This is page numbers 213 - 241 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, 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, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Speaker

Good morning. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River, Mr. Pollard.

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the Honourable John Todd will be absent from the House today and Monday on personal business. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik, Mr. Koe.

Payroll Tax
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. In February 1993, during debate on the proposed payroll tax initiative, the Minister of Finance made many compassionate pleas and arguments regarding the objectives and merits of the payroll tax. The main argument used, in one of the objectives of the payroll tax, is to obtain tax revenues from individuals who work in the Northwest Territories, but do not reside nor pay income tax in the Northwest Territories.

The Minister also stated that after years of study, the payroll tax system was determined to be the only feasible method to meet the objective of taxing temporary and non-resident workers. In the recent budget speech of February 14, the Minister of Finance stated that, "This government remains convinced that all individuals who are employed in the Northwest Territories must share in the tax burden. The payroll tax is the most effective way we have to ensure that such sharing takes place." However, on February 15, 1994, in response to an oral question made by my colleague, Mr. Whitford, the Minister of Finance admitted that not everyone who works in the Northwest Territories has been trapped in the net, for example, self-employed people.

Madam Speaker, these comments and statements give some mixed messages. Initially, when the Minister of Finance was seeking support for the payroll tax bill, he used the argument that the burden be placed on workers from outside of the Northwest Territories. Now he states that this government remains convinced that all individuals who are employed in the Northwest Territories must share in the tax burden, through the payroll tax. Madam Speaker, the public deserves a consistent message. Mahsi.

Payroll Tax
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

Thank you. The Speaker would like to recognize in the gallery, Lucy Filion, from Edmonton and Diane Wearden, from Peace River and their competitive skipping team representing the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Welcome.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Performance Of Ministers
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Ordinary Members' Caucus, I have been asked to advise the Premier, through you, Madam Speaker, that we have some concerns. Madam Speaker, in December, Members and Ministers were involved in the mid-term review. During that review, the responsiveness of Ministers was a key factor in reviewing their performance. Ministers were told that we expect them to be prepared and to treat ordinary Members with courtesy and respect.

Madam Speaker, since the review, there seems to be a somewhat disturbing trend taking place among some Ministers, especially during question period. More than once, Ministers have not answered questions saying they have not been in the portfolio long enough. I must say, Members on this side feel that after periods of three to six months, we expect Ministers to be prepared for question period.

Sometimes it has been obvious that Ministers have not been paying attention and questions have had to be asked again or Members have had to point out that Ministers are not prepared to hear a question when they don't speak a language in which the question is being posed. Other times, Members have been told that if a Member wants an answer to a question, they could go directly to the department. Madam Speaker, Members have a privilege in this House of asking questions that they believe the Minister should have the knowledge of. Members expect to get an answer from the Ministers. If the Minister isn't prepared to give an answer, he always has the option of taking the question as notice. But it is not considered acceptable, by Members on this side of the House, for a Minister to suggest that a Member should go directly to the department. OMC Members are asking questions which are important to them and to their constituents. Ministers are expected during question period to pay attention and respond as fully as they can. A cooperative relationship will help all of us do a better job for all of our constituents. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Performance Of Ministers
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Lewis.

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am not what is called a "linear thinker," Madam Speaker. So I try to get as much in my Member's statement as I possibly can and hope that people can take the messages from it. My statement today owes its origin to three different sources. The fact that we met with the representatives of the Treaty 11 chiefs last night and I had a chance to think about the way things must have been in 1921. This week we also discussed the extension of benefits to hunters and trappers and the fact that there is some concern that perhaps things that go on in the bush are not that serious and we should be looking at their benefits.

Also what prompted my statement today, Madam Speaker, is the continuing debate between smoking and health. I read the other night, Madam Speaker, in the case of snow blindness, many, many years ago it was the custom that if a man were to become snow blind -- on the kinds of days that we're having just about now -- to drag the partner into the bush, open up the eyelids and then proceed to wipe the person's eyeballs with the tongue. That, in fact, cured snow blindness. However, the text I read from by a Metis elder, which was recorded about 100 years ago, was that you don't allow your partner to do that if he is a smoker. Because, if you smoke and you try to cure snow blindness, then the nicotine from your tongue would, in fact, make your eyes even worse than they were before.

The message I'm giving today is that those people who live in the bush really are afraid of becoming sick, they're afraid of injury, they're very careful and this little incident from the past indicates the degree to which people were really concerned about safety and conducting themselves in a way that make their way of life a safe occupation. Thank you.

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

The Passing Of Wayne Mctaggart
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On behalf of myself and my family, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and the many friends of Wayne McTaggart of Fort Norman.

Wayne McTaggart committed suicide a few days ago. A young man who has endured many personal tragedies and difficulties during his lifetime. Wayne had always taken a deep personal interest, in all the years I've known him, in advancing the political cause and fighting for the right and recognition of Metis people, and has done extensive work and has involved himself at great length with the development of the Dene/Metis comprehensive claim that took place during the early and late 1980s. He worked tirelessly for the Metis of his community and the Northwest Territories, and has served as a past executive of the Metis Nation.

More recently, he chaired the Sahtu Land Claim Ratification Committee. He was always seen to approach his work with a sense of commitment and a sense of humour. I must say, in spite of the incredibly difficult issues and conflicts that all of us have endured over the years in our work supporting the cause of Metis people, Dene people, Inuit and Inuvialuit, many of us have found sometimes a need to dip into inflicting upon each other some personal pain, some insults and sarcasm. I must say from a personal point of view, Mr. McTaggart was one person who has never, in every instance that I've dealt with him, done that to me. In spite of the differences we've had in the approach we want to take to the work, in spite of all his rough edges and his personal background he has never, in my recollection, taken to personalizing the differences that we've come up to on occasion.

He is one person that I know who I've worked with over the years who always conducted himself professionally in working out the many problems and issues that we had to tackle together.

I wish to let the Members know that I've been very, very shaken with the loss of this man. Thank you.

The Passing Of Wayne Mctaggart
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

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

Inuit Archaeology Conference
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would to inform the House of the meeting that recently took place in one of the communities in my constituency, Igloolik.

During the week of February 7, 1994, the first ever conference on Inuit archaeology in Nunavut took place. The name of the conference was "Ittarnisalirijiit," which means those who deal with ancient artifacts, in Inuktitut. The main purpose of the conference was to find a way for Inuit to work more closely with archaeologists and cultural groups, and also to set up guidelines for a conduct for archaeologists working in Inuit lands.

I've been informed by the co-chair of the conference, Deborah Kigjugalik-Webster, that the meeting went extremely well. I will be tabling, later on during this session, the 20 resolutions that were adopted at the conference. These resolutions range from encouraging archaeologists to involve local people in projects, ensuring projects have the approval of the hamlet councils, the involvement of elders, the translation of reports into Inuktitut, the set-up of regional museums and many others.

I encourage the organizers of the conference to continue with the good work started at this first-ever conference of its type in Nunavut. I want to also assure them that I am committed to actively supporting the continuation of this valuable work in the form of ongoing dialogue and future conferences.

For the information of Members of this House and the public, the conference proceedings will be aired on CBC North, Inuktitut Current Affairs program, "Aqsarniit", on February 23. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Inuit Archaeology Conference
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.

Telecommunications Technology
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The other day I was going through some of my things. I was going to clean out my basement and throw out some things. I came across this scrapbook I had that dealt with some newspaper clippings from the launch of the satellite, Anik "A". It's brought back a flood of memories. Back in 1972 when I was attending AVTC -- Adult Vocational Training Centre in Fort Smith -- we had an occasion to participate in this launch of Anik "A" satellite at Cape Kennedy. We raised money and travelled to Florida to be guests of Telesat Canada to see this launch.

It went off almost on schedule -- a couple of hours late -- but it had a number of firsts, Madam Speaker. It was the first Canadian communication satellite and it was the first satellite that would directly affect the north to the degree that it has. Because it was late, it was also the first nighttime launch of a satellite from the Cape. So it had a little bit of a history to it.

Most people, at the time, hailed this as a great improvement. Something we should be pleased with. But there were sceptics who said it would ruin the north, it would change it forever. It would change the spirit of the north. One thing we do know, Madam Speaker, is that it did change the north. For good or bad, it brought people much closer together. And we took the good with the bad.

In 1979, Madam Speaker, I was there on holidays in Florida, and I also had another occasion to attend the launching of yet another of the Anik class satellites, Anik "C". This was to greatly improve our telecommunications.

Madam Speaker, if I may seek unanimous consent to conclude.

Telecommunications Technology
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

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

Telecommunications Technology
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, colleagues. It would vastly improve our telecommunications network and again substantially improve our lives, as did Anik 1. Today, we don't realize the degree to which we depend on satellites in our everyday living. Members will recall about three weeks ago, we had a major disruption in the north, as a result of solar flares. We lost, not one, but two satellites within a very short period of time. It caused major disruption in the north to telephones, television, fax machines, et cetera. There was a big scramble to get alternate sources of telecommunications as a result of it.

I just wanted to point out that we are dependent on satellite technology and it all began back in November of 1972. A number of northern kids were at that occasion and I am sure they look back with some pride in having participated in that. I just wanted to remember that to the Members, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

-Applause

Telecommunications Technology
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

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

Funding Of Family Violence Programs
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, last week on the inspiration of Mr. Kakfwi, we had a debate on family violence. It was described in his opening address, "...as a very significant problem that deserves our serious attention." We were reminded that reported violence in the Northwest Territories in the family area is six times the national average. Mr. Kakfwi stated, "This is more than a disgrace, it is a tragedy." And he proposed a demonstration of leadership and commitment in the form of a declaration of zero tolerance. He acknowledged that this would be a significant step, but cautioned that it would also only be a symbolic step. Madam Speaker, I commend Mr. Kakfwi for clearly leading the way in bringing this critical issue to the fore in this Legislature and in Cabinet and tabling the very thoughtful, Building a Strategy for Dealing with Violence in the Northwest Territories, last fall.

However, Madam Speaker, many people who are anxious for action in this area, are wondering if Mr. Kakfwi is a lone voice in Cabinet. Is he so far ahead of his Cabinet colleagues that he has left the Premier, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Social Services behind? The Standing Committee on Finance has observed that despite the attention paid by this government to family violence, there is no increase whatsoever in grants and contributions, in family violence prevention services, child sexual abuse programs and family counselling. These are areas where we would have expected to see funding increased in order to make meaningful progress towards zero tolerance.

Madam Speaker, I hope we will soon see that our government's commitment to zero tolerance is more than just words. And I can do no better than quote the presentation from the Status of Women in this House a few days ago. "If this Assembly would commit to healthy citizens as its priority, what then? The dollars, limited as they are, would go to healing first. Everything else waits in line. Do you have the courage to do that?" Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Funding Of Family Violence Programs
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

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

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I have listened with amusement to a CBC Radio interview on February 11 with Peter Hollingsworth, a representative of the Native Animal Brotherhood - Aboriginal People Against Furs for Fashion. In his statement, Mr. Hollingsworth said that the fur trade was morally and ethically wrong and that the fur trade did not exist before the Europeans introduced it to the aboriginal people. Madam Speaker, I would not want to guess what planet this individual is from. What did we wear if we did not use furs for fashion?

When I listened to the interview, the image of natives running around buck naked kept leaping into my mind. I then had this vision of grass skirts and spruce bras.

---Laughter

Perhaps leaves, one for the men, three for the women, step on the blue suede shoes.

---Laughter

Then I thought about the weather up here. Then I thought about the mosquitos. I decided that we probably did wear clothes of some kind. I know for a fact that our people ate wildlife meat and used their skins long before the white man ever showed up. Ceremonial dress, in most aboriginal cultures, involves the use of small animal skins, such as rabbits or beavers. When this gentlemen says that we, as people, should get out of trapping, that it is no longer economically viable, that our people should become part of the wage economy, that is all well and good, Madam Speaker, when you are from Guelph, Ontario like Mr. Hollingsworth, and have the opportunity to participate in the economy. But I would like to point out to Mr. Hollingsworth that trapping in this day and age is more often a means to an end for aboriginal people.

A person needs to be able to buy guns and bullets in order to hunt so he can eat. To buy these things, you need money. To get money, you have to have a job. There are hardly any jobs up here. So a person has to trap to get money. A vicious cycle, indeed, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, except for...

The Speaker

Mr. Gargan, your time has lapsed. Does the honourable Member seek unanimous consent?

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Speaker

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