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

Federal Flight Investigation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 588

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Stiffer Penalties For Drug Offences
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 588

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I've been very concerned over the past week about the recent news reports on CBC and recent headlines in our newspapers about the heavy use of cocaine. The use of cocaine and any other drug has very, very serious impacts on our society and on our youth. We now find that there are gangs in the area of Yellowknife and there is a lot of drug trafficking which is leading to violence. There has been a rash of thefts and break-ins and all of this impacts on our justice system.

I think it is incumbent upon our formal justice system to start getting tough. The police and our court system led by judges have to start putting a heavy hand down. Our judges, in many cases are appointed by the Minister of Justice, and if they are a Supreme Court judge, I believe they are appointed by the federal government. I'm sure pressure from this Assembly, by people of the Northwest Territories, and from the Minister can give some direction to help deter and reduce the problem. Judges should get tough. They should start giving stiffer sentences to lawbreakers and not continually slap them on the wrist and give them negligible fines. Thank you, very much.

---Applause

Stiffer Penalties For Drug Offences
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 588

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Ms. Mike.

Plans For Constituency Travel
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 588

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to inform my constituents that during the recess of this House, from March 11th to March 26th, I will not be able to travel home. The Nunavut Caucus, NIC and NTI will be meeting on March 16th to deal with the Price Waterhouse report, which is an important component in designing the Nunavut government. However, I assure them that on the 18th, I will be going to Pangnirtung. I regret that I won't be able to go to Broughton Island and Clyde River during our break. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Plans For Constituency Travel
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 588

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Patterson.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have to screw up my courage, here. Mr. Speaker, I have served in this House for 15 years, including many years as a Cabinet Minister. Members of this House know that I have always been a major supporter of division and have long awaited the creation of the new Nunavut territory. I hope that Members of this House view me as a man who will speak his mind honestly and to the point. However, Mr. Speaker, I have to confess that I have been living a lie for the past few years.

Mr. Speaker, over the past few months, there have been a number of reports in the media and in other venues that I am a committed supporter of the "Iqaluit for capital" campaign. However, Mr. Speaker, today I must confess to all Members that I have now come to recognize Rankin Inlet as the best and only logical choice to become the capital of the new Nunavut territory.

Some Hon. Members

Shame.

---Applause

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

And I'm not running for re-election.

---Laughter

No, sorry, I wasn't supposed to say that. Mr. Speaker, I must tell Members that I came to this realization after Mr. Todd outbid all others, to the tune of $580, to purchase me at the auction during the Nunavut Trade Show.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to say that this auction raised over $27,000 to benefit the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Iqaluit Child Care Society.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Todd's purpose in purchasing me was to educate me about Keewatin political correctness.

---Laughter

I will require consent, Mr. Speaker, to complete this important statement.

---Laughter

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Iqaluit is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Patterson.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Mr. Todd has provided me with audio cassettes that repeat the following phrase when I sleep: "Rankin Inlet and the Keewatin are wonderful. Rankin Inlet and the Keewatin are wonderful. Rankin Inlet and the Keewatin are wonderful. Rankin Inlet and the Keewatin are wonderful."

---Laughter Is that enough, John?

---Laughter

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, Members will note that these cassettes allow me to utilize my time in an efficient manner as they play while I sleep and re-educate me about the Keewatin. I would recommend their use for all Members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Zoe.

Economic Security In The Dogrib/north Slave Region
Item 3: Members' Statements

March 9th, 1995

Page 589

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you. Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the Dogrib people of the North Slave region, one of the biggest challenges we face is developing strategies for achieving fiscal security in the region. However, Mr. Speaker, achieving fiscal security in the Dogrib North Slave region is only achievable with the help of partnerships with industry and government. With mutually beneficial partnerships we can, as the Premier put it, put the land to work for us to create jobs, business opportunities and revenues.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week I attended with my other colleagues the Prospectors' and Developers' Conference in Toronto, and I also was joined with representatives of the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council members. I listened to and spoke with a number of industry representatives attending the conference. I was, for the most part, encouraged and pleased with the level of understanding of the industry representatives respecting the Northwest Territories. I was also pleased to hear that industry is very keen to involve local people in businesses and employment opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, I and the representatives of the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council took the message to the conference that the Dogrib region is open for business. However, Mr. Speaker, the message also said that the Dogrib people living in the region want to be respected and want to protect the integrity of the environment first and foremost. Mahsi.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Constituency Visits During The Recess
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 589

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good Friday morning. I can't speak as eloquently as the other Members in this House but, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to inform my constituents, even though we represent the whole Northwest Territories, that I won't be able to go home right

away next week, but I'll be able to go home during the weekend next week.

I would like to inform my constituents that I will be behind, but I will still be open to them if they have any issues or concerns that they would like to bring to me. I would just like to inform my constituents that I will be able to go to my community some time, not next week but the week after that. I am not leaving them behind and I am not just shutting out their concerns or their issues that they would like to discuss with me. I will still be open to them. I just wanted to inform my constituents of this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Constituency Visits During The Recess
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 589

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Ms. Cournoyea.

Further Return To Question 238-12(7): Disabled Adults Living Outside Of Institutions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 589

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on March 3rd regarding assistance for disabled adults living outside institutions.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services has a number of programs in place that can assist disabled adults who choose to live in their own homes. There are coordinated home care programs in six communities across the NWT, and our budget for 1995-96 has proposed to enhance theses services by the addition of community-based respite and home care programs in four more communities.

Mr. Speaker, disabled adults can also take advantage of medical and hospital care, medical travel, non-insured health benefits for First Nations and Inuit people and social assistance special needs benefits. The social assistance program also provides $125 per month to any disabled adult who is eligible for social assistance and unable to pursue employment.

There is no specific program that provides a disability pension to disabled residents; however, my colleague, the Honourable Richard Nerysoo, is consulting with people across the Northwest Territories through the Minister's forum on income support reform. These consultations will include discussions about the income needs of the disabled. As you know, Mr. Speaker, it will be very important for us to redesign our income support system over the next year, in preparation for the block funding of social assistance by the federal government starting in 1996 and 1997, and, as part of this reform, the income support needs of all residents will be considered.

Further Return To Question 139-12(7): Status Of Staff Housing Available For Purchase
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 589

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I have a further return to a question asked on February 22, 1995, also by Mrs. Marie-Jewell regarding the status of staff housing available for purchase.

Mr. Speaker, the initiative to eliminate staff housing entirely applies to level I communities and Inuvik only. In Yellowknife, two houses remain to be sold to the tenants who have offered to purchase them. The sales have been delayed while a problem with retaining walls on the properties has been remedied. Until the repair is complete, the title cannot be transferred.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has three single-family units which are not currently offered for sale. One has been retained for the Commissioner as part of an agreement with the federal government. Two have been retained for Ministers who have moved to Yellowknife to undertake their Cabinet duties, and they can remain in staff housing for the life of this government; after which, the houses will be sold on the open market.

The sale of one vacant duplex is waiting for a legal survey. It will be sold on the open market.

Dorset apartments have been on the market since October 1994. Sales of Burwash and Matonabee apartments are in progress as purchasers are arranging financing. The buildings will be sold with the remaining tenants in place, as required by the Residential Tenancies Act.

Two multi-family properties remain which may not yet have been listed for sale. Lanky Court row housing will be sold in conjunction with an adjoining federal property, when an arrangement is concluded for the joint sale. Rockhill apartments will become the property of the GNWT on April 1, 1995, under a lease-purchase agreement. It is currently occupied by Arctic College students. A decision as to whether it will be sold will be made when the college completes its housing plan.

In Fort Smith, one single-family house remains to be sold to the tenant who is in the process of arranging financing.

There is one duplex which remains unsold. The tenant has been trying to purchase it and has a short time left to arrange financing. The duplex will be listed with a local realtor if the tenant is unsuccessful.

Three trailers and a house have been listed for public sale since September. There is a tenant in the house. The trailers are vacant. The tenant remains in the house, in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act.

All other staff housing has been exchanged with units leased for the Arctic College for student housing. This has allowed the GNWT to meet college requirements at a lower cost. Leased units have been offered for sale by the owner at the government's request, which has allowed the GNWT to terminate leases.

In Hay River, all staff housing has been sold except for two duplexes. These sales are delayed while the legal plan is registered. One is vacant and the other will be sold to the tenants who expressed interest in purchasing some time ago. The other will be sold through the local realtor.

In Inuvik, all single-family housing has been sold. Row housing has either been sold or has offers pending after a recent public tender. Tenants remain in the row housing units after the sale, in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act. Other row housing has been turned over to Arctic College for student housing, or to the Housing Corporation.

The GNWT has leases on two apartment buildings which will be allowed to expire at their termination dates; Mountain View in May 1995 and Boot Lake in December 1997. Tenants remain in these units.

Further Return To Question 165-12(7): Authorization For 90-day Time Frame Re Fire Suppression Negotiations
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 590

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

I have a further reply to another question that was asked by Mrs. Jeannie Marie-Jewell on February 24, 1995 regarding authorization for a 90-day time frame for fire suppression negotiations.

Mr. Speaker, in the submission to Cabinet, it was recommended by the sponsoring departments, Public Works and Services and Renewable Resources, that negotiations with Dene Metis Holdings Limited should start immediately and be concluded within 90 days in order to allow for the approval of the contract by the end of 1994 and for construction of a hangar to start in the summer of 1995. The objective of the 90-day time frame was not to establish a rigid schedule, but to ensure significant progress so that arrangements could be completed in time to have plans in place for the 1995 fire season. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 165-12(7): Authorization For 90-day Time Frame Re Fire Suppression Negotiations
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 590

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Further Return To Question 206-12(6): Development Of Policy For Film Industry
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 590

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Patterson on March 1, 1995 with respect to the development of policy for film industry.

As indicated in my initial response, a person-year has not been dedicated to assisting the industry. During this time of restraint, it isn't possible for the department to dedicate one person to work solely on film development. Existing staff will be utilized to meet industry needs, at least in the short term.

The department has provided support to the industry by utilizing the business development fund and will continue to do so. The fund can provide up to $150,000 per project, based on employment and other economic benefits. Typically, the department will provide $25,000 for every $200,000 in expenditures made in the north by film companies. The guidelines for the Canada/NWT economic development agreement also allow for assistance to film companies who are developing film or video projects. Other assistance is also available through a network of federal programming through Telefilm Canada, the National Film Board and the Canadian independent film and video fund. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Further Return To Question 206-12(6): Development Of Policy For Film Industry
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 591

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 261-12(7): Reason For Nwthc's Exemption From Notice Of Rent Increases
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 591

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mrs. Marie-Jewell asked a question on March 7, 1995 as to why the Housing Corporation is being exempt from the normal three-month notice law that was passed in the Legislative Assembly under the Residential Tenancies Act.

Under section 47(6) of the Residential Tenancies Act, the normal three months' notice of a rent increase does not apply to subsidized public housing. Subsidized public housing is defined in section one of the Residential Tenancies Act.

"...rental premises rented to an individual or family of low or modest income at a reduced rent determined by the income of the tenant and funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories or a municipality or an agency of the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories or a municipality pursuant to the National Housing Act (Canada) or the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Act;"

The Housing Corporation is an agency of the Government of the Northwest Territories pursuant to section 1 of the Financial Administration Act.

Consequently, the three-month notice law does not apply to subsidized public housing rented by the Housing Corporation. Thank you.

Return To Question 261-12(7): Reason For Nwthc's Exemption From Notice Of Rent Increases
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 591

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Finance. In the Finance Minister's Budget Address, delivered on February 20th, the honourable Minister detailed some of the restraint measures to be undertaken by this government. At the end of the section on restraint measures, in his speech the Minister stated: "In addition to these reductions, Mr. Speaker, there is a very real possibility that further cost cutting may be necessary over the coming fiscal year. We must await the outcome of the federal budget to know precisely where we stand." I would like to ask the Minister, now that the federal Budget Address has been delivered and the Minister and his staff have spent some time analysing the details of the speech, is there a real possibility that further cost cutting may be necessary over the coming fiscal year?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard.