In the Legislative Assembly on February 16th, 1994. See this topic in context.

Question 112-12(5): Function Of GNWT Office In Ottawa
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 164

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to Mr. Kakfwi, who is responsible for constitutional development and Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Rights. The Ottawa office has existed since the early 1970s, beginning with simply putting someone there who was a senior person and they weren't quite sure what to do with the person. Later on, it devolved in such a way that the person was a well known Liberal who had good Liberal connections and spoke French. After that, there was a change because now we are into constitutional issues. So we had lawyers who were hired to look after our constitutional business. What is the function right now? What is the Ottawa office doing right now, since constitutional development is on hold? Do we still have these lawyers working in that office?

Question 112-12(5): Function Of GNWT Office In Ottawa
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 164

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 112-12(5): Function Of GNWT Office In Ottawa
Question 112-12(5): Function Of GNWT Office In Ottawa
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 164

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, the functions of the staff within the Ottawa office have been reviewed and it is still ongoing. We know that the constitutional focus is now non-existent, but there is still a major commitment by the Liberal government to look at trying to kick-start self-government discussions with aboriginal people across this country, on the assumption they wish to proceed and the assumption that the inherent right exists. It is somewhere in section 35 of the constitution. So we are prepared to and are monitoring the situation to see if, in fact, there may be some major work that is going to be required by our staff who were involved previously in the Charlottetown Accord negotiations.

There are developments with Quebec and Makivik Corporation with regard to negotiations on the offshore islands that Makivik is now laying some claim to include in their land claim, the northern Quebec claim. There is the suggestion that Quebec may by eyeing some of the islands in the James Bay/Hudson's Bay area to make the constitutional/legal/political argument that these should be within their jurisdiction, so we are giving some serious thought to monitoring that as well.

There is the ongoing work in the area of devolution, whether or not there is going to be a major initiative to continue and at least develop an overall framework with which devolution -- things like land, water and other jurisdictions, oil, gas, and minerals -- may be pursued. So there is, in fact, a lot of work that can be done by this office and those are some of the areas that we have identified. Thank you.

Return To Question 112-12(5): Function Of GNWT Office In Ottawa
Question 112-12(5): Function Of GNWT Office In Ottawa
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 164

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Supplementary To Question 112-12(5): Function Of GNWT Office In Ottawa
Question 112-12(5): Function Of GNWT Office In Ottawa
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 164

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

From that response then, even though constitutional stuff is essentially dead, we still have constitutional people dealing with quasi-constitutional issues. I would like to ask the Minister how many people are involved, either through permanent positions or through contracts, in working on these issues which still need to be worked on?

Supplementary To Question 112-12(5): Function Of GNWT Office In Ottawa
Question 112-12(5): Function Of GNWT Office In Ottawa
Item 5: Oral Questions

February 15th, 1994

Page 164

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 112-12(5): Function Of GNWT Office In Ottawa
Question 112-12(5): Function Of GNWT Office In Ottawa
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 164

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, I can provide that in written form. I am not prepared to give numbers at this time. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 112-12(5): Function Of GNWT Office In Ottawa
Question 112-12(5): Function Of GNWT Office In Ottawa
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 164

The Speaker

Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.