This is page numbers 55 - 89 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 5th 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 violence.

Topics

The Speaker

Thank you. The honourable Member for Sahtu, the Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 52-12(5): Legal Opinion Re Conflict Of Minister Serving As Chairman Of Advisory Committee
Question 52-12(5): Legal Opinion Re Conflict Of Minister Serving As Chairman Of Advisory Committee
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, we will review the question. Thank you.

Return To Question 52-12(5): Legal Opinion Re Conflict Of Minister Serving As Chairman Of Advisory Committee
Question 52-12(5): Legal Opinion Re Conflict Of Minister Serving As Chairman Of Advisory Committee
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the honourable Minister of Housing. Earlier, the honourable Minister indicated that the ceiling will be 25 per cent of the household income. It is household income or is it the income of the head of the house? Thank you.

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Housing, Mr. Morin.

Return To Question 53-12(5): Rental Rates Based On Percentage Of Household Income
Question 53-12(5): Rental Rates Based On Percentage Of Household Income
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Right now, what is proposed is a household income. That all has to be worked out with the advisory committee and this House for finalization. Thank you.

Return To Question 53-12(5): Rental Rates Based On Percentage Of Household Income
Question 53-12(5): Rental Rates Based On Percentage Of Household Income
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Supplementary To Question 53-12(5): Rental Rates Based On Percentage Of Household Income
Question 53-12(5): Rental Rates Based On Percentage Of Household Income
Item 5: Oral Questions

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John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the Minister indicated it would be 25 per cent of the household income. I believe that 25 per cent of the household income is already in effect. Is that correct, Mr. Minister? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 53-12(5): Rental Rates Based On Percentage Of Household Income
Question 53-12(5): Rental Rates Based On Percentage Of Household Income
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Thank you. Minister for Housing, Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 53-12(5): Rental Rates Based On Percentage Of Household Income
Question 53-12(5): Rental Rates Based On Percentage Of Household Income
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes.

Further Return To Question 53-12(5): Rental Rates Based On Percentage Of Household Income
Question 53-12(5): Rental Rates Based On Percentage Of Household Income
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Item 6, written questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Written Question 4-12(5): Commuting Allowances For Government Employees
Item 6: Written Questions

February 9th, 1994

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Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for the Department of Personnel. Would the Minister please advise this House of the following. Given that there are some government employees who live in Hay River and Apex who have to commute to their place of employment in Enterprise or Iqaluit, or vice versa, does the Government of the Northwest Territories have any programs in place to compensate employees who must drive from their home community to their place of employment?

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 6, written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Item 8, replies to opening address. Item 9, petitions. Item 10, reports of standing and special committees. Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 12, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to table the following, Tabled Document 15-12(5), a letter from a constituent, Mr. Kenn Harper, dated February 10, 1994, to the Honourable John Pollard concerning cigarette taxes. Thank you.

Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 12, tabling of documents. The Minister of Social Services.

Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents

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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish to table the following document, Tabled Document 16-12(5), my letter to Mr. Gargan, dated December 17, 1993, responding to an oral question asked by the Member during the fourth session, concerning eligibility for the senior citizens' fuel subsidy and the NWT birth rate for 1992.

Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 12, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Amittuq, Mr. Allooloo.

Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents

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Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish to table the following document, Tabled Document 17-12(5), resolutions passed at the Baffin leadership summit in January, 1994 in Iqaluit, along with related correspondence. Thank you.

Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 12, tabling of documents. Item 13, notices of motion. Item 14, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 15, motions. Item 16, first reading of bills. Item 17, second reading of bills. Item 18, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 4-12(5), Building a Strategy for Dealing with Violence in the NWT; Tabled Document 5-12(5), Declaration on Family Violence; Tabled Document 6-12(5), Department of Justice Response to The Justice House: Report on the Special Advisor on Gender Equality; Tabled Document 1-12(5), Towards An NWT Mineral Strategy; Tabled Document 2-12(5), Building and Learning Strategy; Tabled Document 3-12(5), Towards a Strategy to 2010: A Discussion Paper; and, Tabled Document 11-12(5), First Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of the NWT for the Year 1992-93, with Mr. Ningark in the chair.

I apologize. In addition to tabled documents, Mr. Ningark, there is also the appearance of witnesses on family violence in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. The committee will now come to order. I will call the committee to order and would like to indicate that the order for committee of the whole today was determined by Motion 6-12(5) of the current session. The appearance of witnesses at this session was also approved by the House by Motion 7-12(4). The discussion today is on family violence in the Northwest Territories to assist us with the discussion we have in a number of documents, previously tabled, by the Minister of Justice. These documents have been circulated to Members and they are: Tabled Document 4-12(5), Building a Strategy for Dealing with Violence in the NWT; Tabled Document 5-12(5), Declaration on Family Violence; and, Tabled Document 6-12(5), Department of Justice Response to The Justice House - Report of the Special Advisor on Gender Equality. At this time, I would like to ask the Sergeant-at-Arms to the table.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. I would like to welcome and introduce to the Legislative Assembly the following individuals at the witness table. To the right, is Ms. Lynn Brooks, NWT Status of Women Council. Welcome.

---Applause

Ms. Sandy Christophers, NWT Council for Disabled Persons.

---Applause

We also have Bertha Allen, Native Women's Association and we have Mr. Abe Okpik, National Advisory Council on Aging. Welcome.

---Applause

There was another witness scheduled to appear, Ms. Martha Flaherty, representing Pauktuutit Inuit Women's Association, who could not be with us today, unfortunately. At this appropriate time. I will read into the record a statement from Ms. Flaherty.

The procedure to be followed today has been circulated to all Members of the committee. I will now call upon the Minister of Justice for his opening remarks, which will be followed by the Premier, in her capacity as the Minister responsible for the Status of Women. Mr. Minister.

Presentation By Minister Of Justice

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have three tabled documents that address, in different ways, the problem of violence in our society. Today, we are fortunate to have a number of representatives who are joining us as witnesses to help us in our discussions. The first tabled document is called Building a Strategy for Dealing with Violence in the Northwest Territories. The second, is a proposed draft of a declaration for consideration by the Members of this House on family violence. The third is the response of the Department of Justice to The Justice House report, or the gender equality review.

The common element in these three documents is a recognition that violence is a very significant problem that deserves our serious attention. When we talk about violence in this context, we are not talking about random acts of violence, such as snipers shooting at strangers on freeways. For the most part, we are talking about violence that takes place in the home and of cases where victims and abusers not only know each other, but are in an intimate family relationship.

A study released recently by Statistics Canada provides us with hard figures to confirm what women's groups and others have been telling us for years, that violence against women and children is wide-spread across Canada, that women face the greatest risk of violence from men they know and that incidents of wife abuse, in many cases, are repetitive.

Family violence is a national disgrace. While Statistics Canada did not survey the Northwest Territories, we know what they would have found. Because incidence of reported violence is six times the national average, we have more than a disgrace in the Northwest Territories, we have a continuing tragedy.

People who have respect for themselves and each other, do not beat each other up. Violence is a sure sign of ill-health for individuals, families and communities. Abusers are unable to contribute to their full potential to society. Children who are raised with family violence cannot reasonably be expected to be healthy. At the same time, violence breeds more violence.

The Stats Canada study showed that children who witness violence against their mothers, are three times more likely to abuse their spouses themselves. Family violence destroys the foundation of the family and the community. It undermines any forward movement we make in other areas. All the land claims settlements and all the cultural, social and economic programs in the world will not guarantee a healthy society, as long as the violence continues. While there is a linkage between family violence, social decay and difficult economic times, it is not as simple as it might appear.

For example, the Stats Canada survey found that the incidence of wife abuse in Newfoundland was lower than anywhere else in Canada. The front line workers' survey, released by the Special Committee on Health and Social Services, shows that our community workers consider family violence and sexual abuse, along with substance abuse and unemployment, the biggest problems faced by communities.

The violence documents are a starting point for our discussions. It brings together elements of a strategy for dealing with violence, identifies actions being taken at present and areas where work could be done.

Elements of a strategy will include such things as the provision of services like shelters and counselling for victims and effective treatment programs for offenders, public education about violence, particularly targeting youth and children, as well as improving the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in dealing with family violence.

Some of the criminal justice elements are examined in greater detail in the Report of the Special Advisor on Gender Equality and the response of that report. The violence document also talks about the need to introduce greater efficiency and effectiveness into service delivery, through a greater degree of interagency cooperation.

Beyond that, the document looks at the pervasive attitude of tolerance for violence. There is a key element of the problem in the most significant area of the strategy. Over the last few years, there has been a gradual, but positive, change in attitudes towards violence. Family violence, once a forbidden subject, is starting to be admitted and talked about.

However, the denial continues. Denial about the existence of violence and about its seriousness. The excuses continue. Abusers make excuses for their actions. It is always someone else's fault. But there are no excuses for beating up on family members. The rest of us make up excuses for looking the other way while the abuse goes on, but there are no excuses for putting up with abuse. We all owe it to our loved ones, to our constituents, and to ourselves, to face up to this concern.

The elimination of family violence requires a wide range of actions but at the end of the day, any family violence requires changing our attitudes which allow it to continue. We must challenge our old attitudes, values and behaviours, today.

Violence exists because we allow it to happen. To stop violence, we have to acknowledge that it is happening and not tolerate it continuing.

Denial and tolerance are not the kind of problems that can be solved merely by throwing a lot of money at them, even if we had money to throw. We are talking about a special transformation that cannot be bought.

We are proposing action on this specific element of the strategy. We are proposing a demonstration of leadership and commitment in the form of a declaration of zero tolerance.

Embracing zero tolerance of violence toward women and children is the necessary starting point of any meaningful strategy. If this Legislature adopts the proposed declaration on family violence, we are committing ourselves to this principle.

Adopting a position of zero tolerance toward violence, although only a symbolic step at one level, is nevertheless a significant step because it will be a demonstration of our commitment as political leaders that things have to change. It is the first step in generating the same commitment by the rest of society, our constituents and our families. Part of the proposed declaration calls on all the leaders of northern society to make a similar declaration.

Northern leaders and the public must be invited and challenged to identify other actions to address the problem of family violence.

If elected representatives in the north want to make a concrete indication of the seriousness of their commitment, perhaps they will consider making the necessary changes to make it mandatory that anyone who is convicted of family violence while holding public office will be required to resign his or her seat.

The Assembly can provide leadership in these matters. Women's groups have been pressing for some time that we take a stand and adopt zero tolerance. Ultimately, however, the real difference will have to be made at the community level. Community leadership can make a big difference by making it clear that they will not tolerate violence in their communities, making it clear that no one has a right to abuse their family members.

I hope we all welcome this opportunity to get specific suggestions and comments from Members and encourage everyone to participate and make a contribution to the development of a strategy to deal with violence. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you, Mr. Minister. I will now recognize the Premier, who is also the Minister of the Status of Women. Madam Premier.

Presentation By Premier

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. First of all, I would like to lend support and congratulate the women's groups who have come to have this very serious area of our life-style addressed.

Violence against women, children, the elderly and disabled, is a serious problem, not just in the Northwest Territories but throughout the country. During the past ten years, a number of documents have been produced by the Government of the Northwest Territories and women's groups, contributing to our greater awareness of the problem.

In 1984, the Minister responsible for the Status of Women approved the establishment of the task force on spousal assault, which resulted in the production of a document entitled "Choices - A Three Year Action Plan to Address Spousal Assault."

In 1989, the Native Women's Association published "Communities Voice on Child Sexual Abuse."

In 1991, Pauktuutit published "No More Secrets: Acknowledging the Problem of Child Sexual Abuse in Inuit Communities."

Also in 1991, the special advisor on gender equality submitted a report to the Minister of Justice regarding treatment of women by the justice system. In May 1993, the Native Women's Association released the paper "Community Self-Evaluation for Family Violence Initiatives" which examines the effectiveness of the Government of the Northwest Territories programs to address family violence in the Northwest Territories.

In addition to these documents, there have been numerous conferences and workshops dealing directly and indirectly with family violence issues.

The awareness of family violence and its consequences has been steadily growing at the community level, and in many ways, provides the momentum for the discussion we're having here, today. Right now in the Northwest Territories, there are eight safe shelters funded jointly by the territorial and federal governments. These shelters provide a safe environment for battered women and children, a facility for counselling and a resource centre for women's groups. Child sexual abuse counsellors have been placed in most regions in the Northwest Territories, and these services are helping children deal with the trauma of their experiences.

But there is still much to be done, and we acknowledge that. The north has the highest violent crime rate in the country, and this rate is increasing faster than the national rate. An effective strategy to eliminate violence in the Northwest Territories is required. Hopefully, the discussion of family violence issues in this Legislative Assembly will motivate leaders throughout the Northwest Territories to take a stand against family violence. Only by making violent behaviour socially and culturally unacceptable can we expect to improve difficult situations we face.

Residents of the Northwest Territories don't have to look very far to see how painfully acute this problem is, not only here but in the national media, particularly in the face of the multitude of dollars that we use to try to run away from our particular situation. As an example, I would cite Mr. Michael Jackson.

If a society firmly and consistently does not tolerate family violence, then there's hope that one day we'll be able to answer the desperate pleas for help among all of us.

I urge all Members of the Legislative Assembly, and I thank the delegation here today, that we can openly discuss this issue and perhaps come to some solutions that we can help each other solve some of the many problems. Thank you.

Presentation By Pauktuutit