This is page numbers 581 - 608 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 communities.

Topics

Supplementary To Question 311-12(7): Completion Of Energy Accord Agreement
Question 311-12(7): Completion Of Energy Accord Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 599

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 311-12(7): Completion Of Energy Accord Agreement
Question 311-12(7): Completion Of Energy Accord Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 599

John Todd Keewatin Central

Mr. Speaker, the process of negotiations are currently under way. It is a kind of fluid document we're trying to make an arrangement on. If an arrangement can be reached, I then have to present that arrangement to my colleagues in Cabinet to seek their approval. If we can come to a conclusion, then I would be prepared and able to provide Members with as up-to-date a position on the accord as I can. But, the negotiations are under way and things change by the day, so it's difficult to keep on top of it. But, if there are any significant breakthroughs, I would be only too happy to keep the Members advised of them. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 311-12(7): Completion Of Energy Accord Agreement
Question 311-12(7): Completion Of Energy Accord Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 599

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question I would like to direct to the Minister of Transportation. In my Member's statement this morning, I brought to the attention of the House an incident that occurred in the Northwest Territories involving some aircraft and the reluctance, if I can put it that way, of the federal government to release any information that came out of this report, whether there was a problem or not.

I would like to ask the Minister, given the fact that soon we are going to be assuming responsibility for all of the airports in the Northwest Territories, will we also be assuming some of the responsibility for aeronautics?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 312-12(7): Responsibility For Aviation Safety After Transfer
Question 312-12(7): Responsibility For Aviation Safety After Transfer
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 599

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Member's statement made earlier this morning, bringing this important aviation safety issue to the House. In the transfer of the nine Arctic A airports that we are currently negotiating and what is currently going on in southern Canada in terms of transfers to municipalities, the flight safety component will still be within the federal jurisdiction of Transport Canada, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Return To Question 312-12(7): Responsibility For Aviation Safety After Transfer
Question 312-12(7): Responsibility For Aviation Safety After Transfer
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 599

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 312-12(7): Responsibility For Aviation Safety After Transfer
Question 312-12(7): Responsibility For Aviation Safety After Transfer
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 600

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the fact that we probably don't have that much control over that part of aviation, that aviation is important to the Northwest Territories and safety is important -- we all know how much we travel and how many little airplanes are in the air at any given time -- the public must know how safe the air space is. I would like to ask the Minister if he would use his good offices to insist that the federal government release reports of this nature, whether there are issues of safety or not. It would be reassuring to the public if there is a problem, or if there isn't a problem. Would he use his good offices to seek release of such important reports?

Supplementary To Question 312-12(7): Responsibility For Aviation Safety After Transfer
Question 312-12(7): Responsibility For Aviation Safety After Transfer
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 600

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 312-12(7): Responsibility For Aviation Safety After Transfer
Question 312-12(7): Responsibility For Aviation Safety After Transfer
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 600

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think air transportation and safety is important to everybody. However, in the Arctic in some of our remote communities, it is even more important because it is the primary mode of transportation. I think we all recognize that air safety is of primary importance across Canada and, in the eastern Arctic, it's even more important, because it's the only way we can commute back and forth. I will ask the department to see what position we can take with respect to the federal government's position of not divulging the information as it relates to the incident Mr. Whitford alluded to earlier today in his Member's statement. Thank you.

---Applause

Further Return To Question 312-12(7): Responsibility For Aviation Safety After Transfer
Question 312-12(7): Responsibility For Aviation Safety After Transfer
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 600

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Time for oral questions has lapsed. Item 7, written questions. Mr. Patterson.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two written questions, one to the Minister of Health and Social Services.

Could the Minister of Health and Social Services please outline the status of efforts to reform the Medical Profession Act.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

And, to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, could the Minister provide information about the future of the federal fishing vessel insurance program after April 1, 1995. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Mr. Speaker, Return to Written Question 9-12(7), asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell to the Premier concerning the accountability of Cabinet Ministers when negotiating contracts.

Cabinet direction, including decisions to negotiate government contracts, is provided to applicable Ministers in the form of a record of decision which provides authority and direction to a Minister to implement a particular course of action. Ministers are guided in the implementation process by Cabinet's intent and the availability of funding. Appropriate legislation, regulations, policies and procedures provide further guidance.

On any particular contract, approval of the submission and the record of decision provides specific written direction as to the financial limits and requirements for northern and local content.

Return To Written Question 10-12(7): Dene Metis Holdings Request To Extend Negotiations
Item 8: Returns To Written Questions

March 9th, 1995

Page 600

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Also, Return To Written Question 10-12(7), asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell to the Premier concerning Dene Metis Holdings' request to extend negotiations.

On October 26, 1994, the Minister of Public Works and Services responded by letter to Dene Metis Holdings Limited and indicated that he was prepared to return to Cabinet to seek approval to continue negotiating with Dene Metis Holdings, on the condition that the company provide a proposal that was responsive to the statement of requirement.

The letter further stated that the proposal from Dene Metis Holdings must allow for full participation by northern investors and contractors, if Dene Metis Holdings was unable to provide components of the services required. The Minister of Public Works and Services then asked for confirmation in writing if Dene Metis Holdings Limited was interested in proceeding.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Mr. Whitford.

Item 11: Reports Of Standing And Special Committees
Item 11: Reports Of Standing And Special Committees

Page 600

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Report On Bill 25, Education Act

Item 11: Reports Of Standing And Special Committees
Item 11: Reports Of Standing And Special Committees

Page 600

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the Members that if Bill 25, Education Act, receives second reading and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation for review, the committee is prepared to distribute the bill immediately to an extensive list of previously-identified stakeholders.

In addition, Members of this Assembly will be provided with copies of the bill to take home to their constituents. Members will also be provided with the committee's consultation schedule that is currently being developed. This schedule would include consultation in all regional centres and will enable input to be provided from smaller communities as well. It is important that the dates and locations of public hearings be well known in advance, given the time restrictions facing the committee in this review.

Members can be assured that the committee will be advertising the bill and the review schedule extensively, to ensure maximum response from the public. I can tell you now that the public hearings will be held from May 8th to May 24th, following which the committee will prepare its report for this Assembly. This report will be presented to the Legislative Assembly immediately after the Seventh Session resumes on June 5th. The remainder of the Seventh Session will be dedicated to consideration of the Education Act.

Mr. Speaker, through hard work and cooperation between all parties, the committee is confident that a successful and productive review will be accomplished, to the benefit of all northerners. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 11: Reports Of Standing And Special Committees
Item 11: Reports Of Standing And Special Committees

Page 601

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. The chair doesn't consider the comments that you made as a report, but will view it as a statement by the committee. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Pollard.

Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

Page 601

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had made a commitment to table a document today which was an update of the Fort Smith aircraft facility, history of GNWT decisions and communications with Fort Smith, revised.

Mr. Speaker, in light of the point of order by Mr. Nerysoo today and in light of the fact that you're going to give us a ruling and because there are still some documents that are unsigned in this particular document I was going to put before the House, I will not do it today but await your ruling. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

Page 601

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Morin.

Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

Page 601

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table Tabled Document 61-12(7), NWT Housing Corporation staffing information. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

Page 601

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motions for first reading of bills. We will take a 10-minute break.

---SHORT RECESS

Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

Page 601

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The House will come back to order. We're on item 16, motions. Mr. Patterson.