This is page numbers 281 - 307 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 development.

Topics

Members Present

Mr. Antoine, Hon. Silas Arngna'naaq, Mr. Ballantyne, Hon. Nellie Cournoyea, Mr. Dent, Hon. Samuel Gargan, Hon. Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Koe, Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, Hon. Don Morin, Hon. Richard Nerysoo, Hon. Kelvin Ng, Mr. Ningark, Hon. John Pollard, Mr. Pudlat, Hon. John Todd, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 281

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Good morning. I have been informed that Her Honour, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, is prepared to assent to bills. Mr. Clerk, would you ascertain if the Commissioner is prepared to enter the Chamber and assent to bills?

Assent To Bills
Assent To Bills

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Commissioner Maksagak

Please be seated. As Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, it gives me pleasure to assent to the following bills: Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Act; Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Judicature Act; Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Limitation of Actions Act; Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Maintenance Act; Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products Tax Act; Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Co-operative Associations Act; Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Dental Mechanics Act; Bill 9, An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act; Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Liquor Act; Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act; Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Judicature Act, No. 2; and, Bill 14, Miscellaneous Statutes Amending Act, 1994. Thank you.

---Applause

Assent To Bills
Assent To Bills

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ningark.

School Material Written In Different Dialects
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 281

John Ningark Natilikmiot

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when Nunavut Caucus had their meeting in Gjoa Haven, there was a resident of Gjoa Haven who made a presentation to the committee regarding the use of the Inuktitut language instruction in the schools. We are happy to have aboriginal languages taught in the schools; however, there was one concern raised by the presenter that the materials being used in the schools are written in a different dialect and not the dialect used in Pelly Bay. There are dialect differences and the materials that are being used right now are currently from another area, Mr. Speaker. I think the material should be made available in different dialects, so that the appropriate dialect can be taught in the school. I will be asking an oral question to the Minister regarding this item. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

School Material Written In Different Dialects
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Policies Governing Social Assistance
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under Members' statements, I would like to say that in the north, we have people receiving social assistance from Social Services. Recipients are able to cash their cheques. People would like to know who made the cheques cashable. Mr. Speaker, I will be asking questions regarding where the authority to cash welfare cheques came from, if there are policies regarding social assistance and how it should be dealt with. I will be asking a question of the Minister in this matter.

Policies Governing Social Assistance
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 281

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Coastlines Of Canada
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 281

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are a few times that things really irritate northerners, to the point where they write or phone to complain. Sometimes the complaints are listened to and positive changes are made and other times not. One of the things that has irritated people quite a lot in the last little while is the phrase continually used by our national broadcaster, the CBC, that Canada is from coast to coast. Anyone looking at a map can tell at a glance that Canada has three oceans. It is bordered on the east by the Atlantic, the Pacific on the west and the Arctic Ocean on the north.

Our national radio, the CBC, continues to use this phrase. They even have programs called "Coast to Coast." Cross Country Checkup on Sundays continuously uses the phrase that they are broadcasting from coast to coast. I was in Cambridge Bay not too long ago, on the northern coast, and I listened to CBC there and there was no reference made to it at that time. Even more irritating, Mr. Speaker, is our national broadcaster continuously advertises on the news and their current affairs programs, "Just call us and let us know your concerns," and they give a 1-800 number. Oft-times constituents of mine have tried to call these numbers and they are told that number doesn't operate here in the Northwest Territories. Well, excuse me, Mr. Speaker, but the last time I checked the map, the Northwest Territories was still in Canada.

I wrote a letter to the CBC asking that this be corrected and, hopefully, something will come out of it. Northerners do like to participate in these programs and we certainly want to have some reference made to the fact that Canada is from coast to coast to coast. Thank you.

Coastlines Of Canada
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 282

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Second Annual Beer Tasting Festival
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to mention today a small business which seems to have done very well over the past several years. A Mr. and Mrs. Koshynsky run a little business called E-Zee-Brew and many, many people go there to buy all kinds of supplies so they can make their own product at home. It has become a bit of a tradition now in the north that more and more people are beginning to make these things which normally, if they go to the local liquor store, cost them a lot of money.

I know that some proprietors are getting very concerned because this year, Mr. Speaker, the sales of alcohol in the Northwest Territories have gone down significantly. That's a good thing because when you brew gentle stuff at home; it is mild and often good for your system. I would like to point out, Mr. Speaker, that nearly all the stuff that we bring in from the south, especially if it's not distilled, is water. Northern people know that we have lots of water.

Second Annual Beer Tasting Festival
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 282

An Hon. Member

(Microphone turned off)

Second Annual Beer Tasting Festival
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Well, maybe not the Power Corporation, but we do have enough. A few gallons is not going to make a difference to the cost of power in the territories, Mr. Speaker. This is a gentle kind of industry done at home which most people seem to be enjoying and which seems to have resulted in quite a reduction in the sale of the more damaging kinds of brews that come in from the south and which possibly cause people damage. At least that's the evidence that I have.

In the next few weeks, there will be the second annual beer tasting festival in Yellowknife and those people who have been brewing and have perfected their art over the last 30 years will be competing with each other to see which individual has created the most palatable brew. So, Mr. Speaker, I wanted Members to know that this is a small industry which is flourishing quite well and is, in my opinion, having a good effect on those people who are very moderate in their needs to consume any kind of alcohol. This is, in fact, a very gentle sport, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Second Annual Beer Tasting Festival
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 282

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Exploration For Oil In Fort Liard Region
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 282

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) I am going to speak in my own language. What I wanted to mention today is apparently in one of the communities in my constituency, Fort Liard, they are going to be starting to drill for oil where Fort Liard sits, right at the edge of the BC border. It is good country for oil.

Last December, the federal Minister Ron Irwin and Harry Deneron, the chief from Fort Liard, met and discussed the possibility of drilling for oil in Fort Liard. (Translation ends)

The opening of land in the Fort Liard region occurred when the federal government approved a partial lifting of the ban on exploration in the north. The ban was there to give aboriginal people time to settle their land claim negotiations.

The winning bids, Mr. Speaker, included a large piece of land about 150,000 hectares, which is about 575 square miles, that has opened up in the immediate area of Fort Liard. Mr. Speaker, the following companies were successful in their bids in this area: Ranger Oil Limited, AMOCO Canada Petroleum Company Limited, Chevron Canada Resources Limited, Ocelot Energy Limited, Shell Canada Limited, and Paramount Resources, all of Calgary. Mr. Speaker, approximately $22.7 million has been committed by these six companies in assessing the region's potential, and this is for the next four years.

Mr. Speaker, the federal government awarded the exploration licence early this month, but it was effective from late December of last year. Mr. Speaker, this is what Mr. Irwin, the Minister of Indian Affairs, had to say about the arrangement: "By working in partnership with the federal government and the Fort Liard band council, we have successfully reopened this highly prospective area. The results will be much-needed employment and business opportunities for the Fort Liard residents." This statement was also endorsed by the chief, Henry Deneron, who said: "I am pleased that the federal government worked with my community to ensure that exploration activities will be managed in a way that meets our needs. These investments will not only create opportunities for the people of Fort Liard, but will benefit our region as a whole."

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of Fort Liard and their cooperation with the federal government in taking the initiative for establishing economic opportunities for the community and the region. Mr. Speaker, using Fort Liard as an example, it is imperative that we ensure that any economic activity generated by the presence of southern companies must benefit the community and the region first. Mr. Speaker, if the necessary resources are available here, then there is no excuse to preclude employment and business opportunities for local residents and businesses in the community as well as in the region. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Exploration For Oil In Fort Liard Region
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 282

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Using "drunkenness" As A Defence In Court
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 282

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court of Canada's decision legitimizing drunkenness as a defence has inevitably come to slap us here in the Northwest Territories. When Minister Allan Rock was here in the fall, I remember asking him, in a Caucus meeting, what the implications would be for the Northwest Territories. He said two things, at that time. He said that the Supreme Court decision was so precisely worded that it would be only

used in the rarest case. He also said that he would look at bringing in legislation to deal with the whole issue.

Now it seems that the legal experts who advise them were wrong again. It seems to be used more and more frequently. Here in the Northwest Territories where alcohol and drug abuse are major social problems, the implications of this Supreme Court decision are immense. Minister Rock, this week, is introducing a bill -- today, I think, in the House -- where he is going to address the problem.. Time will only tell, during the next two or three days, if the bill goes far enough. Already some of the preliminary responses of women's group are that it hasn't gone far enough.

But for here in the territories, the reality has hit home. Violent drunks now have the opportunity to justify their actions in the Northwest Territories. This is unacceptable to all of us. In light of the fact that we now have our first case here in the territories, I think that it is imperative that our Justice Minister re-emphasize our government's opposition to the Supreme Court decision and that our Justice Minister does everything in his power to ensure that Mr. Rock's legislation is an adequate response to the decision. If, in the opinion of the government and this Legislative Assembly, the Justice Minister's legislation is not an adequate response, then I, along with others, will be asking for our Justice Minister to suggest amendments to that legislation. Thank you very much.

Using "drunkenness" As A Defence In Court
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 283

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to take the opportunity to thank the Minister of Renewable Resources for halting the exportation of the live wood bison from the Hanging Ice Bison Ranch near Fort Smith, to be auctioned down south.

Mr. Speaker, the reason that I requested this to be halted was because concerns were expressed to me by the native organizations in Fort Smith. Both the Metis Nation and the band had brought these issues to my attention. It has further been brought to my attention the sustainable development committee of the town could not come to a decision on whether or not to support this particular move.

We all know that it is critical to listen to the user groups of our renewable resources. The Department of Renewable Resources has made it a practice to consult with the band and the Metis with regard to addressing trappers' cabins, traplines, trappers' funding allocation, and also if policy changes are required for addressing fire management. So, Mr. Speaker, the band and Metis felt it was critical to consult with them regarding the exportation of wood bison.

They fully support the exportation of bison meat but, until they are consulted, they have a sincere difficulty with supporting the current process to export these live wood bison. Mr. Speaker, the concern of such a unique genetic animal -- as we all know, wood bison is bigger than the prairie bison -- and also the fear of what may happen -- which happened to the char industry

where aquaculture has taken place -- and the future could have a negative impact on what could happen to the ranch.

Mr. Speaker, these types of concerns expressed are legitimate and I am sure the community will welcome the Department of Renewable Resources for the consultation process which will take place next week.

The community groups also want to thank the department for their caretaking role in the bison ranch, and would like to let the Minister know that they have appreciated the efforts the department has been making to make this ranch viable. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 106-12(7): Tabling Of Special Needs School Survey
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 283

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Dent on February 20, 1995 with regard to tabling a special needs school survey.

The student support services information system: classroom and school-community profiles were developed as a planning and information document for my department. I have reviewed the matter and I will not be tabling the document since it was written for our own use and is available only in English. However, I will ensure that Mr. Dent and all Members receive a copy. More copies are being printed and I will provide you with copies as soon as these have been completed. I will also seriously consider the matter of providing summary versions translated in the Inuktitut language once the Legislative Assembly has concluded its business this session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 106-12(7): Tabling Of Special Needs School Survey
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 283

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Return To Question 52-12(7): Status Of Vacancies On Liquor Board
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 283

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a question asked by Mr. Whitford on February 15, 1995 with regard to the status of vacancies on the Liquor Board.

A maximum of nine people can be appointed to the Liquor Board. The board is currently comprised of eight members. Of these members, five are men and three are women. I am hoping to appoint another member. Just for additional information, Mr. Speaker, Theresa Crane and Don Strang of Yellowknife have been appointed; Mary Rose Casaway of Lutsel K'e; and, Red Pedersen of Kitikmeot, so that there is a representative from generally every region in the Northwest Territories.

Return To Question 52-12(7): Status Of Vacancies On Liquor Board
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 283

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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