This is page numbers 965 - 992 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

Further Return To Question 440-12(5): Designation Of One Minister For Departments Of Health And Social Services
Question 440-12(5): Designation Of One Minister For Departments Of Health And Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 976

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, I'm considering it. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 440-12(5): Designation Of One Minister For Departments Of Health And Social Services
Question 440-12(5): Designation Of One Minister For Departments Of Health And Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 976

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 440-12(5): Designation Of One Minister For Departments Of Health And Social Services
Question 440-12(5): Designation Of One Minister For Departments Of Health And Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 976

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Will the Premier commit to making that decision before this House recesses, probably next week?

Supplementary To Question 440-12(5): Designation Of One Minister For Departments Of Health And Social Services
Question 440-12(5): Designation Of One Minister For Departments Of Health And Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 976

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 440-12(5): Designation Of One Minister For Departments Of Health And Social Services
Question 440-12(5): Designation Of One Minister For Departments Of Health And Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 976

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, no.

Further Return To Question 440-12(5): Designation Of One Minister For Departments Of Health And Social Services
Question 440-12(5): Designation Of One Minister For Departments Of Health And Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 976

Some Hon. Members

Ooh.

Further Return To Question 440-12(5): Designation Of One Minister For Departments Of Health And Social Services
Question 440-12(5): Designation Of One Minister For Departments Of Health And Social Services
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 976

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Baffin South, Mr. Pudlat.

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is a question for the Minister of Transportation about the new hours the Minister stated for the seven days. The people

in my constituency of Cape Dorset have a concern about this. They just heard about this not too long ago. There are seven people who are working in the communications tower in Cape Dorset. Does this mean that some of them will be laid off? There are always planes coming in and out of the community, even during the weekend. They have to do a weather report at all times. I wonder if the Minister of Transportation can tell me today, or give me a response in a couple of days, about whether some of the employees in the Cape Dorset communications tower will be laid off.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 441-12(5): Lay-off Of Workers At Cape Dorset Weather Reporting Station
Question 441-12(5): Lay-off Of Workers At Cape Dorset Weather Reporting Station
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 977

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I concur with the honourable Member that this arbitrary move by the federal government to cut back from 24 hours seven days a week to 40 hours five days a week is an unfortunate situation. As I said earlier, we are still trying to convince the federal government to look at a compromise position, possibly 70 hours a week.

But, effective April 1, the federal government is only prepared to fund Cape Dorset 40 hours a week and it will have an impact on the employment of these airport operators. I want to assure my honourable colleague that we're trying our best to reach an appropriate compromise with the federal government. I guess the bottom line is that there will be a requirement for less people because the stations will be open for less hours. Thank you.

Return To Question 441-12(5): Lay-off Of Workers At Cape Dorset Weather Reporting Station
Question 441-12(5): Lay-off Of Workers At Cape Dorset Weather Reporting Station
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 977

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for High Arctic, Mr. Pudluk.

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask a question of the Minister of Renewable Resources about firearms regulations. Do we have to start following the new regulations? Do you have to get a certificate in order to obtain firearms? Some people who are not hunters have a general hunting license. There are several people who have these. Would they have to pay for a permit to get their firearms certificate? Thank you.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 442-12(5): Fees For Firearms Certificates
Question 442-12(5): Fees For Firearms Certificates
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 977

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, under the new requirements of the amendments to the Criminal Code, anyone in Canada who wishes to purchase a gun or a firearm will be required to take a course or to successfully pass a test. This was to have been implemented as of midnight tonight. However, after my meeting with him last week, the federal Minister has agreed that this will not be implemented until September of this year, which gives us some time to negotiate a more acceptable, realistic exam and course that will be offered to people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Return To Question 442-12(5): Fees For Firearms Certificates
Question 442-12(5): Fees For Firearms Certificates
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 977

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Pudluk.

Supplementary To Question 442-12(5): Fees For Firearms Certificates
Question 442-12(5): Fees For Firearms Certificates
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 977

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

Some people will have to fill out the applications to hold a permit, or something like that, and take them to the RCMP. Will even people who are GHL holders have to pay a fee? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 442-12(5): Fees For Firearms Certificates
Question 442-12(5): Fees For Firearms Certificates
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 977

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 442-12(5): Fees For Firearms Certificates
Question 442-12(5): Fees For Firearms Certificates
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 977

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, the federal government has suggested that all people who apply for the firearms acquisition certificate will be expected to submit a fee. This, again, was something we took exception to and will be addressing as one of the issues to resolve with the federal government before this regulation will be implemented in the Northwest Territories. At this time, the federal government is suggesting that a fee will be expected from all people who apply for the certificate.

Further Return To Question 442-12(5): Fees For Firearms Certificates
Question 442-12(5): Fees For Firearms Certificates
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 977

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik, Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Social Services. I have been following the discussion on the termination of the contract for the group home in Hay River, with interest, during the past few days. But, the more information I get and the more I hear, the more confusing the issue gets.

Yesterday, in the unedited Hansard, my honourable colleague for Yellowknife Centre asked a question and I'll quote, "Does the termination of this contract mean that the guilty party in this work relationship was the contractor and not the department?" The Minister responded, "Being responsible for the Department of Social Services, I certainly will not come to a conclusion. That's why I think we should have a private inquiry done on this, because it could be the contractor or it could be our department. That is something that has to be seen yet."

Madam Speaker, this is very confusing because a decision has already been made. The contract has been cancelled. I would like the Minister to state what the reasons for cancelling the contract were.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.

Return To Question 443-12(5): Reasons For Terminating Hay River Group Home Contract
Question 443-12(5): Reasons For Terminating Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 977

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think it's important to note that when we're dealing with this kind of thing, especially a group home that is dealing with children in care, the priority has to be placed on the children. In this particular case, everything was tried between the department

and the contractor to try to work out a workable relationship because one cannot do without the other.

After a number of times of trying, the working relationship between the contractor and the staff completely collapsed. Because of a provision in the contract, the contract was terminated. We have since received accusations from the contractor that it was the department's fault. That's why I think it is important to have an independent investigation carried out. Thank you.

Return To Question 443-12(5): Reasons For Terminating Hay River Group Home Contract
Question 443-12(5): Reasons For Terminating Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 978

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 443-12(5): Reasons For Terminating Hay River Group Home Contract
Question 443-12(5): Reasons For Terminating Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 978

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Under the terms of the contract, who has ultimate authority to terminate the contract?

Supplementary To Question 443-12(5): Reasons For Terminating Hay River Group Home Contract
Question 443-12(5): Reasons For Terminating Hay River Group Home Contract
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 978

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.