This is page numbers 773 - 824 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 development.

Topics

Members Present

Mr. Antoine, Hon. Silas Arngna'naaq, Mr. Arvaluk, Mr. Ballantyne, Mr. Dent, Mr. Gargan, Hon. Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Koe, Mr. Lewis, Hon. Jeannie Marie-Jewell, Hon. Don Morin, Hon. Richard Nerysoo, Mr. Ng, Hon. John Pollard, Mr. Pudluk, Hon. John Todd, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Keewatin Central, Mr. Todd.

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I wish to provide this Assembly with an update on the status of the diamond exploration program being conducted by BHP and Dia Met Minerals, north of Lac de Gras.

BHP has indicated that underground bulk sampling of the Panda kimberlite pipe is proceeding at a good pace and that they expect to finish this phase of their exploration in early December. The company has applied to continue the exploration and evaluation of their property by an underground bulk sample program on the Misery kimberlite pipe.

The airstrip at BHP's Koala camp is being extended, and should be completed in early November. The longer airstrip will allow the company to use larger, more economical aircraft to transport equipment, supplies and employees.

It has been reported that BHP could make a production decision on their Lac de Gras diamond property by the end of 1994. This date was based upon the expected completion of a full engineering feasibility study. However, the feasibility report may not be finished until more bulk sampling results have been received later in 1995.

It is the understanding of this government that the federal Minister of Environment will soon name the panel which will evaluate the environmental impact of this project. We have participated in sessions to recommended terms of reference for the panel and have nominated individuals to be considered as potential panel members.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Fiscal Position Of Wcb
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, a few weeks ago, the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board released the board's 1993 annual report in great fanfare in this House. The headline in the press, and I quote "In the black, WCB up $14 million."

---Applause

But, Madam Speaker, the headline went on to say the amazing financial recovery was questioned by labour and employers. The Minister did not explain that of the $13.4 million turnaround between 1992 and 1993, about $3.3 million came from increased assessments to employers and over $10 million came from reduced claim payments to injured workers. In fact, the cost of administering the board increased slightly in 1993, even though the total number of claims decreased slightly.

Madam Speaker, there are a number of legitimate concerns to be addressed here, and the ordinary Members of this House will be addressing those concerns later today in question period.

---Applause

Fiscal Position Of Wcb
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Wasted Animal Carcasses
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about something that happens far too often in the north and must be condemned yet again. I am talking about the needless slaughter of wildlife which is sometimes left to spoil and rot. There is a common trend that runs through our many aboriginal cultures here in the north: our relationship with the land and all of its creatures. The land and the wildlife have sustained us for hundreds of years. Because of the respect that aboriginal cultures have with the wildlife, we look upon the animals as our brothers and sisters who have given their lives so that we may live. Out of respect, our people make the most possible use of the entire animal.

Members may have guessed that I am referring to the incident this past August where a scientist shot and killed a grizzly then left the carcass to rot. I won't go into the details of the incident, Madam Speaker, for they have been documented already. Whether or not everything was done that could have been done to get this bear to leave before having to shoot it is debatable, and I won't go into that. But I am sure that things were all considered in the courts. What upsets me and I'm sure most northern residents, is the apparent failure to address the seriousness of the issue. This person was charged with abandoning a dead animal and allowing the hide to spoil. He was convicted of that charge. What I find appalling, Madam Speaker, is that the penalty enforced by the court was a fine of $115. Not only was no part of the animal able to be used, but the belly of the hide alone would have been far greater than $115.

I have to ask where is the justice in this. Where is the deterrence factor to keep others from doing the same? I am not saying it is never necessary to kill an animal to protect yourself or your property, but to kill and throw away is not our way. And it's shameful the penalty being proposed should reflect this.

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude by statement.

Wasted Animal Carcasses
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to continue. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed, Mr. Gargan.

Wasted Animal Carcasses
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 774

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, as I understand it, the law allows for a maximum fine of $1,000 for this offence. The offender was advised by Renewable Resources what to do with the animal, but did not act on that advice. The judgment has been made in this case, Madam Speaker, and I won't debate it after the fact. I expect that the officers and the people of the Department of Renewable Resources who are responsible for the enforcement of the Wildlife Act are as upset about this as I am. I fear that this case has sent a message to others who may find themselves facing the same situation. That is, there is an easy way out and you don't need to go to the trouble of preserving the animal after it has been destroyed because it won't cost you anything.

Madam Speaker, our laws with respect to wildlife are not a matter of convenience. They are there for a reason and must be respected by everyone. I hope, by raising the issue here today, that our legal system will take these comments to heart and consider applying much stricter penalties allowed by the law in such cases, so that we may see fewer cases like this in the future. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Wasted Animal Carcasses
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 774

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Aboriginal Health And Traditional Healing
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I rise today to speak about aboriginal health and traditional healing. Last year when the Special Committee on Health and Social Services tabled a report, one of the recommendations we made was that traditional healing methods must be recognized and funded by government and incorporated in our system of health and social services.

Madam Speaker, last week there was a press release from the Government of Ontario. The Government of Ontario recognized that traditional forms of aboriginal medicine are legitimate and will be recognized in Ontario under a new health policy. The new policy endorses the use of traditional healers, medicine people, midwives and elders in the medical system where they will serve native people. In addition, the government has pledged that those practising traditional native medicine will be recognized, respected and protected from government regulation.

The Ontario Minister of Health, Ruth Grier, also stated that, "For too long, we have not listened to the voices of the First Nations, nor have we honoured their medicine." She also goes on to say, "We support health care, designed, developed and delivered by aboriginal people, in keeping with their goals and our government's commitment to their right to self-determination."

Madam Speaker, this is good news for aboriginal people in the province of Ontario and, I hope, a model for other provinces and for this territory to consider. We should take the type of action being taken in Ontario to heart and also to practice that in the Northwest Territories. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Aboriginal Health And Traditional Healing
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Expansion Of Cambridge Bay Arena Complex
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the Cambridge Bay arena complex was completed in 1986, with GNWT funding of approximately $600,000 and a hamlet contribution of $400,000. The project involved renovation to an existing steel-frame structure, which was started by a community initiative in the late 1970s, but never completed.

Unfortunately, the design of the existing structure did not allow for the construction of a full-sized ice surface. The municipal council, in 1985, of which I was a member, made the decision to accept the smaller ice surface and to contribute a sizeable financial investment in order to finish off the arena complex.

Madam Speaker, like most recreational facilities in the north, this arena complex has been extensively used since its establishment. The main activities are minor and senior hockey, public and figure skating, curling and private rentals. Unfortunately, over the years, the extensive use has deteriorated the building. A few years ago, the council and MACA recognized the need to upgrade the arena complex and budgeted $300,000 for the upgrade.

This past spring, hockey players and other facility users approached me requesting that the ice surface be expanded to a regular size. In conjunction with the hamlet council, we put forward a request to MACA on the need for a larger ice surface, recognizing the growing demands of the community. Madam Speaker, I'm happy to report that MACA has responded positively to this issue by reprofiling the project to include an ice surface expansion and by increasing the budgeted financial forecast to $750,000 to carry out the work in 1996.

On behalf of my constituents, I wish to thank the former Minister, Mr. Arngna'naaq, the current Minister, Ms. Mike, and the departmental officials of MACA for their assistance in addressing this issue. Thank you.

---Applause

Expansion Of Cambridge Bay Arena Complex
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Clean-up Of Oil Spills In Soviet Union
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, last month I think it was, I made a statement about the oil spill in the Soviet Union. During the last week, we heard of yet another major oil spill in roughly the same area in the remote part of Russia, in the colder areas, much the same as our Canadian Arctic. Although it is not as large as the first one reported, it is, nonetheless, a very serious event.

On the weekend news reports, they were showing pictures of massive flares that were used for burning off the oil. Madam Speaker, this is a very primitive way of cleaning up oil spills on land. Other techniques are much more environmentally friendly than using flare burns. More alarming than all of this was the fact that the Russians declined to accept offers by Canadian and US governments to help in these clean-ups. We know that the Canadian and American oil and gas industries have the technical know how and equipment to deal with oil spills. It surprises me and a lot of people that the Russians have not taken up the offer to clean up these major environmental disasters.

Why we must be concerned here, Madam Speaker, is that the area that these events have taken place lead, by water, to the Arctic Ocean. If something isn't done before spring, there is a good chance that the Arctic waters will suffer some environmental damage as a result of oil flowing into the water during spring break-up, eventually ending up in our Arctic Ocean.

With the detente that has taken place, and the way that northern Canadians have been helping Russians to build and do other things in the last little while, I am surprised they haven't taken up the offer. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Clean-up Of Oil Spills In Soviet Union
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 775

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to speak today on the condition of the community hall in Fort Liard. Madam Speaker, the community hall was built in the mid 1970s, using money from the Canada works program. It was built by the band and the community of Fort Liard. The hall has served the community well over the past 20 years, but is no longer adequate to meet the needs of the community.

The public health inspector recently recommended that the building not be used any more, due to serious structural deficiencies. As we all know, Madam Speaker, buildings built during the late 1960s and the early 1970s are very expensive to retrofit to today's standards. In some cases, such as Fort Liard, it is cheaper to build an entirely new facility, rather than fix the old one.

The community gatherings and social events are very important to residents of small, close-knit communities, such as Fort Liard. The suggestion that residents of this community use the school gymnasium or the lobby of the arena for community gatherings is unacceptable. Madam Speaker, while the residents do appreciate the arena and the gymnasium, it must be realized that neither of these facilities lends themselves to community gatherings. The acoustics in the gymnasium make holding meetings impossible and the arena is too small for a lot of community functions.

Madam Speaker, the community appreciates that in the 1998-99 construction year, a new facility will be built in Fort Liard. However, Madam Speaker, due to the present community hall being condemned, and the fact that the other facilities in the community do not lend themselves to community gatherings, I strongly urge this government to look at advancing the construction schedule for the community hall in Fort Liard. I will be following this up in question period when the Minister responsible is back in the House. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Point of order, Mr. Gargan.

Point Of Order

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise today on a point of order. I have had the opportunity to review the unedited Hansard for Friday, November 4, 1994, with reference to comments made by the

honourable Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board on the Standing Committee on Legislation review of Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Public Utilities Act.

The Honourable John Todd stated in the House on November 4, 1994, and I quote from page 1856 of the unedited Hansard:

"Just for clarification, we did go before the Standing Committee on Legislation and it recommended, I thought, to support the bill based upon the two amendments they asked us to do. Now the Standing Committee on Legislation Members are naying the bill. I don't understand what is going on here. By resolution, they passed it, the last time I met with the standing committee."

Madam Speaker, this quote was repeated in a CBC news broadcast this morning at 7:30 am.

Additionally, the Minister stated in the House, and I quote from page 1856:

"Maybe someone could help me out in terms of procedure, being the layman that I am, why some aggressive Members of the House have decided to raise their voices louder than those who don't."

The honourable Minister appears to be suggesting that because the Standing Committee on Legislation considered this bill in committee, Members of the House should rubber-stamp the bill. Madam Speaker, regardless of what recommendations the standing committee makes with respect to any bill, Members of this House are, and should be, free to fully debate the bill on the floor of the House. This debate may be delivered aggressively if it is necessary to fulfil their obligations as Members of the Legislature.

For the record, Madam Speaker, I must note that the Standing Committee on Legislation's report, as contained on page 1853 of the unedited Hansard dated November 4, 1994, makes reference to problems that the public had with the bill. Additionally, the report refers to committee concerns with respect to the bill representing an additional tax on the consumers. During the public hearings on September 8, 1994, the public record clearly shows that there was no agreement between the Minister and the standing committee as to support of the bill.

Madam Speaker, the committee did not "approve" this bill. The committee did its job, heard submissions from the public, considered the bill and moved the bill into committee of the whole for consideration.

The point of order, Madam Speaker, is the Minister, by stating the committee had recommended support of Bill 8, has mislead the House and the public. By his remarks, the Minister is leaving the public and this House with the perception that the Members of the Standing Committee on Legislation say one thing and do another.

I would appreciate, Madam Speaker, if you would consider this point of order on behalf of myself as well as Members of this House who believe that Members should feel free to fully debate all legislation in this House, aggressively if necessary.

Further, Madam Speaker, I would ask for an apology from the honourable Minister. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Just with respect to our rules on points of order, once a Member has stated their point of order, the Speaker may allow debate before taking it under advisement. Since the Member for Deh Cho has asked for an apology, I just want to determine whether the Member for Keewatin Central will want to clarify his remarks or apologize. The honourable Member for Keewatin Centre.

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. If I made remarks that were offensive to the Standing Committee on Legislation, I apologize.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

I will take your point of order under advisement and determine whether there is anything more to report to the House.

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 Inuvik, Mr. Koe.

Question 350-12(6): Status Of WCB Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

November 6th, 1994

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. In June 1992, the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions tabled their final report on the Workers' Compensation Board. Many of the recommendations in that report called for amendments to the Workers' Compensation Act and for a legislative action paper to bring forward proposed amendments. The legislative action paper was tabled in April 1993 and the Standing Committee on Legislation reported on the legislative action paper in November 1993.

Legislation passed in March 1994 covered some of the standing committee's recommendations relating to coverage for aboriginal harvesters. But the overwhelming majority of the legislative recommendations made by the standing committees have not yet been addressed by legislative proposals. My question is to the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. Can the Minister tell the House when he expects legislation to be drafted to address the recommendations of the standing committees?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Todd.