This is page numbers 107 - 142 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

Literacy Week
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 112

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. Allooloo.

Literacy Week
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 112

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. The school children are writing stories based on these pictures. The elders are being invited to the school to view the pictures, hear the stories and discuss them with the students. In Hay River, October 4th was a turn-off-the-TV-and-read day. I'm sure our colleague, Mr. Pollard, did not have his TV on. The community was challenged to go for an entire day without watching television. They also had storytelling and author visits at the public library.

---Applause

Literacy Week
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 112

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Government's Fiscal Position
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 112

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories has faced extraordinary financial pressures over the last two years. This summer, for example, was another bad year for forest fires. The work done to manage these fires is going to cost more than $20 million, over and above what was estimated. In addition to that, Madam Speaker, the federal government continues to reduce funding support to the Northwest Territories in a number of areas. One of the most important areas of funding cuts is support for housing. These are just a few of the many financial pressures that we face.

However, even though I recognize these pressures, I feel strongly that our government cannot afford to accumulate a deficit. Most of the funding required to meet the needs of our citizens comes from the federal government. The revenue that we raise on our own, given the present financial arrangements with the federal government, is quite small. We have little room to move. If we do get into a deficit position, it will be very hard to recover. We will be caught in a trap. On the one hand, we will have to use our scarce resources to pay off the debt and, on the other hand, we will not be able to respond to the basic needs of our people.

I recognize, Madam Speaker, that it is a delicate balance, but it is a balance that we must find. We need to consider, very seriously, what our priorities are, what is most important to our people. We need to find ways to meet these needs in new and innovative ways. Our current means of providing public services are very expensive. We can no longer afford to provide services in the same way. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Government's Fiscal Position
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 112

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Forest Fires In The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 112

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, last summer while travelling on the Mackenzie River to Fort Norman for the Dene National Assembly, we ran into thick smoke from forest fires around the area. The smoke was so thick, in fact, we couldn't see the buoys or markers, and at times were lost. This could have been a tragedy, as well as embarrassing to myself as an aboriginal person if we, in fact, did get lost.

This year on July 25th, we were on a trip to Lutsel K'e. There were five fires burning near the community also producing heavy smoke. I understand that some trappers' cabins were lost in these fires.

Madam Speaker, this September 16th, while travelling from Fort Providence to Yellowknife by airplane, I noticed several fires; one north of the Horn Plateau which was putting up enough smoke to rival the fires in Kuwait. The other one I noticed was 30 miles south of White Point Beach. In the morning it was smouldering. By the time we returned in the evening, it was out of control.

We all know this was a bad year for forest fires, but it seems under the present policy of forest fighting management, a lot of Dene land is literally going up in smoke.

Madam Speaker, I understand that we do not have the resources to fight every single forest fire. But when the government decides which fires to fight, they have to look at all lands as being important because all lands are important to the Dene.

I also believe, Madam Speaker, that the government should implement a policy restricting development in burned-out areas in order to give reforestation a chance. Under no circumstances should this government allow exploration or development in those areas. Just because a piece of land is important to exploration companies or other commercial interests, doesn't mean it is more important than other areas. The government has to remember to look at the bigger picture and not just worry about the possibility of losing tax revenues. Don't forget there are still more traplines operating in the north than diamond mines. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Forest Fires In The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 112

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Fighting Crime In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 112

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the citizens of Iqaluit are very concerned about smuggling and trafficking in alcohol and drugs and related crimes in their community. But, Iqaluit is not alone. If we took a close look, we would find that every one of our communities has these kinds of problems and young people are often the first victims.

Today, I wish to commend the people of Iqaluit for having the courage and convictions to actually do something about these problems. This spring, local citizens became outraged about criminal acts they believed were associated with a certain pool hall and video arcade and the homes of some of its proprietors. Citizens became concerned that the establishment and people associated with its operation were engaged in trafficking of alcohol and drugs, sexual exploitation of minors

and other crimes including intimidation, threats, assaults and mischief.

Early in July, several parents took matters into their own hands and entered a local residence to rescue their juvenile daughters. That event resulted in a spontaneous protest of about 45 peaceful but angry citizens at the local arcade. The following weekend, a peaceful rally which ended up at the same location attracted some 500 local citizens, Inuit and non-Inuit alike, including many young people. And this in the middle of summer.

Madam Speaker, I have not seen such a unanimous outpouring of public concern since the citizens' movement forced the closure to over-the-counter sales at the Iqaluit liquor store in 1976. I am proud of the citizens of Iqaluit for so strongly pressing for actions against a small minority of people from the south who were preying on the vulnerable youth of Iqaluit. It is especially inspiring that the citizens' committee achieved immediate results. The arcade was promptly closed. One of the proprietors was evicted by a local landlord, and shortly after left town.

I applaud the actions and concerns of this citizens' group. Actions and concern like this are essential if the police are to do their jobs with the limited resources they have in Iqaluit. For my part, I will be encouraging our Minister of Justice...

Fighting Crime In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 113

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Excuse me, Mr. Patterson.

Fighting Crime In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 113

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. May I request consent to briefly conclude my statement? Thank you.

Fighting Crime In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 113

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Fighting Crime In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 113

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As I was saying, for my part, I will be encouraging our Minister of Justice to continue to press for more federal support for anti-drug and anti-smuggling resources in Iqaluit. I am also committed to working closely with the citizens' committee and the youth of Iqaluit who have been inspired to organize a youth group to support youth in conflict.

I hope other communities will also be encouraged to show this kind of concern, as I understand Snowdrift has recently done. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Fighting Crime In Iqaluit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 113

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Reopening Of The Inuvik Women's Transition House
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 113

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, today I wish to let my colleagues know about another joyous event that happened in Inuvik on September 30th. On that day, Madam Premier and myself were participants in the grand reopening of the Inuvik Women's Transition House. This house is set up as a shelter for women, for children and for elders who have been abused or are in trouble.

Madam Speaker, the event was quite happy in that it showed again the spirit and cooperation of the citizens of Inuvik in coming together and putting together a plan of action and doing it, then following up on that plan, to reorganize and restructure a transition house that six months ago was in deep financial trouble, deep management trouble.

One of the funny events at the grand opening was, at these types of things with buildings involved, there is usually a ribbon cutting ceremony. The two individuals who were chosen to cut the ribbon were the Premier and Jessie Colton who is the executive director of the house. But instead of using scissors, Madam Speaker, these two Inuvialuit women chose to use their teeth. The picture in today's Drum shows them chomping at the ribbon. And to quote the Premier, "This is how we do things in the north." It was quite a funny event for all involved.

I would like to congratulate the board of directors of the new transition house, Jessie Colton and the staff who are working there, and the people of Inuvik, the town, the Inuvialuit, and the Gwich'in who have joined together to reorganize and restructure and manage this new home. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the old board of directors, the people who managed the home up to its closing last spring. Mahsi.

---Applause

Reopening Of The Inuvik Women's Transition House
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 113

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Nwtpc's Power Supply
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 113

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the summer of 1994 will go down in history as one of the most memorable summers on record. Here in Yellowknife or in the south part of the territories we had diamond fever, high employment, labour peace, the royal visit, no mosquitoes, and thanks to the meteorological phenomenon known as the "Arctic high," one of the hottest, longest, driest spells for some time. The campers were happy. The boaters were happy. The water bomber crews were happy. The road builders were happy. The house builders were happy. It was a very memorable summer to say the least. Now the downside.

While we were enjoying this bug-free summer, we also noticed that the rivers, streams and lake levels were dropping. We also noticed the highest number of forest fires we have seen for quite some time because of their smoke. Here in Yellowknife, we also noticed that the Jackfish Lake diesel plant was running all engines almost full time. Madam Speaker, that was very concerning to many people here in this city. The concern is valid. While we still bask in the warmth of summer, we still remember last winter, the coldest in decades. The people here are concerned that if the diesels were running full out, when their role on this system at this time was to be stand-by, emergency or for peak periods, what will happen when the demands are highest?

There are many families and businesses concerned and even worried about black-outs and brown-outs. A secure power supply is among the most important things to all northerners, not only here in the Snare/Yellowknife system, but all over the north. We have every confidence and trust in the Power Corporation staff, management and equipment. All we are asking and all we need at this time, as winter approaches, is reassurance. Thank you.

---Applause

Nwtpc's Power Supply
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 114

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Very often it is during the summer months when we are not sitting, that issues arise that MLAs have to deal with and don't have a forum to voice their public opinion. Even though since last February, there has been revealed a capital site development plan, it wasn't until the early summer that the residents of Yellowknife became fully aware of the impact the development plan could have on businesses and properties surrounding Frame Lake.

Madam Speaker, the concern I have today is the manner in which that plan was developed, especially the way in which very good friends of mine, people I have worked with for many years, were successful in blaming Members of this House for coming up with a wonderful, elaborate plan that suited their needs, but may not suit the citizens of Yellowknife.

Madam Speaker, I would like to make it a matter of record, that Members of this Assembly were not consulted on this development plan. It was something which was done within the bureaucracy and there never was a consultation process in which Members of this Chamber were asked their opinions as to whether we needed to have a site that extended twice the area of the Parliament of Canada. That caused considerable outrage to people in this city.

The point I want to make, Madam Speaker, is that it is very unusual that public servants can get away with blaming their masters for something that they never did. It never happened in my time -- 20 years of public service -- otherwise, you are down the road. But this happened this summer. It was a double heat for us. We took heat when we first decided, with great foresight, in my opinion, to build this place and then we had to take heat for someone else's decision about the way the whole thing would develop from there. I want to make it a public record that we were involved in the original design, but we were not involved in the development of the plan for the site. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Ballantyne.

Congratulating Chief Darrell Beaulieu
Item 3: Members' Statements

October 5th, 1994

Page 114

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I rise to congratulate Chief Darrell Beaulieu of Ndilo, who was re-elected as chief. Chief Beaulieu is a very articulate and traditional leader of Treaty 8 Dene. At the same time, he is a very pragmatic and innovative chief in his own community of Ndilo.

I have had the pleasure of working closely with Chief Beaulieu for the last four years as chief, and for some years before that as councillor, also with Chief Sangris from Dettah and the Yellowknives Dene Band. The two chiefs and band deserve tremendous credit for the improvements in Ndilo and Dettah over the last decade. If one looks at those communities now and looked at them 10 years ago, you would see a tremendous improvement. The band deserves most of the credit for that.

As Members recognize, the band has been in an unfortunate situation of not being able to say exactly who is responsible. For services, the municipality has had problems because of the taxation regime. The federal government should be responsible, but they never had any money. Very innovative leadership on behalf of the Yellowknives Dene Band, working with the GNWT over the last decade, has allowed the people of Ndilo and Dettah to have a much better quality of life.

I wish the chief well and I am sure the chief will provide very strong and imaginative leadership for his people for many years to come. Thank you.

---Applause

Congratulating Chief Darrell Beaulieu
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 114

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 43-12(6): Provision Of Financial Assistance For Mackenzie Times
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 114

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Antoine on April 7, 1993 with respect to provision of financial assistance for Mackenzie Times.

In response to the honourable Member's question, I asked the deputy minister to meet with Mr. Mercredi to review his financial situation.

Considering the information that was available to us, it was clear that unless the Mackenzie Times could expand its revenue base and more tightly control expenditures, there was little chance of viability. Given the small market for the newspaper, there is little chance of expanding the revenue base. It would appear that Mr. Mercredi realizes this, as he has closed the paper and moved to Fort Smith. Thank you.

Return To Question 43-12(6): Provision Of Financial Assistance For Mackenzie Times
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 115

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 6, oral questions. Pardon me, that is an oversight on my part. There is a new item on the agenda. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 115

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It gives me pleasure to introduce Ms. Cathy McGregor, director of the Baffin Divisional Board of Education. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 115

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Ballantyne.