This is page numbers 913 - 942 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 chairman.

Topics

Turnover Of Panarctic's Assets To Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

(Translation) Thank you, colleagues. The response they got was according to their agreements, they have to do this. They have been given different responses from DIAND. They are asking the government how this could be dealt with. The people of Resolute would like to get involved in cleaning the land. We know for sure there are many vehicles that are in good condition. They could be used in those communities. When the hamlet is trying to seek these assets, it costs a lot of money and is very expensive.

Further, today, I will be tabling some documents that were written to me. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Turnover Of Panarctic's Assets To Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Pudluk. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the last few weeks, I have raised the issue of this government and this Legislative Assembly raising their profile across the country and around the world, trying to expand our markets to attract investors and to try to solidify our place on the national stage. In the next few weeks, I will give some concrete examples of how this could be achieved.

One example that comes to mind is in the area of fish and seals. Presently, there is an international debate going on about the turbot stock, about the Spanish quota and about over fishing off the nose of the Grand Banks.

Members are aware that our fishermen in the Northwest Territories do have a turbot quota within a 200-mile limit. However, we have to recognize that if the stock is threatened, then our quota is threatened.

An Hon. Member

Hear! Hear!

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Another area I think is very, very important -- and this is again happening in Newfoundland -- is there is a big push on by the federal Minister of Fisheries, Mr. Tobin, to try to revitalize the seal industry and he has given a relatively small grant, I think $1 million, to sealers in Newfoundland. This, along with the fact that Memorial University has come out with some new medical uses of seals, it seems to me that there is an opportunity there. As an example of what I am talking about, I think it would be an ideal situation if our Minister of Renewable Resources and our Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs go to Newfoundland to support the federal government, the governments of the Maritimes in protecting our very important fish stocks. We should also be supporting the Government of Newfoundland in looking at new markets for seals. Just as importantly, we must convince the federal government and the provincial governments that we are an important player in Confederation and when our issues come to the table, they should be taken seriously.

So this is just one example of the sort of thing I am talking about. In the new few weeks, I hope to bring forward other ideas and question Ministers about their response to these initiatives. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was delighted with the proposal, made undoubtedly with the

encouragement of the Minister of Health, to provide orthodontic services in the Baffin region recently. However, I was very concerned that the Iqaluit Dental Clinic, which has existed since 1987, was not informed about the proposal call for orthodontic services. The proposal call was advertised in a Yellowknife-based newspaper and only at the very last minute was it advertised in Nunatsiaq News, published in Iqaluit.

I was even more disappointed to learn that the proposal call issued by the Baffin Regional Health Board seems intent on setting up its own dental facility through this proposal call. I do not know if this direction has been encouraged or authorized by the Minister of Health, but it certainly seems to be contrary to the GNWT policy of supporting established local businesses, as is done in the communities with our hotel accommodations, for example.

The Iqaluit dental facility is far bigger than the population requires and, therefore, will easily accommodate visiting orthodontic services, as it already does for visiting oral surgeons.

Mr. Speaker, the proposed schedule for the proposal call also seems oriented, both towards short-term orthodontic care and also to a very large and unnecessary involvement in its management by the Baffin Regional Health Board. I believe that where local clinics exist, the proposal call should be structured so as to encourage orthodontists to make arrangements with local clinics for space, equipment, et cetera. The Baffin Regional Health Board should only be involved in providing the direct costs for travel and accommodation, as is done and seems to be working in Yellowknife.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, the Iqaluit Dental Clinic has been established since 1987. As this is the only service providing dental care to the people in Iqaluit and the Baffin region today, this clinic saw it as its duty to increase specialist dental care.

Now, the proposal call has been issued and it seems designed to leave out the Iqaluit Dental Clinic. This proposal call should be reviewed and improved so as to recognize the existence of existing clinics like the Iqaluit Dental Clinic as a basis for new orthodontic services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Item 3, Members' statements. Are there any further Members' statements? Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 423-12(7): Responsibility For Collection Of Damage Deposits
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

April 9th, 1995

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Koe regarding the responsibility for collection of damage deposits. The responsibility to pay for damages to rental units belongs first to the tenant. When the local housing organization makes repairs, the money is paid out of the maintenance budget. A bill is then sent to the tenant. When the bill is paid, the money is put back into the maintenance budget.

Sometimes a bill is not paid, and this means that the money from the maintenance budget will not be returned. This is a problem because it can mean that some maintenance work cannot be done because the budget has run out.

The corporation helps the local housing organizations to collect for these damages, and encourages LHOs to act to prevent damage to these homes.

The corporation's funding of local housing organizations allows for the LHOs to recover the money from the corporation for uncollectible tenant damages after every effort has been made by the LHOs to collect from the tenants. This makes sure that other tenants are not penalized because someone damages their unit and cannot pay for the repairs. I want to make sure that good tenants still have good homes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 423-12(7): Responsibility For Collection Of Damage Deposits
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Further Return To Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Zoe concerning consultation regarding amendment to Migratory Bird Convention Act. To develop a national position on amending the migratory bird convention, which is the treaty between US and Canada, the federal government began its three-year consultation process in 1990. Bilateral meetings were held between the federal government and migratory bird management stakeholders, including in the Northwest Territories, the Denendeh Conservation Board, the Wildlife Management Advisory Council in the Inuvialuit settlement area and the then Nunavut Wildlife Management Advisory Board.

In April 1992, the last formal public consultations occurred with regional meetings in Iqaluit and Yellowknife. Chief Joe Rabesca of Rae attended the Yellowknife session and capably provided input from his people. Subsequent additional ad hoc meetings were held in Canada to permit further input from aboriginal organizations. The federal government is currently assessing the options for recognizing aboriginal and treaty rights in either the convention or Canada's Migratory Bird Convention Act.

The Department of Renewable Resources attended most meetings and facilitated territorial input so that territorial concerns could be incorporated into the final Canadian position. Throughout this process, the Department of Renewable Resources provided advice to the federal government and promoted the concept of fair, legitimate, northern access to this renewable resources.

The Government of the Northwest Territories does not have a representative on the Canadian negotiating team for the amendment to the migratory bird convention nor have we had any contact with the negotiating team. Three aboriginal representatives have been appointed to the negotiating team: Mr. Phillip Awashish, who represents the Assembly of First Nations; Ms. Rosemarie Kuptana, who represents Inuit; and, Mr. Jim Bourque, who represents the Metis. The other members are three from Foreign Affairs Canada, two from Environment Canada and one representing the provinces and territories.

The formal negotiations with the United States will begin in the last week of April. Once the amendment to the convention is drafted and agreed to, the Government of Canada must revise Canadian Migratory Bird Convention Act. I will keep Members advised of any progress. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank an honourable Member for pointing out to me that Mr. Ben McDonald of the UNW is in the gallery, but he's not in his usual seat, directly across from me. I don't know if that means he no longer feels he has to monitor my performance representing workers, that he isn't flattered by my frequent recognition of his presence in the gallery or maybe it just means that someone else is sitting in his seat today.

---Laughter

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Lewis.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

I don't know if our rules permit this, Mr. Speaker, but I also would like to recognize Mr. Ben McDonald in the gallery. He is sitting opposite me. He has lived in my constituency for many, many years. He has been a colleague in different community things. I would like to commend him for his dedication, endurance and patience in attending our Legislature as part of his work. I do this, Mr. Speaker, because it takes a special individual to sit through all this without any opportunity to participate. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Whitford.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. Today I would like to recognize some of the students from the Range Lake North primary grades, the enrichment program, grades three and five. Their teacher is Ms. Teri Arngna'naaq. She is not able to accompany them today, but the parents who did accompany them are Mrs. Barbara Bilodeau and Rennie Carlson. Welcome to the Assembly.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not quite sure who this question should go to, it could be the Premier, but she is not here; or the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, but he's not here. It could either be Mr. Arngna'naaq or Mr. Todd. Why don't I try Mr. Arngna'naaq, and if that is the wrong place, feel free to have one of those more appropriate to answer.

Mr. Speaker, I brought up in my Member's statement the whole area of major issues, national issues, happening right now that directly affect us. And I see a tremendous opportunity for us to support both Maritime governments and the federal government in their efforts to protect the turbot fishery.

And I see an opportunity right now with the province of Newfoundland, for us to support the efforts of the Newfoundland government and again, Mr. Tobin, to revitalize the seal industry. Would the Minister be prepared, along with a delegation of Inuit seal hunters and turbot fishermen, to travel to the Maritime provinces and demonstrate some strong support for the efforts of our government with these areas? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Return To Question 440-12(7): Support For Maritime Fishing And Sealing Industries
Question 440-12(7): Support For Maritime Fishing And Sealing Industries
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We, in the Northwest Territories, have been actively involved although it may not necessarily be at the ministerial level. We certainly have been active at the regional level.

The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, which is the newly-formed organization of the Nunavut final agreement, has over the last year been very active in trying to organize themselves to be able to face many of the issues that affect the coastal communities in the east. We have had departmental officials involved in many of the fisheries activities that have been going on.

My involvement has been limited to Minister of Fisheries conferences, up until this point. In the most recent ministerial meeting, I was able to confirm with the Minister that Inuit have to take an active role in the goings-on in research that may be taking place regarding seals. The area of sealing and marketing of this new idea about making use of seal oil for medicinal purposes has been a Newfoundland effort and we certainly have been giving them our moral support.

But so far the efforts have been limited to the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, the efforts of the regional Baffin hunters' and trappers' association, who are very active in trying to maintain the turbot quota that they have received in the fishing area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 440-12(7): Support For Maritime Fishing And Sealing Industries
Question 440-12(7): Support For Maritime Fishing And Sealing Industries
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 440-12(7): Support For Maritime Fishing And Sealing Industries
Question 440-12(7): Support For Maritime Fishing And Sealing Industries
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I didn't get a response to my question. It is well and good that the Minister's staff is involved in some way with regional groups. It is well and good that the Minister's staff is looking at providing some kind of technical support. But I really think

the time has come for this government to use the offices of Ministers and the office of the Premier to provide a catalyst for these regional groups, for community groups, to make their concerns known on the national/international scene.

I think that it is time that we got very verbal, very vocal, very aggressive, and on the national stage. My question to the Minister; is the Minister prepared to lead a delegation of turbot fishermen, and Inuit seal hunters, to the Maritime provinces to demonstrate our support of the federal government and the Maritime governments, to protect these very important industries? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 440-12(7): Support For Maritime Fishing And Sealing Industries
Question 440-12(7): Support For Maritime Fishing And Sealing Industries
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Further Return To Question 440-12(7): Support For Maritime Fishing And Sealing Industries
Question 440-12(7): Support For Maritime Fishing And Sealing Industries
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes.