This is page numbers 243 - 273 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.

Further Return To Question 161-12(5): Review Of Pol Rates
Question 161-12(5): Review Of Pol Rates
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 253

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Pudluk. There appears to be some confusion on the question not coming across clearly on translation. If I could just ask you again to briefly clarify the question for the Minister of MACA. Thank you, Mr. Pudluk.

Further Return To Question 161-12(5): Review Of Pol Rates
Question 161-12(5): Review Of Pol Rates
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 253

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will speak very slowly. Madam Speaker...

---Laughter

---English not provided

Further Return To Question 161-12(5): Review Of Pol Rates
Question 161-12(5): Review Of Pol Rates
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 253

The Speaker

Sorry, Mr. Pudluk, you're speaking too fast. We didn't get any translation, but I think they were starting to finally translate. Proceed.

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

I'm going to repeat that question for the third time now. (Translation) My question is directed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. The hamlets accumulate deficits. Sometimes the hamlet board members are not aware they will have a deficit. At this time, today, the hamlets with deficits are not aware of how they end up with deficits. Can the Minister indicate what causes the deficits, and respond to my question? Thank you.

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Return To Question 162-12(5): Reason For Community Deficits
Question 162-12(5): Reason For Community Deficits
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 253

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

(Translation) Madam Speaker, I don't know which community the Member is talking about. But for those communities that I know, as of March 19, 1993, and the end of March 1993, there were three communities that I know of that ran into a deficit. To date, I don't really know which communities have deficits. I have to find out more information on this then I will get back to you. Thank you.

Return To Question 162-12(5): Reason For Community Deficits
Question 162-12(5): Reason For Community Deficits
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 254

The Speaker

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

Question 163-12(5): Community Justice System Initiative
Item 5: Oral Questions

February 20th, 1994

Page 254

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the honourable Minister of Justice. Madam Speaker, when I travelled to my region, namely: Pelly Bay, Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven, there is notable perception from the public that the communities want to have more control over the community justice system. The honourable Minister initiated a justice system initiative a few years ago. I know there is an incentive from the Minister, as well as from the community. I know this justice system initiative could be applicable in the community whereby a community would be in control because they know their way of dealing with the system. According to my understanding, people are saying that for minor crimes in the community, the system we have in place is not working. My question to the honourable Minister, through you, Madam Speaker, is what is the status of this community justice system initiative? Thank you.

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 163-12(5): Community Justice System Initiative
Question 163-12(5): Community Justice System Initiative
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, the community justice initiative is one that is going to take some time to gain momentum. All across the Northwest Territories, at this time, there is major work being done by nearly all the predominantly aboriginal groups to implement land claim agreements. These are very complex and time consuming. Many of the leadership and skilled people at the community and regional levels are focusing their priorities on this work at this time, such as in the Gwich'in settlement area. The Inuvialuit continue to implement their claim. The Sahtu is following suit. The Nunavut claim area is also starting to swing its focus primarily on claims implementation.

In the wake of that, the focus that I hoped would be put on community justice has not moved as quickly as I would have liked. At the same time, it follows that once people put their priorities in order, I believe that community justice is going to be high on the list because people are preoccupied with taking responsibility for crimes, for the social upheaval and the things wrong in our communities.

The Department of Justice continues to stand ready to help those communities that call on us to assist them setting up meetings and workshops, those communities that wish to explore ways in which they can, initially as volunteers, begin to look for ways they can get involved in the current justice system, to take over certain elements of justice the way it is now and to give the community more responsibility and involvement in that area. It is still a high priority, at least with the Department of Justice. Thank you.

Return To Question 163-12(5): Community Justice System Initiative
Question 163-12(5): Community Justice System Initiative
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 254

The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Supplementary To Question 163-12(5): Community Justice System Initiative
Question 163-12(5): Community Justice System Initiative
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 254

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the honourable Minister responded by saying that there are community planned workshops taking place in the process. I wonder if the honourable Minister would send his officials to the communities of Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak and Pelly Bay to hold such workshops. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 163-12(5): Community Justice System Initiative
Question 163-12(5): Community Justice System Initiative
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 254

The Speaker

Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 163-12(5): Community Justice System Initiative
Question 163-12(5): Community Justice System Initiative
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 254

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, we will contact the leaders of the community of Gjoa Haven, or whoever the individuals are that the Member wishes us to contact -- whether they be interested individuals, people already in the service program area, or elected leaders -- to begin discussions on whether setting up a workshop would be appropriate at this time. We would be very happy to do so. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 163-12(5): Community Justice System Initiative
Question 163-12(5): Community Justice System Initiative
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 254

The Speaker

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

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a question for the Minister responsible for culture. Today in some parts of Canada and the territories there is a recognition of Heritage Day. I'm not sure whether this is an officially recognized holiday across Canada, but it appears to have taken hold in some provinces and cities. I would like to ask the Minister if this is officially recognized here in the NWT.

The Speaker

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 164-12(5): Status Of Heritage Day In The Nwt
Question 164-12(5): Status Of Heritage Day In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 254

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As a holiday, no, it is not officially recognized.

Return To Question 164-12(5): Status Of Heritage Day In The Nwt
Question 164-12(5): Status Of Heritage Day In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 254

The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 164-12(5): Status Of Heritage Day In The Nwt
Question 164-12(5): Status Of Heritage Day In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 254

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Because it isn't officially recognized as a holiday, I wonder how is it that the schools in some areas have officially recognized it and have a day off and none of the parents have a day off, as well? I just wonder how is it that the schools recognize it when it isn't official.

Supplementary To Question 164-12(5): Status Of Heritage Day In The Nwt
Question 164-12(5): Status Of Heritage Day In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 254

The Speaker

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 164-12(5): Status Of Heritage Day In The Nwt
Question 164-12(5): Status Of Heritage Day In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 255

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is really a matter of the school district boards, or the divisional boards, determining whether it is going to be a day off as part of their calendar planning.

Further Return To Question 164-12(5): Status Of Heritage Day In The Nwt
Question 164-12(5): Status Of Heritage Day In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 255

The Speaker

Thank you. The time allotted for oral questions has lapsed. Item 6, written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 164-12(5): Status Of Heritage Day In The Nwt
Question 164-12(5): Status Of Heritage Day In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 255

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to go back to returns to oral questions.

Further Return To Question 164-12(5): Status Of Heritage Day In The Nwt
Question 164-12(5): Status Of Heritage Day In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 255

The Speaker

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 4. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Kakfwi.