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

Mining Initiatives In North Slave Region
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 536

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to discuss mining and economic development in the Northwest Territories, and specifically in the North Slave area. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Economic Development has already made numerous statements in this House about the importance of mining to the economic development of the north and about the many potential benefits of the new projects planned for the area. My honourable colleague for Yellowknife North and my other colleagues from Yellowknife have also made similar statements.

Mr. Speaker, the Dogrib people are presently pursuing a number of initiatives related to mining activity. The resolution of land claims in the area will help provide a stable climate for mining companies to plan their developments. Dialogue between the Dogrib Nation and companies such as BHP, Kennecott, Royal Oak and so forth are under way, in order to maximize employment and other opportunities for the people of the region.

Mr. Speaker, of course, there is the Dogrib Power Corporation, with its plan to build a hydro station on their land. This project can help the future of mining in the region by providing abundant and inexpensive power to mining projects in the area. It would certainly be a more environmentally-friendly source of power than diesel generators...

Mining Initiatives In North Slave Region
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 536

An Hon. Member

Hear, hear.

Mining Initiatives In North Slave Region
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 536

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

...which is what mines would have to use otherwise. Mr. Speaker, the Dogrib Nation is doing everything in its power to become self-reliant, to give its people opportunities to grow and prosper and I'm confident that the Dogrib people will prosper if they are given the opportunity to achieve their goals and objectives.

Mr. Speaker, the Dogrib people cannot do it alone. They need the assistance of our government to help them meet their goals. I'm confident that the government agrees with me that self-reliance is an important goal for the Dogrib Nation and I encourage the government to undertake the necessary initiatives to help the Dogrib people achieve their self-reliance. Mahsi.

---Applause

Mining Initiatives In North Slave Region
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 536

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Last weekend, on February 25, 26 and 27, the annual senior recreational hockey tournament took place in Fort Simpson. A total of eight teams took part in this tournament. Teams from Hay River, Fort Smith, Fort Norman, Fort Good Hope, Deline, and even Lynx River showed up to play in this tournament.

---Laughter The teams from Fort Norman, Fort Good Hope and Deline drove over the winter road to participate in this tournament. It goes to show that even on the seasonal winter roads, there's a real desire for intercommunity activity. So, you can imagine that once the all-weather road down the valley is built, how much intercommunity activity will take place down the valley.

It was a pretty good tournament, Mr. Speaker, with a lot of excitement and controversy. I would just like to say that generally there is a real need to standardize the rules throughout the north for sport so that there is consistency in officiating from one part of the north to another. I think that would really help communities and the sport in the north.

The people of Fort Simpson appreciate the excitement of the game, especially into the finals. Tournaments like these are the results of the Government of the Northwest Territories capital expenditures in building arenas in most communities in the north. As more arenas are built, there will be more and more hockey players coming out of these communities. It is one of the best investments, I think, for the north.

Tournaments are also good for the host communities. It is a boost to their economy. The hotels, motels, restaurants, gas stations, stores and even bars received contribution from this tournament. Usually at these kinds of events dances are held to try to squeeze something more out of the players, if they have anything left. That usually happens, and it is usually organized by a volunteer group. Tournaments like this, in general, Mr. Speaker, are good for the north. Mahsi.

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Whitford.

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wished our athletes well earlier on this week, so I am going to speak about our favourite topic. Mr. Speaker, we have been waiting for some trepidation for the cruise missile to be tested, as it sort of whizzed by us on its way south. But as luck would have it again, the tests have been postponed due to not so complimentary weather. Mr. Speaker, one has to wonder what the cruise missile has been tested for, given these conditions. I know that if I were an aggressor bent on harming Canadians, I would be extremely interested in the events of the past week. I would be working busily to develop a bad-weather missile. Maybe a suggestion could be made to request the military to leave a few of these things in Yellowknife, one with Aero Arctic and the other one with Air Tindi. They seem to do just fine in getting around in any conditions in the north. Better still, Mr. Speaker, it was suggested to me this morning that one of them be given to Jim McAvoy and strap it to his single otter. He doesn't seem to have much problem getting around either. Just spread the word and it would strike terror into anyone, knowing that anything that needs to be delivered will be delivered by him.

The goods news, which I heard on the radio this morning, is while the cruise testing is batting zero to zero, the testing of the subzero mechanized over-snow transporters in the north have been quite successful. For those of you who don't know what a subzero mechanized over-snow transporter is, it is a code name, the snowmobile.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, I believe that the cold weather testing of snow machines is far more welcome by northerners who use them everyday for their livelihood than the cruise missile. I believe the people who are testing them will be made welcome in our small communities if they are fortunate enough to visit them during these tests. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Gargan.

Annual Hockey Game Of Legislative Assembly And Media
Item 3: Members' Statements

March 3rd, 1994

Page 537

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, spring is in the air and it is time for us to start the planning process for our annual hockey game with the Fifth Estate North. Tomorrow morning, Mr. Speaker, at 6:00 am, we will meet at the Legislative Assembly for callisthenics in the great hall...

---Laughter

...followed by a light jog around Frame Lake. I have spoken with our coach and general manager and can state, for the record, that Mr. Arvaluk can play on our all-star team if he wants to.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the media that Don "Teflon" Morin has been disciplined by this legislature. After all, he is on the housing committee with me. He has assured me there will be no outbursts of aggression on his part.

The media's most valuable player from last year will be back again this year. Sheila MacPherson has been practising hard.

---Laughter

Not many people know that when she said she was going on holidays to Mexico, she was actually attending the Howie Meeker hockey school.

---Laughter

Our first game this year is in Fort Providence on March 19 at 3:00 pm. I have promised to get Titus "Beebop" Allooloo a ride, so he does not get lost and end up in the Baffin.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, I have been assured by the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association that the rule book will be the same in English as in French. Henry "Zorro" Zoe has agreed to play.

---Laughter Mr. Speaker, I believe that Mr. Kakfwi has been a good boy this year and can play, if his wife lets him.

---Laughter

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the athletes, especially those from the Deh Cho, good luck in the Arctic Winter Games and bring back a gold. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

That sounds like the last Members' statement. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 232-12(5): Airline Services To Natilikmiot Region
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 538

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Ningark on March 1, with respect to airline services in the Natilikmiot region. On Tuesday, March 1, 1994, the Member for Natilikmiot asked me if I knew if any air carriers, in addition to First Air, had plans to introduce scheduled air services to the communities of Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak and/or Pelly Bay.

Officials at the Department of Transportation have made inquiries of the regulatory authority, the National Transportation Agency in Ottawa, about competing licences to offer scheduled air services to the Natilikmiot communities. Buffalo Airways, Calm Air, Keewatin Air, NWT Air and Ptarmigan Airways all hold valid federal licences to offer scheduled air services to Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak and Pelly Bay.

The companies have chosen not to provide a service to compete with First Air. I have no knowledge of any future plans for these air carriers to offer scheduled services into these communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 232-12(5): Airline Services To Natilikmiot Region
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 538

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Further Return To Question 129-12(5): Fort Resolution Water Treatment Plant
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 538

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Gargan on February 17, 1994.

In response to the concerns raised by the honourable Member regarding the quality of the drinking water and the location of the water treatment plant in Fort Resolution, I advise the honourable Member of the following.

While the use of chlorine has affected the taste of the water for a short duration, I would like to assure the Member that the treatment of water at the current location meets the Canadian drinking water standards.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs recognizes the community's desire to relocate the water treatment plant in order to make better use of the land in that area. An engineering consultant was retained by the department to investigate the matter.

The results of this study are still under review and a monitoring committee has been established with representatives from the community and the departments of Municipal and Community Affairs and Public Works and Services.

Both departments will continue to work with the community council to ensure that a safe and reliable long-term supply of water is available to the residents of Fort Resolution.

I have a second response, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 264-12(5): Emergency Equipment For Hay River Reserve
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 538

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

This was asked by Mr. Gargan on March 3, 1994 regarding the Hay River Reserve emergency communication system.

The department provided communication equipment to the reserve in past years. But now, the community has taken the initiative to improve their situation. In the recent past, the Emergency Measures Organization had assisted the reserve by supplying a basic VHF communication system which allowed them, during breakup, to communicate on the reserve as well as to the both the GNWT and the town of Hay River off the reserve.

The Emergency Measures Organization has explored various options with the reserve which could lead to funding to purchase a complete VHF communication system.

In 1993, the band submitted a funding proposal to Emergency Preparedness Canada, under the joint emergency preparedness program. This proposal was approved by the federal government on November 2, 1993 on the basis of a 50/50 cost-sharing. The system installation was completed in February 1994 and the reserve now has a fully operational VHF communication system with a repeater and telephone interconnect linking the band office with vehicles, key personnel, the town of Hay River and NorthwesTel.

The EMO coordinator is travelling to the reserve on March 9 to assist the band in preparing their claim to the federal government under JEPP, and review contingency plans for the 1994 breakup. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 264-12(5): Emergency Equipment For Hay River Reserve
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 538

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Arngna'naaq. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Mr. Speaker, in his Minister's Statement 12-12(5), the Minister told this House he would aggressively pursue devolution of responsibility for minerals, oil and gas from the federal government.

Mr. Speaker, also in that statement he noted how quickly development is taking place and how poorly positioned this government is to influence mining companies when it comes to using northern business and labour. My question is, Mr. Speaker, what work has the Minister done in the past month to pursue the devolution of responsibility and a financial accord with the federal government?

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thanks, Mr. Dent. Mr. Minister.

Return To Question 270-12(5): Minister's Actions Re Devolution Of Minerals, Oil And Gas
Question 270-12(5): Minister's Actions Re Devolution Of Minerals, Oil And Gas
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 539

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. What have we done in the last month? I've instructed the department to develop a fast-track agenda. Hopefully, if we can get all parties to the table, we've set what I think is a fairly aggressive agenda for ourselves that we hope we can accomplish a mineral accord and an oil and gas accord by the end of this year. Discussions are under way with Mr. Irwin, and discussions are currently under way with Mr. Rayner and others with respect to how we can proceed from where we left off in 1992.

The intent is to move forward with the oil and gas accord, which is basically in place, to add minerals to it and, hopefully, with the support of this Assembly and with some kind of protection and to ensure that we protect the interests of claimant groups et cetera, we can move forward and come to a satisfactory conclusion by the end of this year. I'm optimistic we can do it. I think the momentum is there, the opportunity is there, and it would be foolish to not move quickly. Thank you.

Return To Question 270-12(5): Minister's Actions Re Devolution Of Minerals, Oil And Gas
Question 270-12(5): Minister's Actions Re Devolution Of Minerals, Oil And Gas
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 539

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thanks, Mr. Todd. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 270-12(5): Minister's Actions Re Devolution Of Minerals, Oil And Gas
Question 270-12(5): Minister's Actions Re Devolution Of Minerals, Oil And Gas
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 539

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My supplementary to the Minister is, as the Minister is aware, the Standing Committee on Finance has recommended that the mineral accord be included as part of the overall fiscal package that we're negotiating with the federal government. My question for the Minister is, is he in support of this approach?

Supplementary To Question 270-12(5): Minister's Actions Re Devolution Of Minerals, Oil And Gas
Question 270-12(5): Minister's Actions Re Devolution Of Minerals, Oil And Gas
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 539

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 270-12(5): Minister's Actions Re Devolution Of Minerals, Oil And Gas
Question 270-12(5): Minister's Actions Re Devolution Of Minerals, Oil And Gas
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 539

John Todd Keewatin Central

I support the initiative by the Finance Minister, Mr. Pollard, for a one-window approach. Mr. Pollard has had extensive discussions with Mr. Martin, the federal Finance Minister. We are going to Ottawa next week. While you're at the Arctic Winter Games, we'll be toiling hard on your behalf. The meetings are set up, as I said, with the federal Ministers in an effort to bring this issue up the priority ladder. I feel confident that provided we have unanimous support in this House and we can address the concerns of aboriginal claimant groups, we can move forward with this accord. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 270-12(5): Minister's Actions Re Devolution Of Minerals, Oil And Gas
Question 270-12(5): Minister's Actions Re Devolution Of Minerals, Oil And Gas
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 539

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ng.

Further Return To Question 270-12(5): Minister's Actions Re Devolution Of Minerals, Oil And Gas
Question 270-12(5): Minister's Actions Re Devolution Of Minerals, Oil And Gas
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 539

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. It is well known that the Metall project at Izok Lake, which was a base metal project, has been shelved, put on hold now. It has clearly focused all the mineral exploration and potential into the diamond area. I'm encouraged that the possibility of these precious gems being available in the north end of the Slave geological corridor, which is near Coppermine, of course. However, I understand that the diamond industry is totally different from other forms of mining that we're accustomed to in the Northwest Territories. I would like to ask the Minister at this time if he and his department recognize this difference. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 270-12(5): Minister's Actions Re Devolution Of Minerals, Oil And Gas
Question 270-12(5): Minister's Actions Re Devolution Of Minerals, Oil And Gas
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 539

The Deputy Speaker Brian Lewis

Mr. Todd.