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

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my congratulations to two Northwest Territories curling teams which will be representing the Yukon and Northwest Territories at the Canadian junior Pepsi curling championships in Truro, Nova Scotia.

---Applause

Madam Speaker, on Saturday, March 19 and throughout the following week, these teams will be curling against other provincial champions. The Canadian champions will be decided next Saturday on March 26. These champions will represent Canada at the world junior curling championships in Bulgaria some time in April.

Madam Speaker, I have a lot of personal interest in this Canadian national event because three of my children will be participating.

---Applause

My son, Kevin, is the skip of the junior men's team and he is supported by his brother Jamie, and Mark and Kevin Whitehead. George Gibson is the coach of this team. Tara Hamer is skipping the junior women's team and she is supported by my daughter Kerry, who will be playing third. The team also includes Kim Barraclough and Sheena Yakeleya. This team is coached by Ernie Comerford.

Madam Speaker, history will be made at these junior nationals because I believe it is the first time that three curlers from one family are going to be participating in this event. So at this time I would like to advise this House and my constituents in Inuvik that I will be away from March 17 to March 25. My wife and I will be in Truro, will be cheering loudly and providing support to these curlers. So please join me in congratulating these Northwest Territories champions and wishing them well next week. Mahsi.

---Applause

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.

Iqaluit Municipal Election
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 625

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, later today I will be tabling a letter written by the chairperson of the Municipal Advisory Committee for the town of Iqaluit, Mr. Robert L. Hanson, dated March 8, to the Honourable Silas Arngna'naaq, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs recommending that municipal elections be held as early as May, 1994, before most people start leaving for holidays during the spring and summer months. Mr. Hanson also noted that this will be the same month that an election for the Inuit Tapirisat's presidency is taking place. The letter also notes that by that date the current administration should have had the opportunity to review municipal programs and evaluate senior staff as approved by the committee. Further, the committee members recommend in their letter that Robin Beaumont, municipal administrator, remain in Iqaluit until the municipal election is over and a senior administrative officer has been appointed by the elected council to ensure a smooth transition.

Madam Speaker, I am also aware that the municipal administrator, appointed by the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, who also advises the Minister and works closely with the Municipal Advisory Committee, is advising that there yet remains to be a great deal of work done before a municipal inspection team can be sent in. I am impressed with the capabilities of the members of the Municipal Advisory Committee and Mr. Beaumont. I am sure they can do what is necessary to be done before an election is called in May if they are given encouragement to do so by the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Mr. Beaumont has correctly advised the Municipal Advisory Committee that the sole criteria for calling new municipal elections is the favourable opinion of the Minister of MACA, though the Minister has already indicated to this House that he will be relying on advice from the Municipal Advisory Committee and the municipal administrator, and hopefully from the MLA for Iqaluit.

It is now over four months since the elected council was dissolved. Clear advice has now been received from the Municipal Advisory Committee. Later, I will be following up with the Minister to ensure that municipal elections are called sooner rather than later in Iqaluit. Qujannamiik.

Iqaluit Municipal Election
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 625

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Department of Renewable Resources, the former Minister and the present Minister, in their diligent efforts in securing the agreement between the province of Alberta and the Northwest Territories for the disposition of hazardous waste. We know that this has been a long-outstanding issue in the territories and it has affected every constituency as far as what to do with material that is a hazard to the land and people. It has been stored in various places across the territories. Here, in Yellowknife, I think we have quite a depot. With this agreement, we will be able to remove this. I guess it would be relatively small amounts in comparison with what Swan Hills is capable of disposing of. It is good to see there is this relationship between this province and territory to assist each other. It is very expensive for us to develop any kind of disposal equipment in the territories. It just shows that with the proper effort, there can be cooperation on something as important as this. So I would like to extend to the staff and department congratulations from the people in Yellowknife on this major achievement. Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Item 5: Oral Questions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 625

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. For a number of years there have been concerns raised about the poor level of coordination between territorial and federal programs. It has resulted in people wishing to access funding being directed from program to program. There have also been problems with the Economic Development officers, themselves, being unaware of these programs, again causing confusion for clients wishing to access some of these programs. I would like to ask the Minister what he has done to ensure better coordination between the many economic development programs that are available to make it easier for individuals and northern businesses wishing to access these programs?

Item 5: Oral Questions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 625

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Item 5: Oral Questions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 625

John Todd Keewatin Central

I didn't understand the question. What programs? Does he mean the programs within the department, federal government programs, programs that relate to EDA or ED&T? I'm more confused with the question than I am with the answer.

Item 5: Oral Questions
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 625

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Since it is not the chair's responsibility to interpret questions, I'll ask Mr. Ng if he could possibly repeat his question and request the Minister to carefully pay attention. Thank you.

---Applause

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is very apparent, Madam Speaker, from the Minister himself being confused that there is a problem out there with the public being confused.

---Laughter

---Applause

My question to the Minister, Madam Speaker, is, there are federal government programs, there are territorial government programs and his department steers individuals wishing to access those programs.

How is that coordinated to determine which program that individual would be directed toward? That's the question. Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 626

John Todd Keewatin Central

Touche, I guess. Madam Speaker, as the honourable Member knows, with our new approach to the department in terms of giving regional authority to the superintendents, ultimately it trickles down to the community economic development officers, and we're hopeful that will bring about more decision-making at the regional and community level.

The authority that we're giving to the regions is also for the EDA program which I think there has been considerable complaint about. We're confident that the coordinated approach of accessing programs outside of the territorial jurisdiction is there with the new responsibilities we've given to the regions and will ultimately give to the economic development officers at the community level. Thank you.

Return To Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 626

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Supplementary To Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 626

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I understand that his department has addressed some of the programs internally regarding where individuals can access these programs. But, my question is in relation to the federal programs. We have the community economic development organizations up in our areas right now. Does his department interrelate with that federally-funded agency to coordinate these programs? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 626

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 626

John Todd Keewatin Central

Now I understand, Madam Speaker, thank you.

---Applause

It takes a while, but the penny dropped. Anyway, there are ongoing relationships between the regional superintendents and the CEDO operations that I believe the honourable Member is talking about. In his area there is a bit of a history of an environment of less cooperation in the past. I'm reasonably confident in my recent discussions with that particular group and my previous discussions of some months ago in Spence Bay, that we've resolved some of the personality and process differences. Now, there's a fairly reasonable working relationship between these two groups.

The other area of concern that I know has been expressed by others is about accessing federal CAEDS money. We haven't had much success in that area but we are working very aggressively to get the department responsible for CAEDS to recognize that we need a closer and more productive relationship in accessing these dollars as well. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 626

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Supplementary To Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 626

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you. I would like to ask the Minister, then, would he say that the economic development officers in the regions have an understanding of the programs that are available and how these programs work together? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 626

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 626

John Todd Keewatin Central

I think there's an understanding in most regions, the way I understand it anyway. There are a number of programs outside of the department and if you cooperate and coordinate, you can get significantly more leverage. For example, another program that is working very well in the regions is the community futures program. There is one in the Baffin, Keewatin and in the Inuvik and Hay River area. It is my understanding that program works very closely with the department in trying to put lending and grant programs together.

Certainly, if there are some specific problems with respect to the honourable Member's region, I would only be too happy to address them. But, the new senior management team that determines policy and direction are the superintendents. They and the deputy minister are closer to the field than anybody. They are very much aware of the need for us to look outside of the limited resources we've got to bring about greater economic growth in these communities. I'm comfortable that they are aware. If there are specific instances, I would be only too happy to address them. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Question 298-12(5): Coordination Between Territorial And Federal Programs
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 626

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

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

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. The heart and soul of the territories' economy are the small businesses. Small grants which help buy a new sewing machine, a kicker or keep one family self-reliant and off social assistance are key to our economic development. The Minister has indicated that this program is in the hands of the regional staff, making them more receptive to local needs. What percentage of the total grant pool for Economic Development is devoted to small business grants?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 299-12(5): Percentage Of Ed&t Budget Devoted To Small Business Grants
Question 299-12(5): Percentage Of Ed&t Budget Devoted To Small Business Grants
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 627

John Todd Keewatin Central

I stand to be corrected, but that is the $5,000 grant program that we've talked about, which, as the honourable Member has said, is to assist the small entrepreneur if he's fishing or other small business. I believe it is around the $900,000 or $1 million mark at this time. I could get the actual number for him later this week, but I believe it is in that range.