This is page numbers 459 - 477 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 make.

Topics

Members Present

Mr. Allooloo, Mr. Antoine, Hon. Silas Arngna'naaq, Mr. Arvaluk, Mr. Ballantyne, Hon. Nellie Cournoyea, Mr. Dent, Mr. Gargan, Hon. Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Koe, Mr. Lewis, 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, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 459

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Madam Premier.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish to advise Members that the Honourable John Todd will be absent from the House for the remainder of the week to attend the Nunavut Tunngavik economic development conference in Rankin Inlet.

Madam Speaker, may I make another statement, please?

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, Mr. D'arcy Arden and Mr. Glen Warner have served as members of the NWT Water Board since 1978. Their term of office expired on October 1st. Under the federal Northwest Territories Water Act, the Government of the Northwest Territories is responsible for nominating three members of the nine member board. Mr. Arden and Mr. Warner were two of the three members of the board nominated by the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development recently asked me for advice with respect to the nomination of two members for appointment to that board. After seeking input from MLAs and Cabinet, I have recommended to Minister Irwin that Mr. Robert Hardisty of Fort Simpson and Mr. David Ittinuar of Rankin Inlet be appointed to the NWT Water Board to fill the vacancies created when Mr. Arden and Mr. Warner's terms expire on October 1, 1994.

At this time, I would like to acknowledge the significant role which Mr. Arden and Mr. Warner played in the management of the water resources here in the Northwest Territories. Their participation on the NWT Water Board has been invaluable and very much appreciated. I would also like to thank those Members of this House who provided me with advice respecting possible nominees as well as those individuals who kindly agreed to let their names stand for nomination.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 2, Minister's statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Morin.

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am pleased to announce that the introduction to the engineer and architecture program was a success this past summer. The program is a joint effort between the Departments of Transportation, Municipal and Community Affairs, Northwest Territories Housing Corporation and Public Works and Services, and encourages grade 10 and 11 students to consider university and technical school training in engineering and architecture.

This summer, 18 students from all the regions participated in a one-week orientation in Yellowknife and then returned to their home community for a five-week work assignment. Seven of the participants were aboriginal northerners and five were women. This program will continue next year. It is one way we are encouraging young people to stay in school, get trained and work in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Zoe.

Affirmative Action Policy
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 459

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, it has now been nine years since the Government of the Northwest Territories first put into place the native employment policy. The native employment policy was replaced in 1989 with a new policy, the affirmative action policy.

Madam Speaker, in 1989, the Special Committee on Northern Economy published a report entitled "The Government of the Northwest Territories Native Employment Policy: A Review and Assessment." One of the principle recommendations of this report was that the Government of the Northwest Territories conduct an evaluation of a native employment policy. Madam Speaker, this evaluation never took place.

The government, without evaluating the program, went ahead in 1989 and extended the principles of the old policy by including women, disabled persons and indigenous non-aboriginal people and renamed it the affirmative action policy.

Madam Speaker, over the past nine years, the territorial government has spent millions of dollars on affirmative action initiatives, with the primary goal of making the territorial public service competent and representative of the population it serves. In the context of the northern aboriginal population, this would mean a territorial public service made up of over 50 per cent aboriginal people.

Madam Speaker, after nine years of operation and millions of dollars of expenditure, the proportion of aboriginal people in the territorial public service is only about 35 per cent, a percentage increase of approximately five per cent over almost a decade. In terms of aboriginal people in management positions, the proportion is only about 12 per cent.

Madam Speaker, a full scale evaluation of the affirmative action program is long overdue. This evaluation should be carried out by a reputable, independent, third-party consulting firm. Mahsi.

---Applause

Affirmative Action Policy
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 460

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

NWT Air Jet Service To Hall Beach
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 460

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the aviation industry will make history again this week with the inaugural flight of NWT Air's 737 jet service to Hall Beach. NWT Air flight 967 and 968 will be the first and only direct service linking Hall Beach to western Canada.

Tomorrow at about this time, Madam Speaker, the jet, which will have originated in Winnipeg, will be leaving Rankin Inlet and will be arriving in Hall Beach in the afternoon. The flight will then leave Hall Beach and return to Winnipeg via Rankin Inlet, arriving in Winnipeg tomorrow evening. Passengers from Edmonton and Yellowknife will also now be able to make same day connections to Hall Beach via Rankin Inlet.

Madam Speaker, this flight will benefit my constituents in several ways. Many of the people in Hall Beach have family members in Rankin Inlet and those people have expressed their appreciation for this improved service. The plane has larger access doors which means that, not only will freight be transportable to Hall Beach and more frequently, larger items such as cars and trucks can now be delivered to the community by air.

NWT Air recognizes Hall Beach as a strategic location, being at the geographical centre of Nunavut. Thanks to NWT Air and also to First Air, which operates flights from Hall Beach to Iqaluit and Taloyoak and Igloolik, Hall Beach now has convenient access to almost every community in Nunavut.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of my constituents, I would like to thank NWT Air for their past and continued commitment to the service of the people of the north. Thank you.

---Applause

NWT Air Jet Service To Hall Beach
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 460

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Mammography Screening In The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 460

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, last week, the Minister of Health and Social Services responded to my question about a policy on mammography screening by saying, "A policy is not practical in an evolving field which may require rapid changes to medical practices."

Madam Speaker, it is distressing that the Minister's department seems not to have recognized that a growing number of jurisdictions are developing policies for mammography screening because the medical research proving the value of screening programs is, in fact, overwhelming.

Madam Speaker, broadly speaking, mammography has proven effective, particularly for women aged 50 to 69 and significantly reducing mortality. But only, Madam Speaker, where there is a policy which ensures uniform access to women. When there is a policy of providing the service in a coordinated, programmed manner for women without other symptoms of disease, more lives are saved in the most cost-effective manner.

Madam Speaker, the national workshop on the early detection of breast cancer has proposed that high quality screening be made available to all appropriately aged women throughout the country, including indigenous women and those living in rural areas through programs and dedicated screening sites. This recommendation has been taken seriously in other jurisdictions and, Madam Speaker, I think it is shameful that we, in the NWT, have not.

Madam Speaker, I will be posing further questions to the Minister of Health and Social Services this afternoon on this important issue during question period. Thank you.

---Applause

Mammography Screening In The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 460

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Funding For Arctic Winter Games
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 460

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today to speak of the Arctic Winter Game trials and summer game trials. It is obvious that these games will continue in the future. Madam Speaker, I urge the government to find some more funding for these Arctic Winter Game and summer game trials that take place in communities. The smaller communities are not often able to raise their own funds for this. I urge the government to look into finding some more funding for this purpose. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Funding For Arctic Winter Games
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 460

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot.

The Passing Of Mr. John Nanegoak
Item 3: Members' Statements

October 23rd, 1994

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On last Wednesday, October 19th, three individuals left Umingmaktok by snowmobile to set fish nets on a lake approximately 30 miles from the community.

John Nanegoak and his niece, Carol Kiloadluk, were on a snowmobile and sled while Doug Stern travelled on his snowmobile. As both Mr. Nanegoak and Mr. Stern are well-seasoned veterans of on-the-land travel, they tested the ice thickness of lakes they travelled on throughout their trip.

After setting his net, Mr. Nanegoak and his niece left first to return to the community by following their same trail. Unfortunately, their trip ended tragically as they broke through the ice before making it back to the land.

It's with deep regret that I announce the passing of the well-respected elder, Mr. John Nanegoak, as a result of an accidental drowning.

Having met John Nanegoak in the early 1980s, I had the greatest respect for him as one of the few remaining individuals living a traditional lifestyle. He was one of the kindest, most carefree and unselfish individuals I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Mr. Nanegoak leaves behind a daughter, Jessie Hagialok of Bathurst Inlet; a son and daughter-in-law, Ikey and Helen Nanegoak of Cambridge Bay; two brothers, Tommy Maghagak also of Cambridge Bay and Charlie Keyok of Umingmaktok. He also leaves behind numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, a great grandchild and dozens of other friends and relatives. My condolences to all family and friends of John Nanegoak on their tragic loss.

Mr. Nanegoak was born and raised in the Bathurst Inlet area and most recently was a resident of Umingmaktok. Many friends and family were brought from Cambridge Bay and Bathurst Inlet to attend the funeral service this past Saturday in Umingmaktok prior to shipping Mr. Nanegoak to his final resting place in Bathurst Inlet.

Madam Speaker, there is one positive side to this tragedy. The young girl, Carol Kiloadluk, was saved from drowning by Mr. Doug Stern, who risked his life by going out on the broken ice and into the water to rescue her, upon his discovering the mishap on his way home.

A lesson to all as a result of this unfortunate incident; that no matter how experienced you are with travelling on the land, always be extra cautious if you have to travel across ice.

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement, please.

The Passing Of Mr. John Nanegoak
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 461

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

The Passing Of Mr. John Nanegoak
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 461

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and honourable colleagues. Madam Speaker, on behalf of my constituents, the family and I, we wish to thank the Kitikmeot Divisional Board of Education, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, the Department of Health and Social Services, the Bathurst Inlet Lodge and Adlair Aviation for their financial assistance towards the aircraft charter cost for transporting friends and relatives to and from the funeral. Thank you.

The Passing Of Mr. John Nanegoak
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 461

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Moving Royal Oak Mine Headquarters
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 461

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to talk briefly about a lady who is well-known to us; a lady named Peggy Witte, president of the Royal Oak mine. She is the former Peggy Kent, a Member of a prominent family of the small Nevada town of Falon and a graduate of the Mackay School of Mines.

She generated tremendous enthusiasm, during 1994, throughout the mining world, not just Canada and in the States. In fact, she was named by the Mining World News as woman of the year in 1994. Right from the very beginning, I know the lady generated passionate emotion, some for and some against, but I have always been concerned that when a company acquires properties in the Northwest Territories, that you have some sense that you belong to that part of the world. You should have some commitment to it.

So I am sad to say today, Madam Speaker, that despite all the good things that many people may have said about her, the fact that she has now moved the headquarters of Royal Oak from Vancouver to Seattle tells me where her heart really is. It is not in the Northwest Territories or Canada. To me, this is a sad story. We like people to pay their taxes where they make their money. I know that as a chief executive officer, you have an obligation to your shareholders, but you also need the goodwill of the people you have to work with. Many people have shown goodwill, despite tempestuous times in the Northwest Territories. It is a sad reflection on the state of the industry that this event has taken place, because there was much hope and expectation that this company would become an important part of our structure. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Moving Royal Oak Mine Headquarters
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 461

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Dedication Of Monument To Inuit Who Died From Tb
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 461

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, many of my constituents have been touched by the tuberculosis epidemic which hit the eastern Arctic in the 1950s. Many families lost parents, grandparents and children to TB. Many families lost track of those people. Large numbers of Inuit were sent for treatment to southern sanatoriums, all across southern Canada. One of those, which took TB patients from Baffin Island and Ungava in northern Quebec in the 1950s, was the Hamilton Mountain Sanatorium.

I am pleased to announce, Madam Speaker, that a dedicated group of northern and Hamilton residents, most notably, Mr. Chester Orzel, who for 24 years ran Woodland Cemetery in Hamilton, have developed plans for a monument to 36 Inuit who died there.

Recently, the city of Hamilton authorized the spending of $16,500 towards the cost of land and perpetual care for a monument, at Woodland Cemetery, to recognize these people who died and were buried so far away from home. The monument will record the names of the deceased in Inuktitut and English, their date of death and place of origin, as far as it is known, and will feature replicas of Inuit carvings, some of which will be commissioned especially for this memorial.

The city of Hamilton committed the funds estimated at about one-third of the total $50,000 cost of the monument, and perpetual care, on the understanding that their contribution would be matched by the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

I will be asking the Minister of Health whether our government will be making a contribution towards this memorial to Inuit TB victims later today. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Dedication Of Monument To Inuit Who Died From Tb
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 462

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 183-12(6): Status Of H&ss Committee's Recommendation
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, this is in response to a question asked by Mr. Dent on the 19th of October with regard to the status of the Health and Social Services' committee's recommendations.

Mr. Dent asked about the status of the Family Law Review report, with respect to the power of courts to make orders of exclusive possession of the family home for victims of violence. This recommendation was supported by the Department of Justice response in a report dated December 1993, and was distributed in the winter of 1994.

This specific recommendation will be incorporated as part of the section of the proposed Family Law Act dealing with the possession of the family home. The department is currently in the process of drafting this act, and we expect to be able to table the bill for consultation purposes during the life of this government. Thank you.