This is page numbers 183 - 213 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 chairman.

Topics

Members Present

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

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Speaker

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 am pleased today to announce that the following members of the Workers' Compensation Board have been reappointed: Mrs. Vivian Stevely of Hay River for a two year term effective February 18, 1994; Mr. Fred Coman of Iqaluit for a three year term effective February 18, 1994; and, Mr. Tom Hoefer of Yellowknife for a one year term effective May 4, 1994.

In addition, it is also my pleasure to announce that I have appointed Joan Mercredi to the Workers' Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories.

Most people are aware of the vacancy left on the WCB when Jim Bourque resigned in January to take a position with the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. After carefully considering suggestions from a number of sources, I have chosen Ms. Mercredi for her skills, her background and her valued perspectives.

Ms. Mercredi is an aboriginal person, who currently practices law here in Yellowknife. Before becoming a lawyer, she worked many years in the petroleum and telecommunications industries as a front line worker and manager, and she has also been self-employed. She knows first-hand the experiences of the modern workplace and understands the perspectives of the WCB's many stakeholders.

As an aboriginal in the north, Ms. Mercredi grasps native issues and she will ensure that our WCB is more than just a mirror of a southern institution. She is joining Vivian Stevely, increasing the number of women on the board to two and emphasizing our government's commitment to work towards greater representation of women on boards and agencies.

Ms. Mercredi joins a group of individuals who have worked diligently over the past year to improve service and involve their stakeholders through better communication. At the same time, the board continues to strive to provide full funding for current and future liabilities, without reducing workers' benefits.

Ms. Mercredi, chairperson, Jeff Gilmour and other members of the board, still have difficult tasks which they must address over the next several years. The board is considering changing the classification system, introducing a merit rebate/surcharge program and enhancing its safety education programs. There will be many challenges for Ms. Mercredi during her two year term.

I have complete confidence in the board members and in the appeals tribunal commissioners. The board is clearly committed to effectively handling the money employers trust in them and to provide timely and sensitive services and benefits to injured workers. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Morin.

Minister's Statement 19-12(5): Departmental Posters
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Department of Public Works and Services has produced two posters to stress to students the importance of staying in school. These posters are being distributed to MLAs, schools and government offices throughout the Northwest Territories. Posters are part of the department's ongoing career awareness efforts.

The posters feature two Public Works and Services outstanding aboriginal employees. They are successful now because they completed their post-secondary education.

Madam Speaker, I wish to add my encouragement to young students in the Northwest Territories to stay in school and to complete their education. I can guarantee students that a good education will go a long way towards helping them to achieve their lifetime goals. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Minister's Statement 19-12(5): Departmental Posters
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Nerysoo.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Joe Enook for his many years of dedicated service to education in the Baffin region.

---Applause

Mr. Enook is stepping down this week after nine years as chairperson of the Baffin Divisional Board of Education.

Many of you know that in 1985, the first divisional board of education in the Northwest Territories was formed in the Baffin region. Mr. Enook became its first chairperson and has been chairperson ever since. Previous to that, he was the chairperson of the Baffin Regional Education Society, the structure that preceded the divisional board.

Joe is very proud of the fact that he's a graduate of the Northwest Territories education system. He attended the Gordon Robertson Educational Centre, as it was known then, in Iqaluit.

Joe believes that education is critically important to the young people of Nunavut and he believes strongly that the education system must meet the needs of students. He has worked tirelessly to achieve that.

Two weeks ago, Joe Enook became a grandfather. His little granddaughter, Jennifer, will start school in the first kindergarten class in Nunavut in 1999. In that class, Jennifer will learn Inuktitut and be taught by an Inuk teacher. Her schooling will reflect the commitment and dedication of her grandfather, and others like him, to build an Inuit system of education for the children of Nunavut.

Today, Madam Speaker, I would like to publicly recognize Joe Enook's commitment to education in the Northwest Territories throughout his years as chairperson of Baffin Divisional Board of Education and to thank him for his contribution. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Rcmp Charged With Impaired Driving Causing Death
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Recently, in Prince Edward Island, an RCMP officer was charged and acquitted in a case involving impaired driving causing death. The reason, Madam Speaker, that this officer got off was that he challenged the validity of the breathalyser test administered to him because the test itself was not administered until 90 minutes after the accident. Normally the prosecution goes backwards based on the time of an accident to determine the level of alcohol at the time of the accident. This RCMP officer's lawyer successfully argued that the beer the officer had in his stomach at that time, was not yet absorbed into his system and that any reading obtained later would be suspect. To make a long story short, Madam Speaker, the judge in this case agreed that there was reasonable doubt as to the accuracy of the breathalyser test and had no choice, but to acquit the officer.

Madam Speaker, as always, I am outraged when people who are in positions of authority and have knowledge of how the system works, manage to get out of being punished to the full extent of the law. I have looked far, Madam Speaker, to see cases of a similar nature in the Northwest Territories. When I think of Diane Doyle being in Fort Smith, as opposed to a federal prison down south, I am reminded again that if a person knows which bell and whistle to pull, a person can and does get out of the full consequence of their actions.

I am bringing this up, Madam Speaker, because I think a very important point has to be made. A person who is in the position of public trust, be it a policeman, a senior civil servant or an elected official, these people have to be able to stand up to the full responsibility of their inappropriate actions and be prepared to suffer the consequences.

Madam Speaker, no one can tell me that the RCMP officer who killed the 15 year old boy in Prince Edward Island did not know that he would be impaired after drinking five beer. No one can tell me that Diane Doyle...

Rcmp Charged With Impaired Driving Causing Death
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

Excuse me, Mr. Gargan. Your allotted time has lapsed. The honourable Member for Deh Cho.

Rcmp Charged With Impaired Driving Causing Death
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Madam Speaker, I request unanimous consent to continue my statement.

Rcmp Charged With Impaired Driving Causing Death
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Gargan.

Rcmp Charged With Impaired Driving Causing Death
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker and honourable Members. No one can tell me, Madam Speaker, that Diane Doyle did not realize that her system...(inaudible)...was wrong. When you occupy a position in the public trust, your actions must be above reproach. Madam Speaker, the code of conduct we recently adopted goes some way to addressing this concern. We must be careful not to betray the trust the public has placed in us as MLAs. Mahsi cho, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Rcmp Charged With Impaired Driving Causing Death
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Amittuq, Mr. Allooloo.

Actions Of Us Military Units
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Further to my comments the other day on the United States military activity in the north Baffin from 1956 to 1958, I thought I would make a statement today to clarify the situation for Members.

What we have managed to find out has raised more questions than have been answered. We do know that the experiments involved dropping a substance from an airplane and taking pictures of this using a flash mechanism powerful enough to turn the winter nights into day. We know, Madam Speaker, that a lot of people in the region developed painful blisters and boils upon their skin. I myself remember not being able to walk for three months due to pain associated with a skin condition. We do know that a lot of seemingly healthy people died shortly after we observed this phenomenon.

Madam Speaker, I can remember myself, and the honourable Member for High Arctic, giving interviews on this matter in the spring of 1987 to Peter Downing from the CBC Midday show. This interview never made it to air. The reason given was that the tape was lost on the way to the airport from Mr. Pudluk's office. I was later told that CBC Television was not going to air this interview, even if they had it.

As a result of this, CBC Yellowknife got interested in the story and I gave another interview for the radio. This interview aired once at 6:30 in the morning. Then I asked why it wasn't aired on the 7:30 and 8:30 newscasts. I was told by the regional manager, at the time, they could not air the interview.

Madam Speaker, I have been told by former MPs and friends that I had at the federal Cabinet that the information does exist outlining what happened in the north Baffin in the late 1950s. But that information is a matter of national security. What we don't know, Madam Speaker, is what the substance was the United States Air Force was photographing as it descended to the ground. Given the recent developments in the United States, that uncovered citizens who were...

Actions Of Us Military Units
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

Mr. Allooloo, your time has lapsed. Mr. Allooloo.

Actions Of Us Military Units
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Titus Allooloo Amittuq

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Actions Of Us Military Units
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Allooloo.

Actions Of Us Military Units
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Madam Speaker and colleagues. Given the recent developments in the United States that uncovered citizens who were exposed to radiation as part of the ongoing experiment, I offer the suggestion that the residents of north Baffin were the victims of cold war experiments. Madam Speaker, this matter must be addressed. We must find out what happened in the north Baffin over 30 years ago for the peace of mind of my constituents. I will be pursuing this matter in question period. Thank you.

Actions Of Us Military Units
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Pauktuutit's Annual General Meeting
Item 3: Members' Statements

February 16th, 1994

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise with pleasure to inform Members of a very important event taking place in my constituency next week, February 22 to 24, the annual general meeting of Pauktuutit, the Inuit Women's Association. There will be a full agenda for the AGM. One workshop will feature economic development opportunities for women focusing on arts and crafts, textiles and traditional clothing. I am told there will also be serious discussion of Pauktuutit's strong concern that there is, at present, no legislation in place to provide copyright protection for traditional Inuit designs. This may well be an area in which recommendations may come forward to this Assembly.

The meeting will also include in-depth consideration of Pauktuutit projects, especially social issues and family law concerns, and will include healing sessions. I will be presenting copies of our Legislature's recent declaration on zero tolerance of family violence.

As a special event this year, in celebration of their tenth anniversary, Pauktuutit will be holding a fabulous fashion show featuring traditional Inuit clothing on the last evening of their meeting. I am told there is a great deal of interest in this meeting. In addition to the 43 voting delegates, about 250 people are expected. Many women are making arrangements to travel at their own expense to attend the meeting. I hear that charters are even being organized from Inoucdjouac and Ivujivik in northern Quebec. A hard working local volunteer committee has lined up activities every evening. Madam Speaker, I have been invited by Pauktuutit president, Martha Flaherty, to officially welcome delegates to the meeting on behalf of the people of Iqaluit and to participate in some of the workshops. I am very much looking forward to attending this event in Iqaluit. This is to inform you and Members that I will, therefore, be absent from this House next week. I will give you a full report on this important event. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Pauktuutit's Annual General Meeting
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Ballantyne.

Diamond Mining In Dogrib Region
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to speak about mining in general, diamonds, specifically, and the opportunities they afford the Northwest Territories, the Dogrib region and my community of Yellowknife.

I strongly support the proactive and aggressive approach taken by the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Todd. Mr. Todd has put the mining accord on the front burner. He is forming a coalition from the effected regions, of the private sector, aboriginal groups, government and the mining industry. This opportunity will only come once. If we don't seize it, it will be gone forever.

If the economics are there, mines will be built. Some people may not like that, but that is a fact of life. This is a big play and either we are in on it or it is going to happen without us. There are very legitimate concerns that have been expressed by Members in this House about the environment, about broken promises from the past, about how it will effect land claims and how it will effect the treaties. I, for one, think those issues are very serious and have to be dealt with. But it still comes down to some hard and cold realities. Either we work with the industry to maximize opportunities for jobs and business or we are left out in the cold. We will watch airplanes carrying our diamonds, our jobs and our business opportunities flying at 30,000 feet overhead.

If we want to lessen our dependence on Ottawa, we have to take advantage of these opportunities. There is no doubt in my mind that as the federal government tries to wrestle down their deficit, no matter what the Minister of Finance does -- and he is doing a very good job -- we are going to be hit. I think we have to recognize that is a big reality.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the government, to thank Mr. Todd for the support and the cooperation they've given to the Yellowknife business community. The Yellowknife mining community, as many of you may not know, have been involved in this diamond play for many, many years. However, the magnitude and the speed at which this play is developed has been overwhelming. I think it's been difficult for the government, and definitely difficult for the business community here in Yellowknife to gear up for it.

Madam Speaker, could I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?

Diamond Mining In Dogrib Region
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to continue with his Member's statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Ballantyne, continue.