This is page numbers 903 - 952 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 chairman.

Topics

Member's Statement Re Remembrance Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 905

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Member's Statement Re Remembrance Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 905

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I was only five years old, Madam Speaker, when my father went off to war. He was 28 years old with a couple of children. He could have continued working in a protected industry for the war effort; coal mining. Instead, he and his friend went off to war. I remember my mother in tears when he got on the train, so I knew there was something serious happening.

Because he was married, he was not posted overseas. Instead, he spent many nights in a sentry-box overlooking the Atlantic Ocean spotting ships and aircraft. He got leave from time to time, so he was able to visit us. He and his friend, however, became restless. They asked to be posted overseas. Imagine their surprise when my father finds himself posted to Burma, in preparation for the Japanese campaign, and his friend is posted to prepare for battle in Europe. Such was the way of war.

The friend was eventually killed in the Normandy landings, and my father eventually became a casualty and shipped to hospital in Bombay, India and he stayed there for the remainder of the war.

When my father was demobilized and returned to our village, I was full of questions about war, Madam Speaker. He told me that such things were better forgotten and not talked about. Years later, as a teenager, I began to understand. He believed that the various servicemen's clubs and the large number of war movies only served to glorify war.

Madam Speaker, he claimed that very often people only got together to relive their great exploits as war heroes. In fact, I remember him returning his war medals to the War Ministry. However, Madam Speaker, he always recognized Remembrance Day. He believed that this day was the right response, both to the horror of war and to honour the people who made the ultimate sacrifice. And tomorrow, like I have done on other occasions, I will honour it, because this is the day that he recognizes. Thank you.

---Applause

Member's Statement Re Remembrance Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 905

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Proposed Social Housing Rent Scale
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 906

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, earlier this year the Minister of Housing presented proposed social housing rent scale changes. The proposed changes unleashed a great deal of anxiety, although everyone understood the financial pressures from CMHC, that rent changes were long overdue and that some high-income people could afford to pay more, there was also strong concern that the proposed rent scale changes were not workable, that they did not adequately consider the cost of living in remote communities, that they did not adequately consider the condition of units, that overcrowding and other factors which were not considered adequately could result in the failure of the new social housing rent scale. There was a special concern that the proposed changes regarding elders could pit them against their own employed children.

A most important concern was that if the changes were not phased in gradually, individual tenants, potential home owners and local housing authorities and associations could not and would not be prepared to implement and accept the changes and the intent of encouraging home ownership might fail.

Madam Speaker, since the first proposed social housing rent scale was tabled in this House by the Minister, a lot has happened and some good things have happened. There have been extensive district consultation meetings in all regions which produced, I think, constructive and reasonable recommendations. Then the Advisory Committee on Social Housing was invited by the Minister -- and I thank him for that -- to work together with him on revisions on the draft rent scale which could make it more workable. The Advisory Committee on Social Housing worked especially hard in Taloyoak from September 23rd to 25th to work with the Minister and propose and agree on revisions to the social housing rent scale which would make the new social housing rent scale more acceptable and more workable in our constituencies, as was spelled out in our report in this House on October 27th.

Madam Speaker, the Minister has stated that he would make a response to the recommendations during this session. I think this is the last day. I'm most anxious to find out what the Minister is going to do about this report. Thank you.

Proposed Social Housing Rent Scale
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 906

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Proposed Increase To Social Housing Rent Scale
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 906

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I, too, have a statement concerning housing. Recently I tabled a document concerning the rent increases. At that time, there was supposed to be an increase to occur in April, but at least at that time it was deferred. However, Madam Speaker, housing is a vital necessity for the residents, and it would have been very difficult for my constituents in my region and they asked for me to help them out, to oppose the rental increases.

Madam Speaker, the document that I tabled was related to that. Should the rent increases occur, people were interested in finding out by what percentage it would increase. I want them to be prepared and kept updated on all the progress so they will know what to expect, especially for the people in my region. We want them to know well in advance, if possible, perhaps even three years ahead of time by the Minister. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Proposed Increase To Social Housing Rent Scale
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 906

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Member's Statement Re Remembrance Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 906

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. (Translation) I will be speaking in my language. Tomorrow, November 11th, is Remembrance Day. This is what I would like to talk about. This day is in remembrance of a war that happened a long time ago. All the people who participated in the war participated to make it better for us. We have to remember them, we have to remember this day.

There are quite a few people from the territories who participated in the war. When I was a young person, there were some people who had participated in the war who talked about it. There are some people from Fort Simpson who had participated, and there are some Dene people and Metis people who were in the war. This is what we have to remember. Our relatives were there. I feel thankful that they participated in the war, so it would be better for us.

So, in remembrance of that, I would just like to talk about Remembrance Day today. Thanks.

Member's Statement Re Remembrance Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 906

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statement. Mr. Pudluk.

Point Of Order

Member's Statement Re Remembrance Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 906

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I raised this issue before. Madam Speaker, once again I must raise a point of order. Yesterday, under the item tabling of documents, the Clerk, on page 2183 of unedited Hansard, indicated that he was tabling a response to a petition that was presented by Mr. Pudluk. I have had a chance to review the response and find that the petition was presented by Mr. Pudlat.

Madam Speaker, once again I am being named incorrectly in this House. I would appreciate it if all Members and staff would please stop embarrassing me and get my name correct. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Member's Statement Re Remembrance Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 906

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Mr. Pudluk, technically, you do not have a point of order, however, I am sure Members and staff will be conscientious in making every attempt to get your name correct in the future.

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

Member's Statement Re Remembrance Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 906

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

(English not provided)...The annual general meeting of the Francophone community takes place here in Yellowknife and gathers French-speaking...

Member's Statement Re Remembrance Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 907

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Sorry, Mr. Whitford, we did not get the translation at the beginning of your Member's statement.

Member's Statement Re Remembrance Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 907

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Madam Speaker, I wanted to be brilliant today by making a Member's statement in French, but...

---Applause

...I couldn't do the whole thing. So, I thought I would just do the opening paragraph. Encore, Madam President.

Annual General Meeting Of NWT Francophone Association
Item 3: Members' Statements

November 9th, 1994

Page 907

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

(Translation) Madam Speaker, last week the NWT French-speaking association had their annual general meeting here in Yellowknife. (Translation ends) People from across the territories who are of French descent gather to share common thoughts and discuss concerns they have in the preservation of French culture and language. I had the pleasure of attending some of the meetings and activities that took place.

One of the important things that takes place at these annual events is the recognition of a member of the association who has participated above and beyond what other members have and who stands out as an individual to be recognized. This year, the choice for that recognition was Madam Marie Claire LeBlanc. Madam LeBlanc has been involved in all areas of Francophone activities in the north. She received a plaque from the former secretary of state of what is now Heritage Canada in recognition of that, as well as some flowers. It was recognition from her peers of her good work.

I just wanted to say congratulations to Madam LeBlanc. She has now left the territories and is living in Quebec. Her valuable service will be missed. But, there are others working hard to ensure that French language, like other languages are going to be continued. Culture is very important and we hope to see its continuation. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Aivilik, Mr. Arvaluk.

Member's Statement Re Remembrance Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 907

James Arvaluk Aivilik

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to make a statement regarding Remembrance Day, particularly regarding the people of the Northwest Territories. Perhaps there are not too many of us who participated in the last world war, however, we are all part of this special day. I appreciate the fact that they were willing to sacrifice their own lives for the betterment of future generations in Canada.

All the people in Canada appreciate the people brave enough to go to war, leaving their families and friends behind. We also remember that if the Canadians and North Americans had been defeated in World War II, we would not have a democracy like we do today. We would have a severe shortage of housing and food had we lost in the war. We have to keep that in mind and appreciate those people who were willing to sacrifice their lives to save Canada and the rest of the world.

We all know that Inuit people and others are always willing to help people in need, such as when there are food shortages. For instance, the Inuit people have been very generous in helping people who have been starving. In particular, Inuit are recognized as being the biggest givers for those Somalians when they were starving. I would like to recognize the Inuit people and the rest of Canadians for helping each other out during hard times. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Member's Statement Re Remembrance Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 907

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Pond Inlet Negotiated Contract
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 907

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today, I would like to make a Member's statement on government negotiated contracts, specifically in my community of Pond Inlet. Pond Inlet had a chance to experience one of the first negotiated contracts. I would like to report that, although this was a relatively small contract that was negotiated between the co-op of Pond Inlet, Qillaut Development, and Merkosak Construction, well over 100 people are employed right now in Pond Inlet.

I would like to commend this initiative taken up by government, and especially the Minister of Housing for his ability to foresee that negotiated contracts will work in smaller communities. We have had numerous contracts in the community, but they are given to outside contractors who only employ three or four local people. At the present time, because of this negotiated contract and also because of the cooperative effort of the co-op, Qillaut Development and Merkosak Construction, we are able to see well over 100 people employed in the community. For that, I would like to thank the government. I hope this will continue in the future. Thank you.

---Applause

Pond Inlet Negotiated Contract
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 907

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Zoe.

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a question of the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. In the field of corporate and public administration, reorganizational changes are usually preceded by an operational or organizational review. The review is often conducted by an independent source who is removed from the day-to-day operation and who, therefore, is able to render an unbiased opinion and make recommendation for change. These reviews also allow for assessment of potential impact of such changes. This has been the case in other departments undergoing structural change. One comes to mind, Madam Speaker, which is Social Services, that went through this whole process.

My question to the Minister is, can the Minister tell me if there was an independent review conducted prior to the implementation of the Municipal and Community Affairs' restructuring, that made recommendations for specific structural changes in order to achieve and enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency? Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Mike.

Return To Question 407-12(6): Independent Review Re Maca Reorganization
Question 407-12(6): Independent Review Re Maca Reorganization
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 908

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I believe there wasn't an independent review prior to the reorganization of the department.

Return To Question 407-12(6): Independent Review Re Maca Reorganization
Question 407-12(6): Independent Review Re Maca Reorganization
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 908

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Supplementary To Question 407-12(6): Independent Review Re Maca Reorganization
Question 407-12(6): Independent Review Re Maca Reorganization
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 908

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Well, I have a problem with such changes and restructuring being implemented in a government department without the benefit of a proper assessment of the impacts of those changes. Will the Minister commit to oppose restructuring assessment of the changes and their impacts on municipalities in the department and table the results in this House? Thank you.