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

Members Present

Mr. Antoine, Hon. Silas Arngna'naaq, Mr. Ballantyne, Mr. Dent, Hon. Samuel Gargan, Hon. Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Koe, Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, Hon. Don Morin, Hon. Richard Nerysoo, Hon. Kelvin Ng, Mr. Ningark, Mr. Patterson, Hon. John Pollard, Mr. Pudlat, Mr. Pudluk, Hon. John Todd, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 913

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The chair doesn't recognize a quorum. In accordance with Rule 73, Mr. Clerk, would you record the names of the Members present. The chair recognizes two additional Members in the Chamber now. Thank you.

Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Pollard.

John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Nellie Cournoyea will be absent from the House today to attend a meeting of provincial and territorial Ministers of Health in Vancouver, British Columbia. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the past couple of months, the local housing organizations have been working extremely hard to see that each tenant has been counselled on the new social housing rent scale. I am pleased to announce that except for a few tenants who could not be reached, the households in every community have gone through the initial counselling process. The unfortunate exception is Cape Dorset where illness prevented the community staff from completing the initial counselling of the tenants. In addition, where tenants have been away from their communities, a one-month grace period for their counselling and rent adjustment has been added. I thank the Members for their advice and suggestions during this implementation.

The local housing organizations will be providing the tenants with more in-depth counselling. They will continue to help tenants to adapt to the new rent scale. The Housing Corporation will continue to provide help to local housing organizations.

Again, I applaud the work the local housing organizations have accomplished. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Wildlife and the environment play an important role in the daily lives of northern residents. Every spring, during the second week of April, our children join other children across Canada, to celebrate National Wildlife Week. National Wildlife Week was created to raise awareness among Canadians about wildlife and wildlife conservation. Each year, a different theme is chosen for National Wildlife Week. This year's theme, "Wildlife...Yours To Recover," reminds us that everyone should make an effort to support wildlife and habitats that are at risk.

For the past 14 years, students across the Northwest Territories have celebrated National Wildlife Week by participating in a poster contest sponsored by the Department of Renewable Resources. Each year, we received 1,500 to 2,000 posters showing how our children interpret the theme for National Wildlife Week. Winning posters are chosen, and for the past few years, a calendar has been produced showing the winning posters. The winning posters are also sent to a national competition, where we have always had posters that receive national recognition. I am making available to all Members copies of our 1995-96 calendars.

It is encouraging and exciting to witness the enthusiasm our youth show towards wildlife and the environment. This year, National Wildlife Week takes place from April 9th -- starting yesterday -- to the 15th, but here in the Northwest Territories, we celebrate the value of wildlife not for just one week, but every week of the year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Nerysoo.

Minister's Statement 64-12(7): Partnerships In Education
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

April 9th, 1995

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, governments across Canada are facing the challenge of providing adequate levels of service in the face of declining revenues. In order to provide appropriate levels of service while living within our means, territorial and provincial Ministers responsible for education are developing new partnerships and finding new ways to share resources and expertise in areas of common concern. I would like to inform you of some of the initiatives in which the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and I are involved.

The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada, is working to improve the transfer of credits among universities and colleges for the first two years of undergraduate studies. Right now, the colleges in the Northwest Territories have course transfer arrangements with specific universities in southern Canada.

By improving the transfer of credits among all universities, NWT students will be able to complete their degrees at universities of their choice, rather than only at those institutions with which the colleges have special arrangements. The Council of Ministers would like to see the new arrangements in place by September 1, 1995, and they must be implemented no later than September 1st of the following year.

Mr. Speaker, many Canadians are concerned with federal budget reductions and the implications for post-secondary institutions. The Government of Canada, in announcing the new Canada social transfer, advised of its intention to reduce spending in the social envelope of health, education and social assistance by $7 billion, in addition to capping expenditure growth.

This means that increased access to colleges, the assistance we provide to post-secondary students, and our plans to change social assistance from passive to active, will have to occur within a framework of shrinking financial resources.

To meet this challenge, Education, Culture and Employment will review the student financial assistance program in the new fiscal year to increase its access for adult learners and to bring its annual 10 per cent expenditure growth within financially sustainable levels. I expect the department to bring recommendations for this overhaul to the Legislative Assembly at the same time as the 1996-97 budget, with changes implemented in September 1997. The territorial government will also need to review its funding levels to the colleges. We have reached the point where we must reduce spending and increase our efficiency and effectiveness in order to live within our means, just as every other jurisdiction in Canada has had to do.

Mr. Speaker, I am extremely pleased to advise this House that the Consortium of Western Ministers Responsible for Education is making considerable progress on a joint initiative to develop common curricula. Within the year, and possibly as early as this September, we expect to reach agreement on a common curriculum for mathematics for kindergarten to grade 8 and work is proceeding on the curriculum for grades 9 to 12.

Plans continue for the school achievement indicators program testing in science this spring, and for the first national report on education to be released this fall.

These are some of the initiatives I am pursuing with my colleagues at the national level. They are designed to improve the achievement and outcomes of our systems, as well as overall efficiency, effectiveness and excellence.

Mr. Speaker, a good deal of hard work will be needed to achieve these goals. We will also need the commitment of legislatures across this country to invest in our most important resources -- our students and our constituents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Zoe.

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Mahsi...(English not provided)...my colleagues from the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council were kindly invited to join the Premier, the president of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation and the chairman of the Power Corporation board on a tour of two of the most significant developments under way in the north at this time. We were planning to visit BHP's diamond project at their Koala camp and the Snare Cascades power project. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, due to bad weather, the tour had to be postponed.

This past weekend, however, we were again presented with the opportunity to make the trip and visit these two sites. I was very impressed with the progress that has been made on both of these development initiatives, Mr. Speaker, and I was particularly encouraged by the Snare Cascades project. I was able to talk to several of my constituents who were employed at the site, and it was evident that the economic benefits of both of these projects are being realized in a variety of ways. It is important to remember, Mr. Speaker, responsible economic development is dependent on continuing goodwill and partnership between industry, government and the people of the north.

Projects such as these, if they are approached in a cooperative manner and take into account all of the environmental, social and economic impacts, will provide for a better future for all northern residents. Efforts to develop our resources responsibly will empower our people and give us the ability to shape our own destiny in the very near future.

On behalf of my constituents and the representatives who travelled with me from the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council, I would like to thank the Premier and both the president and chairman of the Power Corporation for their invitation. We appreciate being able to participate in such an interesting and informative tour. I would also like to acknowledge the generous hospitality of our hosts, which serves to illustrate the cooperative nature of these developments.

Mr. Speaker, we must continue to forge rewarding partnership between government, business, industry and aboriginal people if we are to continue on the road to environmental, social and economic health and prosperity. Mahsi.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Springtime Safety Concerns
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the past, I have risen in this House during certain seasons of the year to remind Members that now that summer has come back and young children, who have been indoors for much of the winter, are now out on the streets playing with their bikes. Many of them

have been deprived of all kinds of wonderful outdoor activities throughout the winter. I have noticed, over the last several days, that many young children are out on their bicycles and many of them have forgotten what it felt like since last summer when they had to be aware of traffic, dangers and so on. So I would like to remind Members that as leaders in our community we have to be extra vigilant because all these young children out on the streets again on their bikes are sometimes not as aware as adults are of the dangers that are close to them. Perhaps the press will also play their part in making sure that the public is made aware that we are in a new season and there are all kinds of dangers out there and if we're not vigilant, then we could have young children involved in accidents which perhaps could be avoided. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Springtime Safety Concerns
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Whitford.

St. John Ambulance Volunteers
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to say a few words in recognition of the valuable asset the staff and the volunteers of the St. John Ambulance here in Yellowknife provide in our city's daily lives and special events and Mr. Irwin, the director. The St. John volunteers are always available for major events such as parades and special gatherings. They're out during the Caribou Carnival; the July 1st parade, when the heat of the day can cause some problems; as well, the November 11th parade when the opposite is the case, when the cold can be a problem.

But in addition to assisting at events of this nature, they also teach programs in First Aid; everything from resuscitation to dealing with minor cuts, bruises, scrapes, allergies, to setting of bones if they are at the scene of an accident or something like that, or home events. Over the years that St. John Ambulance has been here in the north, they've played an important role in teaching countless people in the area of First Aid, which, of course, as we all know at some point in time, we hope we don't need it, but if we do it's there.

I just wanted to acknowledge the good work that the St. John people do for the community of Yellowknife and the territories in general. Thank you.

St. John Ambulance Volunteers
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, not only does Fort Smith have Thebacha college, but it also the home of the Pentecostal Sub-Arctic Leadership Training College.

I want, at this time, to congratulate the first five graduates who graduated from the new college building, which is a two-year program. My sincere congratulations are extended to Mr. David Evans from Fort Smith; Ms. Joy Moore from Fort Smith; Mr. Norman Anikina from Tuktoyaktuk; in addition, Ms. Patricia Hiebert from Edmonton and Mr. Vern Fisher from Fort McMurray.

Mr. Speaker, in speaking to Pastor Eva Nichol, I asked whether this college would allow for more students as it is such a good program. I believe what could possibly be better than training northerners to learn about the word of God and going into the communities to preach. Pastor Eva Nichol stated that they certainly could take more students but, as a college, they were unable to give any type of subsidized housing. This government used to give them a housing unit through a charity lease, but the lease has since expired. This college does not receive any funds from the GNWT, but it would be greatly appreciated if the Minister of Education would consider allowing a few units designated for Thebacha campus for the use of the college.

In closing, I want to, once again, thank Pastor Eva Nichol and Reverend Heather Marlin for their dedication in developing the program and commend them for all the work they have done. It is also important to note that Pastor Eva Nichol was recently the recipient of the wise woman award given out by the Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Rcmp Staffing In Fort Liard
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 915

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Today I am going to be speaking my own language. I would like to say something about the RCMP, Mr. Speaker. In Fort Liard, there is one RCMP officer. There used to be three, but now there is only one. Not long ago, this RCMP officer...There was supposed to have been another RCMP officer there, but they didn't do that. In Liard, the band council requested another RCMP officer as soon as possible. This is what I wanted to say. (Translation ends)

As a result, the RCMP indicated they would priorize Fort Liard and fill the vacancy as soon as possible. This was the outcome of the meeting. However, as of late, the RCMP have since reneged on their position to fill the Fort Liard vacancy immediately. I understand why the community is becoming very frustrated with the situation. According to the RCMP, the situation in Fort Liard is now pending the staffing requirements of the RCMP detachment in Inuvik. I understand that the Member for Inuvik is going to be transferred to Liard, however, they want to get a replacement for him in Inuvik before they let him go.

I am running out of time, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.

Rcmp Staffing In Fort Liard
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 916

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.

Rcmp Staffing In Fort Liard
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 916

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am sure the RCMP are doing the best they can, however, when you consider the current oil and gas exploration boom that is going on in the Fort Liard region, there is a need for additional, permanent policing in Fort Liard. The community has made an urgent request for immediate permanent staff. Mr. Speaker, this situation must be looked at urgently and looked into by the appropriate administration before it is proven that one RCMP in the community is insufficient. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Rcmp Staffing In Fort Liard
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

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

Page 916

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to talk about PanArctic. During the early 1960s, PanArctic started working in the High Arctic for oil and gas research. Today, they are wrapping up and will be closing down in the High Arctic. They have done a lot of work up there and they have found some oil and gas. PanArctic had employees from Pond Inlet and Arctic Bay. This has been a very big benefit to the communities. I would like to acknowledge and thank them for that. But for Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord, there weren't any benefits at all to those residents.

To date, Resolute is asking PanArctic for some of their assets, if they are to be thrown out, burned or buried, such as vehicles. The hamlet of Resolute Bay has met with officials from PanArctic and...(inaudible)...They were asking if they could have some of their assets, such as vehicles or houses. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.

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

Page 916

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for High Arctic is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude, Mr. Pudluk.