This is page numbers 339 - 366 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 education.

Topics

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Premier of this government. A few years ago, the government had a decentralization project in every region, and one of those regions was the Kitikmeot region. When I talked to the people in the three communities I represent, mainly the hamlet councils, they were saying they were unfairly treated within the initiative of this government to transfer government services and programs to communities. I think Coppermine and Cambridge Bay were getting the most out of the program. I would like to ask the Premier if she can revisit and review the initiative that took place many years ago and get input from the hamlet councils of Pelly Bay, Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak to see what departmental programs the communities are interested in? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Speaker

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Return To Question 196-12(5): Decentralization Of GNWT Programs To Kitikmeot Region
Question 196-12(5): Decentralization Of GNWT Programs To Kitikmeot Region
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The honourable Member did pose part of that question to me two or three days ago. I am getting the information gathered to see how the decisions were made. As well, at the time some of the decentralization took place, there was some part of offices that were in Cambridge Bay that moved to Coppermine. I recall, that for some reason, because there were questions raised at that time by the eastern part of the Kitikmeot region, the whole phase of decentralization came to a halt. But, I will continue to try to fast-track the information and bring forward some areas that the communities have already identified that they are interested in, particularly in community transfers. Thank you.

Return To Question 196-12(5): Decentralization Of GNWT Programs To Kitikmeot Region
Question 196-12(5): Decentralization Of GNWT Programs To Kitikmeot Region
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Question 197-12(5): Airport Upgrading Project In Coppermine
Item 5: Oral Questions

February 23rd, 1994

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Transportation. Residents of Coppermine raised the concern over the past couple of days while I was up there with regard to their airport upgrade project. They are concerned about the possibility of it being jeopardized because of the withdraw of Metall Canada from developing the Izok Lake

property. I would like to ask the Minister at this time if it is still one of the main priorities of his department to ensure that the airport upgrade project to upgrade the air service in Coppermine is going to be carried out.

Thank you.

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 197-12(5): Airport Upgrading Project In Coppermine
Question 197-12(5): Airport Upgrading Project In Coppermine
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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, the honourable Member is correct, we are moving the $3.1 million out of Coppermine and into Gjoa Haven. I'm just kidding.

---Laughter

A little humour, Madam Speaker. I know it's lacking today.

---Laughter

Anyway, under the strategic transportation initiative which we negotiated with the federal government, it was very project-specific. In other words, the designation of the capital dollars is for specific projects. The Coppermine project will go ahead, as planned and on schedule. Thank you.

Return To Question 197-12(5): Airport Upgrading Project In Coppermine
Question 197-12(5): Airport Upgrading Project In Coppermine
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The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Supplementary To Question 197-12(5): Airport Upgrading Project In Coppermine
Question 197-12(5): Airport Upgrading Project In Coppermine
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

I would like to ask the honourable Minister, would he ensure that significant local benefits are derived as a result of carrying out this project in the community of Coppermine? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 197-12(5): Airport Upgrading Project In Coppermine
Question 197-12(5): Airport Upgrading Project In Coppermine
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

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Question 197-12(5): Airport Upgrading Project In Coppermine
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John Todd Keewatin Central

No, Madam Speaker.

---Laughter

Yes, Madam Speaker. The Department of Economic Development has sent in a consultant to work with the community in an effort to try to put together some coalition of business and community interests to see if there's a possibility of either negotiating or partially negotiating to ensure that there's significant northern input into this $3 million plus expenditure in the expansion of the Coppermine airport. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 197-12(5): Airport Upgrading Project In Coppermine
Question 197-12(5): Airport Upgrading Project In Coppermine
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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 5,oral questions. The honourable Member for Amittuq, Mr. Allooloo.

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Earlier today, I made a Member's statement with regard to one of my communities being neglected by the Government of the Northwest Territories. I would like to ask the Premier if there are guidelines regarding recreational facilities and community size and whether there are also guidelines for key government positions like renewable resources and social services, relative to the size of the community? Thank you.

The Speaker

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Return To Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

On the first question, Madam Speaker, the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs works under a set of guidelines on size and population of communities with regard to recreational facilities. With regard to the renewable resource positions being in specific communities, I don't believe there's an actual formula available. I'm aware that in some communities where there is a small population but a lot of activity, there is a renewable resource officer. Perhaps that can be directed at the Minister of Renewable Resources. Thank you.

Return To Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
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The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Supplementary To Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
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Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm not just asking about renewable resource positions, I'm asking about key government positions that communities have that are around the same size of Hall Beach, which has about 550 people. There seem to be inadequacies here. I am asking if the government has a formula to have a social worker in this community because of the resident size and the job that has to be done there. I want to know if that position is placed there because of demand? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
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The Speaker

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, in the matter of resources to communities, I would assume that in Education there is a formula for teachers and service by MACA is provided according to a deal worked out with the community. It varies. I don't know that anything is exactly the same. I know that in MACA we calculate the amount of work, length of roads and type of services that are required. Then the hamlet is allowed a particular amount of dollars to facilitate that. I would say that in other areas it would be based on need and demand and also requests. I don't know, perhaps the community that the honourable Member is concerned about is a very independent community.

They have 500 people and perhaps they have survived without these resources. I don't think any of us here can say why, but what we could do is check on that community and assess the population and their needs to see where they are. I can't stand here and say if a position is not there or if it is vacant, hasn't been filled or if it has been moved somewhere else. We can do an assessment of the community and attempt to answer the questions on the basis of what has happened historically and what is planned for the community. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
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The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Supplementary To Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you. If there are guidelines with respect to recreational facilities relative to the size of the community, would the government be willing to table that and also any other formula they use to man posts, whether it is for the Executive, Social Services or Renewable Resources? If there is anything at all, would the government be willing to table that in the House? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Thank you. Madam Premier.

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Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
Item 5: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, what I will attempt to do is speak to the honourable Member to see just exactly what are the areas he would like to provide documentation on. I'm sure that if we had all our policies relating to that, it's an awful lot of material to table. So, I will table what is requested from the Minister and talk to the Member to see exactly what is required at this time. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
Question 198-12(5): Guidelines For GNWT Services And Positions For Communities
Item 5: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

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

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Transportation. Since the Minister is now on record saying that $3 million will be moved from Coppermine to Gjoa Haven, I would like to know what fiscal year he's going to do that in? Thank you.

---Laughter