This is page numbers 909 - 930 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 chairman.

Topics

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, in reviewing the unedited Hansard of March 28, 1994, the Minister of Renewable Resources made some statements. In the excitement of the discussions, I guess I didn't hear the comments that were made. I would like to ask the Minister for some clarification on a statement he made on page 2051 of the unedited Hansard of March 28. I quote: "The Dene, for instance, and Metis, I know, and the Inuvialuit for that matter, may differ. At least with the Dene and Metis, if they don't make the regulation and they have no part in the management of the resource, then they have little regard for the laws and quotas that are set by this government."

I would like to ask the Minister what he meant by that statement?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. I just want to caution Members that when you quote the unedited Hansard, you don't take the quotes out of context. Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Kakfwi.

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The context in which those remarks were made is in the context that for the most part, the Dene and the Metis have been calling consistently -- at least since 1974 -- for recognition that they have a right to govern themselves. The territorial government, as such, was denounced as a government not of their choosing. With that regard, the laws that are made, sometimes even by the federal government, are not held in the esteem they should be held by the Dene and the Metis.

In recent years, with more involvement of northern people in the making of laws and regulations and in moving, for instance, in the Department of Renewable Resources, to managing cooperatively with communities and aboriginal groups the wildlife resources, the esteem they hold for laws and regulations has gone up considerably. That is the context in which those remarks were made. Thank you.

Return To Question 401-12(5): Clarification Of Remarks Made By Renewable Resources Minister
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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Social Services. It is my understanding that the department, directly or indirectly, pays rents and utilities for at least two private sector units on behalf of social assistance clients in Coppermine. These housing units are former northern rental units that were written off by the local housing association and purchased through the local tender process by individuals.

Unfortunately, these housing units are in terrible condition. Two of them are on the honey bucket system, none have running water, there hasn't been any upgrading and minimum maintenance has been done on these units. I would like to ask if the Minister if it's the policy of the department to pay rent to private landlords, either directly or indirectly, on behalf of social assistance clients who have no housing? Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. For the social services recipients, the department does pay rent, whether it is for the housing corporation or for the unit they are renting. Thank you.

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister, then, if the department has minimum standards they set for these residential units prior to them allowing social assistance clients to live in them? Thank you.

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. If the department, on behalf of the clients, is renting these dwellings, I would have to look into this situation that Mr. Ng is talking about. If the clients, on their own, decide to live in these units, to me that is out of the responsibility of Social Services. It is different if Social Services is directly renting these from the private owner. Thank you.

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if her department or somebody on behalf of her department in the government carries out inspections of these units to ensure they meet building codes, fire and electrical codes and those types of things, prior to their authorizing rental payments for these units? Thank you.

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would have to get more details on the two individuals Mr. Ng is talking about in order to address his concern. At this point in time, I don't know whether the department accessed these units for the clients of Social Services or not. If they are, I would certainly like to know. Thank you.

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Ng.

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister feels it is acceptable to have social assistance clients living in residential units which have no running water and which are using honey bucket systems? Thank you.

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Like I said earlier, it really depends if these individuals, of their own choosing, are living in these units. I don't know the background detail on these individuals. I would have to get more details on whether or not the Social Services department accessed these units for them or if the individuals accessed them themselves. Thank you.

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Lewis.

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for Safety. I was pleased to hear that the city of Yellowknife was able to assist in putting out the fire in Colomac Mine. I would like to ask the Minister if he has an update for us on what has happened since his safety people have been there?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 403-12(5): Update On Colomac Mine Situation After Safety Inspection
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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you. I appreciate the honourable Member's question. Madam Speaker, the deputy fire marshal in the company of a fire safety inspector were despatched this morning to Colomac via an aircraft hired by Royal Oak. Obviously, the inspectors took advantage of a free flight. It was agreed among the city of Yellowknife fire department officials, the fire marshal, the mine safety division and Colomac Mine officials that the investigation would not commence until today, to permit exhausted fire fighters and employees sufficient time to recover and to permit the excessive smoke to clear and the hot remains of the building to cool sufficiently to permit a thorough investigation. All of these parties, as well as the insurance adjustors, are meeting at the mine site today to jointly commence a thorough investigation which will include careful physical examination of the fire remains and the interviewing of multiple witnesses to ascertain the state of the fire protection system at the time of the fire as well as the cause of the fire. Thank you.

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The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

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Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. That was an easy question. I have a more difficult one for the Minister. Since we have mines throughout the Northwest Territories that are very isolated, what requirement do those mines have to provide for their own fire fighting capability?