Debates of March 29th, 1994
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
- Members Present
- Item 1: Prayer
- Minister's Statement 57-12(5): Winning Partnerships
- Minister's Statement 58-12(5): Arctic College Wins Two National Awards
- Minister's Statement 59-12(5): Evaluation Of The Canada/nwt Cooperation Agreement For French And Aboriginal Languages
- Minister's Statement 60-12(5): Response To The Special Committee On Health And Social Services
- Welcoming French Exchange Students From Quebec
- Social Services Terminating Hay River Group Home Contract
- Clarification Of Eligibility For Polar Bear Tags
- Sportsmanship And Abilities Of NWT Athletes
- Appreciation To Supporters Of Yellowknife Curling Association
- Confusion Between Mr. Pudluk And Mr. Pudlat
- Appreciation To Iqaluit Rescue Team
- Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
- Question 399-12(5): Termination Of Hay River Group Home Contract
- Question 400-12(5): Status Of Community Hall For Sanikiluaq
- Question 401-12(5): Clarification Of Remarks Made By Renewable Resources Minister
- Question 402-12(5): Policy On Paying Rent For Social Assistance Clients
- Question 403-12(5): Update On Colomac Mine Situation After Safety Inspection
- Question 404-12(5): Aboriginal People's Respect For Wildlife
- Question 405-12(5): Update On Negotiations Between Casaw And Miramar Con Mine
- Question 406-12(5): Status Of Kheraj Enterprises Under Bip
- Question 407-12(5): Financial Support For Students Attending School In Yellowknife
- Question 408-12(5): Time Frame For Review Of Bip
- Question 409-12(5): Status Of Kheraj Enterprises Under Bip
- Question 410-12(5): Minister's Meaning Of "qualifications" Of Students
- Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
- Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
- Question 413-12(5): Extent Of Fire Damage To Print Shop In Pangnirtung
- Question 414-12(5): Department Of Health's Policy On Mammograms
- Question 415-12(5): Hiring Authority Of Public School Board
- Written Question 23-12(5): Responsibility Of Mines To Provide Adequate Fire Fighting Equipment
- Item 11: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
- Item 12: Tabling Of Documents
- Item 14: Notices Of Motions
- Bill 21: An Act To Amend The Tobacco Tax Act, No. 2
- Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
- Bill 12: An Act To Amend The Wildlife Act
- Bill 10: An Act To Repeal The Metric Conversion Act
- Bill 18: Write-off Of Debts Act, 1993-94
- Item 19: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
- Item 21: Orders Of The Day
Supplementary To Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 919
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, Mr. Nerysoo.
Further Return To Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 920
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm not aware of the existence of that policy. I don't believe there is one. I will review the matter, however, I can advise the Members of this House that I don't believe that policy exists.
Further Return To Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 920
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.
Supplementary To Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 920
Titus Allooloo Amittuq
Thank you. It's unfortunate that the Minister doesn't know his own policy. The policy applies to French students. Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Question 411-12(5): Policy To Assist Parents In Sending Their Children To Southern Schools
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 920
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Mr. Allooloo, there was no question there. This is oral question period. I would suggest that you make your comments under Members' statements. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.
Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 920

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I would like to direct a question to the Minister of Social Services. It deals with the matter of Greenway Holdings Limited that we heard about earlier on. I'm not quite clear on a couple of things, Madam Speaker, because I also received a document on the issue. I wanted to ask a question that relates to the termination or suspension of this contract. I would like to know whether or not the Department of Social Services has terminated this contract or has it just suspended the contract, pending the investigation that the Minister promised?
Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 920
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.
Return To Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 920
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Madam Speaker. The contract was terminated on the recommendation of the regional superintendent by the deputy minister. Thank you.
Return To Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 920
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford, did you have a supplementary? Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.
Supplementary To Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 920

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Madam Speaker. It seems like this is sort of a fait accompli and there is no point in going in and doing something. It seems to be a personality conflict, if nothing else, and there doesn't seem to be anything of substance that says this company is not doing a good job. If it's a personality conflict, I wonder why they are terminating him without a hearing or an investigation, rather than looking into this matter first? Is this the way the government does business? I would like to know if this is already a dead issue.
Supplementary To Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 920
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.
Further Return To Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 920
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Madam Speaker. The contract was terminated after many attempts to try to work cooperatively with the contractor and the area office. Since early December 1993, there has been only one child in the group home. The area supervisor, supported by his staff, recommended terminating the contract. The superintendent, once again, became directly involved in December 1993. Meetings were held with the contractor as well as with area office staff and the union vice president for Hay River.
A basic plan to keep the group home functioning was agreed to. All parties agreed to submit their concerns, documentation and recommendations, in writing, to the superintendent. This was done over the next few months with no improvement in the working relationship. On March 1, 1994, the superintendent flew to Hay River to meet with the contractor to discuss the contract. At that meeting, the contractor was informed by the superintendent that he was contemplating terminating the contract. On March 9, 1994, the superintendent informed the contractor he was intending to proceed with termination, as outlined in the contract.
On that basis, the contract with Greenway was terminated. These group homes cannot operate effectively without a close and cooperative working relationship between the contractor and the department. Otherwise, the children in care don't get the help they need. In this case, the social workers did not feel comfortable referring children to the group home and were finding other alternatives, such as foster care.
A new contractor will be sought as quickly as possible, in consultation with the affected MLAs. Yes, her contract has been terminated. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Question 412-12(5): Termination Or Suspension Of Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 920
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Lewis.
Question 413-12(5): Extent Of Fire Damage To Print Shop In Pangnirtung
Item 5: Oral Questions
March 29th, 1994
Page 920
Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre
Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. In the 11th Assembly, I worked very closely with Mr. Arlooktoo because there was fear that a very large, priceless collection of art that had been collected in Cape Dorset since 1958, would be destroyed. I heard today that in Pangnirtung there's been a major fire in the print shop. I would like to ask the Minister, again, about fire. Would the Minister tell this House if he has determined yet the extent of the damage as a result of this fire at the print shop in Pangnirtung?
Question 413-12(5): Extent Of Fire Damage To Print Shop In Pangnirtung
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 920
The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell
Thank you. Minister of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Nerysoo.
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