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.
Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
In the Legislative Assembly on March 4th, 1994. See this topic in context.
Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 545
Question 278-12(5): Safety Training For Staff
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 545
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 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 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
March 3rd, 1994
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.