This is page numbers 943 - 976 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

Supplementary To Question 461-12(7): Transfer Of Arctic College Credits To Other Institutions
Question 461-12(7): Transfer Of Arctic College Credits To Other Institutions
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Another question to the Minister from the statement he made yesterday. The Minister stated yesterday that Education, Culture and Employment will review the student financial assistance program in the new fiscal year to increase its access for adult learners to bring its annual 10 per cent expenditure growth within financially sustainable levels. This is an interesting point, Mr. Speaker. For some time now, student financial assistance has been a real challenge to all MLAs. We all have people in our constituencies who go to college or university. When people go to school, they are always running short of funds. This is where we come in. If the Minister is going to review this program, it says he will be doing that in this new fiscal year. Could the Minister tell the House how he is going to do this review? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 461-12(7): Transfer Of Arctic College Credits To Other Institutions
Question 461-12(7): Transfer Of Arctic College Credits To Other Institutions
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 461-12(7): Transfer Of Arctic College Credits To Other Institutions
Question 461-12(7): Transfer Of Arctic College Credits To Other Institutions
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to advise the honourable Member that this is not the first time I have advised the House that the review would be taking place. Presently, the review is going out to a private company that will undertake to review the programs that are in existence at the moment and to have discussions with students. In fact, I had a meeting, along with staff, with the students of the University of Alberta advising them this review was taking place. Other students will be advised that the review is taking place, so we can get advice from the students as to the shortcomings of the programs that we now run for students. The fact is that in some instances, we may have a program that is the best in the country in total dollars, but maybe we are spending it in the wrong location. We need to have students access other programs, such as the child day care program, for instance, so we can supplement some of the students who are attending institutions outside the Northwest Territories.

So, Mr. Speaker, I can write and advise all Members of the status of the review. I can provide the documentation, the terms of reference and the timetable of the review, so that Members are well aware of the process we are following with regard to the review.

Further Return To Question 461-12(7): Transfer Of Arctic College Credits To Other Institutions
Question 461-12(7): Transfer Of Arctic College Credits To Other Institutions
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Question period has lapsed. 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 21-12(7), asked by Mr. Zoe to the Minister of Renewable Resources concerning the Proposed Amendment to the Migratory Birds Convention Act.

Between 1990 and 1992, the federal government undertook public consultation to develop a national position on amending the migratory bird convention, which is the treaty between Canada and the United States. 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 resource.

The national position has the following four elements:

-Migratory birds, their eggs and nests may be harvested throughout the year, subject to regulation that may be required for their conservation, by aboriginal peoples of Canada having aboriginal or treaty rights, but the birds, eggs, and nests so taken shall not be sold or offered for sale.

This element resolves the primary concern of territorial residents, that legal aboriginal access to migratory birds in spring (outside of the current legal season) should be assured.

-Murres may be taken by non-aboriginal residents of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador for food, subject to regulation, during the period from September 1st to March 10th, but the murres so taken shall not be sold or offered for sale. The season for murre hunting shall be further restricted to such period not exceeding three and one half months as the proper authorities may deem appropriate by law or regulation.

This element does not have direct relevance to NWT concerns.

-Migratory game and non-game birds and their eggs may be taken for food throughout the year, subject to regulation that may be required for their conservation, by qualified non-aboriginal residents in areas of northern Canada in accordance with provisions in co-management agreements established pursuant to Canadian legislation, but the birds and eggs so taken shall not be sold or offered for sale.

This element is required because land claim settlements have created non-aboriginal beneficiaries, for example spouses of aboriginal beneficiaries, who are to receive the same benefits as aboriginal beneficiaries.

-The dates of the closed season on the taking of migratory game birds by qualified non-aboriginal residents may be varied by law or regulation in areas of northern Canada to be specified by the proper authorities including those appointed in accordance with provisions in co-management agreements established pursuant to Canadian legislation. The season for hunting shall be further restricted to such period not exceeding three and one half months as the proper authorities may deem appropriate by law or regulation; and the birds so taken shall not be sold or offered for sale.

This element provides the potential for access to migratory game birds by non-aboriginal residents in areas where the birds are not currently available during the legal season. Development and implementation of new seasons and quotas would be through co-management structures, such as those established under land claim agreements. Concerns relating to protection of aboriginal and treaty rights could be addressed through this process.

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 Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Mr. Dent.

Item 10: Petitions
Item 10: Petitions

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of RCMP staffing levels. Mr. Speaker, Petition No. 7-12(7) contains 1,260 signatures and, Mr. Speaker, the petitioners request that the "G" division RCMP detachment be allocated six more trained officers to form a drug-related crime task force to work in Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 10: Petitions
Item 10: Petitions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Mr. Patterson.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, April 13th, I will move the following motion:

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that this Assembly recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories proceed as soon as possible with its overall review of all official languages programs, in cooperation with NWT organizations with an interest in official languages; and further, that this Assembly recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories, in cooperation with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, review of the effectiveness and cost of official languages services provided for the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, if I may, since we'll adjourn tomorrow, I intend to seek unanimous consent tomorrow to proceed with my motion then. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 16,

motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters: Bill 1, Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96; Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Fair Practices Act; Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Retirement Plan Beneficiaries Act; Bill 22, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 1994-95; Bill 23, Write-off of Debts Act, 1994-95; Bill 24, Community Employees' Benefits Act; Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act; Committee Report 2-12(7), Report on the Legislative Action Paper on the Office of Ombudsman for the Northwest Territories; Committee Report 3-12(7), Report on the Review of the Legislative Action Paper Proposing New Heritage Legislation for the Northwest Territories; Committee Report 4-12(7), Report on the Review of the 1995-96 Main Estimates; Committee Report 5-12(7), Report on the Review of Rewriting the Liquor Laws of the Northwest Territories: A Legislative Action Paper; Committee Report 6-12(7), Report on the Review of the Legislative Discussion Paper on the Draft of the New Education Act; and, Committee Report 7-12(7), Report on the Second Annual Report, 1993-94, of the Languages Commissioner of the NWT, with Mr. Ningark in the chair.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Good afternoon. The committee will come to order. What is the wish of the committee? I'll put my earpiece on first so I can hear you. Mr. Dent.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to recommend that the committee resume consideration of Bill 1 and Committee Report 4-12(7) to continue on with the review of the Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs budget and, if we should conclude that, to move on to Personnel, Executive Offices and, perhaps, FMBS.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Do we have agreement?

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Intergovernmental And Aboriginal Affairs

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Right after the break?

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Agreed

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you.

---SHORT RECESS

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Before I open the floor for general comments, I would like to ask the honourable Minister if he would like to bring in the witnesses.

Mr. Minister, would you please introduce your witnesses to the committee.

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On my left, shortly I hope, Mr. Bob Overvold, the deputy minister, will join me. On my right is Terryl Allen, director of finance and administration for the ministry.

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. General comments from the floor. Mr. Patterson.

General Comments

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

I think the record shows that I asked an important question when we closed, Mr. Chairman, if I may draw that to your attention. Thank you.

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Thank you for reminding me, I was looking at it earlier but I had forgotten about it. Mr. Minister, if you can remember, or if you have information with you, perhaps you could respond to Mr. Patterson. Mr. Minister.

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

I don't have a Hansard with me, perhaps he could repeat the question.

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair John Ningark

Thank you, Mr. Minister. I will read the question by Mr. Patterson from the unedited Hansard. "Just a question before we conclude this afternoon, Mr. Chairman. There is a new Division Secretariat being established in the Executive. What I would like to ask is how the Division Secretariat relate with the Ministry of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, and why is it not part of that ministry rather than being part of the Executive Council Secretariat? It very much relates with the NTI and political work associated with Nunavut, the Nunavut Implementation Commission. I'm just wondering why it reports to the Executive and the Premier and not through this ministry. Thank you." That was the question from yesterday.