Debates of Oct. 27th, 1994
This is page numbers 549 - 580 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 housing.
Topics
- Members Present
- Item 1: Prayer
- Minister's Statement 42-12(6): Appointment Of Ms. Mary Simon As Canada's First Circumpolar Ambassador
- Transfer Of Sir John Franklin High School
- Environmental Review Process
- Round-table On Economy And Environment
- Contamination Of Coppermine's Fresh Water Supply
- Future Location Of The Capital Of Nunavut
- Allocation Of Social Assistance
- Dangers Of Thin Ice
- Upgrading Road In Sanikiluaq
- Metis Voice Report Card
- Telecommunications In Small Communities
- Sexual Assault And Child Sexual Abuse
- Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
- Question 260-12(6): Problems With Coppermine's Water Supply
- Question 261-12(6): Notification Of Awg 1998 Site Selection
- Question 262-12(6): Agreement Re Sir John Franklin Transfer
- Question 263-12(6): Telecommunication Services For Unserviced Communities
- Question 264-12(6): Innovative Fund Raising For Stanton Hospital
- Question 265-12(6): Awg Selection Committee's Knowledge Of Inuvik Infrastructure
- Question 266-12(6): Rental Arrears Owed To Housing Associations
- Question 267-12(6): Assistance In Preparation Of Income Tax Returns
- Question 268-12(6): Maca's Involvement In Capital's Site Plan
- Question 269-12(6): Difficulties Cashing Social Assistance Cheques In Natilikmiot
- Question 270-12(6): Status Of Informatics Strategy
- Question 271-12(6): Cost Of Living Survey
- Question 272-12(6): Policy For Walk-in Freezers
- Written Question 22-12(6): Arrears Owed To The NWT Housing Corporation
- Written Question 23-12(6): Community Public Health Nurses
- Written Question 24-12(6): Provision Of Uhf Radios And Gps To Communities
- Written Question 25-12(6): Sexual Assault And Child Sexual Abuse
- Committee Report 13-12(6): Report On The Elimination Of The Alcohol And Drug Board Of Management
- Committee Report 14-12(6): Advisory Committee On Social Housing Report On Taloyoak Meetings, September 23 - 25, 1994
- Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
- Item 15: Notices Of Motions
- Bill 16: An Act To Amend The Legislative Assembly And Executive Council Act, No. 2
- Bill 21: An Act To Amend The Fair Practices Act
- Bill 19: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1994-95, Withdrawn
- Bill 20: An Act To Amend The Student Financial Assistance Act, Carried
- Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
- Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1995-96Committee Report 10-12(6): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Capital Estimates
- Committee Motion 39-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 9, Carried
- Committee Motion 40-12(6): To Adopt Recommendation 10, Carried
- Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
- Return To Written Question 2-12(6): Elders' Residences Operated By The GNWT
- Item 22: Orders Of The Day
Sexual Assault And Child Sexual Abuse
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 554
Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North
Thank you, Madam Speaker. The incidence of sexual assault and child sexual abuse is increasing at an alarming rate in the Northwest Territories. Present victims' programs and services are woefully inadequate to deal with the alarming rise in sexual assaults and child sexual abuse.
What is needed in the Northwest Territories is a combination of approaches. What we have seen is, slowly but surely, increases and stiffer sentences for perpetrators. That has to continue. People who are convicted of sexual assault or child sexual abuse have to be told, in no uncertain terms, that it is unacceptable in our society.
There have to be stronger statements by political leaders. We hear a lot of very strong, positive statements by women leaders, but what we haven't heard enough of over the years is strong political statements by male leaders. We need immediate and long-term counselling and support for victims. We have a long way to go.
It has been said many times that there has to be ongoing education for everyone involved in the justice system and social services system. It has been documented in numerous reports, but between reports it seems to be forgotten. There can be no misunderstanding that men are the primary perpetrators of sexual assault and child sexual abuse. Men then have the primary responsibility to put an end to it.
Sexual assault and child sexual abuse is totally unacceptable in our society. The statistics are frightening. Unless we do something about it, eventually its impact will be felt personally by everyone in this room. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
---Applause
Sexual Assault And Child Sexual Abuse
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 554
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Madam Premier.
Return To Question 136-12(6): Status Of Birthing Centre Pilot Project In Keewatin
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
October 27th, 1994
Page 554
Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to a question asked by Mr. Ludy Pudluk on October 14th regarding the status of the birthing centre and the pilot project in the Keewatin.
Madam Speaker, the Rankin Inlet birthing project appears to be functioning very well. There have been 20 babies delivered in the health centre since November 22, 1993. Only one mother and baby had to be medevaced out after delivery, due to prematurity of the infant. Two deliveries had minor complications, but the nurse/midwives were able to handle the situation in the absence of the regional physician. High and extreme risk mothers are still being sent out to Winnipeg for safe delivery of their infants in a hospital setting.
The education component of the project is progressing very well. The partners of the mothers are becoming more involved in the classes and attending clinics with their partners. It has been noted that fathers who have attended the delivery of their baby are now visiting the well-baby clinics with their new infants.
Madam Speaker, there have been problems in staffing the nurse/midwife positions. Both midwives who started with the project have left. The Keewatin Regional Health Board has advertised twice across Canada and has not been able to staff the position yet. The coordinator of the project is working in one of the positions and the second position is staffed by rotating nurses from within the Keewatin region to ensure coverage until the positions can be filled.
Efforts are continuing to locate replacements for the midwives.
Return To Question 152-12(6): Staff Cuts To Yellowknife Health Centre
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 554
Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput
Madam Speaker, I have another reply. It is a reply to a question asked by Mr. Charles Dent on October 17th regarding staff cuts to Yellowknife health centre.
Madam Speaker, the Yellowknife public health unit has not cut one public health nurse from its staff. A two-year term position expired on October 23, 1994. This position was in addition to the approved staffing level for that unit. Mackenzie Regional Health Services will be conducting a review of the current responsibility and workloads of the Yellowknife public health unit in this fiscal year.
The results of this review will determine the long-term staffing for the Yellowknife public health unit. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Return To Question 152-12(6): Staff Cuts To Yellowknife Health Centre
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 555
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions.
Return To Question 152-12(6): Staff Cuts To Yellowknife Health Centre
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 555
Ludy Pudluk High Arctic
(Microphone turned off)
Return To Question 152-12(6): Staff Cuts To Yellowknife Health Centre
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 555
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
There is no such thing as point of corrections under our rules, Mr. Pudluk, but if you want to call a point of order...Point of order, Mr. Pudluk.
Point Of Order
Return To Question 152-12(6): Staff Cuts To Yellowknife Health Centre
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 555
Ludy Pudluk High Arctic
Thank you, Madam Speaker. With regard to return to Question 136-12(6), I didn't ask that question. Mr. Pudlat asked that question. Thank you.
Return To Question 152-12(6): Staff Cuts To Yellowknife Health Centre
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 555
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
That would come under a point of order, Mr. Pudluk. The return to oral question that has been submitted by the government does state that it was asked by Mr. Ludy Pudluk, whereas it was asked by Mr. Kenoayoak Pudlat. So, there was an error in it's stating that it should have been asked by Mr. Pudlat as opposed to Mr. Pudluk. So, therefore, the records will be corrected and you did have a point of order. Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin Central, Ms. Mike.
Further Return To Question 258-12(6): Conflict Of Interest Re Awg Site Selection
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 555
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Good afternoon, Madam Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Gargan on October 26, 1994 regarding the 1998 Arctic Winter Games host community selection. The Arctic Winter Games International Committee's bid review process included visits and meetings with officials in both Inuvik and Yellowknife. Both communities submitted bid proposals that were based on their projections of facilities and resources in 1998, the time of the games.
It can be safely assumed that the international committee was aware of, and considered, any new infrastructure that was expected to be in place for 1998. The actual discussions and the review of the bid proposal cannot be commented on, as has been mentioned before. The NWT directors did not actively participate in the decision-making process, nor has this information been shared by the international committee. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 258-12(6): Conflict Of Interest Re Awg Site Selection
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 555
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Morin.
Return To Question 127-12(6): Reason For Project Officer Travelling To Baffin
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 555
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Dennis Patterson on October 13th about the reason for a project officer travelling to the Baffin. The project officer did travel to the Baffin region several times. However, he did not travel specifically for the window replacement project. During 1992 and 1993, the project officer from Yellowknife travelled to the region for a number of projects in Cape Dorset, Pond Inlet, and Lake Harbour. During one of these trips, he was involved in this project, specifically to resolve the deficiencies with the major contract. Then the project was handled by the Baffin regional office for tendering and contract administration.
Return To Question 127-12(6): Reason For Project Officer Travelling To Baffin
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 555
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.
Question 260-12(6): Problems With Coppermine's Water Supply
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 555
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Earlier in my Member's statement, I raised the issue of water supply problems in the community of Coppermine. As the Department of Public Works and Services maintains the water supply, I would like to ask the Minister of Public Works and Services if he's aware of the problem and what the particular problem is in the community of Coppermine. Thank you.
Question 260-12(6): Problems With Coppermine's Water Supply
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 555
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Morin.
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