Thank you, Madam Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to Ministers' statements.
Debates of Feb. 14th, 1994
Topics
GNWT Sale Of Staff Housing
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 116
The Speaker
The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to Ministers' statements. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed.
Minister's Statement 10-12(5): Cape Dorset Community Transfer Initiative
Revert Back To Item 3: Ministers' Statements
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you. Madam Speaker, I would like to provide you with an update on the progress being made by the hamlet of Cape Dorset to assume increased local control and autonomy through the community transfer initiative.
Representatives from the hamlet council travelled to Yellowknife last week to discuss the details of transfer. I am pleased to inform you that, as a result of these meetings, we are very close to finalizing a comprehensive community transfer agreement for implementation on April 1, 1994. At that time, the hamlet will become responsible for Economic Development, Social Services, Public Works and housing programs in Cape Dorset. This is an ambitious transfer, as a result of years of hard work and commitment by the present and past hamlet councils, under the guidance of the entire community.
And I hope I've had enough practice here -- Mayor Akalayuk Qavavau and I agreed that, although all details surrounding the conditions for transfer will not be resolved by April 1, we will proceed with the transfer agreement. Because the community transfer initiative reflects a radical change in the way that this government relates to community government, many of the details will take more time to be considered and to be resolved. We both acknowledged that this approach means taking a joint leap of faith and believing in each other's commitment to settling the outstanding issues in a satisfactory manner.
Councillor Kananginak Pootoogook told me that, since Cape Dorset became a hamlet in the early 1980s, the council has wanted to continue to increase local control over the programs that most influence people's daily lives. The community transfer initiative has provided the opportunity for this to happen.
Madam Speaker, I continue to be impressed by the dedication and commitment to local autonomy and community development that the hamlet of Cape Dorset has shown and by the cooperation demonstrated by all GNWT departments. Changes of this magnitude require an immense degree of trust on both sides, and I am happy to say that the progress made this week shows that the trust is there. I look forward to being able to announce more success stories, along with the MLA, Mr. Pudlat, as other communities complete their transfer plans, as well. Thank you.
---Applause
Minister's Statement 10-12(5): Cape Dorset Community Transfer Initiative
Revert Back To Item 3: Ministers' Statements
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The Speaker
Thank you. Item 3, Ministers' statements. Madam Premier.
Minister's Statement 11-12(5): Minister Absent From The House
Revert Back To Item 3: Ministers' Statements
Page 117
Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput
Madam Speaker, the Honourable Richard Nerysoo will be absent from the House today and tomorrow. He'll be attending a meeting of Ministers of Labour and Social Services in Ottawa to discuss the income security reform. Thank you.
Minister's Statement 11-12(5): Minister Absent From The House
Revert Back To Item 3: Ministers' Statements
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The Speaker
Thank you. Item 3, Ministers' statements. The Speaker would like to recognize Mr. Gary Bohnet, the president of the Metis Nation, along with his vice-president, Michael Paulette.
---Applause
Item 4, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Madam Speaker. This weekend saw the passing of Sue Rodriguez in North Saanich, British Columbia. Sue Rodriguez was an advocate of the right to voluntarily end one's life after proper consultation, and after diagnosis of a terminal and debilitating illness.
I've never met the lady, Madam Speaker, but her story has moved many Canadians to re-examine the issue of the right to die in dignity. I think a lot of us know people who have had, in the past, terminal and debilitating illnesses who have taken their lives in the end, but seen an unusual amount of effort placed by the medical profession to keep them alive artificially. It's not, in often cases, a very pretty sight to see loved ones withering away to nothing, being absolutely helpless to do anything. The quality of life they experience, in many people's estimation, is not really representative of their wishes.
Ms. Rodriguez fought this battle with every court that she could use, every means she could use, all the way to the Supreme Court. Only recently the Supreme Court rejected her plea by a very narrow margin, Madam Speaker, by four or five votes on that which set that aside until a new argument is in place. It does raise the issue here -- I know people and I've had loved ones who were in that situation who know of unusual treatment being applied to them after they had given consent to the doctor so they could pass with a certain amount of dignity. I just wanted to make mention of this brave woman's efforts, Madam Speaker.
Passing Of Sue Rodriguez
Item 4: Members' Statements
Page 117
The Speaker
Thank you. Item 4, Members' statements. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin South, Mr. Pudlat.
Question 68-12(5): Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 117
Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South
(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a question for the Minister responsible for Housing. The Members of this House know there is a social housing crisis with the federal cutbacks and the uncertainty about the future. However, the long-term staff housing strategy was introduced in December 1991, when the government developed its strategy to sell its staff housing in level II and III communities. Did the Minister know that the federal government was cutting social housing funding? Was the Minister aware of that?
Question 68-12(5): Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 117
The Speaker
Minister of Housing, Mr. Morin.
Return To Question 68-12(5): Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
Question 68-12(5): Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 117
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Whenever their new budget comes out from the federal government, that's when we are made aware of how much money they have cut us. Thank you.
Return To Question 68-12(5): Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
Question 68-12(5): Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 117
The Speaker
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.
Supplementary To Question 68-12(5): Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
Question 68-12(5): Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
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Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South
(Translation) Supplementary to the Minister responsible for Housing. Given the current cuts to social housing by the federal government, the potential for new housing units in the NWT is very limited. It is also very expensive to build new units. Can the Minister explain why this is a good time for the government to be aggressively selling off what staff housing it owns, rather than looking at the overall NWT housing needs? This has been talked about for quite some time. Can the Minister explain why this is a good time for the government? Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 68-12(5): Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
Question 68-12(5): Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 117
The Speaker
Thank you. The Minister of Housing, Mr. Morin.
Further Return To Question 68-12(4): Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
Question 68-12(5): Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 117
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Presently, we have sold off a number of units in quite a few communities in all regions of the Northwest Territories. It makes good economic sense to be selling off the units. It does generate dollars for the territorial government and it does encourage people to get into their own homes. We have always said that home ownership is what we want to encourage. For those people who can afford to own their own homes, we try to do everything possible to assist them to do that. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Further Return To Question 68-12(4): Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
Question 68-12(5): Long-term Staff Housing Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 117
The Speaker
Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.
Question 69-12(5): Status Of GNWT Housing Requirements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 117
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Public Works and Services. In level II and III communities, there is a limited amount of housing, including GNWT staff housing. Through the staff housing strategy, a number of your units are being sold off, as indicated by your list provided on Friday. In determining how many units are to be sold, has the government established a poll of required housing in these level II and III communities in order to ensure
that housing is available for the teachers, nurses and other staff who are hired from outside the community?
Question 69-12(5): Status Of GNWT Housing Requirements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 118
The Speaker
Thank you. Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Morin.
Return To Question 69-12(5): Status Of GNWT Housing Requirements
Question 69-12(5): Status Of GNWT Housing Requirements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 118
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Madam Speaker. The houses are offered to employees who live in those units. Then the Department of Personnel is looking at houses that are not needed. But it is the Department of Personnel that tells DPW the number of units that are needed. Thank you.
Return To Question 69-12(5): Status Of GNWT Housing Requirements
Question 69-12(5): Status Of GNWT Housing Requirements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 118
The Speaker
Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.
Supplementary To Question 69-12(5): Status Of GNWT Housing Requirements
Question 69-12(5): Status Of GNWT Housing Requirements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 118
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Can the Minister advise us if there is a strategy for the allowance of growth in government positions? For example, are there going to be designated houses for teachers coming in from outside the community because of grade expansions in the communities?
Supplementary To Question 69-12(5): Status Of GNWT Housing Requirements
Question 69-12(5): Status Of GNWT Housing Requirements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 118
The Speaker
Thank you. Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Morin.
Further Return To Question 69-12(5): Status Of GNWT Housing Requirements
Question 69-12(5): Status Of GNWT Housing Requirements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 118
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, that need will have to be addressed. If there are not enough units, the government would lease those units from developers in those communities. If at all possible, we wouldn't be building any new units ourselves. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 69-12(5): Status Of GNWT Housing Requirements
Question 69-12(5): Status Of GNWT Housing Requirements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 118
The Speaker
Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Item 7, written questions. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.
Further Return To Question 69-12(5): Status Of GNWT Housing Requirements
Question 69-12(5): Status Of GNWT Housing Requirements
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 118
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to get unanimous consent from the House to return to oral questions. Thank you.