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

Return To Question 201-12(5): Block Funding Agreement Re Yellowknife Sewer System
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 464

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

My third return, Madam Speaker, if I may, is to a question asked by Mr. Ballantyne on February 24, 1994 regarding the block funding agreement involving the Yellowknife sewer system.

As of February 16, 1993, a block funding agreement between the city of Yellowknife and the Government of the Northwest Territories has been in effect. Under the terms of this agreement, the Government of the Northwest Territories has agreed to contribute $4.1 million to the city in each of the 1993-94, 1994-95 and 1995-96 fiscal years. This funding support is being provided in order to assist the city in its delivery of municipal programs and services that are normally eligible for funding under the capital and operations and maintenance programs of the department.

The agreement allows for the city to request extraordinary funding for projects which do not fall under the parameters of the department's municipal capital assistance program, or the municipal operating assistance program. An example of such a project has been the sewer and water upgrading work on the city's central business district. In 1993, the Financial Management Board approved $1.2 million for work to be undertaken during the 1993-94 construction season.

In November 1993, the city submitted a request for extraordinary funding support for water/sewer upgrading of the School Draw area, which has also been experiencing a severe degradation of the water/sewer lines.

Over the past several months, there have been ongoing discussions between the city and department staff on the long-term requirements and priorities for water/sewer replacement and upgrading for the entire city. As a result of these deliberations, the department is in the process of preparing a submission to the Financial Management Board. The submission will request extraordinary funding assistance for the city in support of its long-term water/sewer infrastructure replacement program. It is anticipated that this submission will be reviewed by the Financial Management Board in the near future. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Return To Question 201-12(5): Block Funding Agreement Re Yellowknife Sewer System
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 465

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin Central, Ms. Mike.

Return To Question 180-12(5): Cancellation Of Request For Proposals For Counselling Services
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 465

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have two returns to oral questions. The first question was asked by Mr. Whitford on February 22, 1994, regarding the cancellation of a request for proposals for counselling services.

The request for proposals for counselling services for Hay River and Fort Smith was advertised prematurely.

Discussions with a view to cost-sharing the service were still ongoing between the Department of Social Services and the South Slave Divisional Board of Education when the advertisement was sent out to media. The oversight was noticed and an effort was made to pull the advertisement. However, instead of pulling it out altogether, News/North placed a cancelled stamp across the advertisement.

The call for proposals for this important and much-needed service will be placed in the newspapers again in mid-March 1994 once all the details respecting cost-sharing are finalized.

Further Return To Question 225-12(5): Evaluation Of Food Allowances For Social Assistance Clients
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 465

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

My second return to oral question was asked by Mr. Ng on February 28, 1994 regarding the evaluation of food allowances for social assistance clients.

When the social assistance food allowances were first established in the early 1970s, they were set lower than the actual cost of food. This was done deliberately, on the assumption that social assistance recipients would supplement the allowance with country food.

This assumption may be less valid today because of a decreased usage of country foods.

The Department of Social Services, in cooperation with other departments, is undertaking a review of income support programs, including social assistance. As part of this initiative, it is our intention to review not just the food allowances, but all of the benefits currently paid through social assistance. This review will determine what the actual costs of living are in each community, so that social assistance and other support programs can be adjusted to provide a fair level of income.

I expect this review to be completed in the fall. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Further Return To Question 225-12(5): Evaluation Of Food Allowances For Social Assistance Clients
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 465

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a question I would like to direct to the Premier. It follows on the statement I made concerning the reactivation of the cruise missile testing. Many people have expressed their concern over this for a number of reasons, certainly the end of the cold war being one of them. The other thing is, a point of principle, perhaps, which is more fundamentally important is the fact that we have weapons of war being test-flown over our sovereign territory here, although it may be with approval of the federal government but with the very clear expression of concern by the Northwest Territories residents, including the majority of this House on occasion. I would like to ask the Premier -- and it deals with consultation -- when was the government informed that tests would occur this week?

The Speaker

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Return To Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 466

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, the time that we were informed, I believe, was prior to the initial time that they were going to test the cruise missile. I would say that would be approximately eight to ten days ago.

Return To Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 466

The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 466

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The concern is, people in the Mackenzie Valley where these tests are going to occur hear on CBC that they are going to take place, then, of course, bad weather in Alaska has cancelled them two days in a row. I guess they sort of hold their breath waiting for this to happen. I would like to ask the Premier whether the military does consult with the leaders of our government to get their go-aheads and cancellations on a routine basis.

Supplementary To Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 466

The Speaker

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 466

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, as the Members are aware, we, as a governing body, were not really informed any sooner at the initial time when they decided to do the testing. We, like the rest of the Members of the Legislative Assembly, also heard about it over the television and radio that the Liberals had changed their minds from their initial proclamation that they were going to cancel any more cruise missile testing in the Northwest Territories. We were somewhat assured by that, and we're also somewhat surprised that they reconsidered and decided to make the decision to honour the agreement they had with the United States.

In the matter of consultation with us, we were only informed yesterday that the missile testing was again put off another day.

The reporting relationship in the Department of National Defence is that they are of the opinion that they are mandated to look after the well-being and the safety of the country. They very reluctantly, when asked, do provide some information. But, in matters of defence policy, I believe they haven't changed their attitude at all about the fact that they're in charge and they will let us know when they want us to know what's happening in the matter of cruise missile testing. Although, in the last few days they appear to be advising more on a regular basis that the testing has been put off, then they will try again. But it's not for consultative purposes, really, it's just to let us know what they're doing. Madam Speaker, the attitude of the Department of National Defence hasn't changed. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 466

The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 466

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I appreciate the answers that the Premier has given us, and I can understand and share with the government their frustration in not being at the table, so to speak. I very much appreciate the mandate of the military and what they do here. It is just that I think the point of principle we are trying to raise here is the fact that it is the Northwest Territories, that we are the government and there should be some consultation. In the Premier's letter to Ottawa, earlier on, I understand that she was expressing that. I just wondered if they had responded to her letter, advising her that she would be a bit more involved in consultation.

Supplementary To Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 466

The Speaker

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 466

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, I did write a letter to the Honourable David Collenette on February 4. I have not received a response from the Minister of National Defence. I think the only issue that Members may feel a little comforted by is that I know the Minister of National Defence did state that the United States government should not presume further tests will be allowed after the two planned for this winter and that Ottawa is rethinking its agreements with the United States. So, the Minister of National Defence has put the United States on notice, and we are continuing to urge Ottawa to make sure that the concerns of Northwest Territories residents are paramount in their thinking when they are making their decisions and developing policy.

We have asked the Defence Minister to spend some time with us and asked also, if he is busy, that certainly, in the consultation process on what's going to happen, our officials get together at the earliest possible time. Also, when I was in Ottawa, I did mention to the Prime Minister that we had concerns about the cruise missile testing, that we applauded his initial statement and also asked that he encourage the Minister of National Defence to reply to us officially. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 466

The Speaker

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

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I would like to follow up on the Premier's recent discussion with the Prime Minister on this issue. I think, having been a long-standing Member of the Legislature, she is well aware of the strong opposition Members of this Assembly have expressed on this issue, going back to the 9th Assembly. I would like to ask the Premier if she could describe in a little more detail what she told the Prime Minister about this issue and what she might have learned about the government's future intentions once the present two tests are concluded. Thank you.

The Speaker

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Return To Question 242-12(5): Premier's Discussion With Prime Minister Re Cruise Missile Testing
Question 242-12(5): Premier's Discussion With Prime Minister Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 467

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, the availability of time or the place really wasn't conducive to a meeting. However, I did feel, because this was a problem and that the initial testing was to happen yesterday, that I should bring it to his attention that we felt very happy about his initial announcement and that we felt distressed that he was not able to carry out the commitment to cancel with the United States of America. All I did was suggest to him that it is a primary concern to us, that it is of immediate concern and that we were expecting some response. I did not go any further than that, Madam Speaker.

Return To Question 242-12(5): Premier's Discussion With Prime Minister Re Cruise Missile Testing
Question 242-12(5): Premier's Discussion With Prime Minister Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 467

The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 242-12(5): Premier's Discussion With Prime Minister Re Cruise Missile Testing
Question 242-12(5): Premier's Discussion With Prime Minister Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 467

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I take it that the discussion the Premier is referring to took place while she was recently in Ottawa to be honoured with the achievement award, and, I guess, at the very same time that the cruise missile was to be tested. Is that when that discussion took place, Madam Speaker?

Supplementary To Question 242-12(5): Premier's Discussion With Prime Minister Re Cruise Missile Testing
Question 242-12(5): Premier's Discussion With Prime Minister Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 467

The Speaker

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 242-12(5): Premier's Discussion With Prime Minister Re Cruise Missile Testing
Question 242-12(5): Premier's Discussion With Prime Minister Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 467

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, yes.

Further Return To Question 242-12(5): Premier's Discussion With Prime Minister Re Cruise Missile Testing
Question 242-12(5): Premier's Discussion With Prime Minister Re Cruise Missile Testing
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 467

The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.