This is page numbers 115 - 148 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 chairman.

Topics

Student Residences
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 118

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, speaking in reply to my question yesterday about whether decisions would be made about student residences in the regions, in advance of completion of the Avery, Cooper study, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Nerysoo, stated that, "No final determinations have been

made." This clearly suggests to me that nothing has yet changed and all options are open until the study is completed and the recommendations can be considered. This is the same message Mr. Nerysoo gave in committee of the whole this past fall.

However, I understand that the proposed new funding formula for student accommodation will make drastic changes to the funds available to support student residences effective April 1, 1995. For example, I'm told by the Baffin divisional board that the new funding formula provides $7 per day per student for food, yet actual costs in Pond Inlet and Iqaluit are now $13 a day and $21 a day for food. The formula provides for about one staff member for each 12 students; yet present staffing levels are higher. By the way, the Ukiivik Residence in Iqaluit certainly does not have 19 staff members for 15 students; it has only nine. I wonder which residence the Minister was talking about in this House yesterday when he said it had 19 staff members for 15 students.

Mr. Speaker, I want to ask Members of this House, how can the Minister say, on the one hand, that "no final determinations have been made," quoting his words, when the boards have been given notice in writing of a new funding formula for this coming fiscal year, this past December. I would like to also ask, why is the Minister undertaking an expensive study and inviting everyone, including boards of education and Members of this House, to participate in good faith in this review and assuring us that no decision has been made to close the residences when the new funding formula has already been put in place. I am going to call on the Minister to honour his pledges in this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Student Residences
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 119

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ballantyne.

Appointment Of Ambassador Mary Simon
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 119

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I want to join other Members in congratulating Mary Simon, who last fall was appointed as Canada's first ambassador for circumpolar affairs. This appointment illustrates both the importance of the Arctic region as the globe evolves, from the former bi-polar world of the United States and the Soviet Union, into a world where regions take on much more importance.

The ambassador, in her talk with us today at noon, talked about her first goal as ambassador, which is to create an Arctic council which will consist of eight northern countries: Canada; United States; Russia; and, a number of the Scandinavian countries, who will join together to discuss areas of mutual interest, whether it is trade, the environment, defence, et cetera. It is interesting because the Canadian government is embarking on new foreign policy concepts and this gives the northern people of Canada an opportunity for the first time to play a much more important role in Canada's foreign policy. If the Arctic council goes ahead, which I hope it will, people of the Northwest Territories, especially aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories will have, for the first time, a significant role to play in determining the foreign policy of our country.

So I see it as a tremendous opportunity for the people of the Northwest Territories. I also see it as a unifying factor of the Northwest Territories, where much of our politics tends to divide us as we are separating into two territories and as the western Arctic goes through constitutional discussions. By our involvement in the circumpolar world, we will find areas that can unite us. I also say that our government and Legislative Assembly, presently Mr. Kakfwi, deserve a lot of credit for the ongoing support that they have given to the whole concept of strengthening the circumpolar world.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer my congratulations to Mary Simon. I am sure she will do a tremendous job as our ambassador to the Arctic world. Thank you.

---Applause

Appointment Of Ambassador Mary Simon
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 119

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Ballantyne. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Pudlat.

Cutback Of Glos In Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 119

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to ask this question again. I had raised this question yesterday with regard to GLOs -- government liaison officers -- in the communities. Their positions are going to be terminated in the near future. I would like the government to give consideration to what positions might be established to take their place. Perhaps they could come under another title, not GLO. There will be a cutback on their salaries and I think they are very important. I feel we haven't been given enough time to think about this and have our say. I am asking Cabinet to think about the replacement of these GLOs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Cutback Of Glos In Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 119

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Pudlat. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Koe.

Treatment Of Jurors
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 119

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, periodically we get calls from our constituents on issues that disturb them or issues they wish to talk about and have us raise in our various committees or in the House. This one particular day, I believe it was during the Warren trial, one of the jurors collapsed from exhaustion and it was front-page news in the newspapers and also on the radio.

This particular elder from the Delta called me just after that because he was sitting in his bush camp listening to the radio and he heard the reports on the jurors who were sequestered. They were locked up in one of the hotels, under guard, had no access to radio, television or telephones. They couldn't talk to their families or anyone else. This individual was very concerned on how we treat people who serve on juries because of their limited access once the sequestering takes place. He was comparing the treatment of these people to the treatment that we give to the so-called criminals. They have access to TV, telephones, radios and visitors.

It really makes one thing clear about how our justice system works and how we treat people who are providing a public service. You don't have a lot of people lining up to serve on committees and juries. With that, he was also concerned -- and it is a concern of mine -- that in the proposed Judicature Act, there was a proposal to cut the fees that we pay to jurors and people who are called up for the so-called "cattle call." I oppose these cuts and will vote when that comes up in the legislation. Mahsi.

---Applause

Treatment Of Jurors
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 120

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Koe. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Methods Of Awarding GNWT Tenders
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 120

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up from my colleague, the honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, yesterday in his statement, my honourable colleague stated that he was "shocked" with regard to the awarding of a tender. Mr. Speaker, I have reviewed a few tenders and I must say that I am quite appalled at the way the tenders are being awarded. Mr. Speaker, I want to give a few examples to this House with respect to the awarding of tenders and the methods being used, which I can't understand.

First of all, I will speak to the electrical contract which was awarded and received by Clark-Bowler and DPW in December. There were four bids on the electrical contract: First, the electrical contractor, Standard Electric; Amity Electric; F-S One Call; and, ADCO North.

It was decided that Standard Electric's bid was non-responsive. The second lowest bidder was F-S One Call. However, they decided to withdraw their contract because they had left something out of their tender document. The local steering committee, which I commend for all of the volunteer work that they have done, requested DPW and Clark Bowler to consider giving the tender to a local company in Fort Smith, who was Amity Electric. Amity Electric's suggested tender bid was $445,000 and planned to use fully local content.

However, ADCO North was awarded the bid for $438,000 and planned to use only $157,000 local content. So, it was decided to award the tender, by DPW and Clark-Bowler to ADCO North because it was $7,000 lower than the local contractor Amity Electric, even though Amity Electric was going to use $288,000 more local content. The recommendation from the steering committee was denied because the local contractor was $7,000 more and ADCO North was awarded the contract from Yellowknife.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue with my Member's statement.

Methods Of Awarding GNWT Tenders
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 120

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Methods Of Awarding GNWT Tenders
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 120

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to assure my honourable colleague from Yellowknife Frame Lake that Yellowknife contractors are actively being considered. But, Mr. Speaker, when I give the second example, I understand why my colleague from Yellowknife Frame Lake is concerned and shocked by the situation.

The interior finishing tender was tendered twice. After opening the first tender of five components, Clark-Bowler and DPW again recommended to go back out to tender so they could only receive one tender.

The bidders were asked to submit a combined price and, as a result, all the tenders were placed into one. The following results were given: Rainbow Holdings' adjusted tender price was $304,000; Salt Rivers' adjusted price was $314,000; ARC Interior Systems' adjusted price -- who was awarded the tender -- was $355,000. So, DPW and Clark-Bowler awarded the contract to ARC Interior Systems for $40,880 more, over a local contractor. It amazes me how DPW and Clark Bowler could find $40,000 to bring in a southern contractor, but couldn't find $7,000 to award to a local contractor on another tender project. Mr. Speaker, I find that appalling. Thank you.

Methods Of Awarding GNWT Tenders
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 120

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Allooloo.

Appointment Of Ambassador Mary Simon
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 120

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I would like to congratulate Mary May Simon, she is going to be our ambassador from the Arctic to the Circumpolar Conference. I understand she is very well known by Greenland and Yupik residents. She is very well known by all of us in the north and also the people of Samie Nation in the Circumpolar Conference. I understand she is going to be very helpful. She is going to be a good representative and a good leader. She used to be President of ICC, the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, and she was also a leader of other organizations, including a major leader of land claims initiatives. I feel we are going to be represented by her very well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Appointment Of Ambassador Mary Simon
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 120

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Allooloo. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Nerysoo.

Recognition Of Long-term Health Care Employees
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 120

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On a more positive note, Mr. Speaker, I want to rise to pay tribute to three distinguished Gwich'in women who are all originally from Fort McPherson, one presently living in Fort McPherson and two living in Inuvik. These three women have provided public services, and have received recognition from this government, for over 25 years to the people of the Northwest Territories in the Inuvik region.

First, Mary Kaye, who has worked with the Fort McPherson and now William Firth Health Centre for 25 years; her sister, Shirley Charlie Kaye, who has worked with the Inuvik General Hospital originally and now the regional hospital for 25 years; and, finally, their cousin Elizabeth Crawford Hansen who has taught in such communities as Deline, Fort McPherson, Inuvik, both at SAMS and the Samuel Hearne High School. I want to indicate that all have provided 25 years of distinguished public service to the Northwest Territories and I wanted to pay them respects and give them recognition.

Recognition Of Long-term Health Care Employees
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 121

An Hon. Member

Hear, hear.

---Applause

Recognition Of Long-term Health Care Employees
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 121

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin.

Return To Question 43-12(7): Results Of Investigation Into Nova Construction
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 121

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to question asked by Mr. Patterson on November 16, 1994 regarding results of investigation of Nova Construction.

On November 16, 1994, Mr. Patterson, the Member for Iqaluit asked if the results of an investigation of Nova Construction would be provided to this Assembly. Mr. Patterson's concerns were the adherence to the business incentive policy and whether requirements in the contract to use "Operation Sealift" were honoured by the contractor.

Mr. Speaker, I have responded to Mr. Patterson by way of a letter dated December 2, 1994. A full evaluation of the project will be carried out once the contract is complete. The project is expected to be complete in April 1995. Once I have received all the information, I will advise Mr. Patterson and Members of the House on the results of the investigation. Thank you.

Return To Question 43-12(7): Results Of Investigation Into Nova Construction
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 121

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Patterson.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 121

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

I would like to recognize Mr. Ben MacDonald and congratulate him on his great interest in the affairs of the Legislative Assembly. Thank you.

---Laughter

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 121

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ningark.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 121

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a very special person, my better half, Celine, and two of my grandchildren.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 121

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ng.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 121

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to, once again, recognize the Honourable Helen Maksagak, Commissioner, and her husband, John.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 121

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.