This is page numbers 429 - 457 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 ---agreed.

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Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. First of all, I would like to state that I am in support of the motion. We know for sure that violence in the Northwest Territories will not be decreasing very much, but we certainly hope it will not be increasing. I know the staff from the Aggvik Society are seeking support from us and we should be supporting such societies or shelters throughout the Northwest Territories.

Madam Speaker, there are staff all over the Northwest Territories who work in the field of family violence. Ever since 1986-87, there has been support to start societies in the field of family violence. They were given low wages, probably 50 per cent less than anyone else. We all know we are in fiscal restraint right now, but I know that front line workers go through a very hard time to try to ensure well families in the communities.

It is a very stressful job and they make very low wages. I hope we, as Members of the Legislative Assembly and Ministers, will be working hard to try to solve some of these problems. I know they are making very low wages and we need to help them and support them. They counsel people who are in shelters, children, women and men, and they work towards better communities. I hope everyone will be in support of this motion. I hope they will be looking into the cultures of aboriginal people and how they have worked towards having better communities and how they counselled in the old days.

I am in support of this motion for having higher wages for front line workers in our communities.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to commend the mover of the motion, my friend and honourable colleague, Mr. Gargan, and also Mr. Patterson. I've known Mr. Gargan since I became a Member of the House, and on many occasions, I thank the honourable Member for realizing there are people who need help out there, the ordinary people. Not the politicians, not the leaders, but those who need our help.

Madam Speaker, I've attended many meetings since I've become a Member. Sometimes we've talked about this problem of family violence at the regional level, at the community level, even in churches, even in homes. But so far, up to this point in time, we have not really dealt with the matter. We've talked about it, and on every occasion I've heard women talking about this at public meetings.

Madam Speaker, we, the politicians, work and live in a luxurious building such as this. Madam Speaker, we pay ourselves a very handsome salary. Madam Speaker, I think the victims of family violence deserve to be recognized by us. Madam Speaker, those who look after the people, need to be paid reasonable wages. For that reason, Madam Speaker, I will support the motion. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. To the motion.

An Hon. Member

Question.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Question is being called. It's a closed debate. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you. Again, just to remind the Members that we did approve the Standing Committee on Finance recommendation 4 regarding the Northwest Territories spending priorities to be targeted on special needs children, the school-base youth program and family violence.

Madam Speaker, this is too much of an important issue just to ignore, so I would also like to ask that we have a recorded vote.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. To the motion. A recorded vote is requested. All those in favour?

Recorded Vote

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Mr. Gargan, Mr. Zoe, Mr. Pudluk, Mr. Allooloo, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Ningark, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Patterson, Mr. Pudlat, Mr. Dent.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. All those opposed, please stand. All those abstaining, please stand.

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Mr. Arngna'naaq, Ms. Mike, Ms. Cournoyea, Mr. Morin, Mr. Nerysoo.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Ms. Mike, you were not in your chair. You are to be in your chair at the time of voting. Your vote does not count, Ms. Mike. Results are 10 in favour, zero voting no, four abstentions. The motion is carried.

---Carried

---Applause

Thank you. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 14-12(6), "Open for Business" - Privatizing the Northwest Territories Power Corporation; Tabled Document 23-12(6), Report of the 1993-94 Electoral District Boundaries Commission Northwest Territories; Minister's Statement 11-12(6), Return to Session; Committee Report 6-12(6), Report on the Review of Bill 3 - Guardianship and Trusteeship Act; Committee Report 10-12(6), Report on the Review of the 1995-96 Capital Estimates; Committee Report 11-12(6), Report on the First Annual Report (1992-93) of the Languages Commissioner of the NWT; Bill 1, Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1995-96; Bill 2, Aboriginal Custom Adoption Recognition Act; Bill 3, Guardianship and Trusteeship Act; Bill 5, Mine Health and Safety Act; Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Arctic College Act; and, Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Public Utilities Act, with Mr. Whitford in the chair.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Good Friday afternoon. The committee will now come to order. What is the wish of the committee? The chair recognizes the Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to recommend that the committee continue consideration of Bill 1 and see if we can't conclude the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. If we should conclude that department, then I would like to recommend that we consider Bill 5, Mine Health and Safety Act, and if we conclude that, then move back to Bill 1 for Safety and Public Services.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Does the committee agree?

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1995-96Committee Report 10-12(6): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Capital Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Department Of Education, Culture And Employment

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1995-96Committee Report 10-12(6): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Capital Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

We have agreement. Does the Minister wish to go to the witness table and invite witnesses to assist you? Mr. Minister.

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1995-96Committee Report 10-12(6): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Capital Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I would like the concurrence of Members of the committee.

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1995-96Committee Report 10-12(6): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Capital Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Do Members of the committee agree?

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1995-96Committee Report 10-12(6): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Capital Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1995-96Committee Report 10-12(6): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Capital Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Sergeant-at-Arms, would you assist the witnesses to the table?

Thank you, Sergeant-at-Arms. Minister Nerysoo, would you be so kind as to introduce your witnesses to the committee?

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1995-96Committee Report 10-12(6): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Capital Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you. On my left is the deputy minister, Mr. Hal Gerein, on my right, director of capital planning, Mr. Jim Kaulbach.

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1995-96Committee Report 10-12(6): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Capital Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Good afternoon, gentlemen. Welcome to committee of the whole. When we concluded yesterday afternoon, we were working on the Department of Education, Culture and Employment details book, page 16-15. I think we concluded but did not approve total buildings and works. It's the second line down. Are there any comments on that? Total buildings and works, $21.458 million.

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1995-96Committee Report 10-12(6): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Capital Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed