This is page numbers 521 - 547 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 housing.

Topics

International Women's Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 525

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

During the time I had the Cabinet portfolio, Mr. Speaker...I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.

International Women's Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 525

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Baffin Central is seeking unanimous consent to complete her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Ms. Mike.

International Women's Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 525

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During the time I had the Cabinet portfolio, when I travelled to the communities outside my constituency, I had many women come up to me and say they are giving you a hard time because you are a woman. I would like to thank those women who, without being told, recognized that. I would also like to thank my constituents for having treated me as equally as they treat men. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

International Women's Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 525

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statement. Mr. Whitford.

International Women's Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 525

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. I, too, would like to add my comments to salute International Women's Day. I look forward to the events that are going to take place at the great hall later this afternoon to help us celebrate International Women's Day.

There isn't a day that goes by that we don't hear in the news or read in the newspaper, special events that are taking place across the world and in our territory that put forward the great achievements that women do make in the areas of commerce, industry, entertainment, research, medicine and sports, to name a few.

We have women in every walk of life who affect our lives daily and who are to be looked at as role models and examples. There are the Mother Theresas of the world who look after people who can't look after themselves. We have the Sister Sutherlands of the Northwest Territories. I would like to pay a special contribution to Sister Sarazan who many of us in the Northwest Territories owe a great deal. She was a teacher of ours many years ago. She taught us to respect others as well as to be good students and turn around some of what we learn in school to help better the communities that we live in. She passed on several years ago now. Her memory is still fresh in many of our minds.

The Madam Curies of the world of research; the Florence Nightingales of medicine work in the hospitals and research labs to make the world a better place. There are countless unsung heroines among us who are not only working for the benefit of women, but the benefit of all human kind. I owe a special thank you and recognition to my grandmother, with whom I lived for many years. She taught me to respect other people. She was a kind and gentle lady who lived into her 90s before she passed on from this earth. My mother is still living and taught me the good ways of life. My wife of almost 30 years now, Mr. Speaker...

---Applause

Unfortunately, my wife and I were never fortunate enough to have daughters...

International Women's Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 525

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Whitford, your time has lapsed.

International Women's Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 525

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue.

International Women's Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 525

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

International Women's Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 525

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, it was unfortunate that we never had daughters to teach and enjoy as a family. But we are fortunate to have three sons. We always live with the consolation that soon we are going to have three daughters-in-law to add to the long list of female influence in my life.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude by saying the same thing that I said last year at this time. I said, we should just make time and recognize women not only one day of the year, but I think we need to give the recognition that they deserve every day of the year. With that, I salute International Women's Day.

---Applause

International Women's Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 525

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Winter Roads In Nahendeh
Item 3: Members' Statements

March 7th, 1995

Page 525

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the House as to the current status of the winter roads in my constituency.

---Applause

I would like to begin with Trout Lake, Mr. Speaker. This is the longest of the three winter roads in my constituency. It is 126 kilometres in length. This 126 kilometres covers terrain that is flat and open with no hills. In the 126 kilometres, Trout Lake winter road crosses four small creeks. According to residents of Trout Lake, there has never been a major overflow problem that the community couldn't deal with.

Mr. Speaker, I spoke with the community this morning and they indicated the that present road condition no way warrants early closure, and that the residents do not understand why March 15th has been chosen as an official closure date when the road is in this good condition.

Also, Mr. Speaker, the situation of having heavy equipment used for the purpose of towing vehicles when stuck has rarely occurred on a stretch of winter road. The winter road that connects Jean Marie River to the rest of the world is 27 kilometres in length. There are creeks on this winter road; however, Mr. Speaker, due to the construction of a fair weather road, bridges have been built over all these crossings and therefore pose no environmental threat.

Mr. Speaker, according to residents, there have been gravel haul operations going on here and the road has been packed, resulting in longer road life. As far as immobilizing heavy equipment for the purpose of towing vehicles, residents have exercised common sense and have never required these services. Also, Mr. Speaker, the communities involved in the heavy equipment program have been maintaining approximately half of this road.

To continue, Mr. Speaker, Nahanni Butte is the shortest of these winter roads at 21 kilometres in length. This road crosses the Liard River and the small swamp area. There is economic activity in the form of logging in this community that is relying on the winter road to remain open until the end of the month. Again, Mr. Speaker, like the other two communities, no heavy equipment has been used to tow vehicles stuck due to warm weather conditions.

Mr. Speaker, I'm running out of time. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Winter Roads In Nahendeh
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 526

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Nahendeh is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Antoine.

Winter Roads In Nahendeh
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 526

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I realize that this is the first year the Department of Transportation has implemented a March 15th closure date. I understand, Mr. Speaker, that part of the reason for the early closure date was meant to address environmental concerns. This is very considerate of the department and I applaud their efforts and concerns. However, Mr. Speaker, the action that was chosen by the department to address this concern was one-sided and therefore suffers from inadequacies.

Mr. Speaker, what I'm talking about is cooperation or, in this case, the lack of it. This is a good example of how important it is for the government to consult with communities for efficient program delivery. In future decisions of the department, active participation of all factors must be a common denominator. The residents of these communities were disappointed that they were not consulted for their input. They are the ones directly affected, and if anyone is to be considered experts with regard to this issue, the residents of these communities are probably your best resources.

Winter Roads In Nahendeh
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 526

An Hon. Member

Hear, hear.

Winter Roads In Nahendeh
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 526

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mr. Speaker, it only makes sense that any community decisions made should be made in direct consultation with that community. As far as using a lack of money as a reason for early closure, as stated by the Minister...

Winter Roads In Nahendeh
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 526

An Hon. Member

Shame.

Winter Roads In Nahendeh
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 526

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

...in Hansard on Wednesday, March 1st, the cost of maintenance is almost insignificant in comparison with those winter roads and ice roads where major river and creek crossings are more frequent and road lengths are consistently longer. According to one highway contract maintenance personnel, Mr. Speaker, he stated that money allocated for winter road maintenance has been two-thirds exhausted. The Minister was saying in last Thursday's Hansard that the roads were opened earlier this year, but a quick estimate shows that two thirds of the money allocated has been used in the last three months. That leaves one third for the next seven days.

Also, Mr. Speaker, according to another highway maintenance official, for a three-month period, the total maintenance cost

was approximately $5,000. Again, Mr. Speaker, just a quick calculation gives a cost of $840 for an extra two-week period.

Mr. Speaker, according to the Minister, the ultimate responsibility for making the decision to close these winter roads early was that of the Minister and his department. I strongly urge the Minister to reconsider his decision, considering the sensitivity of this issue and the feedback as a result of the March 15th closing date. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Winter Roads In Nahendeh
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 526

An Hon. Member

Hear, hear.

---Applause

Winter Roads In Nahendeh
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 526

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

International Women's Day And Mrs. Ningark
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 526

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like my colleagues, today being International Women's Day, I would like to recognize someone very special. Someone who is very special and has been a defence lawyer, a doctor, a teacher, a woman of God and she has done all these without pay, without complaint. Her clients are myself and my kids, her customers are myself and my kids and she has done this for over 20 years. My kids and I are very grateful to her. I am speaking of my partner in life, my wife, Celine. Thank you.

---Applause

International Women's Day And Mrs. Ningark
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 526

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

International Women's Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 526

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some of my colleagues have mentioned that today is International Women's Day. Mr. Speaker, in these modern times, we often hear about how good women have it. On the surface, no doubt, it is true. Women can vote, women can work and women can take an active role in our society today.

However, Mr. Speaker, I want all Members to take time to think about the realities of a woman's place in society. Some men say it jokingly but some say it sincerely, that every day is women's day. In some places in our society, this is true and there are many men who respect their spouses and treat them as equals. I commend them for that.

---Applause

However, Mr. Speaker, as a whole, the idea that women are treated with respect and equality reflects an ideal world, and we know we don't live in such an ideal world. When we look at our communities, we see women who are facing difficult situations daily.

Women face violence, physically, mentally and emotionally. Women face intimidation from men who are not comfortable sharing an equal standing with women. Women face the difficulties of single parenting, of providing for a strong family life and have primary responsibilities for child care. Women even face the difficulty of acquiring pay equity which I know is still an outstanding issue to be addressed by this government.

Mr. Speaker, when we look around this Assembly, there are only three women Members of this Assembly. It is not that women aren't good leaders, Mr. Speaker. When we look at the community governments, there are many women leaders. Most community organizations are run by women.

Mr. Speaker, I believe it is at times difficult for women to get into politics at the territorial level in particular. Aside from the issues of intimidation and child care, women have to deal with being away from their families, and it makes it much more difficult when we have children.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue with my statement.

International Women's Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 527

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Thebacha is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

International Women's Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 527

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, when we are away from our families it is, at times, difficult to receive the same degree of support which men receive for doing the same work. At times, I think of this difference when people approach me and make comments to me about my husband. They'll often say to me gee, Jeannie, you have a great husband -- not that I don't agree with them -- but they tell me he's great because he's willing to take care of the family so I can do my work. The ironic thing is that they would never dream of saying the same thing about men in this Assembly who allow their wives to do the work at home while they do their work in the Assembly.

It's expected that women should keep the family going and it only seems special when the man does it. Even when women make it to this Legislative Assembly, Mr. Speaker, I wonder whether we're treated as equals. I remember, vividly, receiving a plaque when I first became a Member, from a male Member in this House which read: "A woman's place is in her home and that's where she should go, right after work." I certainly hope, Mr. Speaker, that that attitude still doesn't prevail.

Women in the public see the things that happen in this Assembly and are they the kinds of things which would encourage women to consider this type of political lifestyle? As my colleague, Rebecca Mike, said when she was a Minister -- and I have to agree -- she was often the subject of fierce and frequent questioning. Did being female have anything to do with the approach Members took? If she was male, would she have received such harsh treatment? Male Ministers who sit in this Assembly have received warning tickets from Renewable Resource officers, who are in fact considered police officers when they apply the Wildlife Act for offences, and they still sit as Ministers. Do we have a double standard, where a female Minister is forced to resign, not because of actual offences but simply because of allegations which, at the time, the RCMP decided were not worthy of pursuing?

Mr. Speaker, another example discussed in this House which often becomes quite heated are issues of concern to myself as a Member. However, for the most part, it remains in the House. I wonder at times, Mr. Speaker, if I were a male criticizing the Minister the way I did regarding the CL-215 base, would I have been taken to court? If I were a male criticizing the actions, he would have viewed it as something between men and not something to be pursued in the courts. Mr. Speaker, I've been in politics for about 18 years and, although the presence of women has increased over that time, there is still a long, long way to go.

After hearing about the difficulties which face women in territorial politics, some women may wonder if they should pursue a seat in this House. And, Mr. Speaker, I don't blame the women for being discouraged. But, at the same time, I would like to encourage women to pursue the goal of acquiring a seat in this Legislative Assembly. It's important that women get involved at the territorial level.

Women in politics bring their personal experiences with them. One of the most important of these is their ability to organize and balance priorities, skills most women learn very quickly in order to survive and become an effective mother. As a result, women deal more directly with issues. They know what they want and are prepared to work quickly and in a straightforward manner to get on with the business. They are very organized in their approach and the women I've known in politics make sure their homework is done on issues they have to deal with.

Mr. Speaker, it's important to remove the barriers and break down the chauvinistic attitudes which remain with some of our politicians, particularly in this House. I also want to say that there are some Members who make every effort to work equally with women. Mr. Speaker, I would urge more northern women to stand by their strong convictions and put their names forward for the territorial election in the fall. Women have always been great teachers, and with the presence of more women in this Assembly, women will continue to strive to achieve equality for all women in our society. Thank you.

---Applause

International Women's Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 527

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin.