This is page numbers 143 - 169 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 federal.

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Major League Baseball
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 149

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 4, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I stand today to express my gratitude to the Members of the Advisory Committee on Social Housing that came to Taloyoak on September 23rd to 25th; Mr. Don Morin, the Minister for Housing, who is also the chairperson of the Advisory Committee for Social Housing; Sam Gargan, the deputy chairman of the advisory committee; Tony Whitford; Dennis Patterson; James Arvaluk; and, Titus Allooloo.

Madam Speaker, the community of Taloyoak was very, very proud to have these Members from the Advisory Committee on Social Housing, especially the Members from the western Arctic. Madam Speaker, I hope we will have another committee of the Legislature meet in the Kitikmeot region. To all the Members of the Advisory Committee on Social Housing, thank you very much from the community of Taloyoak. Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 4, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Congratulating Organizers Of Nunavut Royal Visit
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 149

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, as we all know, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, were in the NWT from August 20th to the 22nd. I was pleased, on behalf of my constituents, to receive Her Majesty's words of wisdom at the Legislative Assembly.

Like the majority of Nunavut Caucus Members, I also had the opportunity to participate during the royal couple's visit to Nunavut and Rankin Inlet on August 22nd. We also know of their visit to Iqaluit, which was their point of departure from Canada. Many individuals and volunteers were involved in organizing, assisting and participating in the NWT visit of the royal couple.

Madam Speaker, at this time, I wish to acknowledge and recognize those from my constituency. Canadian Rangers from Cambridge Bay: George Angohiatok; Sam Ehaloak; Allen Elatiak; Jimmy Haniliak, George Kavana; Allen Kitigon; and, Doug Stern. Canadian Rangers from Coppermine: Bobby Etoktok, George Hala; Angus Havioyak; Colin Havioyak; Roger Hitkoluk; and, Bubba Pedersen.

I also wish to acknowledge Mrs. Marion Glawson of Economic Development and Tourism from Cambridge Bay, who was part of the Rankin Inlet organizing committee. Finally, Mr. Attima Hadlari, who performed during the royal visit in Rankin Inlet.

Madam Speaker, I ask all Members to join me in congratulating and thanking these and all other individuals involved in making the 1994 NWT royal visit a success. Mahsi.

---Applause

Congratulating Organizers Of Nunavut Royal Visit
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 150

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Congratulating Dogrib Power Corporation
Item 4: Members' Statements

October 6th, 1994

Page 150

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, in the early 1960s, I was fortunate to be part of planning the building and the operating of the Taltson Twin Gorge hydro plant near Fort Smith. I worked for the corporation at the time and my involvement was rather indirect, but nonetheless I saw the beginning and the completion of that project. I can understand the excitement and enthusiasm that the people of the Dogrib Nation are now experiencing after the announcements this morning on the hydro development in that area. This time, they have a direct involvement and an ownership in this project. I am sure that in 1947 or 1948, when the Snare rapids and the Snare falls projects were undertaken, little if any consultation took place with the people of that region. It is good to see that now the stakeholders are so directly involved.

Since my involvement in hydro, I have had the pleasure of visiting many projects, Big Horn, Peace River, Bennett, and dams Mica and La Grande in Quebec and I would say these are big projects. They may have caused a lot of concern to the environmentalists over the years because of their size and because of the lack of environmental planning that went into them. We are all well aware of the effects the Peace River, Slave River and the Mackenzie River are feeling now from the dams on the Peace River in British Columbia.

If hydro is planned properly and built with the environment in mind, it is perhaps the best way to go. We use a lot of power in the territories. Our only source, in many cases is diesel and until we get another form of energy in the north, we will be stuck with diesel for a long time. So any time hydro can be developed with the environment in mind, we must use it.

I extend, on behalf of the people of Yellowknife South, congratulations to the Dogrib Power Corporation and the people for this great venture that they are undertaking. Thank you.

---Applause

Congratulating Dogrib Power Corporation
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 150

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 4, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Lewis.

Media Coverage Of Mlas' Salaries
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 150

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

I rise today, Madam Speaker, to deal with a very personal and sensitive issue. I was discouraged by my colleagues to raise this issue today. It is something that I have not discussed very much. But today, I would like to point out that the press very often can cause conflict between man and wife.

Media Coverage Of Mlas' Salaries
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 150

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Oh, oh.

Media Coverage Of Mlas' Salaries
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 150

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

My wife has been the manager of my household ever since we were married 31 years ago. She prepares my tax returns before they go to my accountant and he just rubber-stamps them because they are always right. Madam Speaker, I have the dubious honour, according to the media, of being the lowest paid Member of this Assembly.

---Applause

Media Coverage Of Mlas' Salaries
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 150

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Shame, shame.

Media Coverage Of Mlas' Salaries
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 150

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

I didn't know how I could put a good, positive spin on that fact. Since Mr. Gargan has raised the business of salaries and salary caps, it makes me pause to reflect that maybe the amount of money one gets in return for one's work is not a true reflection of the amount of work that one does and the value of the individual.

So I had to explain that to my wife. I should also point out to the media that the official piece of paper I take from my employer is called a T-4. My T-4 reflects an amount that is less $70,000. My take-home pay, according to my last paycheque of the last fiscal year, was $30,000. I can live on that because I am a man of modest tastes, very moderate and frugal...

---Laughter

...and I live quite simply. I should point out to the media that it is the job of this House to try to present facts so that people can understand them. We know we are elected to take other people's abuse. That is part of the job. But when you do it, you should make sure the facts that you use are facts that are real, not bloated information...

---Applause

...that the public then uses to further inflict injury on their elected people.

---Laughter

Media Coverage Of Mlas' Salaries
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 150

Some Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Media Coverage Of Mlas' Salaries
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 150

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Madam Speaker, I seek consent to continue my statement.

Media Coverage Of Mlas' Salaries
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 150

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Media Coverage Of Mlas' Salaries
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 150

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. Continue, Mr. Lewis.

Media Coverage Of Mlas' Salaries
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 150

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Madam Speaker, I have been faithful to my wife for 31 years.

---Applause

I am not hiding anything from her. It is not true that I made close to $89,000 last year. I shouldn't have to explain to her what I did with the other $20,000.

---Laughter

I don't have anyone that I have to look after beyond the kids in my household.

---Laughter

The money that I get I earn honestly and does not reflect the amount of money that I was paid at other stages in my career in the past. I do the work because I enjoy the work. I enjoy public service. I don't mind taking abuse. I am used to it. However, I am used to people dealing with me in a fair, straightforward, honest fashion. I wish that when we table information in the House, people would do their homework to find out exactly what it is that my employer says I earn and which I am accountable to Revenue Canada to pay taxes on. That is what I earn and that is what is not contained in the document that was tabled last week. It is unfortunate that members of the public now want to ask me why it is we make so much money. Quite frankly, $89,000 is a lot of money. There are not that many people who make that kind of money. I don't make it and other Members in this House don't make it. If they were to see the T-4 that every one of us has to submit to pay taxes every year, they would know exactly what it is that we get in the way of earnings. The rest of it are expenses, which other businesses and other people also have to incur on behalf of the people they work for.

Media Coverage Of Mlas' Salaries
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 151

An Hon. Member

Hear, hear.

---Applause

Media Coverage Of Mlas' Salaries
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 151

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 4, Members' statements. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is for Madam Premier and it is with respect to the policy that the government has for departments to relay non-confidential government information to Members. Does the government have a policy respecting the passing of information to Members requesting it at the regional office level? Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Return To Question 68-12(6): Government Policy Of Release Of Information To Mlas
Question 68-12(6): Government Policy Of Release Of Information To Mlas
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 151

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, perhaps the Member could further clarify what type of information he is requesting. As the Member knows, we have a policy in various departments about what is permissible to release. There is confidential information in various departments, portfolios and programs. There are policies about what is to be kept confidential. I would request further clarification. Thank you.

Return To Question 68-12(6): Government Policy Of Release Of Information To Mlas
Question 68-12(6): Government Policy Of Release Of Information To Mlas
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 151

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Supplementary To Question 68-12(6): Government Policy Of Release Of Information To Mlas
Question 68-12(6): Government Policy Of Release Of Information To Mlas
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 151

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Supplementary, Madam Speaker. I am speaking about information that is non-confidential, things like government programs, costs of operating government facilities, those types of things that would normally be public information. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 68-12(6): Government Policy Of Release Of Information To Mlas
Question 68-12(6): Government Policy Of Release Of Information To Mlas
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 151

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Madam Premier.