This is page numbers 1075 - 1108 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

Return To Question 486-12(7): Purchase Of GNWT Staff Housing In Small Communities
Question 486-12(7): Purchase Of GNWT Staff Housing In Small Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1084

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Pudluk.

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm starting to lose my voice too, I think, like my colleague who is sitting too close to me.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, I was wondering about the firearm control legislation. Starting January 1st, owners will have to have a firearm licence to replace FACs. Point seven indicates that the chief firearms officer will be in Yellowknife. Are there going to be any firearms officers in the different regions or is that going to be the only one? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, under the present legislation of the federal government, there is a requirement that in order to renew or acquire a firearms acquisition certificate, a person must first successfully complete a firearms safety course. In the Northwest Territories that provision of federal legislation has been put on hold. So, in fact, here in

the north on two occasions now, we have delayed implementation of that particular provision. This is pending, hopefully, successful negotiations with the federal government to have in place a culturally-relevant, acceptable firearms safety course. At this time, there is no such course and so the Attorney General of the Northwest Territories, who is also the Attorney General of Canada, has agreed to withhold the implementation of the provision.

As far as the firearms officers are concerned, yes, there is only one at this time and that position is stationed here in Yellowknife.

Return To Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1085

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Pudluk.

Supplementary To Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1085

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I apologize, I didn't indicate which Minister I was asking the question of. Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. If there's only going to be one officer in Yellowknife, is there going to be somebody to talk to native people who don't speak English, in case they have questions about applying for firearm acquisition certificates? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1085

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the firearms acquisition certificates, as said earlier by a Member, is a rather extensive document to fill out. I believe that Yellowknife is one of the few communities that have passport services available and it is required to have this in order to fill out this firearms acquisition certificate and only the chief firearms officer is able to issue these certificates. It is my expectation that the provisions provided for under the proposed new firearms legislation of the federal government will mean that the administration and implementation of that bill will be rather difficult to implement and will have a negative impact on the ability of aboriginal people to have the ability to use guns in the way they are accustomed to. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1085

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Pudluk.

Supplementary To Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1085

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If a person is applying for a firearms licence where they can present it to the RCMP, that person has to be only in his community; or, if he happens to be living in another community, does he have to go back to his community to honour that application? There are about four or five pages you have to fill out and get a money order and also a photo. Does a person have to be in his community to turn that application in to the RCMP? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1085

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1085

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I believe that to have an FAC properly processed, you need to fill out a rather extensive form in a manner that's acceptable to the firearms acquisition certificate officials or the chief firearms officer. The officer has to be satisfied that you have answered the questions on the form in a manner that allows for issuance of that certificate. There is a mandatory waiting period of, I believe, about a month that is required before it is issued, even if you check out okay on the first review of your form. I don't believe there is a requirement that you have to be in a particular community in order to have your firearms acquisition certificate application processed. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Question 487-12(7): Number Of Firearms Officers In Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1085

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Question 488-12(7): Appointments Of Community Justices Of The Peace
Item 6: Oral Questions

April 26th, 1995

Page 1085

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Minister of Justice. I intended to ask this question during consideration of the main estimates yesterday, but we were so eager to pass the Minister's budget I forewent my opportunity. What I would like to ask the Minister today has to do with the appointment of the community justices of the peace. How does the Minister, who I believe makes these appointments, obtain advice from communities about JP candidates in a particular community? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 488-12(7): Appointments Of Community Justices Of The Peace
Question 488-12(7): Appointments Of Community Justices Of The Peace
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1085

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a document that we have prepared, a letter that informs Members of the process that we use to find potential people in the communities who are considered good candidates to serve as justices of the peace, and also the steps that we take to consult with communities on the bodies or the persons who we consult in the communities in trying to acquire potential names and also in trying to establish that people who have been recommended and who have expressed an interest in serving are approved by people in the communities. If I find that document within the next half hour, I will be able to table it before the end of the afternoon. Thank you.

Return To Question 488-12(7): Appointments Of Community Justices Of The Peace
Question 488-12(7): Appointments Of Community Justices Of The Peace
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1085

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 488-12(7): Appointments Of Community Justices Of The Peace
Question 488-12(7): Appointments Of Community Justices Of The Peace
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1085

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm actually quite familiar with the process, in which I think there is very effective community consultation in the appointment of a JP. I guess sometimes we ask questions knowing the answer so that we can then ask the supplementary. Mr. Speaker, my supplementary is I am very pleased with the way local input is sought, but I would like to ask the Minister what happens when a JP appointed on the recommendation of his community, presumably based on his local knowledge of that community

and respect in that community, then moves to another community, perhaps hundreds of miles away? Does that person remain a JP in the new community even though he or she may be unknown in the new community? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 488-12(7): Appointments Of Community Justices Of The Peace
Question 488-12(7): Appointments Of Community Justices Of The Peace
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1086

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Kakfwi.

Supplementary To Question 488-12(7): Appointments Of Community Justices Of The Peace
Question 488-12(7): Appointments Of Community Justices Of The Peace
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, due to the low mobility rate of our JPs, I would say the question is a new one to me. I'm not certain that there is any clear answer to that. I will take it as notice and get back to the Member.

Supplementary To Question 488-12(7): Appointments Of Community Justices Of The Peace
Question 488-12(7): Appointments Of Community Justices Of The Peace
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1086

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. The question is taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. 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. Mr. Todd.

Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I wish to table Tabled Document 101-12(7), Mineral Royalties: A Comparison of the NWT Mineral Royalty Regime with other Canadian and International Jurisdictions. Mr. Speaker, this fulfils the commitment I made to Mr. Ballantyne earlier in this session. Thank you.

Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Nerysoo.

Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document: Tabled Document 102-12(7), Final Report of the NWT Survey of Research Activities Conducted in 1993, Science Institute of the Northwest Territories.

Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 13, tabling of documents. Ms. Cournoyea.