This is page numbers 621 - 654 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 languages.

Topics

Members Present

Mr. Allooloo, Mr. Antoine, 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. Ningark, Mr. Patterson, Hon. John Pollard, Mr. Pudlat, Mr. Pudluk, Hon. John Todd, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 621

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Morin.

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish to provide all Members with a brief report on the meeting of Housing Ministers this week. On Monday, March 14, I attended a meeting in Regina of the special ministerial sub-committee on housing options for northern, remote and rural areas. The purpose of the committee is to examine housing conditions and the extreme depth of need of residents living in these areas across the country. The committee will provide recommendations to all federal, provincial and territorial Housing Ministers on how these needs are best met and funded.

Six provinces and territories plus the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation are participating on the committee. At Monday's meeting, Ministers discussed:

- The severe housing conditions and housing shortfall being experienced by residents living in northern, remote or rural parts of Canada;

- Options and approaches to addressing the needs of these residents as a priority; and,

- Methods of providing assistance to these people which will allow for high levels of community and client involvement, local employment and training and, at the same time, provide assistance at the lowest cost per unit possible.

Based upon the discussions at the Ministers' meeting, officials will be preparing a report and recommendations by early April for review by Ministers participating on the sub-committee and for subsequent discussions and agreement by all jurisdictions.

I am encouraged to see that several other jurisdictions share our concern that the desperate housing conditions of people living in the north need to be addressed immediately. I will keep all Members informed as the work of this sub-committee proceeds. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Last September, the former Minister of Renewable Resources announced to this Legislative Assembly the successful conclusion of negotiations with Alberta, gaining access for northerners to the special waste management centre at Swan Hills. This agreement has provided a unique opportunity for this government and northern industry to dispose of hazardous wastes at this world-class facility.

I am pleased to inform Members that the departments of Public Works and Services and Renewable Resources have recently negotiated a contract to dispose of government polychlorinated biphenyl, or PCB, wastes at the Swan Hills facility. These wastes result from the operation and maintenance of government property and in other cases, have been found abandoned near our communities with no identifiable owner. In addition to our own government, federal agencies and northern private industry are participating in this program.

Approximately 76 tonnes of PCBs will be transported to Swan Hills for disposal over the next couple of weeks.

---Applause

Department officials are now notifying all territorial communities located along the transport route of the anticipated transport dates. This represents a significant step in managing PCBs in the Northwest Territories. The Department of Renewable Resources wishes to publicly acknowledge Public Works and Services, private industry and federal agencies for their participation in this program. We would also like to acknowledge the spirit of cooperation which has developed between this government and the Government of Alberta on hazardous waste issues. I look forward to its continuance for the benefit of all our residents. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the Nunavut Caucus, I would like to congratulate Mr. Pauloosie Keyootak on his election Monday as president of the Baffin Regional Inuit Association.

---Applause

Madam Speaker, Mr. Keyootak has served the Inuit of Baffin Island for the last 12 years. I'm pleased he was able to retain his position as president of the important Inuit organization in the largest region of Nunavut. I would also like to congratulate the other candidates who also ran in the election for their participation in the political life of the Baffin region. I, and my colleagues in the Nunavut Caucus, thank Mr. Keyootak for his help in the past and look forward to continuing our long collaboration with him. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Baffin South. Mr. Pudlat.

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I, too, would like to congratulate Mr. Pauloosie Keyootak on his re-election as president of the Baffin Regional Inuit Association. I also want to make special mention of the twelve other candidates who were on the ballots. Even though they did not win, the fact that they made themselves available for public service is greatly appreciated. I am happy to see that the Inuit of the region were given such a high number of candidates to choose from for the president. Once again, congratulations to Pauloosie Keyootak and I encourage the others to keep working to keep the Baffin Inuit Association strong. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Enforcement Of Laws For Environmental Protection
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 622

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. In late 1990, the 11th Legislative Assembly passed two very important bills. The first bill amended the Environmental Protection Act. The Minister of Renewable Resources at the time said that the purpose of the bill was to amend the act in such a manner that it was enforceable. The bill included such measures as raising maximum fines for discharging contaminants to $1 million for repeated offenses.

Later in the same session, the Assembly passed a private Member's bill, the Environmental Rights Act. This act allowed private citizens to lay complaints about environmental damage with the Minister of Renewable Resources and the Minister would then be required to act on the complaint.

Together, these two acts gave the Northwest Territories the appearance of having some of the best laws in the country for protecting our environment. But, I have to question this image. Soon after the Environmental Rights Act was passed, two Yellowknife residents laid a complaint related to emissions of sulphur dioxide and arsenic from Giant Mine. The Department of Renewable Resources completed their report which showed the level of emissions. Specifically, some of the tests in 1992 showed that northerly winds would raise sulphur dioxide levels in downtown Yellowknife above the limits for desirable and acceptable levels according to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

While the environmental health directorate in Ottawa does not feel that these levels represent an imminent health hazard, they do have an adverse effect on northerners' health. As the directorate stated, "These levels of sulphur dioxide can lead to mild reversible respiratory effects in sensitive individuals, particularly asthmatics." I know of at least one Yellowknife resident who suffers severe asthma attacks when she is downtown and the winds blow from the north.

Also, arsenic is a chemical which is known to cause cancer and the directorate said that, "Exposure to arsenic should be reduced to the lowest possible level." It appears that Royal Oak Mines are not interested in voluntarily reducing their emissions. After the department's report was released last year, Royal Oak disputed the figures in the report and stated that installing cleaning technology in their roasting stacks would be too expensive.

Madam Speaker, I'm running out of time and I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statements.

Enforcement Of Laws For Environmental Protection
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to continue. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Continue, Mr. Antoine.

Enforcement Of Laws For Environmental Protection
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The great step forward in environmental legislation that was seen in this House in 1990 will be a wasted step if the government does not use legislation to protect our environment. Why say we will fine offenders up to $1 million if we don't even lay charges. For that matter, how can we lay charges when the government has not developed enforceable guidelines and limits?

Polluters in the north will continue to pollute as long as they think nothing will happen to them. The whole point of these acts is to make sure that something will happen to polluters who don't clean up their act. I suggest that as long as the government does not work with industry, environmental experts, health professionals and the scientific community to develop clear, enforceable, regulatory guidelines, the Environmental Protection Act and the Environmental Rights Act are not worth the paper they are printed on. I urge the Minister of Renewable Resources to use these laws the way they were intended, to persuade polluters to reduce or eliminate their pollution, and I urge him to do that in this case by immediately developing specific guidelines on sulphur dioxide and arsenic emissions. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Enforcement Of Laws For Environmental Protection
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 623

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Over the past few weeks, we have heard speeches from both sides of the House on how we, as a government, must take control of the mineral resources of the Northwest Territories from the federal government if we are to have any hope of realizing any economic benefits from the diamond trade.

Madam Speaker, this government must ensure that economic benefits remain in the north as much as possible. However, Madam Speaker, having some say in the mineral policy in the Northwest Territories and ensuring economic spin-offs for residents are not the only responsibilities we, as a government, have. We must ensure, Madam Speaker, that the land is not scarred forever because of the exploration of minerals. We must make sure that caribou migration is not adversely affected. We must make sure, Madam Speaker, that this great land we call home is left as close as possible to its natural state for the future generations.

Madam Speaker, in this sluggish economy I realize that many people are very excited about the potential economic miracles about to occur in the Northwest Territories in diamonds. But I urge the Members and the government to temper this excitement with a little bit of foresight. Long after the diamonds are gone from the ground, people will still want to use the land to hunt and fish. We, as a government, must remember one important thing: this is our responsibility to ensure the maximum economic benefits for the development of such as the diamond play, as it is our responsibility to ensure that the land remains as close to being undisturbed as possible. We also have a responsibility for future generations. We have to make sure that the proper environmental reviews and studies are done. Mahsi cho, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Changing Upcoming Territorial Election Date
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 623

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today to speak about an issue dear to all our hearts: territorial elections. Madam Speaker, historically NWT Legislative Assembly elections have taken place every four years during the fall season. This 12th Assembly was elected October of 1991; the 11th Assembly, October of 1987; 10th Assembly, November of 1983, and so on.

However, on April 1, 1999, there will be the creation of two new territories as a result of the enactment of the Nunavut Act. This means that an election for the Members of the Nunavut Assembly must take place before April 1 of 1999. Ideally, the Members for the new western territory should also be elected around the same time.

Based on past historic election time frames, this Assembly would dissolve in the summer of 1995 with an October 1995 election of the 13th Assembly. This would leave the 13th Assembly with a maximum mandate between October of 1995 and March of 1999, of less than three and a half years.

Madam Speaker, as we all know, the next Assembly will have the monumental and historical task of working out the fiscal and administrative framework to support two new territories in 1999, over and above the already difficult task of governing our existing territory with limited and diminishing financial resources. In recognizing the heavy workload required of the next Legislative Assembly and their reduced term as a result of the requirement for at least one and probably two Assemblies to be established by April of 1999, I wish for Members of the 12th Assembly to consider holding a spring 1995 general election in order to allow a full four year term for the next and last NWT Legislative Assembly as we know it.

Madam Speaker, this Assembly has the authority to decide on an election date. I hope we can seriously consider using our authority for the benefit of all northerners by allowing the next Assembly a full four year mandate in order to ensure the fair and smooth establishment of two new territories in 1999. Qujannamiik.

---Applause

Changing Upcoming Territorial Election Date
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 623

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Controversy Over "the Diamond Empire"
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 623

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Madam Speaker, I'm in receipt of information from Ecology North. On March 14, Mr. O'Brien, director of Ecology North, received a letter from the law firm, Fasken Campbell and Godfrey, indicating they have been retained by De Beers to inform Ecology North that its public showing of the film The Diamond Empire on March 15 could result in a claim for damages from De Beers.

The company claims the film contains material which is a subject of dispute between De Beers and the British Broadcasting Corporation. They claim it relies on inaccurate, incorrect and false research, often supplied by disruptive and dubious sources. It alleges by defamatory inference that De Beers uses disreputable and illegal methods to make their control over the diamond market. It alleges by De Beers conduct during World War II denied the United States access to required quantities of diamonds for its war efforts, it alleges that De Beers exerted pressure to effect the closure of a diamond mine in Arkansas for improper purposes, and it goes on with other claims against this particular film, The Diamond Empire.

Madam Speaker, this film has already been broadcast on our local cable network. Although the information from De Beers claims that this film has not been shown in Britain and in Australia because of the concerns expressed by De Beers, and the fact that anybody who shows it would be liable for damages, it seems now that since this information is on the record and in the local newspaper, and since I've made this statement about concerns in the House, that northern people being wise and not country bumpkins will look at it and make up their own mind. We have all had a history of, in fact, being quite immune to propaganda. Thank you.

---Applause

Controversy Over "the Diamond Empire"
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 624

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Zoe.

Importance Of Education
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 624

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to take this opportunity to welcome a group of students from the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School in Rae-Edzo...

---Applause

who, with their teacher, Mr. Gerry Moran and their two guidance counsellors toured the Legislative Assembly this morning and are currently in the gallery watching the proceedings of the House.

Madam Speaker, the North Slave region has begun negotiations to settle regional land claims which involve development of self-government institutions. We are developing strategies to develop long-term employment and better social economic conditions through our regional industrial strategy. What this process really involves is a commitment to bring about a greater degree of political and economic self-reliance for the Dogrib people. This is a very challenging situation, and that is why it is so important for our young people to complete school and thereby prepare themselves with reading, writing and mathematical skills required to effectively participate in the challenges ahead. If our young people do not complete school, how can we ever hope to manage and control our own affairs? We will continue to rely on educated people from southern Canada.

Madam Speaker, this is the challenge we face at home. However, Madam Speaker, if we look outside our region to southern Canada and even further to the rest of the world, it is clear that a much higher percentage of the new jobs being created in a more competitive, technology-driven economy require higher education and skill levels than was previously the case. Many of the unskilled and semi-skilled jobs in manufacturing and the resource sector have been disappearing at a rapid rate over the past two decades. This concerns me very much, Madam Speaker. What these trends suggest is that our aboriginal labour force, with its generally low education levels, will be particularly disadvantaged in the new global economy.

Madam Speaker, in the context of our adult population who has dropped out of school, we have a tremendous challenge ahead from the perspective of upgrading and training. Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude.

Importance Of Education
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 624

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Importance Of Education
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 624

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, colleagues. Madam Speaker, we want educated Dogrib people managing and building the institution that will bring the Dogrib people a greater degree of self-reliance. If the Dogrib people are going to reach out to the world outside of the territories and Canada and feel secure and confident in their abilities, then we must commit ourselves to educating our young people and ensuring that our adults commit themselves equally to upgrading and training. Mahsi.

---Applause

Importance Of Education
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 624

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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