This is page numbers 533 - 559 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 housing.

Topics

Supplementary To Question 276-12(5): Minister's Commitment To Finalize Oil And Gas Accord
Question 276-12(5): Minister's Commitment To Finalize Oil And Gas Accord
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 544

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 276-12(5): Minister's Commitment To Finalize Oil And Gas Accord
Question 276-12(5): Minister's Commitment To Finalize Oil And Gas Accord
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 544

John Todd Keewatin Central

I'm confident that the previous obstacles that were in place can be worked out. There may be new obstacles down the road, I don't know. But the previous obstacles that unfortunately resulted in the lack of the signing of an oil and gas accord in July 1992 can be worked out and we can move forward aggressively to get an agreement in principle with respect to oil and gas and minerals.

The framework for oil and gas is no different than it is for minerals, in a sense, and we want to move quickly to get it done. I want to assure the honourable Member that we're going to take care of the three or four elements that unfortunately resulted in the lack of signing. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 276-12(5): Minister's Commitment To Finalize Oil And Gas Accord
Question 276-12(5): Minister's Commitment To Finalize Oil And Gas Accord
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 544

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Renewable Resources, and it is similar to that of Mr. Zoe. Mr. Zoe asked a question regarding exploration. My question is regarding drilling. One of the things we learned about diamond exploration is that companies look for round lakes as a sign that there are diamonds underneath. They then drill core samples to try to find the diamonds. Some of the companies, if they are large enough and wealthy enough, can do directional drilling, Mr. Speaker, drilling diagonally from the side of the lake. However, smaller companies do not have the dollars to do this and drill straight down through the lake.

It would appear that this would have an impact on fish and other animals that use these lakes. My question to the honourable Minister is, how is the department monitoring the impact of this drilling on the local wildlife? Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Mr. Minister.

Return To Question 277-12(5): Impact Of Diamond Mine Drilling On Wildlife
Question 277-12(5): Impact Of Diamond Mine Drilling On Wildlife
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 544

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, most of the land that has been explored and staked is federal land. It is, for the most part, the federal government who has the rights over those lands and it is mostly federal environmental regulations that govern the activities. What a federal law requires is that companies are obliged to regulate themselves in accordance with that. The federal government makes sure that activities don't take place unless they comply with present environmental regulations. Thank you.

Return To Question 277-12(5): Impact Of Diamond Mine Drilling On Wildlife
Question 277-12(5): Impact Of Diamond Mine Drilling On Wildlife
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 544

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Supplementary To Question 277-12(5): Impact Of Diamond Mine Drilling On Wildlife
Question 277-12(5): Impact Of Diamond Mine Drilling On Wildlife
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 544

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since the majority of native people use the area where the mining

companies do drilling and exploration, I'm wondering if this government, through the Department of Renewable Resources, has any interest in ensuring there are safeguards against these companies. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 277-12(5): Impact Of Diamond Mine Drilling On Wildlife
Question 277-12(5): Impact Of Diamond Mine Drilling On Wildlife
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 545

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 277-12(5): Impact Of Diamond Mine Drilling On Wildlife
Question 277-12(5): Impact Of Diamond Mine Drilling On Wildlife
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 545

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, there is some territorial legislation that applies but where there is conflict between ours and the federal government. Our regulations are null, as I understand it. We are there with the federal government and work very closely with them to ensure that activities that are taking place comply with federal and territorial legislation.

In wildlife, it is our legislation that applies in just about all cases except in cases under the Migratory Birds Act, which is international legislation. I don't want to give the impression to the Member that we're laid back and are not interested in activities, we are and we try to monitor and keep abreast of anything that goes on in the land. We are compelled to do so by the communities in the vicinity of these activities. Many inquiries and questions are brought to our offices. I just wanted to mention that it is not always our responsibility and our jurisdiction in this area. But we are there and ensure that the federal government also does their job as laid out by their own legislation. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 277-12(5): Impact Of Diamond Mine Drilling On Wildlife
Question 277-12(5): Impact Of Diamond Mine Drilling On Wildlife
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 545

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to address a question to the Minister responsible for safety. It deals with the issue we're discussing here, diamond exploration and hopefully, in the future, mining. I would like to ask the Minister whether this new resource that we're uncovering and all of the work that is taking place follows the same rules in the mining industry as the ones that exist currently.

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, very much, Mr. Whitford. Mr. Minister.

Return To Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 545

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you. I spoke earlier to the honourable Member, and there is some concern about whether the safety legislation for coring or open mining would apply. We are ensuring that there are improvements in the legislation so we can ensure that certain safety factors are considered in open pit mining and coring.

Return To Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 545

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Before I recognize you again, Mr. Whitford, I would like to draw Members' attention to some visitors in our gallery, Mr. James Eetoolook, the acting president for Nunavut Tunngavik.

---Applause

And Mr. Hunt, CEO, and Mr. Pat Lyall, chairman of the Nunasi Corporation.

---Applause

Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 545

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the diamond explorations that are taking place, it appears to a lot of people that what is happening out there is pretty much helter-skelter. There are people all over the place and soon, hopefully, there is going to be open pit or underground mining. The enormity of this project brings to mind the question of whether we have enough staff to look after this area and whether they are adequately trained to deal with this new type of mining. I wonder if the Minister would be able to advise me on what kind of extra training his staff are receiving for this.

Supplementary To Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 545

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Mr. Minister.

Further Return To Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 545

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This matter was discussed with my staff already. We are proposing to ensure that training is provided through either contract or other arrangement so that safety training can be offered in Yellowknife. That may not be the case, totally, but we're hoping that's possible. The other matter the Member raised is a point I raised yesterday on the safety factor. That is an issue that is going to be brought to the attention of my Cabinet colleagues so we can consider additional resources to deal with the matter the honourable Member has raised.

Further Return To Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 545

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 545

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for his answers to the question. I just wanted to clarify the latter point. Currently, the Department of Safety and Public Services has a limited number of personnel and a limited number of mining inspectors. The number of mines that are already involved hasn't diminished at all. The work is still there. So we now add this new component which seems to be quite enormous. I just wonder if they have enough staff to look after all of the new parts of this industry that are being created by this boom.

Supplementary To Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 545

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Mr. Minister.

Further Return To Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 545

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly I am aware of that particular matter. My colleague, the honourable Member for Keewatin Central, is aware of it. I am going to be proposing a method by which we might be able to respond to the increased activity in the mining industry.

I am hoping that my colleagues will deal with it positively and responsibly in terms of the presentations that we make.

Further Return To Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 546

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thanks very much, Mr. Minister. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs. Mr. Speaker, I made a Member's statement on behalf of Nunavut Caucus last week, expressing our strong concern that a major northern warning system contract was awarded to a Quebec firm, instead of Avati, an Inuit-owned company with a very good environmental and Inuit employment record, which had previously been awarded the contract. Has the Minister done anything to look into the circumstances which lead to this alarming development? Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Allooloo. Mr. Minister.