This is page numbers 30 - 77 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 6th 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 going.

Topics

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

I appreciate the Minister's openness to reviewing this. Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to make one quick comment, without prolonging this. I didn't necessarily say that the only independent person could be found outside the Northwest Territories. I said outside the milieu of the department and the social services field. I have every confidence that there are other people who could be found and who are professionals, who could do a good investigation, such as a lawyer, or a management consultant. There are undoubtedly capable people in the territories who could be brought in. Perhaps someone from another region in the Northwest Territories.

I don't want to go on record as suggesting we have to purchase services from the south, with the attendant delays and expense that would involve. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Madam Minister.

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We can take his suggestion and the terms of reference can be changed with Mr. Koe's suggestions as well.

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Madam Minister. The chair now recognizes Mr. Ballantyne, Member for Yellowknife North.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don't have a lot to add to what's been said. I guess the overriding concern I have -- Mr. Koe mentioned them and Mr. Patterson mentioned them -- are the kids. I have seen that all too often in these situations when there's a conflict, the ones who pay the price in the end are the kids. To me, it is the same thing we said to Mr. Nerysoo about education. If there is a conflict between school boards, the department and teachers, the ultimate litmus test is, what is best for the kids?

In this particular situation or situations like this, that is the ultimate litmus test, what is best for the kids? Whatever form the investigation takes, I'm not as concerned about the form of the investigation as I am in whatever is done passes that test, that it is the best for the kids in the long run. Too often, since I've been in politics, I've watched what has happened. I've seen sexual abuse cases where the court case drags on for so long that the kid's testimony is no longer considered credible. Everybody did their job, the judge, the lawyers, the prosecution, the police, but, at the end of the day, the kid loses.

I think that, especially for this department, everything they do that deals with children has to pass that test. My very strong advice to the Minister is if she decides to review the terms of reference and the process, to make sure the process passes that test, that what happens in the review and what comes out of the review is best for the kids. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Ballantyne. Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Thank you. I'm glad that there have been some compromises reached and that the Minister is very open to taking our comments into consideration. Just to recap, Mr. Chairman, the terms of reference will be redone, the sole question is not the termination of the contract -- that's one of the issues -- but the care and the broader policy issues have been included in here, the roles of foster parents and departmental child care workers.

We would appreciate then, that once an amended terms of reference is made that we will get copies. That, if we're not sitting when they're done, we get copies for our review. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Member for Inuvik, Mr. Koe. Madam Minister, did you wish to add anything to that?

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would just like to thank the Members for their suggestions. I have nothing further to add.

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Madam Minister. Mr. Zoe.

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to reiterate what my colleague for Iqaluit has indicated. I think the department has to seriously consider the question about children. I have the same concerns that Mr. Patterson has raised. I don't think the question surrounds... we're talking about the care of the children but not the children themselves. I think the question is between the department and the contractor; their relationship and so forth, the policies, the allegations that were made. Those are the issues that have to be looked at. I'm glad the Minister is willing to reconsider and redraft the terms of reference.

I concur with my friend for Inuvik that the Members would appreciate receiving copies of the terms of reference before they do anything else. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Madam Minister.

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do agree that the priority all along... that I have been stressing to the Members during question period when I have been asked questions pertaining to this contract, that the priority has to be placed on the children. Due to the certain circumstances, my responses were limited because of confidentiality. We do agree that, on the terms of reference pertaining to children, can be deleted. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Madam Minister. Any further discussion on this matter? The chair recognizes the Member for Inuvik, Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Thank you. I would like to thank the Minister and her deputy for being here and for taking our concerns into consideration. I would like to now move that these two items be concluded.

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Koe. A motion isn't necessary in this matter, Mr. Koe. Does the committee agree that Minister's Statement 6-12(6) and Tabled Document 7-12(6) are concluded?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

At this point, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Minister and the deputy minister for assisting the Members in this matter. You are free to go. What is the wish of the committee? The chair recognizes Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

I recommend that we now deal with Tabled Document 2-12(6), New Social Housing Rent Scale.

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Is the committee agreed?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Tabled Document 2-12(6): New Social Housing Rent Scale
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

April 7th, 1994

Page 68

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

The new social housing rent scale, document 2-12(6). It should be found on your desks. If not, it will be circulated around. Does the committee agree that we proceed immediately into this? Is there anything the committee wishes prior to doing so? Is the Minister prepared to go ahead with his opening remarks?

Tabled Document 2-12(6): New Social Housing Rent Scale
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 68

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don't have any opening remarks, but I do have witnesses I would like to bring in. Then I can make some opening comments.

Tabled Document 2-12(6): New Social Housing Rent Scale
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 68

The Chair

The Chair Tony Whitford

Does the committee agree that the Minister take the witness chair and that he be accompanied by witnesses?

Tabled Document 2-12(6): New Social Housing Rent Scale
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 68

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed