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?
Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
In the Legislative Assembly on March 2nd, 1994. See this topic in context.
Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
March 1st, 1994
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Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
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The Speaker
Thank you. Madam Premier.
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Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
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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.
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Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
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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
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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
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The Speaker
Thank you. Madam Premier.
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Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
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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.
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Question 241-12(5): Consultation Re Cruise Missile Testing In The Nwt
Item 5: Oral Questions
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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
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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
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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
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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
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The Speaker
Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.