Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question I would like to direct to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, under whose jurisdiction the Arctic Winter Games and the Canada Winter Games come. Mr. Speaker, parents of athletes participating in the Arctic Winter Games and the Canada Winter Games were concerned over the high costs of uniforms that are mandatory in order to belong to Team NWT. The cost, I understand, goes anywhere up to $250 per outfit. In two cases that were brought to my attention, the people found it financially difficult to meet that cost. I understand that the department had a buy-back policy. In fact, you would rent the uniform for the period of time that you were needing it for the games and then your money would be refunded when you returned the uniform. But I learned subsequently that this policy had been cancelled and I would like to ask the Minister why this policy was cancelled.
Debates of Feb. 27th, 1995
This is page numbers 309 - 336 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
Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For NWT Team Uniforms
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 318
Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For NWT Team Uniforms
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 318
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Ng.
Return To Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For Nwt Team Uniforms
Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For NWT Team Uniforms
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 318
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that the purchase, selling and holding is managed by Sport North on behalf of the government. The agreement was made where athletes had, at one point, an option of returning their uniforms, but it became an administrative burden to assess the returned clothing and give out the refunds for that. So at that time, the decision was made that athletes would purchase the clothing and not be able to return it. That is the current policy that is still in place. Thank you.
Return To Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For Nwt Team Uniforms
Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For NWT Team Uniforms
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 318
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.
Supplementary To Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For Nwt Team Uniforms
Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For NWT Team Uniforms
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 318
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, I thought I heard the Minister say that the policy was still in place, or is it that they will not purchase the clothing back?
Supplementary To Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For Nwt Team Uniforms
Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For NWT Team Uniforms
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 318
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For Nwt Team Uniforms
Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For NWT Team Uniforms
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 318
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The policy currently is that Sport North does not purchase the clothing back from athletes. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For Nwt Team Uniforms
Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For NWT Team Uniforms
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 318
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.
Supplementary To Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For Nwt Team Uniforms
Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For NWT Team Uniforms
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 318
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the Minister now. It has been brought to my attention, Mr. Speaker, that in some cases this can be financially difficult for some families. I notice, in looking at the names of the people who are participating, that sometimes there are two participants in the same family. At $250 each, that is a lot of dollars. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not he would consider revisiting the policy of buy-back in cases where it is necessary because of the financial situation the athletes may find themselves in. I don't think it is difficult to do. There are ways around it. I would like to ask the Minister if he would entertain reinstating that policy.
Supplementary To Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For Nwt Team Uniforms
Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For NWT Team Uniforms
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 318
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For Nwt Team Uniforms
Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For NWT Team Uniforms
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 318
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm aware of the concern of the high cost of clothing for athletes. At one time, prior to 1993, there was a government subsidy for athletes' clothing. That subsidy was taken away, hence the increase in prices for clothing. It is one of the things I will commit to taking a look at. There is also the possibility of looking at other paraphernalia, besides uniforms, which might be used to promote our athletes that aren't of such an expensive nature. That will be looked at as well. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For Nwt Team Uniforms
Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For NWT Team Uniforms
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 318
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Whitford.
Supplementary To Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For Nwt Team Uniforms
Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For NWT Team Uniforms
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 318
Tony Whitford Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that Sport North is financed, at least in part, through the Lottery Foundation. I think the amount of money that northerners contribute to this is commendable. I would like to ask the Minister, in his analysis of this, if he would re-examine the assistance that can be given to the purchase of these uniforms. It is enough to ask our students and young people to represent us, but to hit them with the high cost of uniforms is asking a bit
much. I would like to ask him if he would consider having Sport North reintroduce the subsidy.
Supplementary To Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For Nwt Team Uniforms
Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For NWT Team Uniforms
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 319
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For Nwt Team Uniforms
Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For NWT Team Uniforms
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 319
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Yes, Mr. Speaker, we'll take a look at it. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For Nwt Team Uniforms
Question 179-12(7): Cancellation Of Buy-back Policy For NWT Team Uniforms
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 319
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.
Question 180-12(7): Amalgamation Of H&ss At Community And Regional Levels
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 319
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. It is with regard to the amalgamation of Health and Social Services. I'm concerned about this amalgamation since the headquarters level has been amalgamated already and there are plans for amalgamation at the community and regional levels. I would like to ask the Minister if her department is doing the amalgamation at the community and regional levels at this time. Thank you.
Question 180-12(7): Amalgamation Of H&ss At Community And Regional Levels
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 319
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Cournoyea.
Return To Question 180-12(7): Amalgamation Of H&ss At Community And Regional Levels
Question 180-12(7): Amalgamation Of H&ss At Community And Regional Levels
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 319
Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput
Mr. Speaker, there are a number of communities that we are working and having discussions with on how that could possibly happen. Thank you.
Return To Question 180-12(7): Amalgamation Of H&ss At Community And Regional Levels
Question 180-12(7): Amalgamation Of H&ss At Community And Regional Levels
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 319
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Are there any further questions? Okay, we will take a break.
---SHORT RECESS
Return To Question 180-12(7): Amalgamation Of H&ss At Community And Regional Levels
Question 180-12(7): Amalgamation Of H&ss At Community And Regional Levels
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 319
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
I will call the House back to order. We are on item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, replies to budget address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Mr. Kakfwi.
Item 14: Tabling Of Documents
Item 14: Tabling Of Documents
Page 319
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table four documents. The first one is Tabled Document 24-12(7), an information note from the Department of Justice Canada on "Self-induced Intoxication as Criminal Fault," February 1995.
I also wish to table Tabled Document 25-12(7), a letter to the Honourable Warren Allmand, chairman of the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs. It is a letter from myself dated February 24, 1995 concerning amendments to the Criminal Code and a new Firearms Act.
I also wish to table Tabled Document 26-12(7), a letter from the North American Hunting Club to Mr. J. Peterson, president of the Barrenland Caribou Outfitters Association with regard to firearms legislation.
Finally, I wish to table Tabled Document 27-12(7), a letter from J Group Company Ltd., Yellowknife, to the Honourable Allan Rock with regard to the firearms legislation.
Item 14: Tabling Of Documents
Item 14: Tabling Of Documents
Page 319
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Item 14, tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.
Item 14: Tabling Of Documents
Item 14: Tabling Of Documents
Page 319
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to go back to tabling of documents.
Item 14: Tabling Of Documents
Item 14: Tabling Of Documents
Page 319
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Member for Thebacha is requesting unanimous consent to go back to item 14, tabling of documents. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.