This is page numbers 227 - 260 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 ---agreed.

Topics

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Betsaka and all other aboriginal people who wish to speak their mother tongue in all Legislative Assembly and court proceedings must be assured that they can speak the language they are most comfortable with. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Tribute To Paul Andrew And Focus North
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 230

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When I moved from the eastern Arctic to Fort Smith in 1972, Mr. Speaker, I was involved in the teacher education program. I remember looking at the list of people who were supposed to show up that fall and one of them never did, and I often wondered who he was. I met him many years later. His name was Paul Andrew. People said he would have been a wonderful person to have gone into the education system because of the kind of individual he was.

I'm now convinced, after watching Focus North for several years, Mr. Speaker, that, in fact, he probably is the best teacher in the Northwest Territories. I was fortunate enough to have watched Focus North a night ago in which Mr. Antoine, you, Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Zoe were being interviewed and I was impressed by the fact that this powerful television medium reaches so many people in their own language and that the way we learn about ourselves is probably best done through that program, Focus North. It has dealt with many, many important northern issues over the years. I have often wondered if it has been given awards for the kind of work it does.

Today, Mr. Speaker, although from time to time I have bashed the media and gotten upset -- not really upset, but annoyed -- about what goes on, I would like to pay tribute to Mr. Andrew and to the kind of work he does and particularly to Focus North for teaching us about ourselves. Thank you.

Tribute To Paul Andrew And Focus North
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 230

An Hon. Member

Hear, hear.

---Applause

Tribute To Paul Andrew And Focus North
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 230

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last night on CBC television, many Canadians saw video footage of an incident at the federal penitentiary for women in Kingston. The penitentiary holds the most violent and dangerous of women in the Canadian prison system. There have been problems of violence, fires and hostage-taking within the prison. However, none of this is an acceptable excuse for the use of the emergency response team in the prison on that April night last year.

Mr. Speaker, the disturbing pictures of naked women being surrounded and mishandled by male members of the emergency response team raises many questions. How could the warden, also a woman, have misled the public about the nature of this incident? Why did it take the release of this video before the truth came out? What types of systems do we have that consider it acceptable for men in full protective gear to need to subject women to the kind of humiliation and degradation that these women were obviously subjected to?

Mr. Speaker, this type of incident shows the worst face of our criminal justice system. While public inquiries are good, to get information to the public, this situation goes beyond this. There should be serious repercussions for both the warden and the men involved. It is also important, Mr. Speaker, that Canadians insist that we have proper policies in place in our prisons, policies which ensure that there is recognition of a difference in how emergency response teams are made up and used in women's prisons.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I have confidence that this government will never allow this type of incident to occur in our women's correctional centre in the north. But we must, as a Legislature, call for review of the policies which govern the administration of Canadian prisons to ensure this situation is never repeated in Canada. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm proud and happy to announce that my wife, Susie, and I will have a first-hand opportunity to experience the custom adoption recognition procedures of our government.

On Monday, February 13th, at 6:04 am, Bradley Trenton Akalukak Akhok was delivered at the Cambridge Bay Health Centre, weighing in at 7 pounds 10 ounces. The natural parents are Susie's younger brother, William Nakashook and Rosalyn Akhok. Both Susie, our children and I are extremely happy and excited on the addition of Trenton to our family.

Although it us customary to hand out cigars to celebrate the arrival of an addition to a family, I've decided at this time not to follow this tradition for a few reasons. Firstly, I do not want to be perceived as encouraging smoking by providing free cigars. Secondly, most people given these cigars waste them by throwing them away and not smoking them. Finally, I didn't think that the tax revenue from my cigar purchases would make any significant dent on the territorial or federal coffers.

---Laughter

However, having now said this, I recognize that that decision may open me to criticism from my colleagues and friends about being frugal, or the tightness of my wallet. I have instead decided, Mr. Speaker, to write a cheque in the amount of $300 to the Canadian Cancer Society in lieu of providing cigars.

An Hon. Member

Hear, hear.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Search For Moses Anautalik
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 231

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to express my sincere sympathy, with my home community of Baker Lake, over the tragic loss of a young but capable hunter, Moses Anautalik.

Moses set forth on a short hunting trip, but when storm conditions unexpectedly arose, he became the centre of a large search coordinated by the Baker Lake Search and Rescue Committee. As is often the case in crises, this crisis brought out the best in the residents of the Keewatin. The entire community of Baker Lake participated in the search for Moses by either physically searching, preparing food and support for those searching, soliciting cash donations to cover the cost of the search, and/or by praying for Moses' safe return.

When the community was exhausted yet unwilling to give up, people began arriving from Rankin Inlet and Arviat to assist with the search. The participation of searchers from these other communities boosted the morale of all those involved. And on behalf of all Baker Lake residents, I want to say thank you to these individuals.

Also to be commended are Robert Jaynes and the staff of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs emergency measures organization at the regional and headquarters level, the RCMP, Canadian Forces Northern Area, the GNWT's Department of Renewable Resources, the Rescue Coordination Centre of the Canadian Forces that sent a twin otter and a crew from Trenton, Ontario to assist in the search, and all those individuals who contributed financially to keep this search operational.

I would like to thank the Northern stores and the Sanavik Co-op for supplying food. I especially want to thank Nunasi Corporation which donated $30,000 to ensure that the search planes would be able to continue searching for up to an extra week after the RCMP had called off their air search.

Above all, however, it is the residents of Baker Lake who should be commended for their dedication and their willingness to search for days in the hopes of rescuing Moses.

Mr. Speaker, although this search ended tragically, it was a fine example of the kindness of people and the willingness of individuals, businesses and various levels of government to pull together in a time of crisis. This incident also highlights the need for emergency shelters on the tundra and for an official policy on funding once the RCMP have fulfilled their initial mandate. I spoke with Eric Anautalik, who is the brother of Moses, this morning and he once again expresses his appreciation to all those who were involved. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Search For Moses Anautalik
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Return To Question 81-12(7): Request For High School In Gjoa Haven
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Ningark, the

honourable Member for Natilikmiot, with regard to the request for a high school in Gjoa Haven.

The Kitikmeot Divisional Board of Education plans to introduce grade 10 into Gjoa Haven in August 1995. There is space in the school to accommodate both the anticipated number of elementary students, as well as the number of students expected to attend grade 10 in August. The five-year capital plan includes construction of additional space for the school in future years.

The Kitikmeot Divisional Board of Education, together with the department, has identified the need for two staff housing units for the additional teachers needed in 1995. The Department of Personnel and the NWT Housing Corporation have identified six vacant housing units in Gjoa Haven which may be allocated to staff in the community. The Kitikmeot Divisional Board of Education and the department will work to ensure that the allocation of two housing units for teaching staff in Gjoa Haven be given priority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 81-12(7): Request For High School In Gjoa Haven
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Ng.

Further Return To Question 84-12(7): Shortage Of O And M Funding For Recreational Facilities
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by the honourable Mr. Ningark on February 16th with respect to shortage of O and M funding for recreational facilities.

The operations and maintenance funding for recreational facilities is incorporated into the hamlet funding formula under the municipal operating assistance policy. This policy was implemented in 1992.

All municipalities are funded for utility costs for recreational facilities on the same basis as other public buildings. Funding for utility costs is based on an average of the last three years of actual costs.

Other operations and maintenance costs are funded under the hamlet funding formula at levels consistent with office building maintenance. In addition, salary subsidies are provided for a recreation leader and facility operator to assist communities in ensuring facilities are well utilized and properly maintained.

Several years ago, a study was done to determine if recreation funding was adequate in Coppermine and Cambridge Bay. The study revealed that the gap between costs and revenues, primarily composed of GNWT contributions, was not as large as generally believed. It is noteworthy that this study was undertaken prior to the implementation of the municipal operating assistance policy, under which funding levels were improved.

The department is willing to look at specific cases and work with communities that are experiencing financial difficulties in operating facilities, but believes the funding provided under the various programs is sufficient to operate recreational facilities if the buildings are operated effectively and efficiently. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 84-12(7): Shortage Of O And M Funding For Recreational Facilities
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

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

February 21st, 1995

Page 232

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. I would like to introduce to you Enzo Spennato in the gallery, to my right. Mr. Spennato is a trained denturist and is the principal in a denturist business in my riding.

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

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, last fall, the Minister wrote to boards and divisional boards of education advising that the government was reviewing options for financing local government and education. The Minister advised that they would be studying alternatives to the property tax system for funding of education. I was wondering if the Minister could provide the House with an update on progress on this study.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Nerysoo.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I might refer this to the Minister of Finance who can give you a response.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 130-12(7): Status Of Study On Alternatives To Fund Education
Question 130-12(7): Status Of Study On Alternatives To Fund Education
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Pollard Hay River

Yes, Mr. Speaker, that study is under way. Enid Slack from Ontario was hired to do the particular study, and I anticipate getting some early results in September, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Return To Question 130-12(7): Status Of Study On Alternatives To Fund Education
Question 130-12(7): Status Of Study On Alternatives To Fund Education
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Members of this House may recall that I raised a concern in November of last year regarding the recent restructuring in the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. I understand that a review of the reorganization is now taking place. My question is to the new Minister. Can the Minister tell the House who is participating in this review? Thank you.