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

Further Return To Question 352-12(6): Investment Portfolio Of The Wcb
Question 352-12(6): Investment Portfolio Of The Wcb
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 778

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Supplementary To Question 352-12(6): Investment Portfolio Of The Wcb
Question 352-12(6): Investment Portfolio Of The Wcb
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 778

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Supplementary, Madam Speaker. I agree that the board needs to safeguard its funds carefully and not gamble them on ventures that are too risky. But even an extra million or two invested in the northern economy would make a significant difference to economic development in the north. Can the Minister make a commitment to this House that he and the board will make more of an effort to find suitable investment opportunities for the board's funds in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 352-12(6): Investment Portfolio Of The Wcb
Question 352-12(6): Investment Portfolio Of The Wcb
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 778

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Further Return To Question 352-12(6): Investment Portfolio Of The Wcb
Question 352-12(6): Investment Portfolio Of The Wcb
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Madam Speaker, the responsibility for investment lies solely with the Workers' Compensation Board. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 352-12(6): Investment Portfolio Of The Wcb
Question 352-12(6): Investment Portfolio Of The Wcb
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 778

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Question 353-12(6): Reason For WCB In-house Legal Division
Item 6: Oral Questions

November 6th, 1994

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is again to the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. On October 17th, the News/North stated that the WCB added eight new staff in 1993, which included a full legal division. I would like to ask the Minister, Madam Speaker, if he can tell us why more legal staff were required. Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Return To Question 353-12(6): Reason For Wcb In-house Legal Division
Question 353-12(6): Reason For WCB In-house Legal Division
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 778

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. A financial assessment was made of the cost related to contracting out legal costs in the WCB. It was determined that it was more cost-effective to have in-house legal counsel. Thank you.

Return To Question 353-12(6): Reason For Wcb In-house Legal Division
Question 353-12(6): Reason For WCB In-house Legal Division
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 778

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Supplementary To Question 353-12(6): Reason For Wcb In-house Legal Division
Question 353-12(6): Reason For WCB In-house Legal Division
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister, is it true then that there are eight new staff members and if all of them are lawyers? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 353-12(6): Reason For Wcb In-house Legal Division
Question 353-12(6): Reason For WCB In-house Legal Division
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 778

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Further Return To Question 353-12(6): Reason For Wcb In-house Legal Division
Question 353-12(6): Reason For WCB In-house Legal Division
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 778

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think I'll just remain standing. No, I do not believe that they are all lawyers. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 353-12(6): Reason For Wcb In-house Legal Division
Question 353-12(6): Reason For WCB In-house Legal Division
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

No Member is allowed to stand while I am speaking in the House.

---Laughter

Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Supplementary To Question 353-12(6): Reason For Wcb In-house Legal Division
Question 353-12(6): Reason For WCB In-house Legal Division
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 778

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister then, if all the eight positions aren't lawyers, does he know how many of those positions are? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 353-12(6): Reason For Wcb In-house Legal Division
Question 353-12(6): Reason For WCB In-house Legal Division
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 353-12(6): Reason For Wcb In-house Legal Division
Question 353-12(6): Reason For WCB In-house Legal Division
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Madam Speaker, it could be one or two, but I will check into it and get back to the honourable Member. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 353-12(6): Reason For Wcb In-house Legal Division
Question 353-12(6): Reason For WCB In-house Legal Division
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 779

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, as well. I understand from the Workers' Compensation Board 1993 annual report, that a full-time public affairs position was created in 1993. Can the Minister explain why this position was created?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Return To Question 354-12(6): Reason For Full-time Wcb Public Affairs Position
Question 354-12(6): Reason For Full-time WCB Public Affairs Position
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

One of the concerns consistently raised by the Standing Committee on Finance, I believe, by the former chairman at that time, there was concern about the lack of communications with the public outside of the conventional two interest groups, business and unionized workers. There was clearly a need to develop a community relations strategy, get out into the field and let people know in the smaller communities the role and responsibility of WCB. It was determined at that time that an appropriate communications strategy be put in place, and I believe this position is responsible for doing that, Madam Speaker.

Return To Question 354-12(6): Reason For Full-time Wcb Public Affairs Position
Question 354-12(6): Reason For Full-time WCB Public Affairs Position
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 779

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Supplementary To Question 354-12(6): Reason For Full-time Wcb Public Affairs Position
Question 354-12(6): Reason For Full-time WCB Public Affairs Position
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you. Supplementary to the same Minister, Madam Speaker. My question is, does the creation of this position reflect the concern on the part of the board and/or the Minister regarding the public perception of the board? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 354-12(6): Reason For Full-time Wcb Public Affairs Position
Question 354-12(6): Reason For Full-time WCB Public Affairs Position
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 779

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Further Return To Question 354-12(6): Reason For Full-time Wcb Public Affairs Position
Question 354-12(6): Reason For Full-time WCB Public Affairs Position
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 779

John Todd Keewatin Central

Well, the board is as equally concerned as I am about its image within the Northwest Territories. But, more importantly, an image is substance. And it's concern about it's historical lack of ability to communicate outside of the two lobbying groups, business and the unions, to ensure that we get out and let people know in the smaller communities to meet the new initiatives brought forward about the hunters' and trappers' compensation packages, and to work towards developing other packages or other compensation policies that are going to be more reflective of the smaller communities and the needs and desires of the people in those communities. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Further Return To Question 354-12(6): Reason For Full-time Wcb Public Affairs Position
Question 354-12(6): Reason For Full-time WCB Public Affairs Position
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 779

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.