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

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Public Works, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 80-12(7): Reason For Absence Of Departmental Officials At Bip Consultation Meetings
Question 70-12(7): Reason For Absence Of Departmental Officials At Bip Consultation Meetings
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, that was a conscious decision. It was decided that in order that there be perceived to be no overbearance by the Department of Public Works in order that it could be an open process where anybody could say anything they wanted and not have to be worried about being argued against or anything of that nature, it was decided not to have Public Works there. Although, any information that would be required at those meetings would be provided by the department. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 80-12(7): Reason For Absence Of Departmental Officials At Bip Consultation Meetings
Question 70-12(7): Reason For Absence Of Departmental Officials At Bip Consultation Meetings
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Ballantyne, supplementary.

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Question 70-12(7): Reason For Absence Of Departmental Officials At Bip Consultation Meetings
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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand partly the rationale because it would be unfair to have civil servants, especially middle level civil servants, embroiled in political discussions, and that could happen. On the other hand, Mr. Speaker, there is a problem at the end of the day because the government will see the complaints and the concerns through the prism of a consultant, not having anyone there to actually get the flavour and the details of the discussions. So my question to the Minister is how is the department going to be able to handle that at the end of the day if, in fact, they don't have the full story and they don't respond to the full range of concerns? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 70-12(7): Reason For Absence Of Departmental Officials At Bip Consultation Meetings
Question 70-12(7): Reason For Absence Of Departmental Officials At Bip Consultation Meetings
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

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Question 70-12(7): Reason For Absence Of Departmental Officials At Bip Consultation Meetings
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John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, obviously that is a concern that we might miss something along the way. But there are written submissions that are being made where the department will be able to read them verbatim. We have some

faith in those facilitators; that they are going to be able to give us the information as it was provided at the meeting. There is opportunity and there is opportunity being used to directly contact either myself or the department. I realize the danger that's there, but we think that if we're conscious enough and we pay attention to the information that's delivered, we will be able to make a wise judgement on the information provided.

If it does look -- and I take this commitment on personally, Mr. Speaker -- when I review that information, the thing that I'm hearing politically and the concerns that we've all heard through the last three years and the concerns that have been raised on the floor of this House, if they are not being addressed or if that's not the reflection, then we will look at another process to make sure that those concerns are addressed, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Ballantyne, supplementary.

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you. I appreciate the Minister's response. If I could make one request to the Minister, if he could commit that, at some point during the process, the Minister would be prepared to meet with at least a representative group of business people to hear first hand from them what their concerns are. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pollard.

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John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, I would be more than willing to do that. Thank you.

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Question 70-12(7): Reason For Absence Of Departmental Officials At Bip Consultation Meetings
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Subsequent to my Member's statement regarding a birthing centre for Taloyoak, in the absence of the Minister of Health and Social Services, I will direct my question to the Minister of Finance. Mr. Speaker, for low-risk pregnant mothers who choose to stay home to have their babies in their communities, sometimes it may be better to have those mothers stay home and have babies. In fact, when they come to large medical centres, there are likely to be more complications due to stress, fatigue and sometimes loneliness. Mr. Speaker, the issue has been ongoing for about 10 years now in Taloyoak. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance, what is the status of establishing a birthing centre in Taloyoak? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 71-12(7): Status Of Birthing Centre For Taloyoak
Question 71-12(7): Status Of Birthing Centre For Taloyoak
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you know and what has been reported to the House previously, when the pilot project was commenced in Rankin Inlet -- and I must say from peripheral looks at this particular issue, it looks as if the Rankin Inlet birthing project has been a success, Mr. Speaker, but I'm not an expert, so I will wait for the expert's opinion on that -- we said at that time that once the project was under way and there could be an analysis done, that we would do that. I believe that is almost completed and we should have something this year.

I believe the Minister of Health has said that once we have looked at those numbers and proven out the pilot project, we would certainly be willing to look at other areas of the Northwest Territories where the communities want that particular service. The Member who is raising this has been vocal about this on the floor of this House, and I'm here to tell you that we are very aware of his concern and his request and I'm sure it will be given top priority, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Return To Question 71-12(7): Status Of Birthing Centre For Taloyoak
Question 71-12(7): Status Of Birthing Centre For Taloyoak
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and I would like to get some straight answers today. I would like to ask the Minister does the new student residence funding formula -- which the boards have been given notice of this December -- contemplate the department continuing to fund large residences in regional centres? Yes or no.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

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

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just for clarification -- and I'll give you the straight answer -- the fact is the formula which was provided in December was a draft formula that was provided to the boards for discussion. It was to provide certainty in the amount of resources that would be provided so there was fairness and equity in the distribution of those resources. That was the basis on which that funding was provided. Secondly, the contract for review was to determine future use for the buildings, the options for the buildings and considerations of whether or not there would be a need for smaller residences, the continuation of the residences, home boarding or whatever other options there might be. If there was a decision to close the residences, the question was then, what are the alternative uses.

The honourable Member, in fact, at one time, made the suggestion to close Ukiivik and using it for Arctic College. If that was one of the options considered, we would consider it. But, until the report is concluded, I'm not going to indicate that we have made any final decisions. I believe the report will give us suggestions, at which time I will take that report and its recommendations for final decision before I make any final concluding comments on this matter.

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

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Question 72-12(7): New Student Residence Funding Formula
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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these boards need to know what money they have, early on, for April 1st. They should know now if they have to lay off staff, for example, on April 1st. I would like to ask the Minister again, in getting the draft for discussion in December now, today, as these boards plan their fiscal years, isn't the new funding formula designed and targeted to smaller residences with house parents as staff? Isn't that what it says? 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

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

It is one of the considerations, yes.

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. 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

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Mr. Speaker, the Minister's strategy to 2010 document says close the regional student residences. We raised alarm about this. We asked if this was the case and we were assured all options were open. I would like to ask the Minister if the real hidden agenda here -- putting aside, "I haven't made the final decision yet; we are awaiting the options for future uses of the buildings," putting aside all this evasive discussion -- is to close the larger residences in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Inuvik, why doesn't the Minister just come out and say, this is the department's strategy, this is how the new funding formula is laid out? Why doesn't he just tell us now instead of letting us believe that nothing has been decided? 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

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.