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

Members Present

Mr. Allooloo, Mr. Antoine, Mr. Ballantyne, Hon. Nellie Cournoyea, Mr. Dent, Hon. Samuel Gargan, Hon. Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Koe, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, Ms. Mike, Hon. Richard Nerysoo, Hon. Kelvin Ng, Mr. Ningark, Mr. Patterson, Hon. John Pollard, Mr. Pudluk, Hon. John Todd, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 1075

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in May of 1983 the Government of the Northwest Territories issued a paper titled "Design for Devolution," to promote public discussion on proposed new local government legislation to replace the municipal ordinance.

In 1987, after broad public consultation and the drafting of new legislation, this Legislative Assembly gave consideration to a number of community government bills, including the:

- Settlements Act;

- Hamlets Act;

- Charter Communities Act;

- Cities, Towns and Villages Act;

- Local Authorities Elections Act; and,

- Property Assessment and Taxation Act.

Royal Assent was given these new acts in late 1987 and the legislation came into force January 1, 1988.

This new legislation has served well both this government and all levels of community government for over seven years, Mr. Speaker. Three charter communities now exist and others are actively considering this level of incorporation, which attests to the success of the Charter Communities Act. This act addresses the circumstances of municipal authorities governing in a cooperative association with local band councils in accordance with a community-developed charter.

As with any municipal legislation, Mr. Speaker, changes are necessary to keep it current with new developing circumstances. Since our government's municipal legislation was first introduced, a number of amendments have been presented and approved by this Assembly. The need for legislative amendments has accelerated in recent years. Concerns have been raised by individual municipal councils, senior administrative officers and the Northwest Territories Association of Municipalities. The department has also identified a number of needed changes to conclusively address issues affecting community governments.

Mr. Speaker, the observations and concerns raised by the users of our legislation are a clear indication of the need to carry out a broad legislative review of all necessary changes.

I am, therefore, pleased to announce that a review committee will be appointed to undertake a review of necessary amendments to the:

- Cities, Towns and Villages Act;

- Hamlets Act;

- Charter Communities Act;

- Settlements Act;

- Local Authorities Elections Act; and,

- Property Assessment and Taxation Act.

The review committee will consist of representatives from:

- the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs;

- the Department of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs;

- the Northwest Territories Association of Municipalities; and,

- the Association of Municipal Administrators of the Northwest Territories.

The associations will be asked to submit names from their respective membership for appointment to the review committee. Mr. Speaker, the committee will have a balance of those who monitor and maintain the legislation and those who would be most affected by any changes.

The focus of the review will be to identify those areas of the legislation which currently cause the most concern to users, consider the options for change and make recommendations. The committee will recommend wording changes to eliminate or reduce interpretive difficulties and consider options to allow community governments greater flexibility in decision-making.

As well, Mr. Speaker, the review committee will be directed to consider the benefits of separate acts or the amalgamation into a single government act of the:

- Cities, Towns and Villages Act;

- Hamlets Act;

- Charter Communities Act; and,

- Settlements Act.

The review committee, in making its recommendation will take into consideration the historical significance behind the establishment of the legislation as it exists today.

The review committee, in addition to meeting as a working group, will be expected to seek the input of municipal councils and receive and consider written submissions. Every effort will be made to hear or receive comment from concerned councils, individuals, groups and associations.

The review committee terms of reference are being prepared and I expect that the committee will hold its first meeting in late June or early July. It is anticipated that the review committee will submit their recommendations to the Minister by the end of 1995, allowing new or amended legislation to be submitted to this House for consideration in 1996.

Mr. Speaker, the establishment of the review committee clearly demonstrates the continued commitment of this government to the development of government at the community level. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

The Important Role Of Interpreters
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1076

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the important role of interpreters. Mr. Speaker, in the past, the issue of interpreters has been raised in the House. The funding cuts to the interpreter program has caused a strong response, and justifiably so. I would like to continue to stress to this House the vital role interpreting plays today.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to put this into perspective for those who use English as their first language. This language is straightforward but, at the same time, this language can be very confusing, especially for translating. In addition, Mr. Speaker, aboriginal languages are based on experience of situations and description of traditional lifestyles. When one translates English into their respective aboriginal language, you simply cannot translate word for word. Interpreting involves translating English into situations and concepts and/or describing a particular word.

For example, for the statement "computer-generated" in my language, which is South Slavey, a computer would be described something like a machine that types words or letters. Another example used extensively is the word "government." In my language, you would say a body in charge of the land. Interpreting effectively is a constant learning process. Simultaneous translation is not only difficult but can be very stressful at times, stressful because of technical difficulties, speed-readers, and the use of phrases unheard of in any aboriginal language.

Experiencing difficulty on a daily basis is common for interpreters. For example, when some of my colleagues in this House use poems or acronyms and so forth, the interpreters have difficulty dealing with that. In addition, Mr. Speaker, these people realize the importance of their jobs and, more importantly, they are there as representatives of their people.

Mr. Speaker, the activity that takes place in this House every day has a significant impact on the people in the north. At one time, the aboriginal people of the north were without input into their future. However, Mr. Speaker, since interpreters have been used, people have been made aware of issues and activities that affect them. As a result, concerns were raised, issues addressed and solutions generated.

Mr. Speaker, there is no question, interpreters have contributed to the effectiveness of this government and I would like to take this time to acknowledge and recognize the essential role of interpreters in our society today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Important Role Of Interpreters
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1076

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want, Mr. Speaker, to make Members aware that tomorrow, April 28th, is the National Day of Mourning for Workers Killed and Injured on the Job. This year across Canada, workers and their families, as well as representatives of government, agencies and corporations, will join to remember those workers who were injured or killed in the performance of their duties.

In the Northwest Territories last year, 15 workers died while on the job. A total of 11 of those 15 were harvesters, one was a mechanic, one was a dental assistant, one was a construction worker, and one was a miner. It is clear that there are occupational hazards associated with virtually every field of endeavour and we must do all we can to eliminate or minimize those hazards.

Mr. Speaker, work-related injuries and fatalities are occurrences which can be prevented. As legislators, we, in this House, must do all we can to ensure we have occupational health and safety systems that protect the lives and well-being of working people. As elected representatives of our various constituencies, we know the devastating effects that serious injuries and deaths have on the closely-knit communities of the north and recognize the need to create an environment which emphasizes workplace safety to prevent the upheavals which occur in families and communities when workers are injured and cannot continue to be breadwinners.

Mr. Speaker, as the Member who is elected by the Premier to be responsible for the Department of Safety and Public Services, I want to assure Members of this House and the general public that I and my staff are doing all we can with available resources to ensure the regulatory systems concerned with occupational health and safety that we administer are as up to date and reasonable as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I want to say that, as Members, we should remember individuals who have been killed and injured on the job and the effects on their families, friends and communities.

We should also remember that the day of mourning is an opportunity for all of us to renew our commitment to regulate workplace safety fairly and to ensure that workers and employers...

Speaker's Ruling

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Mr. Nerysoo, with regard to your statement, under Rule 36(4), a Minister may make a statement in accordance with Rule 36(1) but the statement must not relate to his or her responsibility as a Minister. Under the item Members' statements, a Member may make a statement on any other matter so I would like to say, Mr. Nerysoo, that your statement is out of order. Mr. Minister, I don't know whether this is a Minister's statement or a Member's statement. Mr. Nerysoo.

Point Of Order

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I could ask on a point of order that, at some time, you review the matter of how Ministers can make statements so you can clearly articulate those guidelines. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo, the rules are quite clear with regard to Members' statements and also with regard to Ministers' statements. The statement that you are making is more within your responsibility as a Minister and that's the point that I'm making right now. Mr. Nerysoo, yes, I will clarify that, but until I do, you can continue your statement under Members' statements.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, you've made a ruling on it already, so I'll sit down.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Koe.

Support For Western Constitutional Process
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1077

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, later today I will be introducing a motion seeking support for the western constitutional process. The western constitutional process is headed up by a committee called the Constitutional Development Steering Committee. This committee has been working for several years and a few months ago submitted a workplan and a budget for the 1995-96 fiscal year to enable the western process to continue its consultative and development work. It now needs approval and support from both the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada to continue this work. We all know that for division to happen, we need the full support of this Assembly; and, as such, for the western process to continue, we need support of this Assembly.

The process, as it exists, has been supported and endorsed by the participants at the first western constitutional conference which was held in February. When I introduce the motion today, I would appreciate the support of all Members in this House. Mahsi.

Support For Western Constitutional Process
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1077

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Concern Re Increased Drug Use In NWT Schools
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1077

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about a very serious problem. It's a problem that is happening here in Yellowknife and in the communities all over the Northwest Territories. It's the alarming increase of drug use in our schools. I've talked to the RCMP, I've talked to educators, and I've talked to concerned parents about this issue. Last night there was an excellent meeting at St. Patrick's school, where the principal and teachers held an awareness seminar with parents and discussed some of the realities of this increase of drug use in our schools here in Yellowknife.

The feeling with the police and with educators is that over the last two years the use of drugs in our schools, in our post-elementary schools, has increased at a dramatic rate. The opinion of the police is that the drug elements in our communities are better organized now than they've ever been. They are targeting at-risk kids. Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Concern Re Increased Drug Use In NWT Schools
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1077

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Concern Re Increased Drug Use In NWT Schools
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1077

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What the police are telling me is that trends that we see in southern Canada are slowly coming north. They're using soft drugs to hook kids and getting them onto harder drugs. What's happening in southern Canada, then, is the kids turn to B&Es and robberies. The average cost to feed a drug addict's habit is estimated at $88,000 to $100,000 a year, in B&Es and in robberies. Young females in southern Canada sell their bodies for drugs. The police see the beginning of that trend here in the Northwest Territories.

The drug elements are more sophisticated and I think that we, as a society, have to become more sophisticated. Communities like Yellowknife and Iqaluit don't stand on their own; they're feeder communities to the smaller communities, so the problems that you see here are problems that are spreading throughout all our communities in the Northwest Territories.

Parents and educators need help. This is not just a police problem or just a school problem or a government problem, this is a community problem. Everybody in the community must be aware of the problem and must be involved in the solution. I say to people that if you see any drug activity, report it to the police. A lot of people don't and the police are very frustrated because they're not getting enough assistance from the community at large. Parents should get more involved in their schools. If you want to do something about this problem, parents have to get involved. Parents should write to their school boards, to their MLAs, to their aldermen. If your kids are experimenting with drugs, talk about it. I think too many people are ashamed of it. Drug use is happening in every family, in the best of families, and unless people acknowledge that it's happening and seek counselling, we're never going to get a solution to this problem.

What I would like to conclude with, Mr. Speaker, is that all of us have a part to play in the fight against drug use, especially among our young people. It's a community problem. The government and the police have a very strong role to play in providing support mechanisms and providing coordination, and we do need a coordinated approach. I want to really emphasize, Mr. Speaker, that at the end of the day, this increasing problem in our schools, if we don't deal with it now the problem five years from now is going to be very difficult to control. All of us have a responsibility to do what we can do to control the increasing use of drugs in our schools. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Concern Re Increased Drug Use In NWT Schools
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1078

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Northern Turbot Quotas
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1078

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, also known as Admiral, the Honourable Brian Tobin, has recently announced last week the northern turbot quotas for NAFO sub-area O in Davis Strait off the east coast of Baffin Island totalling 5,500 tons, and has requested proposals from Canadian companies wishing to use foreign vessels for this fishery in 1995, under stringent landing requirements in Canadian ports.

I wish to announce that, once again, hunters' and trappers' associations from Baffin communities are submitting proposals that would employ Inuit from these communities. The HTAs from Lake Harbour, Iqaluit, Broughton Island, Clyde River and Pond Inlet, along with Avataq Fisheries, are urging support for their applications on two grounds: firstly, the Nunavut final land claims agreement, article 15.11 states that an Inuit economy is based in part on marine resources is both viable and desirable and; secondly, several of the criteria and operating guidelines developed for sub-area O allocations in 1995 by DFO should in fairness and justice, work in favour of Inuit-owned applicants from Baffin. One of the criteria states that evaluation of each application will be based on adjacency to the resource.

Mr. Speaker, these turbot are in waters adjacent to Baffin Island and are not, incidentally, in waters which were part of the recent dispute with the European union over turbot quotas.

Another criteria states that special consideration will be given to proposals involving affirmative action for native participation in the fishery. These applications have my full support.

I rise today to encourage other MLAs, our MP for Nunatsiaq, and the Ministers of Economic Development and Tourism and Renewable Resources of our government to use their good offices to ensure that this year the allocations of turbot quota in area O are consistent with and respectful of provisions of the Inuit land claim; furthermore, that the allocations given preference to those applicants who are most adjacent to the resource: residents of Baffin Island.

I would just like a few moments to conclude my statement with unanimous consent, Mr. Speaker.

Northern Turbot Quotas
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1078

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Northern Turbot Quotas
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1078

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. Mr. Speaker, there are not a lot of opportunities to create jobs or to create wealth in our remote Baffin communities. This opportunity for Inuit enterprises from Baffin to benefit from marine resources in their waters is an opportunity provided to Inuit by the Creator; an opportunity encouraged and entrenched by the Inuit land claim. Last year, unfortunately, Baffin applicants ended up with only 10 per cent of the new available quota. I fervently hope that this year Mr. Tobin will be fair and respectful to Inuit applicants for harvesting rights in their own waters. Qujannamiik.

---Applause

Northern Turbot Quotas
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1078

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Awarding Of Housing Contract In Resolute Bay
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1078

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has come to my attention that in 1994, housing retrofit contracts for Pond Inlet were awarded to a company named D and B Construction, and have since been given to Kheraj Enterprises Limited from Resolute Bay. I was informed that the owner of D and B was pressured into subcontracting his contracts to Kheraj Enterprises Limited. Chris Lupiano, an official from the Housing Corporation in Yellowknife, met with Aziz in Resolute to discuss the whole issue. One D and B official was contacted on the same day by both the official of the Housing Corporation and Kheraj Enterprises persuading him to subcontract the whole retrofit work to Kheraj Enterprises.

My question would be why the retrofit was not retendered if it wasn't going to be done by the contractor who was given the contract to do it. There are two contractors capable of doing the work presently in Pond Inlet at this moment.

On the other matter, I would like to know what is happening with our review of Kheraj Enterprises Limited local status for Pond Inlet. DPW personnel in Pond Inlet recently observed for themselves that all of Kheraj Enterprises Limited houses and mobile equipment are boarded up; and, though the Kheraj operation in Pond Inlet was set to be seasonal, the local contractors are operating 365 days of the year and maintaining two maintenance garages.

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

Awarding Of Housing Contract In Resolute Bay
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1078

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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