and they were going to prepare for a game between Providence and Simpson or Wrigley and some other place. They would be keen, they would be excited.

You would find that if it was part of the culture of the school, those young boys would be motivated. Schooling would become more relevant to the things that mattered to them. You can have a basketball team, a volleyball team or a track and field team, but you can't have a hockey team; the implication being that this is too important a subject to be left to schools and that schools should really deal with the things that don't matter as much to young boys. Hockey is so important, it has to be left to the wider community.

Why is it in our system and in our culture, we have not given consideration to the fact that this one thing could maybe completely turn around what schooling means to a young boy in his formative years when his testosterone levels have to be tested...

Integrating Hockey Into Our School System
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 403

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Mr. Lewis.

Integrating Hockey Into Our School System
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 403

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue with my statement.

Integrating Hockey Into Our School System
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 403

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Integrating Hockey Into Our School System
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 403

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

I made my point, Madam Speaker. I would like Members to reflect on this, though. I have not made a statement of this nature in this House before and some people have said to me, well, you were in education for all that time, why couldn't you do it? Well, because I was a bureaucrat, and being a loyal bureaucrat, I always served my political masters.

But, then, when you get into this political arena, you suddenly realize that to make that kind of change means you have to upset a large part of your community that has taken charge of this as a major component in the lives of young boys and they would be very reluctant to give it up.

But if you want schools to be meaningful to young people so that they can have their energies focused and directed, it is something that makes sense to them. In our system, we can do it. It is possible for us to do that. I really believe that in a short period of time, you would find the motivation to become part of an activity would also be reflected in improvement in other things that go on in the school system. The young girls already do quite well, and there are stats to prove that they do better than young boys in the school system up to a certain age. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Integrating Hockey Into Our School System
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 403

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Airline Rates For Children
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 403

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is not the first time you have heard me mentioning this concern. I am talking about airline rates for children. The rates for children are almost the same as adults. This has been an ongoing concern of my communities for a long time now and it is not acceptable to some of my communities. A lot of people in the communities do not have much money.

Low prices for carvings, among other things, mean they don't have the means of earning money in the communities. Madam Speaker, I urge the government to look for a solution to this problem. I spoke of this concern more than once during this Assembly. We would like to have an answer to this problem. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Airline Rates For Children
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 403

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Funding For Elders' Residences
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 403

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, in all of our communities, there are many elders who form a very important part of our social fabric. Our elders pass on their knowledge and experience to their children, to their grandchildren and, for some, to their great-grandchildren. Since my election one and a half years ago, I have requested that the GNWT provide elders' residences in both Coppermine and Cambridge Bay, as elders in both of these communities have asked for these facilities.

It is my understanding that the Kitikmeot region was scheduled to have its first elders' facility constructed in Gjoa Haven since 1988. For various reasons, the capital funds for this project have been deferred, year after year.

Last year, all funding for elders' residences was deferred in the capital estimates due to the unresolved issue of CMHC housing funds being virtually eliminated.

Madam Speaker, for the 1995-96 year, the Department of Health and Social Services reinstated the capital funding for elders' residences in Fort Norman and Fort Resolution, which were two of the deferred projects from last year. However, the capital funds for the elders' residence in Gjoa Haven, within the Kitikmeot region, has been entirely deleted from the capital plan.

Funding For Elders' Residences
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 403

Some Hon. Members

Shame, shame.

Funding For Elders' Residences
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 403

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Madam Speaker, it says my time is up here, but I don't think I've spoken for two and a half minutes. I would like to ask for unanimous consent to finish my statement.

Funding For Elders' Residences
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 404

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Funding For Elders' Residences
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 404

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and honourable colleagues. Madam Speaker, the government has substantiated this deletion to the Kitikmeot health board and the Gjoa Haven hamlet council with the delivery of an extensive home care program within Kitikmeot which we understand will be included in the upcoming main estimates. This arrangement and subsequent deletion has been done without any type of consultation with the Members of this House, the honourable Mr. Ningark, myself and, more significantly, without any consultation with the elders in the region.

Madam Speaker, I and other Members acknowledge and support the establishment of an extended home care program to assist individuals including elders needing and requesting home care assistance. A home care program can address some of the physical needs of elders, however, it can in no way fully address the social and mental well-being of individuals in being able to socialize and receive support from their peers on a constant basis.

The Kitikmeot will continue to have no elders' residences in the entire region, while all other regions have some form of elders' facilities. Madam Speaker, I find it totally unacceptable and objectionable as to the government's deletion of the elders' residence funding in Gjoa Haven. Where is the fairness and equity in addressing elders' needs in the Kitikmeot? I ask the government to immediately address this issue.

Madam Speaker, my honourable colleague and I will continue to pursue the government on this matter until the needs of elders in the Kitikmeot and in my constituency are addressed in a satisfactory manner. Mahsi.

---Applause

Funding For Elders' Residences
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 404

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin Central, Ms. Mike.

Return To Question 185-12(6): Status Of Firehall In Fort Providence
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 404

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Return to oral question asked by Mr. Gargan on October 19th regarding the firehall.

The Fort Providence firehall project is proceeding after some delays this past year, to allow the hamlet council to consider a proposal from the local Digaa Enterprises Development Corporation.

The hamlet council has agreed to proceed with the planning and design of the firehall this winter, with construction next summer. A full project authority agreement has been signed with the hamlet giving them the responsibility for the construction of the firehall.

I am optimistic this project will be successfully completed next year. Thank you, Madam Speaker.