This is page numbers 337 - 368 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 budget.

Topics

Further Return To Question 181-12(7): Impact Of Federal Budget Cuts
Question 181-12(7): Impact Of Federal Budget Cuts
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 342

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Yesterday in committee of the whole, we were reviewing the department's main estimates. In particular, we were reviewing an activity called "policy and planning." I asked a question about the increase in PYs in one of the tasks associated with this activity.

There were tasks we were dealing with: the economic planning task and the human resources task. In reviewing this further, I note that the person years in the economic planning task were reduced by one person year, from six to five, but in the human resources task there is an increase of 1.6 PYs, from 2.0 to 3.6 PYs. This information is in direct contrast to what the Minister said yesterday in responding to my enquiry. My question to the Minister is can he please justify the reasons for increasing the person years in the human resources task from 2.0 to 3.6 PYs in the 1995-96 main estimates.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 182-12(7): Justification For Increasing Pys Under Activity In Ed&t
Question 182-12(7): Justification For Increasing Pys Under Activity In Ed&t
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was pointed out to me late yesterday afternoon by the deputy minister that perhaps I was in error in my interpretation of that increase in the PYs. In fact, these 1.6 PYs were added to cover off student summer employment that historically was done under contract. We added it to this component under the casual wages, where students would come back and are employed by the department for four months in the summer. We have four trainees in this category: Danny Gaudet; Tanya Roth; Donna Kisoun and Donald Havioyok.

As I said, in the past this work apparently was done under contract. This year we changed it to casual wages. Therefore, I apologize to the Member for misguiding him yesterday, and I appreciate the opportunity to clarify it this afternoon. Thank you.

Return To Question 182-12(7): Justification For Increasing Pys Under Activity In Ed&t
Question 182-12(7): Justification For Increasing Pys Under Activity In Ed&t
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 343

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 182-12(7): Justification For Increasing Pys Under Activity In Ed&t
Question 182-12(7): Justification For Increasing Pys Under Activity In Ed&t
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 343

Fred Koe Inuvik

Thanks. I appreciate the response from the Minister, and I again congratulate him on looking after our students, especially the ones in training positions to ensure they have jobs when they come back for summer breaks.

Also in the Minister's response yesterday, and I quote from the unedited Hansard, he said: "...the human resource component really isn't increasing, it's mostly in the policy and planning area because there's a greater emphasis on trying to manage results and to try to evaluate more clearly the return on investment we're getting of our expenditures." So, my supplementary to the Minister is, what work is being done in terms of measuring results and evaluating activities within the department?

Supplementary To Question 182-12(7): Justification For Increasing Pys Under Activity In Ed&t
Question 182-12(7): Justification For Increasing Pys Under Activity In Ed&t
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 343

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 182-12(7): Justification For Increasing Pys Under Activity In Ed&t
Question 182-12(7): Justification For Increasing Pys Under Activity In Ed&t
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 343

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some time ago, last year I believe, the Standing Committee on Finance indicated to us that we had to determine what our return on investment is, particularly in the tourism and parks area. We did present to the Standing Committee on Finance earlier in the year our first cut at trying to evaluate what the return on investment is, whether it is expenditures in the park in Lake Harbour or expenditures that Mr. Dent asked about yesterday with respect to tourism development. That's the area we're working on right now. We're trying to determine if we are getting a return on the money we are spending in the development of parks and the marketing of tourism.

I believe the results we have so far are certainly not perfect and we have to refine the gathering of information so it is a little more sophisticated and accurate, but I think we're on the right track. Hopefully, in the coming months, we'll be able to demonstrate that to the ordinary Members and determine more clearly if the money we're spending in particular areas is giving us a return on our investment. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 182-12(7): Justification For Increasing Pys Under Activity In Ed&t
Question 182-12(7): Justification For Increasing Pys Under Activity In Ed&t
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 343

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, we represent hunters and trappers, business people, young people, women, elders and so on. They are struggling every day to make their lives easier. But there is one very special group of people who we haven't really seemed to represent in the House yet. For mentally handicapped and physically handicapped people, life in the small communities can be very difficult. Mr. Speaker, my question is what programs and services are available for mentally and physically handicapped people? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Cournoyea.

Return To Question 183-12(7): Services For Handicapped People
Question 183-12(7): Services For Handicapped People
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, there are a variety of programs and services to meet the needs of the categories of individuals as outlined by the honourable Member. What I had hoped to be doing in the next few months is looking at all these needs in a more structured, rational way so that we can plan, within the Department of Health and Social Services, to meet those needs.

I've tried to put together information so that we can have a comprehensive look at the communities. I'm not advocating any major studies or bringing in consultants, but to get a fix on the communities, the age groups and what the requirements are so that the department can plan to meet the needs of these groups of people.

I know there has been a concern that because of the smaller number of people we are dealing with, they often get forgotten. There's a great deal of interest now at the community level to address, as much as possible, as many of the needs as can be met at the community level. I hope that the community wellness strategy will look very carefully at overcoming some of the ad hoc planning that has occurred in the past.

Mr. Speaker, I hope in the next few months we will be able to come up with a fairly good idea of what is needed, what communities can handle and how residents who have handicaps that are too severe can be handled in another locality. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 183-12(7): Services For Handicapped People
Question 183-12(7): Services For Handicapped People
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Supplementary To Question 183-12(7): Services For Handicapped People
Question 183-12(7): Services For Handicapped People
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 344

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the honourable Minister communicate and seek advice from the regional health boards in this matter? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 183-12(7): Services For Handicapped People
Question 183-12(7): Services For Handicapped People
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 344

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Ms. Cournoyea.

Further Return To Question 183-12(7): Services For Handicapped People
Question 183-12(7): Services For Handicapped People
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 344

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I have dealt with this issue with the Inuvik health board in the Inuvik region, the Sahtu health board in the Sahtu region and also with the Kitikmeot health board. It is anticipated that, as early as possible, we'll be meeting with the Keewatin and Baffin boards to address these concerns. As well, when there are regional meetings, the community wellness strategy has been brought to the attention of the members and it has been suggested it might be an avenue for identifying, with community and regional involvement, the best way of identifying needs and where these needs should be met. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 183-12(7): Services For Handicapped People
Question 183-12(7): Services For Handicapped People
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 344

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut trade show is coming up in Iqaluit this coming weekend. I'm pleased the Minister is going to be there. There will be businessmen and women from all over Nunavut gathered there, and I know they will be discussing progress on the development of a Nunavut Chamber of Commerce to prepare for economic activities in Nunavut. I would like to ask the Minister, does he support the establishment and growth of a Nunavut chamber of commerce? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 184-12(7): Establishment Of Nunavut Chamber Of Commerce
Question 184-12(7): Establishment Of Nunavut Chamber Of Commerce
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 344

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we support the orderly development of a Nunavut Chamber of Commerce. I've already expressed to the presidents of the Keewatin, Kitikmeot and Baffin chambers of commerce that I would be only too happy to look at the potential funding proposal, should they request it. Thank you.

Return To Question 184-12(7): Establishment Of Nunavut Chamber Of Commerce
Question 184-12(7): Establishment Of Nunavut Chamber Of Commerce
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 344

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 184-12(7): Establishment Of Nunavut Chamber Of Commerce
Question 184-12(7): Establishment Of Nunavut Chamber Of Commerce
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 344

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister inform the House what contribution, in dollar terms, his department has made to the Nunavut Chamber of Commerce, compared to the contribution made to the Northwest Territories Chamber of Commerce in the current fiscal year. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 184-12(7): Establishment Of Nunavut Chamber Of Commerce
Question 184-12(7): Establishment Of Nunavut Chamber Of Commerce
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 344

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 184-12(7): Establishment Of Nunavut Chamber Of Commerce
Question 184-12(7): Establishment Of Nunavut Chamber Of Commerce
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 344

John Todd Keewatin Central

Mr. Speaker, if my memory serves me correctly, the only contribution we made to the Nunavut Chamber of Commerce was last year. It was $7,500 to bring the three presidents from the three regions in to see if there was sufficient interest in the development of a new Nunavut Chamber of Commerce. I've been disappointed, obviously, with the results and have been encouraging the three presidents to accelerate the efforts to have a more representative Nunavut Chamber of Commerce. With respect to the NWT Chamber of Commerce, I believe the dollars were significantly more, somewhere around the $100,000 to $200,000 range. I stand to be corrected, but it certainly was significantly more. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 184-12(7): Establishment Of Nunavut Chamber Of Commerce
Question 184-12(7): Establishment Of Nunavut Chamber Of Commerce
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 344

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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