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.

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Further Return To Question 72-12(7): New Student Residence Funding Formula
Question 72-12(7): New Student Residence Funding Formula
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 125

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The decision in the strategy is quite clear, that it is our intention to move from regional residences to high school programming in the communities. That was the direction that the honourable Member, in fact during his tenure as Minister, laid out the groundwork for. This is no different, Mr. Speaker, than his decision, when he was Minister, of closing the residences in Fort McPherson, Fort Good Hope, Bompas Hall in Fort Simpson and Grandin College. The fact is, the direction of high school programs in the communities is the reflection of the foundation he left. What we're doing is following up on the direction that he laid.

The point he is raising is an important one. The point is, we needed a draft formula with which we could conduct discussions with the boards. It also needed to have the comments of the boards. I can advise the honourable Member that the three remaining large residences have seen their enrolments decrease, and the economic factors are such that

the average costs of fully operating the large residences right now is $75,000 per year per student.

Now, the honourable Member knows that while I wish to move the students back to their home communities, I will not do it at the risk of programs. He raised the point as an issue in our visit to Iqaluit: the problem of matriculation programming in the communities. That is all part of the consideration and I'm not prepared to make a final decision now. The fact is, the boards don't give the lay-off notices; it works through the government and at this particular time we have issued no lay-off notices to anyone.

Further Return To Question 72-12(7): New Student Residence Funding Formula
Question 72-12(7): New Student Residence Funding Formula
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 125

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 72-12(7): New Student Residence Funding Formula
Question 72-12(7): New Student Residence Funding Formula
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 125

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if housing these students from small communities where the advanced diploma is not available at present -- and I assume high school programs in communities includes the advanced diploma -- in group homes with house parents turns out to be the preferable alternative in communities like Iqaluit, Inuvik and Rankin Inlet -- if I dare speak about other communities other than my own -- where I know housing is at a premium and no obvious housing alternatives exist like group homes -- there is tremendous pressure on housing -- would the Minister agree that it will take some time to plan and implement this new direction, certainly more than a few months? Will the Minister agree it will take more than a few months to implement these new alternatives, and these boards need a lot more notice than a few months? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 72-12(7): New Student Residence Funding Formula
Question 72-12(7): New Student Residence Funding Formula
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 125

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 72-12(7): New Student Residence Funding Formula
Question 72-12(7): New Student Residence Funding Formula
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 125

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that the honourable Member has pointed out an important component that needs further discussion. You must remember, Mr. Speaker, and the honourable Member must recognize, that the school program runs up to June. We have some time to manoeuvre between the end of March to the end of the school year. I cannot say to the honourable Member we may not consider closing the residences because I have not seen the recommendations of the report. But I've also suggested to the honourable Member that I will consider all factors before I make a final decision, and I've been trying to indicate that to all Members of this House, that we have not made any final decisions because we have not got the recommendations.

I think the honourable Member...(inaudible)...and his advice in the review would do well to consider and provide that information, and we will consider it.

Further Return To Question 72-12(7): New Student Residence Funding Formula
Question 72-12(7): New Student Residence Funding Formula
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 125

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of DPW. Mr. Speaker, I fully recognize that the tender awards for the academic building were done prior to the new Minister of DPW being appointed. Having said that, Mr. Speaker, I have full confidence in the new Minister to address the issue of improper or inconsistent awarding of tenders.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, will the Minister review the situation and advise this House why DPW and Clark-Bowler confirmed and approved the awarding of the electrical and interior finishing contract tender award?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Public Works, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 73-12(7): Minister To Review Awarding Of Drywall Contract
Question 73-12(7): Minister To Review Awarding Of Drywall Contract
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 126

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I listened with attention to Mr. Dent's Member's statement yesterday, and the department is formulating a report to me in that regard. If Members in the House can be a little patient, I'll add on the other issues that the honourable Member, Jeannie Marie-Jewell, has raised today and bring back a report covering the whole. I will do that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 73-12(7): Minister To Review Awarding Of Drywall Contract
Question 73-12(7): Minister To Review Awarding Of Drywall Contract
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 126

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Public Works and Services and it has to do with my Member's statement yesterday and the issues that the Member for Thebacha has also talked about. I recognize that the Minister just said the department is preparing a response for him on this issue. My question is, has the Minister directed that the letter of intent on the contract for interior finishing be rescinded until such time as he has a chance to review the situation and perhaps insist that the award be made to a northern company?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Public Works, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 74-12(7): Letter Of Intent Re Drywall Contract
Question 74-12(7): Letter Of Intent Re Drywall Contract
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 126

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, that was my first question, and unfortunately, the process had gone too far for me to be able to stop the contract or review the contract. I did ask that yesterday and unfortunately, it had gone too far, Mr. Speaker, so I'm unable to stop the contract. Thank you.

Return To Question 74-12(7): Letter Of Intent Re Drywall Contract
Question 74-12(7): Letter Of Intent Re Drywall Contract
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 126

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister stated in response to some questions I asked about the student residence formula, that in one particular student residence there are now 19 staff members and 15 students. I would like to ask the Minister which particular residence the Minister is referring to. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 75-12(7): Staffing In Student Residence
Question 75-12(7): Staffing In Student Residence
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 126

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, with regard to that, that was a different matter and I apologize for the information. Here is the correct information. In Ukiivik Hall, there are 27 students, 11.5 staff members, the cost is $1.644 million. Grollier Hall has 53 students with 23 staff, and the staff are on contract. The contract is worth $1.645 million. Kivalliq Hall, 22 students, 11 staff, $944,000. That's the correct information.

Return To Question 75-12(7): Staffing In Student Residence
Question 75-12(7): Staffing In Student Residence
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 126

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 75-12(7): Staffing In Student Residence
Question 75-12(7): Staffing In Student Residence
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 126

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

I'm told, at present, there are nine staff members in Ukiivik Residence today, not 11.5. I would like to ask the Minister, which residence was he talking about authoritatively yesterday that has 19 staff members and 15 students, if it wasn't the residences in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Inuvik? Which residence was he referring to? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 75-12(7): Staffing In Student Residence
Question 75-12(7): Staffing In Student Residence
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 126

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 75-12(7): Staffing In Student Residence
Question 75-12(7): Staffing In Student Residence
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 126

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There was no residence. What it was was information that had to do with a community matter that was quoted on the document, so I apologize for that. Just so that the honourable Member is aware, there are nine staff members in Iqaluit and there are also 2.5 broken down into a husband and wife team and a part-time cook. That makes the 2.5.

Further Return To Question 75-12(7): Staffing In Student Residence
Question 75-12(7): Staffing In Student Residence
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 126

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of DPW. Mr. Speaker, it's unfortunate that the process has gone too far to correct some of the inconsistencies in tender awarding. I would like to ask the Minister upon developing a reply to this House, would he be willing to assure us that what areas could be corrected will be, ensuring government funding is going to be spent in the most conscientious, effective and economical manner. Would he advise this House that those areas would be considered? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of DPW, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 76-12(7): Efficient Spending Of Government Funds Re Contracts
Question 76-12(7): Efficient Spending Of Government Funds Re Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 127

John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, not to give the impression that I don't have faith in the department, but because of the sensitivities that have been raised here in the last two days with regard to this particular job in Fort Smith, I've told the department not to award any more of these contracts unless it's been across my desk first. That is so that I can bring the concerns that are being raised here to the forefront before the awards. So I will say to this House that, yes, we will look at all of those issues with regard to local hire, local contractors, northern contractors, northern spending of northern money and try and keep as much of the job in the Northwest Territories, which I think was the former Minister's position. I'm sure that once I've revealed the numbers to the House, you'll see that it was carried out to the best of their ability. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.