This is page numbers 367 - 397 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

Further Return To Question 218-12(5): Cost Estimates On Education Programs
Question 218-12(5): Cost Estimates On Education Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 378

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes. Also Grollier Hall in Inuvik.

Further Return To Question 218-12(5): Cost Estimates On Education Programs
Question 218-12(5): Cost Estimates On Education Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 378

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake

.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health. Madam Speaker, the Minister, just today, has referred to a proposed agreement that the Department of Health is thinking of entering into with the province of Alberta, particularly with the Royal Alexandra Hospital. I know that item was on the radio yesterday, and I have had some calls from constituents. I would like to get some clear understanding of just how this proposed agreement will affect the current situation, where through reciprocal billings agreements with provinces, NWT residents can go to any hospital in Canada. Will this agreement with Alberta change the reciprocal billings agreements with other provinces?

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Health, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 219-12(5): Nwt/alberta Hospital Agreement Affect On Nwt Residents
Question 219-12(5): Alberta/nwt Hospital Agreement Affect On NWT Residents
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 379

John Pollard Hay River

No, Madam Speaker, it won't. This agreement will be merely the destination -- as Charles Camsell was for many, many years -- referral hospital for the western Arctic and Kitikmeot, so it won't affect anything else. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Return To Question 219-12(5): Nwt/alberta Hospital Agreement Affect On Nwt Residents
Question 219-12(5): Alberta/nwt Hospital Agreement Affect On NWT Residents
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 379

The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 219-12(5): Nwt/alberta Hospital Agreement Affect On Nwt Residents
Question 219-12(5): Alberta/nwt Hospital Agreement Affect On NWT Residents
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 379

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Supplementary to the same Minister. Perhaps, just for clarity, what about in situations where a patient may now have a history with a doctor in Edmonton who does not have privileges at the Royal Alec. Will the patient have to find a new doctor or will the patient still be able to go the hospital where the doctor has the privileges?

Supplementary To Question 219-12(5): Nwt/alberta Hospital Agreement Affect On Nwt Residents
Question 219-12(5): Alberta/nwt Hospital Agreement Affect On NWT Residents
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 379

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Health, Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 219-12(5): Nwt/alberta Hospital Agreement Affect On Nwt Residents
Question 219-12(5): Alberta/nwt Hospital Agreement Affect On NWT Residents
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 379

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's the same situation that we had when we brought in the closest centre policy, and we'll have to work through those problems. I understand there are going to be some patients who say my doctor works at another hospital and your arrangement is now with the Royal Alec. We're going to have to work through those problems. As we've managed to convince people that we can deliver a service at Stanton Yellowknife, then I think it will be up to us to convince people that they can receive similar levels of service as other Edmonton hospitals, at the Royal Alec. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Further Return To Question 219-12(5): Nwt/alberta Hospital Agreement Affect On Nwt Residents
Question 219-12(5): Alberta/nwt Hospital Agreement Affect On NWT Residents
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 379

The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 219-12(5): Nwt/alberta Hospital Agreement Affect On Nwt Residents
Question 219-12(5): Alberta/nwt Hospital Agreement Affect On NWT Residents
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 379

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Supplementary, Madam Speaker. The Minister talks about convincing people that they can get the same services at another hospital. I'm sure that as Minister of Health you will recognize the importance of maintaining continuity when you have a physician. Is he saying that when you're going to work through this problem, there will be some weight given to the need to maintain the same physician you have a history with?

Supplementary To Question 219-12(5): Nwt/alberta Hospital Agreement Affect On Nwt Residents
Question 219-12(5): Alberta/nwt Hospital Agreement Affect On NWT Residents
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 379

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Health, Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 219-12(5): Nwt/alberta Hospital Agreement Affect On Nwt Residents
Question 219-12(5): Alberta/nwt Hospital Agreement Affect On NWT Residents
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 379

John Pollard Hay River

Madam Speaker, the situation is that people in the Northwest Territories have doctors and nurses who they go to for treatment. Those doctors and nurses make referrals at times to either a regional hospital, like the one in Inuvik, the Baffin or Stanton. Sometimes they make referrals to other jurisdictions, be they Manitoba, Quebec or Alberta. Many times, those doctors will refer to another doctor in Edmonton. That's acceptable. For those people who have gone to see the same doctor time and time again, as I said, we're going to have to work through that problem.

But, what we're interested in, and the boards are interested in, is whether we could provide the same level of service at the new facility and I believe everybody's happy that this new facility can provide the same levels of service. Where I get problems with people who say that they've always attended a certain doctor and he/she doesn't have privileges at the new hospital, then I'll endeavour to work through the problem with those people. But, the main centre for referral is going to be the Royal Alexander Hospital in Edmonton. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Further Return To Question 219-12(5): Nwt/alberta Hospital Agreement Affect On Nwt Residents
Question 219-12(5): Alberta/nwt Hospital Agreement Affect On NWT Residents
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 379

The Speaker

Thank you. Time for question period has lapsed. Item 6, written questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you. My written question is for the Minister of Education. For each school in the Northwest Territories offering grades 10, 11 and/or 12, would the Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment please provide a list of the courses offered through direct instruction, rather than correspondence, by grade level?

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 6, written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Item 8, replies to opening address. Item 9, petitions. Item 10, reports of standing and special committees. Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 12, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for High Arctic, Mr. Pudluk.

Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents

Page 380

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to table the following document, Tabled Document 29-12(5), a letter to all Members of the Legislative Assembly from concerned citizens who supported my comments yesterday about wasteful use of public money by government departments. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents

Page 380

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 12, tabling documents. The honourable Member for Baffin South, Mr. Pudlat.

Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents

Page 380

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish to table the following two documents, Tabled Document 30-12(5), a letter from Jack Anawak, Member of Parliament for Nunatsiaq to the Honourable Pierre Paradis, Minister of the Environment regarding Hydro Quebec.

Tabled Document 31-12(5), a letter from Jack Anawak, Member of Parliament for Nunatsiaq to the Honourable Sheila Copps, MP, a copy of a letter written by the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi on behalf of the GNWT regarding the Great Whale hydroelectric project. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents

Page 380

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 12, tabling of documents. Item 13, notices of motion. Item 14, notices of motions for first reading of bills. This House will recess for 15 minutes.

---SHORT RECESS

Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents

Page 380

The Speaker

I would like to call this House back to order. Item 15, motions. Motion 13-12(5), Mr. Lewis. Mr. Lewis is not in the House. This motion will drop from the order paper. Motion 14-12(5), Mr. Dent.

MOTION 15: MOTIONS

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The motion I'm going to present today has to do with the establishment of the Special Joint Committee on Division.

WHEREAS, Parliament has approved the creation of a Nunavut territory by 1999;

AND WHEREAS, division of the Northwest Territories will mean the creation of two new territories in the east and the west;

AND WHEREAS, the current Legislative Assembly and Government of the Northwest Territories will participate in preparing for the implementation of the Nunavut administration in the east and reforming public government institutions in the west;

AND WHEREAS, the Legislative Assembly and Government of the Northwest Territories have agreed to establish a mechanism which will provide for information exchange and effective joint decision-making on division issues;

AND WHEREAS, this mechanism must recognize the existing responsibilities, roles and mandates of the Legislative Assembly, its standing committees and caucuses, the Executive Council and the GNWT administration, as they may relate to the creation of two new territories;

AND WHEREAS, the Executive Council established a deputy minister level division review committee and a division review secretariat to coordinate the Government of the Northwest Territories' planning for and implementation of its obligations relating to the creation of two new territories;

AND WHEREAS, a caucus working group on division, composed of Members and Ministers, was established to make recommendations on the most effective approach to information exchange and decision-making on division issues;

AND WHEREAS, the caucus working group has reported, in December 1993 and again in February 1994, that a special joint committee on division is the preferred mechanism, given current circumstances;

AND WHEREAS, rule 88(2) authorizes this Assembly to increase the permanent membership of the special committee beyond the five Members which are provided in the rules because of its real or anticipated work load;

AND WHEREAS, rule 94(2) requires that the terms of references of all special committees be approved by this Assembly;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that this Assembly establish a special committee with equal representation from the east and west, to be named the Special Joint Committee on Division;

AND FURTHER, that, notwithstanding rule 88(2), that the special joint committee consist of eight permanent Members, comprised of six ordinary Members and two Ministers;

AND FURTHERMORE, that there be six alternate Members, comprised of four ordinary Members and two Ministers appointed to the Joint Special Committee on Division;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the following provisions be adopted as the terms of reference for the Special Joint Committee on Division.

Madam Speaker, at this point, because the remainder of the motion is very lengthy and was read into Hansard on Wednesday, February 23, I would request unanimous consent to consider the remainder of Motion 14-12(5) read and printed in Hansard.

The Speaker

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to consider the remainder of motion 14-12(5) read and printed in the Hansard. Are there any nays? There are no nays.

The Speaker

Information Exchange Mandate

A primary function of the Special Joint Committee on Division will be to ensure a regular flow of information on division issues between and among the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council.

To achieve this objective, the special joint committee will:

1) Prepare written status reports on division issues, including the activities of the Special Joint Committee on Division, for regular distribution to all Members and the Executive Council.

2) As requested, prepare specialized written and oral briefings on division issues for Caucus, strategic planning workshops, the Nunavut and western Caucuses, standing committees and the Executive Council.

3) Provide the general public with updates on division issues through regular reports to the Legislative Assembly and through briefings for the northern and national media.

4) Contribute to public information programs which may be initiated by the federal and territorial governments, advisory agencies and other participants in the division process.

5) Redirect to Ministers, Members and the appropriate territorial, federal or advisory agencies any inquiries from the general public, interest and lobby groups for meetings and information.

Recommendation-Making Mandate

The special joint committee will also assume an important role in recommending how the Legislature and Executive Council should address division issues. In responding to this objective as quickly as possible, the special joint committee will, by April 30, 1994:

6) Develop recommendations on the following matters for consideration by the Executive Council and Legislative Assembly:

- matters which should be addressed and concluded during the terms of the current Executive Council and Assembly;

- matters which should be initiated by the current Executive Council and Assembly and concluded by their successors;

- matters to be dealt with by the 13th Legislature but which require recommendations from the current Executive Council and Assembly; and,

- matters which should be the exclusive responsibility of the next Executive Council and Assembly.

7) Develop recommendations for the establishment of independent special project panels to provide advice on division issues. Particular attention should be given to a panel on division of assets and liabilities.

8) Recommend to the Legislative Assembly a special joint committee budget which takes into account the following for fiscal years 1994-95 and 1995-96:

- special committee Members' indemnities and expenses

- independent special project panels

- professional services, including production of reports

- support staff

During the remainder of its mandate, the special joint committee will be expected to:

9) Develop recommendations on other matters which may be referred to the special joint committee from time to time by the Legislative Assembly, its standing committees and caucuses and the Executive Council, as well as other unforeseen issues identified by the special joint committee.

Liaison Mandate With Other Division Participants

From time to time, the special joint committee may be required to communicate with other participants in the division process.

In responding to this mandate, the special joint committee may:

10) Request advisory agencies, such as the Nunavut Implementation Commission and the western Constitutional Development Steering Committee and other participants in the division process, for research, analysis and recommendations which are required for the special joint committee, the Executive Council and the Legislative Assembly to meet their obligations relating to creation of two new territories.

11) Make recommendations, as required, to the Executive Council and the Legislative Assembly on the research, analysis and recommendations which are provided by advisory agencies and other participants in the division process.

Operation Of The Special Joint Committee On Division

In responding to these terms of reference and to organize itself for operation, the Special Joint Committee on Division may undertake the following:

12) Information and Analysis on Division Issues

Request information and analysis on division issues from the Executive Council, GNWT administration, federal government, advisory agencies, aboriginal organizations and other participants in the division process.

13) Consultations, Discussions and Meetings

The special joint committee will not hold public meetings but may be required to undertake consultations, discussions or meetings with government, aboriginal organizations, advisory agencies and other participants in the division process.

14) Special Joint Committee Co-chairs and Quorum Choose Nunavut/western co-chairs, representing the Executive Council and Legislative Assembly, from the permanent Members. The quorum for meetings will be six permanent and/or alternate Members present, with equal representation from Nunavut and the west, two of whom must be Ministers, one from Nunavut and one from the west.

15) Subcommittees of the Special Joint Committee on Division

Establish subcommittees of both permanent and alternate Members from time to time to consider and report back to the joint committee on special assignments.

Set the quorum for meetings of the subcommittees. There shall be at least one permanent or alternate Minister on each subcommittee.

16) Independent Special Project Panels

Establish and oversee the operation of independent special project panels of experts to examine and make recommendations on issues of importance to the creation of two new territories.

17) Support Staff

Hire permanent staff and contract professional services, as required, to assist the special joint committee. Request the temporary reassignment of GNWT officials to provide support to the committee on special projects.

Cooperation/Consultation With Executive Council, GNWT Administration And Legislative Assembly

The special joint committee, the Executive Council, the GNWT and the Legislative Assembly must coordinate their efforts to reduce the potential for overlap and duplication of work, and to maximize the use of resources on the division initiative. Accordingly, the special joint committee, in the fulfilment of its mandate will make every effort to:

18) Regularly coordinate, consult and cooperate with Caucus, standing committees, the Executive Council and GNWT administration, through the division review secretariat, on issues including, but not limited to, the following matters:

- the preparation of written status reports and specialized briefings on division issues;

- contributing to public information programs;

- developing recommendations on how the Executive Council and Legislative Assembly should address division issues;

- the establishment of independent special project panels;

- the preparation of budgets, hiring support staff and requesting the temporary assignment of GNWT officials;

- communicating with other participants in the division process; and,

- requesting information and analysis on division issues from the GNWT administration.

19) As required, seek direction from the Executive Council and/or the Legislative Assembly on any other matter that, in the opinion of the special joint committee, requires their attention.

The Speaker

To the motion, Mr. Dent.