This is page numbers 461 - 501 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 ---agreed.

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 461

The Speaker

Thank you. Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Baffin Central, Ms. Mike.

Minister's Statement 33-12(5): Sale Of Staff Housing
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In January 1994, employees who were living in government-owned staff housing units in level II and III communities were given the final opportunity to express an interest in purchasing the housing unit that they occupied. In all communities except Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit, employees had until February 11 to respond to our offer. February 18 was the deadline in those two communities.

I would like to advise all the Members of this Legislature of the results of this phase of the long-term housing strategy. On a regional basis, we have received expressions of interest from employees as follows: Fort Simpson, 10; Fort Smith, 1; North Slave, 1; Inuvik, 17; Keewatin, 63; Kitikmeot, 17; and, Baffin, 39. This makes a total of 148 expressions of interest. However, this does not mean that we have sold 148 staff housing units. The expressions only indicate that these employees would like to consider purchasing a unit.

Madam Speaker, the Department of Public Works and Services will be arranging for appraisals of each staff housing unit followed by formal offers to the employees. I know that Members are concerned about the sale of housing units in small communities, but I would like to reassure the Members that most of the interest has come from the larger communities.

I will be writing to each Member very soon to let them know how many expressions of interest have been received from each community within their constituency. This will also begin the process of developing individual community staff housing plans which will address the unique circumstances in each community. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Minister's Statement 33-12(5): Sale Of Staff Housing
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker

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

James Arvaluk Aivilik

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. My statement today is on a subject that I have already raised in this House regarding the selection of the senior men's hockey team for the 1994 Arctic Winter Games. I have received a response from the Minister to my oral question regarding this matter, but I am still left unclear as to why there were no players from the Coral Harbour team picked to represent the NWT at the Arctic Winter Games. (End of translation)

I do not know what the selection was, who was involved directly, what criteria was used and when the decision of team selection was finalized. Until I am clear on these matters, I am unable to give my constituents a satisfactory response to their concerns. However, Madam Speaker, I would like to tell the Coral Harbour men's hockey team that I support them all the way and I hope that, despite this setback, they can keep the faith and I fully expect that their day will come. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for High Arctic, Mr. Pudluk.

The Storage Of Firearms
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. My statement today will be with regard to the federal legislation requiring firearms to be locked up during storage. I'm not against the safe storage of firearms whatsoever, Madam Speaker. The communities in my constituency have a very high rate of polar bear intrusions. There are often several incidents on a weekly basis of polar bears coming into the communities and camps, threatening lives and property.

This is the time of year also when there is complete darkness. It is only common sense, then, that residents should have rifles relatively handy for their protection.

If the people of the High Arctic are to follow the law to the letter, then it will not be possible to protect themselves adequately from polar bears. This is a very valid concern. My people do not want to break the law, but what can they do? They have to make a choice between protecting themselves and breaking the law.

The federal government and the Government of the Northwest Territories must work together so that the law about storing firearms is changed to be practical to my constituents. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

The Storage Of Firearms
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I rise on behalf of my constituents in Yellowknife North to offer our congratulations to the five northern winners of the national aboriginal achievement awards.

Cindy Kenny-Gilday is a constituent of Yellowknife North and is being honoured for her outstanding international work with the environment. Susan Aglukark is a world-class musician.

---Applause

Billy Lyall has done tremendous developmental work with the co-ops.

---Applause

Rosemarie Kuptana, as president of ITC, and for her support over the years for the creation of Nunavut.

I think our Legislative Assembly should be especially proud of the award given to Premier Cournoyea.

---Applause

She is a four-term MLA, served with distinction on many important Cabinet posts, and continues to serve us well as Premier. Her award brings honour and recognition to our Legislative Assembly. And all five awards bring recognition and honour to the recipients and to all northerners. Thank you very much.

---Applause

The Speaker

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

Cruise Missile Testing
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Many of us believe that the federal government has appeared to have failed to live up to its campaign promises, made during the last election, to not allow any more cruise missile testing in the Northwest Territories.

I quote, Madam Speaker, the Honourable Jack Anawak from his speech in the House of Commons debate on the issue. "Northerners recognize that although the cold war is over, other security concerns have arisen. However, they question whether the standard military responses are appropriate, or the only response we can make. In many cases, an economic helping hand may accomplish more for our long-term security interests than a military show of force." Mr. Anawak went on to use the example of the village recently constructed in Siberia using northern firms and expertise as an example of the type of help we should be doing. "No one is surprised about the support from the Reform Party with their "back to basics" conservative policies, but I must express my dismay on the support from the Bloc Quebecois for cruise missile testing given the strength of the peace movement amongst the residents of Quebec. The single most reprehensible fact about the whole cruise missile testing program in the Northwest Territories is the lack of consultation by the federal government. The missile testing program has been renewed twice. Once for five years, and the latest agreement covering a ten year period."

There was no consultation. This legislature has sent numerous resolutions covering the banning of cruise missiles to no avail. Many of the Members of Parliament who had the courage of conviction to side with us in our opposition to the cruise missile testing also lamented the lack of consultation with northerners.

Madam Speaker, we as a legislature have no choice but to continue our fight against cruise testing in the Northwest Territories. There are no economic or moral benefits to testing these relics of the cold war mentality in Arctic airspace. Indeed, we all watched CNN in wonder a few years ago and saw how deadly accurate those cruise missiles could be during the Gulf War.

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.

Cruise Missile Testing
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to continue with his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed, Mr. Whitford.

Cruise Missile Testing
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. There are no economic or moral benefits to testing these relics of the cold war mentality in Arctic air space. Indeed, we all watched CNN in wonder a few years ago and saw how deadly accurate those cruise missiles could be during the Gulf War.

I suggest, Madam Speaker, that the federal government take the attitude that these weapons' delivery systems are accurate enough, and no further testing should be allowed to continue in Canada. Thank you.

---Applause

Cruise Missile Testing
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

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

Cruise Missile Testing
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Once again, Madam Speaker, cruise missiles will shatter the silence of our northern skies. Once again, the opinions of northern people and this government will be ignored.

For almost 40 years, Madam Speaker, the Northwest Territories have been the playground of the United States military industrial complex. Starting in the mid-1950s and continuing to this day, northerners have had strange substances dropped on them, military satellites and cruise missiles falling on them, and nuclear submarines under them.

Madam Speaker, we, as northerners, are no longer a colony of Ottawa subject to the whims of departmental mandarins who are put on this earth to look after the interests of the misbegotten Dene and Inuit. In this Assembly, there are 24 people elected to represent the views of their constituents, and the view of the vast majority of northerners, aboriginal and non-aboriginal, is that cruise missile testing must stop.

In 1987, the Dean of the House, Mr. Pudluk, rose to make an emergency statement on the American Airforce activities in the north Baffin, in the mid to late 1950s. In his statement, the honourable Member lamented the lack of consultation and the fact that residents of north Baffin weren't even warned that Americans were up to something in the northern skies.

Madam Speaker, the only change in the American and Canadian governments' attitude toward the feeling of northern residents is that they now give us a few hours notice so our northern pilots can get out of their way. There is still no consultation. Everything is still a secret, and northerners' thoughts and feelings have not been taken into account.

Madam Speaker, I urge the Liberal government to live up to their election promise, to ban the testing of cruise missiles over the Northwest Territories. The Russian threat is gone. Let's take positive steps to wipe out the mentality that we must have bigger, stronger and faster bombs than the other guy. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

---Applause

Cruise Missile Testing
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

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

Closure Of Akaitcho Hall
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today to talk about the plight of Akaitcho Hall. When I look at the people of my generation, I am once again reminded of the importance of residential schools to the political development and people development of the Northwest Territories.

I, myself, believe I was fortunate to attend the Sacred Heart Mission in Fort Providence and Lapointe Hall Residential School in Fort Simpson during my formative years. I believe, Madam Speaker, that the discipline and preparedness I acquired during my stay in these residences was well worth the time away from home.

My major problem with the closure of Akaitcho Hall is that I believe a small group of persons are determining the direction of education in the Northwest Territories for the years to come. I do not believe, Madam Speaker, that the ordinary parents in a small community understand the ramifications of the closure of Akaitcho Hall and other similar facilities. They may understand that the local school is being upgraded to grade 12 and that their children do not have to leave their homes. But, Madam Speaker, what they may not understand is that by closing Akaitcho Hall we are limiting the opportunities for the future generation of leaders.

Madam Speaker, I do not believe that a child will be able to get the equivalent education in a small regional or local high school to what is available in Yellowknife.

I suppose, Madam Speaker, I may be out of line with this statement because I am ignoring the political realities of devolution. I, nonetheless, remain convinced that by closing residential facilities such as Akaitcho Hall we are robbing our children, particularly those of aboriginal descent, of the choice for a total education.

Madam Speaker, I spent ten months of the year away from my family when I was growing up and going to school. I was always happy to spend the two summer months of the year learning how to hunt and fish and helping my family prepare for the long winter. I am proud of my heritage as a Dene person, but nonetheless remain convinced that closing Akaitcho Hall is the wrong choice for the future generation of Dene and Inuit children. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Closure Of Akaitcho Hall
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

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

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I feel I must rise to respectfully correct the honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment on certain statements he made in this House on Friday, February 25, about the Special Committee on Education during discussion in committee of the whole of his discussion paper, Towards a Strategy to 2010. I was not present in the House that day, but the unedited Hansard shows that Mr. Nerysoo, in responding to general comments from Mr. Dent criticizing the lack of detail in his discussion paper, referred to the Special Committee on Education and stated that, "It took them almost two years and almost $3 million to do the work." Mr. Nerysoo went on to say, "What that committee took two years to do, we did in one year."

Madam Speaker, with respect, as a former Member of that special committee -- who, along with Ms. Cournoyea the only other sitting Member in this House who had the privilege of serving on that committee of the 9th Assembly -- I do feel obliged to correct the honourable Minister and set the record straight.

First, as to whether the Minister's excellent discussion paper did as much as that committee. Madam Speaker, here is what the special committee did, and it was the first committee of this legislature to be so active: it held no less than 73 meetings in 34 communities. We conducted excellent research and we prepared draft legislation.

While the committee was in existence, we were asked to and did recommend on the contentious issue of much needed reform of the student financial assistance regulations. We produced no less than 49 detailed recommendations which led, among other things, to the establishment of divisional boards of education, teaching and learning centres, field-based teacher education and the Arctic College. We even recommended the establishment of what we called the secretariat for learning under the Minister of Education to coordinate all training and learning within the GNWT. The recommendations were accompanied by a detailed implementation strategy and timetable.

Finally, Madam Speaker, the Special Committee on Education did not cost $3 million, as the Minister stated. It did all that work for just under $1 million.

Madam Speaker, I recognize that the Minister is proud of his hard work on the discussion paper, Towards a Strategy to 2010, however I would respectfully suggest to him that it may be a little too early to determine whether his discussion paper will have the same impact as the report of the Special Committee on Education. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 172-12(5): Power Corporation Staff Housing Policy
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Koe on February 22, 1994 regarding the Northwest Territories Power Corporation staff housing policy.

Madam Speaker, it is the corporation's policy to encourage employees, where practical, to be responsible for their own housing costs. To this end, the corporation began withdrawing from providing staff accommodation within a five year period, commencing on April 1, 1993 in communities that have road access. In other locations where the corporation identifies surplus units, action will be taken to dispose of these units. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 172-12(5): Power Corporation Staff Housing Policy
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Kivallivik, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Further Return To Question 162-12(5): Reason For Community Deficits
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I have three returns today. The first one is a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Pudluk on February 21, 1994. I'm responding to the Member's question and subsequent discussions with the honourable Member on community deficits.

Communities are required by legislation to prepare annual budgets. Municipalities receive funding from a variety of sources, including the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and budgets must reflect revenues from all sources.

Our legislation also requires a municipal corporation to eliminate any deficit that may have accumulated during the year. by the end of the following fiscal year. Deficits occur in communities because expenditures exceed revenues. There are a number of reasons for excess expenditures. Unplanned or extraordinary expenditures may be required, for example, in situations where unusually cold temperatures result in higher fuel and utility bills. Unplanned expenditures may be required if a water line breaks or equipment fails, creating a need for expensive repairs. Each community is different.

Community counsellors should be receiving accurate monthly financial information from their administrative staff in order to assist them in identifying potential deficits because of such situations as I have noted. The department monitors the financial position of all communities, providing advice and assistance where necessary.

Return To Question 223-12(5): Selection Of Players For Senior Men's Hockey Team
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Madam Speaker, the second return is to a question asked by Mr. Arvaluk on February 28, 1994, on selection of players for senior men's hockey for Arctic Winter Games.

The manager of our Northwest Territories team for Arctic Winter Games has been delegated to the Sport North Federation. Sport North, in turn, requests that each territorial sport organization establish a process by which their teams will be selected for the Arctic Winter Games.

I'm advised that at their annual general meeting in the fall of 1993, the NWT Amateur Hockey Association agreed to select an open men's hockey team from the best players involved in the territorial trials held in January, 1994. This process was implemented in order to provide an opportunity for the best players from across the Northwest Territories to be selected, as opposed to the previous selection process which allowed only for the winning team to attend the games.

This all-star team approach has successfully been used by other sports sending teams to the games. It was decided that responsibility for choosing the final team would rest with the two team coaches. Job advertisements for these positions were sent territorial-wide and only two coaches applied for the position. Only two applied and were selected. Both of these coaches are very capable. I have been assured that following a careful screening process, the best players have been chosen for the team.

The team selected consists of six players from the Yellowknife region, two from the Inuvik region, five from the South Slave region, two from the Mackenzie region and one from the Baffin region. Any change in team composition at this point, less than a week before the games, would mean that an athlete who has been told he has a spot on the team and has been training hard in anticipation of this, would have to be bumped in order to make room for the substitution.

I'm pleased to inform the honourable Member for Aivilik that there are four athletes from his constituency who will be attending the Arctic Winter Games. In total, there are 80 athletes, coaches, officials and mission staff who will be attending the games from the Nunavut area. I have written to the president of the NWT Hockey Association, advising him of the Member's concern.