Mahsi, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Premier with regard to the cruise missile testing, as well. I mentioned, in my earlier statement, that the majority of the NWT residents have always been opposed to cruise missile testing in the Arctic and they continue to be opposed to it. What action has been taken by this government since the Liberal government was elected to inform the federal government of this ongoing opposition? Thank you.
Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
In the Legislative Assembly on March 2nd, 1994. See this topic in context.
Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 467
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 467
The Speaker
Thank you. Madam Premier.
Return To Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions
March 1st, 1994
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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput
Madam Speaker, the first time that we had an opportunity to bring this topic up was when the Honourable Jean Chretien visited the Legislative Assembly soon after he was elected. Among the other topics that were discussed, the issue of the cruise missile was brought up at that time. Subsequently, when he made the announcement in Ottawa in the campaign that they were not going to be supportive of cruise missile testing in the Northwest Territories, he didn't feel that it was an issue and that he was going to stand behind his commitment. But, subsequently, I believe, there are agreements that were undertaken by the previous government that he felt that he couldn't walk around. Subsequently, on February 14, I did write to the Minister of National Defence expressing our concern and asking to be consulted and to set up some meetings and discussions about that issue. Thank you.
Return To Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 467
The Speaker
Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.
Supplementary To Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions
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Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Mahsi, Madam Speaker. The latest action was to write a letter to the Department of Defence, I take it. Has there been any reply to this letter? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions
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The Speaker
Thank you. Madam Premier.
Further Return To Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions
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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput
Madam Speaker, as I indicated before, there was not a reply to the letter. I am aware that the Minister is aware that it is an outstanding issue. I have also discussed the issue with the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada president and suggested that this problem continues, and they are trying to take an active role, as well. I know that the concerns that are raised by Members here are being heard, but at this point in time, there has not been any action to respond to how we are going to be consulted or if we are going to be consulted. It has also been stated by the Government of Canada that they are rethinking their whole involvement with the cruise missile testing, and they were going to have a series of meetings. We have requested to be involved in those meetings or the consultative meetings. So, I believe that the reason they were not able to live up to their initial commitment was because
there were agreements in place that they couldn't walk around. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions
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The Speaker
Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.
Supplementary To Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions
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Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Supplementary to the Premier. Although there is no reply to the letter asking for consultation, is there an indication of any kind from the federal government that the Government of the Northwest Territories will be involved in any type of discussion of a consultative nature with regard to nuclear missile testing?
Supplementary To Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions
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The Speaker
Thank you. Madam Premier.
Further Return To Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions
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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput
Madam Speaker, I'm not aware that the Special Committee on Defence has set a schedule yet. They are aware that we want to be involved and I've told them that the involvement is very broad-based in terms of people's interest. They haven't set the timetable to date. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Question 243-12(5): Actions Taken With Liberal Government Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions
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The Speaker
Item 5,oral questions. The honourable Member for High Arctic, Mr. Pudluk.