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

Some Hon. Members

Hear! Hear!

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Dent.

Rcmp Staffing Levels In Yellowknife
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Members from across the territories have expressed concerns about staffing levels in RCMP detachments. The people of Yellowknife are no different. They are concerned that more officers are needed to provide adequate protection. Mr. Speaker, the problem is that people across the north no longer feel safe, whether they live in Yellowknife or one of the smaller communities. We need to find some way to deal with this concern. I have spoken in this House about a police act which would help by allowing more community policing initiatives. The Minister of Justice has spoken about other initiatives which are being considered. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Justice needs to get the process moving quickly.

There has been some debate as to whether crime really is on the increase in Yellowknife, whether it is just that we hear more about crimes in the press, whether the RCMP are reporting more often about incidents they investigate, or crime rates really have increased and people are legitimately concerned. It seems more and more often that we all know someone whose house has been broken into recently or whose windows were shot out with a BB gun, or whose snowmobile was stolen or vandalized.

Mr. Speaker, as a result of the concerns about crime in Yellowknife, and the widespread belief that much of it is drug related, a petition was recently circulated in Yellowknife. Later today, I will table this petition which has over 1,260 names on it. The petition asks that an additional six officers be allocated to "G" division to form a task force to tackle drug-related crimes specifically.

Mr. Speaker, as has been previously pointed out in this House, the staff complement at "G" division has not increased at all in over 15 years, in spite of the population they cover nearly doubling.

As well, there have been an increasing number of offences committed where firearms are used. Yellowknife Members have raised our concerns about staffing levels several times over the past few years. In fact, the Minister of Justice has agreed to Mr. Ballantyne's request to meet with the Yellowknife MLAs and the mayor to discuss the situation. Mr. Speaker, I think this petition with so many signatures, very clearly indicates the public's level of concern about crime. I urge the Minister of Justice to move quickly to deal with this concern. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Rcmp Staffing Levels In Yellowknife
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Support For Renaming Stanton Yellowknife Hospital
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. In response to the expanding role of the Stanton Yellowknife Hospital as a regional health facility serving residents from across the territories, the hospital board of governors have announced plans to change the name. Through recent newspaper advertisements, the board is seeking public suggestions for possible new names for the hospital. Apparently, they feel a new name will better reflect the region and the people it serves.

Mr. Speaker, this government has given the responsibility to the board of governors to oversee the administration of the hospital and health services delivery. As part of this responsibility, I believe we need to support them as they make decisions to improve the quality and accessibility of health care. For a number of reasons, Mr. Speaker, some of the MLAs are hearing concerns on the street here in Yellowknife about why the board needs to change the name. Some Members have or will bring this concern of their constituents here to the Assembly, as my colleague from Yellowknife South has done this afternoon.

If suggesting new changes causes this type of discussion, I fully support the direction the board is taking. The fact that people are talking about the hospital is a step in the right direction. In the past, people did not hear a lot about what the board is doing. The new board is trying to make sure the public is aware and involved in what happens at the hospital. This call for a new name is an example of the more open and accessible approach the board is taking with the people it serves. Good health is dependent on the feeling of well being. If we can do even small things to make people more comfortable, it will be that much closer to better health.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Support For Renaming Stanton Yellowknife Hospital
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

You still have about 44 seconds.

---Laughter

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

Support For Renaming Stanton Yellowknife Hospital
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the past, Mr. Speaker, the name of Stanton Yellowknife Hospital clearly identified it as a Yellowknife institution. Residents from outside Yellowknife, particularly those from smaller, isolated communities, will find it easier to identify with such an institution if it were to have a name which reflected the regional and territorial focus of its work. Such a change would serve to reduce some of the fear and apprehension many northerners, particularly elders with little or no contact with larger centres, are feeling when they must travel to Yellowknife for health care.

In the best interests of the future health of our people in smaller communities who rely on the services provided by this hospital, I will support the board in whatever decision they make to improve the accessibility of the hospital. I am encouraged by their commitment to the mental, physical and emotional well being of our people, and I think the direction they are taking is for the right reasons. I would encourage Members to rely on the board's judgement, and support their decisions in this matter. Mahsi.

Support For Renaming Stanton Yellowknife Hospital
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Fine Arts Program In Fort Simpson
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is a fine arts certificate program that's offered in Fort Simpson that gives the people of the Deh Cho region a chance to enhance and display their artistic abilities. This latest program is in keeping with the long tradition of efforts made by the people of Deh Cho to preserve and encourage traditional arts and crafts. Over the years, numerous activities have taken place such as workshops and different events that were provided to the people in the Deh Cho region. The traditional artists of the past have made efforts to see that the artisan aspect of our culture has not been lost.

As I have mentioned before, most recently the fine arts program is offered in Fort Simpson and Hay River. This program in Fort Simpson is instructing nine students on the fundamentals of design, drawing, sculpture and carving. Instructing the course is Bill Nasogaluak whose enthusiasm and expertise has encouraged each participant to grow and mature into committed artists.

Mr. Speaker, the dream of the Deh Cho is that one day the Deh Cho will become the home to an entire school devoted to develop our fine arts for the western Arctic. Traditional arts programs would be fundamental, but today's artists would be encouraged to not only preserve traditional skills but take those skills to new heights within the contemporary world of art. Fashion design, fur garment designs and so forth are some areas that could be expanded based on traditional arts and crafts. Similarly, men's traditional skills, could be incorporated into marketable products which would make use of natural materials from the land.

In addition to the current visual arts program and suggested traditional arts program, Mr. Speaker, innovative programs could be developed in the fields of music, dance, drama, film production, fashion design and so forth that reach those beyond our borders.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to applaud the efforts of Ms. Barb Tsetso whose lobbying and long hours of dedication saw the fine arts program finally offered in Fort Simpson. Further, as an example, Mr. Speaker...

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

Fine Arts Program In Fort Simpson
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Fine Arts Program In Fort Simpson
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As an example, I would like to congratulate students of this program who travelled to Yellowknife during the Caribou Carnival to participate in the ice sculpting contest. What I just wanted to say, Mr. Speaker, is that there was the...(inaudible)...Mr. Randy Sibbeston and John Sabourin placed second in this ice sculpting contest. Mr. Danniel Allaire and Darcy Moses placed third in the ice sculpting contest. I just wanted to congratulate them at this time and recognize them for their efforts.

I want to add further, that they used only chisels and no chain saws of any kind to do this work so they've done a fine piece of work. If this is any indication of the program, Mr. Speaker, this is a very good program in Fort Simpson. The people who are taking the program are very enthusiastic about this program. They are spending long hours in the evenings and in the weekends doing the work they're doing. I understand they have produced a lot of good work at this point in time. If that's any indication of the program, the government should seriously support Deh Cho's desire to be a fine arts centre for the western Arctic. Thank you.

---Applause

Fine Arts Program In Fort Simpson
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Marketability Of The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the last couple of weeks I've tried to emphasize the positive future we have here in the Northwest Territories and have given the Cabinet some ideas to think about of how we can strengthen our potential. It seems to me we spend so much time here in this Assembly in the north and in the media talking about the negative things; talking about the hurdles and the many obstacles. The negative things are always easy to talk about. It's always easier for people to criticize other people. I think at the end of the day, we have to recognize that the Northwest Territories has tremendous potential. There are only 65,000 people in the territories. We have a wonderful opportunity to provide a tremendous future for our children. I've talked about some of the areas where we're strong and today I want to talk about some of the other areas.

Mr. Antoine made a very good statement about the possibilities of arts and crafts, using the imagination and the skills of our people; to maximize those skills and that imagination and that energy. I would like to hear more of that in this House and in the media. Let's support the people we have who are successful, who are out there doing real things, making real contributions and not whining and snivelling about every sort of real or imagined problem that we have.

---Applause

We in the Northwest Territories have very little to complain about. Our future is in our hands. I think we have every opportunity and will only be limited by our own imagination and our own energy. Here in the western Arctic we have renewed interest in oil and gas. Up and down the valley, we've talked about the mining potential. I would like to see our Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources and our Minister of

Intergovernmental Affairs take some delegations from the Northwest Territories down to Calgary. Let's talk about mining potential. Let's use this government as a vehicle and a catalyst to bring the people who will get the benefits together with those people who want to invest in the Northwest Territories.

The area of tourism...One company alone, Raven Tours, brings in 1,000 Japanese tourists a year. I would like to see Ministers of this government in Japan selling tourism to the Japanese.

---Applause

The potential at the end of the day is immense and I don't think we should shy away from spending money.

---Applause

Politicians are so afraid to spend money wisely with a good return on the dollar, afraid of criticism from their constituents that they're going to Japan. There are some amounts of money that have tremendous potential for return. I think we should be intelligent in how we spend our money, but let's start spending our money on some things that are going to give us a return at the end of the day.

I think in the area of arts and crafts...

Marketability Of The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Ballantyne, your time is up.

Marketability Of The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

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

Marketability Of The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Marketability Of The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you. As Mr. Antoine said, we have dozens, probably hundreds, of very talented people in the territories in the area of the arts. I think there is tremendous potential there. I think there is a huge market of Canadians, Europeans and people from the Orient who would be very, very interested in what we have to offer.

So, again, my message is -- and it's a message that I'm going to continue to deliver in this House -- let's emphasize those things that we do well. Let's stand together as northerners and work on our strengths. If we work together on these issues, the potential for the Northwest Territories is immense and unlimited. Sometimes, I feel that somehow or another, we, in the Northwest Territories and Canada, lack some confidence and we're a little ashamed to stand up and say that we're proud of who we are and what we can do.

It seems it is politically correct to be cynical in the 1990s and I want to say one more time that we, in the Northwest Territories, cannot afford to be cynical. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Marketability Of The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Ballantyne. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Return To Question 325-12(7): Tabling Of Fire Suppression Review
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 Mrs. Marie-Jewell on March 27th regarding the tabling of the fire suppression review.

Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated, I will not table the consultant's report on the review of the GNWT's forest fire management program and policy. However, I am prepared to provide the report on request to any Member who wishes a copy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 325-12(7): Tabling Of Fire Suppression Review
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, do you have several more to do?

Further Return To Question 351-12(7): Strategy Re Monitoring Air Quality
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

April 10th, 1995

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Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Mr. Speaker, I just have one more return. It is a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Ballantyne on March 29th, regarding the strategy for monitoring air quality.

The problem of airborne pollutants is not restricted to the Northwest Territories. It is a global problem that requires global solutions. The Government of Canada has taken a lead role in promoting new international agreements on the management of pollutants, such as through the United Nations economic commission for Europe's convention on long-range transboundary air pollution. While Canada no longer allows the use of pollutants such as DDT and toxaphene, many other countries have not yet done so.

The Government of the Northwest Territories, primarily through the Departments of Renewable Resources and Health and Social Services, continues to urge the federal government to take any actions necessary to reduce international sources of airborne pollutants. The Premier has brought this concern to the attention of the Prime Minister. Where appropriate, our government participates directly on task forces or Canadian delegations to ensure that northern concerns relating to airborne pollutants are heard and addressed. Most recently, at the February meeting of Canada's Energy and Environment Ministers, the Department of Renewable Resources spoke of northern concerns and the need to promote new agreements to manage these pollutants.

To respond to concerns over territorial sources of air pollutants, the Department of Renewable Resources has prepared air quality guidelines which recommend local limits for certain airborne pollutants. Compliance with the guidelines is voluntary. The Government of the Northwest Territories will continue to participate in programs that monitor the levels of air pollutants in the air, water, wildlife and people. The most recent information shows that levels of airborne pollutants in country foods are not increasing or affecting the productivity of territorial wildlife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 351-12(7): Strategy Re Monitoring Air Quality
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. Ms. Cournoyea.

Return To Question 380-12(7): GNWT Employees' Notice Re Lease Termination
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a reply to a question asked by Mr. Patterson on April 3rd regarding GNWT employees' notice of lease termination.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is allowing the leases on 12 single-detached staff houses to expire, as there is no ongoing need for the units. The leases expired on March 31, 1995.

Affected tenants were hand-delivered written notices on March 3, 1995, by property managers, Public Works and Services, advising them that the GNWT would not be renewing the head lease on their unit. The notice for one tenant was posted on his door as he was not at home. The letter advised tenants of several options available and provided the name and telephone number of a contact person with the Department of Personnel who would assist them with alternate staff accommodation. Tenants were informed that they could be relocated to alternative staff housing and that moving assistance would be made available to assist them. Another option would be to negotiate directly with the owner to remain in the unit.

Mr. Speaker, tenants were advised that, where warranted, the GNWT would consider holding over the head lease beyond March 31, 1995. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 380-12(7): GNWT Employees' Notice Re Lease Termination
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. 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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize in the gallery a distinguished medical person, Dr. George Gibson, who has been here for many, many years. He's not so heavily involved in medicine as he once was and it's nice to see he's still in Yellowknife, very heavily involved in the community, and I know he has no plans to leave. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause