This is page numbers 93 - 113 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 7th 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 nunavut.

Topics

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Return To Question 54-12(7): Notification Of Glo Lay-offs
Question 54-12(7): Notification Of Glo Lay-offs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 105

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, guided by the notice requirements, the notice went out now, and no changes will take place in the status of the employees until April 1st. I am guided by the guidelines laid out on notice procedures. Thank you.

Return To Question 54-12(7): Notification Of Glo Lay-offs
Question 54-12(7): Notification Of Glo Lay-offs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 105

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Supplementary To Question 54-12(7): Notification Of Glo Lay-offs
Question 54-12(7): Notification Of Glo Lay-offs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 105

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the Premier. Yesterday, I received a call from one of the communities in my riding from the GLO; she informed me that she had five days to respond and if she didn't she was going to be laid off. What I understand now is that she has until April 1st. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 54-12(7): Notification Of Glo Lay-offs
Question 54-12(7): Notification Of Glo Lay-offs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 105

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Supplementary To Question 54-12(7): Notification Of Glo Lay-offs
Question 54-12(7): Notification Of Glo Lay-offs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 105

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, the intent is that the positions of government liaison officers will go to half time.

We would like an indication, as soon as possible, if those particular employees would want to continue in those half-time positions. They have been given a certain number of days; I have asked whether it was five days and I haven't got the answer so I will have to come back to the Member on that particular question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 54-12(7): Notification Of Glo Lay-offs
Question 54-12(7): Notification Of Glo Lay-offs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 106

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Premier is taking this as notice, thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment a question and I think this relates to the role of the GLOs in the communities. I understand the responsibility for delivering social assistance after April 1, 1995 will be transferred from Health and Social Services to the Minister's department. I would like to ask the Minister, if I am correct about this timing, how will social assistance be delivered in the communities after April 1, 1995 through his department? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 106

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, that whole matter is presently under discussion. What we have reached agreement on is the principle of the transfer and the details are now being brought forward through Cabinet; so, until such time as I am certain and have received the approval, I cannot say for certain what the process will be.

Return To Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 106

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 106

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware that there was a trial attempt last year in Baffin involving GLOs -- government liaison officers -- in, I believe, Hall Beach and Lake Harbour, to deliver social assistance instead of the social workers. I would like to ask the Minister, recognizing that the details are not yet finalized, is one of the options that the Minister and his department are looking at for delivering social assistance in the new fiscal year, having government liaison officers, field service officers or executive service officers, as they are variously called in the Nunavut communities, deliver social assistance for his department? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 106

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 106

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you. That is certainly one of the considerations in the discussions that we are now having between the departments.

Further Return To Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 106

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 106

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if having the GLOs deliver social assistance instead of social workers in communities is one of the options being considered by the department, I would like to ask the Minister wouldn't it make more sense -- rather than giving GLOs a lay-off notice that their position will be cut in half April 1st -- to finalize the new plan for delivering social assistance, which may top-up their job back to a full-time position, before decisions are made about cutting back these community resources? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 106

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 106

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That responsibility of cutting GLOs is not within my department. All that I can say to the honourable Member is that we do have a concern about the matter of social assistance delivery. And part of the discussion document that we are preparing will point out some of the issues of concern that we have but other than that, in my view, we still need to ensure that we the capacity to deliver and once that decision is made, we can deal with the appropriate manpower that is required for the delivery of the program.

Further Return To Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 106

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 106

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do appreciate that the GLOs are funded by, and are the responsibility of, the Department of the Executive through the Premier, but I would like to ask the Minister of ECE if his department is likely to be relying on GLOs, at least in some communities, to deliver social assistance in the new fiscal year. Is the Minister prepared to discuss this possibility with the Premier, so that these important community employees in the Nunavut region are not laid off or discouraged from working for the GNWT and can be saved to deliver SA, if that is the option chosen by Cabinet, shortly. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 106

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 106

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The responsibility for the GLOs, I am going to repeat, is not my responsibility. What I am responsible for now is to make sure that we have the capacity to deliver SA in the communities. If that includes the recommendation to be brought forward of ensuring that the GLOs need to be retained for that particular purpose, that is the recommendation that we are going to be making. But until that time comes forward, I am not certain if that's the recommendation that we are going to make. We

have to review all of the appropriate personnel in the communities and make sure that we deliver the program appropriately, and at no loss to services to the community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Question 55-12(7): Delivery Of Social Assistance By Ece
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 107

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Question 56-12(7): Construction Of Infrastructure For Nunavut Government
Item 6: Oral Questions

February 14th, 1995

Page 107

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I may, a new question. My question is to the Honourable John Pollard, in his new capacity of Minister of Public Works and Services. I would like to congratulate him on this important responsibility that he has taken on. My question has to do with constructing the infrastructure for the new Nunavut government. I know the Minister is aware of the strong recommendation of Nunavut leaders, the Special Joint Committee on Division that so that the BIP can be enforced, the Government of the Northwest Territories should take responsibility for constructing infrastructure for the Nunavut government; and, not the federal government. I would like to ask the Minister, although I know he is new on the job, has he had an opportunity to discuss this important issue with the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.