This is page numbers 585 - 620 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

K'amba Carnival
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 590

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Mahsi, Madam Speaker and honourable Members. (Translation) As it continues to grow in population, this is going to become even more of a problem. I think it is time the reserve receives a new and larger community hall. A new hall will provide a place for people to come out and celebrate any events with friends and family without the possibility of being turned away because there isn't enough room. It would also allow residents to attend community events without the need to travel to another facility.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I would like to stress this very real concern. I would like to ask Mr. Arngna'naaq to take my concerns into consideration. We really require a community hall on the Hay River Reserve. Thank you.

---Applause

K'amba Carnival
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 590

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Strategy Against European Animal Rights Activists
Item 3: Members' Statements

March 14th, 1994

Page 590

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The fur lobby, Madam Speaker, is not a major issue for my constituency, but I have observed the battle for over 25 years and I have some suggestions to make. Madam Speaker, Pierre Daninos was a French writer who, during the 1950s, wrote some satirical books about the English. He invented a character called Major Thompson and used him as a target for all things he found really strange about English people. One thing Daninos found strange was that in Major Thompson's country, animals have a far higher status than people. To illustrate his thought he noted that there was a royal society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, but there was only a national society for the prevention of cruelty to children. In other words, there was royal protection for cats and dogs, but not for kids. I urge this government to use a similar critical approach when it next meets the animal rights activists in Europe.

We have learned that the Dutch, for example, kill 750,000 muskrats a year because they poke holes in their dykes. They throw the carcasses over the dykes into the sea. It could be pointed out that what the Dutch consider a pest and nuisance to be destroyed and discarded is a valuable source of meat and clothing for people in the western Arctic. Mr. Kakfwi told me this anecdote and I believe he has used it to good advantage in the past. I am sure we could find many other examples of destroying animals which is a source of embarrassment to Europeans.

The fur lobby has an almost impossible fight on its hands, in my opinion, against the activists in Europe. Attempts to engender sympathy for the aboriginal way of life have not, in my opinion, been very successful. In fact, many people would argue we would be better off spending our money trying to develop markets somewhere else where that battle doesn't have to be fought. What needs to be attacked is the hypocrisy of many European states that are quick to criticize others, but are blind to their own shortcomings. I urge the Premier to recognize that most of these battles against animal rights activists have, in fact, been lost and all you can do is extend the battle another year or two. If she wants to help extend the war for another year or so, she needs to be tougher and smarter than the vast body of activists lined up against her. I urge this government to take, within this next expedition, aboriginal people who will risk the unpleasantness -- and I mean that, unpleasantness -- with a strong stand. The success of the mission will then be judged by what a miserable time everyone had when they went.

Strategy Against European Animal Rights Activists
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 590

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Mr. Lewis, your time has lapsed. I cut you off prior to you stating your last paragraph. Mr. Lewis.

Strategy Against European Animal Rights Activists
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 590

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my last sentence.

Strategy Against European Animal Rights Activists
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 590

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Strategy Against European Animal Rights Activists
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 590

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and colleagues. What would help the Premier is a motion passed in this Assembly to provide authority and impetus to the proposed visit to the European states on behalf of the fur lobby.

---Applause

Strategy Against European Animal Rights Activists
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 590

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 177-12(5): Dissatisfaction With Spence Bay Housing Association Employee
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 590

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to a question asked by Mr. Ningark on February 22 regarding dissatisfaction with Taloyoak Housing Association employee.

On February 22, 1994, the honourable Member for Natilikmiot asked a question regarding Housing Corporation staff using local services such as taxis and hotels in Taloyoak.

Madam Speaker, the honourable Member indicated that I should look into this matter with the hamlet council. I have investigated this matter with the Taloyoak hamlet council and they have indicated that their concerns are the same as Mr. Ningark's. They wish to ensure that GNWT staff and contractors support the local business community.

Madam Speaker, to ensure there is no doubt about where I stand on this issue, I have directed the president of the Housing Corporation to ensure that all corporation employees are aware that if there is transportation available in a community, they are to use that local transportation. If there is a hotel in a community, they are supposed to stay in that hotel. Similar conditions are included under the business incentive policy to ensure contractors use local businesses and our contracts include a penalty to contractors who do not meet these requirements.

Madam Speaker, these measures are in place to encourage local businesses and I will continue to do whatever I can to support them. Thank you.

---Applause

Further Return To Question 177-12(5): Dissatisfaction With Spence Bay Housing Association Employee
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 591

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Madam Speaker, during our last break before Christmas there were discussions and meetings with MACA officials with regard to the new fire hall that is supposed to be built this year. As recently as two weeks ago, I phoned the hamlet with regard to whether they have resolved the whole issue of who should build the fire hall. I want to ask the Minister whether he has any new information regarding that project for this summer.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Return To Question 284-12(5): Status Of Fort Providence Fire Hall
Question 284-12(5): Status Of Fort Providence Fire Hall
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 591

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The most recent information I have, and the Member probably has more recent information, is that the hamlet council was going to meet with the Dene band in Fort Providence. Since then I have not received any more information about whether the fire hall would be built this coming summer. I was under the impression that the Dene band in Fort Providence would be able to meet with the hamlet council and come up with an agreement whereby the fire hall could be built this coming summer. That is the extent of my knowledge at this time. Thank you.

Return To Question 284-12(5): Status Of Fort Providence Fire Hall
Question 284-12(5): Status Of Fort Providence Fire Hall
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 591

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Finance. I received a couple of calls, Madam Speaker, from contractors who have done work for government and they have been told that all payments have been frozen. This is work that has been done, some of it as far back as two months. These are small businesses that need the funding to help with their cash flow and this is causing them a lot of inconvenience. I would like to ask the Minister, why have all

the payments to contractors that work for government been frozen. Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 285-12(5): Reason For Freezing Contractors' Payments
Question 285-12(5): Reason For Freezing Contractors' Payments
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 591

John Pollard Hay River

Madam Speaker, we are a little short of money right now. We have been borrowing money for the last three or four weeks. We are at $57 million borrowed as of late yesterday afternoon. Our authority from this House is for $65 million. Last week, I instructed the departments to only pay those bills that we have to pay. We're abiding by all our rules and regulations, it's just that we're not paying in advance of the time that we have to pay those bills. So we're not doing anything intentionally to people, but we are watching our pennies right now because I cannot overspend simply because I cannot over-borrow. Today, Madam Speaker, I will introduce legislation to raise that borrowing limit if the House will give me permission. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Return To Question 285-12(5): Reason For Freezing Contractors' Payments
Question 285-12(5): Reason For Freezing Contractors' Payments
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 591

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.,

Supplementary To Question 285-12(5): Reason For Freezing Contractors' Payments
Question 285-12(5): Reason For Freezing Contractors' Payments
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 591

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister another question. When would we expect to have payments start again for these contracts that work for the government? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 285-12(5): Reason For Freezing Contractors' Payments
Question 285-12(5): Reason For Freezing Contractors' Payments
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 591

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Further Return To Question 285-12(5): Reason For Freezing Contractors' Payments
Question 285-12(5): Reason For Freezing Contractors' Payments
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 591

John Pollard Hay River

Madam Speaker, I haven't stopped the payments but if it's 20 days then I'm paying on day 20. In smaller communities where there's a greater distance, then we'll pay a couple of days in advance because we recognize that it takes that time for the cheque to get to those smaller communities. We're just not issuing cheques before the deadline that we have to produce them. If there are some hardship cases that Mr. Antoine has in his constituency, then I'll gladly talk to him after the House and see if there's something I can do to help those people out, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 285-12(5): Reason For Freezing Contractors' Payments
Question 285-12(5): Reason For Freezing Contractors' Payments
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 591

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance. Madam Speaker, the Standing Committee on Finance in its reports to this Assembly, made recommendations on the formula funding agreement and strongly endorsed, as it has in previous reports, the concept of the Government of the Northwest Territories preparing a comprehensive package of fiscal concerns for negotiation of these issues effectively with the federal government. I'd like to

ask the Minister of Finance, without asking him the contents of the package or the strategy, whether the government has put this package together at this time. Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 286-12(5): Comprehensive Package For Negotiation With Federal Government
Question 286-12(5): Comprehensive Package For Negotiation With Federal Government
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 592

John Pollard Hay River

Madam Speaker, yes, we put the package together. The topic was discussed by myself with Mr. Martin. Mr. Martin responded last week by saying that he was not interested in dealing on a package arrangement, that Mr. Morin should deal with Mr. Dingwall, Mr. Todd should deal with whomever he has to deal with, et cetera. On Thursday of last week, this issue came up again with Mr. Todd and myself meeting with Mr. Irwin in Ottawa. Our two MPs, Ethel Blondin-Andrew and Jack Anawak, were present. We agreed at that table to try to get this arrangement resurrected. Ms. Blondin-Andrew called me on Thursday evening of last week and again on Friday morning, and advised me that she has set up or has gotten Dingwall and Martin to agree to a meeting to talk about this topic again, sometime in the next 14 days. I'm in receipt of a letter that has rejected the issue, from Mr. Martin, but our MPs are pursuing it and we're hoping we can get it back on the table again, Madam Speaker. Thank you.