This is page numbers 793 - 819 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 services.

Topics

Members Present

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

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 793

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Minister's Statement 57-12(7): Air Tankers
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 793

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the Legislative Assembly that on Friday, March 31, 1995, Transport Canada issued dry leases to Buffalo Airways Limited for the four federally-owned CL-215 water bomber air tankers.

Buffalo Airways Limited will staff, operate and maintain these aircraft under a separate contract with the Government of the Northwest Territories for a period of five years. Buffalo Airways took possession in Abbotsford, BC, and the first aircraft was ferried to Red Deer, Alberta, on Sunday afternoon.

The three remaining air tankers are presently being prepared. The transfer process is expected to be completed by next weekend. The CL-215s will then be positioned at their bases during the third week in April. They will be ready for the May 1st availability date as required by the contract.

Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to inform the House that Buffalo Airways intends to subcontract Bird Dog support services jointly between Landa Aviation of Hay River and Northwestern Air Lease of Fort Smith. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Minister's Statement 57-12(7): Air Tankers
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 793

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Nahanni Ram Tourism Association Funding Cutbacks
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 793

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to talk about tourism in the Nahendeh region. Mr. Speaker, the general consensus of the tourism industry in the north is no secret. This industry is fast becoming one of the areas targeted as a revenue generating vehicle for the Government of the Northwest Territories. In the Nahendeh region, the tourism industry has seen its share of activity. People have

identified the opportunities that are in our backyard and that are worth marketing to the rest of the world.

As a result of zone contribution cutbacks, NRTA and its objectives are in jeopardy. With a reduction of $200,000 in zone contributions this year, the NRTA will have this year's proposed contribution, or 60 per cent of its budget, slashed by almost $23,000, or almost 48 per cent of this year's total contribution. Of the eight tourism zones affected by contribution reductions, the NRTA will see the biggest cuts.

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

Nahanni Ram Tourism Association Funding Cutbacks
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 793

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Antoine.

Nahanni Ram Tourism Association Funding Cutbacks
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 793

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The NRTA has made great strides in the last few years and, as a result, the industry is growing, the economy is benefitting, and the whole region is beginning to realize the significance of the Nahanni Ram Tourism Association. I would like to take this time to mention some important accomplishments.

For the first time, the board of directors of the Nahanni Ram Tourism Association is an all-native board. The NRTA has its first native outfitter, North Nahanni Naturalist Lodge, which is owned by Loyal and Rea Letcher. Development of tourism infrastructure by the communities reflects a new era of cooperation of community involvement. NRTA has started networking with other native organizations across Canada to integrate plans with proven and established resources.

The NRTA cooperative marketing initiative for the fiscal year 1994-95 is the highest in history, reflecting an increase in membership. NRTA's focus on cultural interactive tours reflects cultural enhancement as a viable product and marketing strategy. Mr. Speaker, this last point is a key point and the benefits are twofold; these traditional skills can be passed on to the younger generation and, at the same time, contribute to providing a product for this emerging industry in the Deh Cho region.

With even more initiatives in the works, Mr. Speaker, and a positive revenue-generating potential clearly identified, it does not make any sense to reduce core funding to this particular zone. In line with NRTA's directive, the federal government places tourism as a high priority item for increased funding. Mr. Speaker, in Prime Minister Jean Chretien's speech to the tourism industry association in Vancouver last October, he recognized the industry. Last year, the federal government committed $15 million to tourism promotion and realized its potential plans to increase tourism funding to $50 million this year.

---Applause

Nahanni Ram Tourism Association Funding Cutbacks
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 794

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. As most Members are aware, in 1916 a conservation agreement called "The Migratory Birds Convention" was developed to protect and manage, on a sustainable basis, those birds that migrate between Canada and the United States. Under the convention, both countries enacted laws and regulated the hunting of migratory birds by aboriginal people and sports hunters.

As I understand it, Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Wildlife Services of Environment Canada led a series of consultations across the country and the Northwest Territories between 1991 and 1993 to amend the Migratory Birds Convention Act. The act was then amended in 1994 to include a non-derogation provision to secure aboriginal and treaty rights with respect to migratory birds. Now, in 1995, the convention is in the process of being changed to recognize these treaty and aboriginal rights, consistent with section 35(1) of the Constitution Act of 1982 of Canada.

The federal government is presently set to begin the final negotiations with the United States to amend the convention. I've been communicating directly with one of the aboriginal representatives on the Canadian negotiating team on this important issue, Mr. Speaker, in an attempt to put forth the concern and represent the issues of my constituents. I won't go into the details at this time, but I will say that the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council and the people of the North Slave region generally have a number of concerns with the federal government's latest proposal for change.

The point I would like to make, Mr. Speaker, is that if our government, namely the Department of Renewable Resources, has a position on the proposed amendments and the impending negotiation, we, in the North Slave, are not aware of it. While I recognize and acknowledge the role and contribution of the department representing the views of all territorial residents in providing input into the revision of the act, I'm at a loss to determine their role in representing those same interests in the negotiations to amend the convention, itself.

The people of the North Slave and the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council need to be assured that their aboriginal and treaty rights are protected and that, in an effort to remove barriers to harvesting, new ones are not being created that could impact on future generations.

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

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for North Slave is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Zoe.

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated, the federal government is presently set to make these changes and the people of the North Slave and the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council need to be assured that their aboriginal and treaty rights are protected and that, in an effort to remove barriers to harvesting, new ones are not being created that could impact on future generations.

These are important developments, Mr. Speaker, and I will be following up with some questions for the Minister of Renewable Resources on this issue later during question period. Mahsi.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Concerns With The Labour Standards Act
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 794

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was recently talking to the president of the Chamber of Commerce who told me of some concerns held by the business community about our Labour Standards Act. He suggested that labour standards should be easy to understand, equally applied and vigorously enforced. Right now, the feeling is that our labour legislation is complex, unsuited for many business sectors and is not monitored at all.

Following that conversation, Mr. Speaker, I called the president of the Federation of Labour and found labour concerns to be remarkably similar. The federation's position is that our current act is outdated and in urgent need of being updated. In fact, they tell me they have met twice this year with the Minister to press for action on our current legislation.

Mr. Speaker, it is not every day that business and labour groups agree so wholeheartedly on an issue. Not that there won't be differing opinions among business and labour about some of the changes needed, but it is noteworthy that they both feel the urgent need to address our current labour standards legislation.

Mr. Speaker, both groups are also disappointed that there has not been more action resulting from the recommendation of the report of the labour standards law review panel into employment standards in the NWT, which was commissioned by the Government of the Northwest Territories and tabled in the Legislature in October of 1990.

Mr. Speaker, neither group is, at this time, recommending a $1 million plus commission, like the Northern Workplace Commission earlier proposed by this government. Whether or not this government should take over labour relations from the federal government is something that can be considered later. What is needed now is some action on labour standards, an area which is already within this government's jurisdiction.

Mr. Speaker, given the time left before an election and our current fiscal situation, we need a relatively quick and inexpensive solution. I note that the Minister has already committed to review the minimum wage; this is just one small part of the labour standards issue. Why not approach business and labour asking them to each put a representative forward to work on a bipartite committee with an impartial chair, and use the report, which was tabled in 1990 in the Legislature, as a starting point?

Mr. Speaker, I see that I am going to run out of time. I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Concerns With The Labour Standards Act
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 795

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. The Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake is requesting unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Dent.

Concerns With The Labour Standards Act
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 795

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, such a panel could review that report and further review standards across Canada and then make recommendations for immediate action to change our current Labour Standards Act. Such a panel could also advise on what further action might be necessary.

With the proper terms of reference, such an approach could ensure that essential amendments to our Labour Standards Act could be ready for consideration, perhaps by our June session; at the latest, by the new Legislative Assembly before the end of this calendar year.

Mr. Speaker, the panel which reported on the Labour Standards Act in 1990 found much of our existing act too ambiguous and open to varied interpretation and inconsistent with current practise in other jurisdictions. As they said in their report, an employment standards act must be clear, concise and simply written, and must fulfil the expectations and requirements necessary for the decade of development that appears to be coming in the 1990s.

Mr. Speaker, we are now more than half way through this decade and nothing has been done to update our labour standards. It is time to get on with the job. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Concerns With The Labour Standards Act
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 795

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Canadian Space Agency Tour
Item 3: Members' Statements

April 3rd, 1995

Page 795

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today marks the start of the Canadian Space Agency tour in the western Arctic. This is a voluntary event sponsored by Canadian North, Aklak Air and the Northern Air Transport Association, plus contributions from other corporate sources. One of our Canadian astronauts, Julie Payette, will be touring Yellowknife plus the communities of Aklavik, Inuvik, Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic, Tuktoyaktuk and Norman Wells. She will be visiting most of the educational institutions in these communities.

This tour will be promoting that children and adults stay in school and also encourage them to study science. I wish Astronaut Payette all the best on her tour and encourage all school children and members of the public to attend and participate in the events scheduled in each community. I also wish to thank all the organizers, the volunteers and the corporate sponsors of this tour. Mahsi.

---Applause

Canadian Space Agency Tour
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 795

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Implementation Of Custom Adoption Recognition Act
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 795

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Custom Adoption Recognition Act was assented to on November 10, 1994. Hundreds, if not thousands of people of all ages are waiting for a mechanism to be put in place to implement this act. They are waiting for birth certificates, they are waiting for social insurance numbers. I know some young people in my riding who were adopted by custom, who haven't been able to go through the terribly convoluted procedures required by the courts to get their adoption recognized. They feel that they won't be able to work until they have a social insurance number. And some people feel even more strongly that their very identity is in question until they have a birth certificate.

Now, Mr. Speaker, the act is very simple, it's elegantly simple. All we need to do is appoint native custom adoption Commissioners in every one of our communities. Their role would be simply to confirm that adoptions which have taken place conform with customary adoption law. The Commissioner would receive a fee for each certificate they issue. The certificate is then filed with the courts; it automatically becomes a Supreme Court order. Then vital statistics automatically issues a birth certificate.

As I said, Mr. Speaker, the bill was passed last November. However, the act has not yet been proclaimed in force. As of this date, no Commissioners have been appointed. As of this date, the proposed new forms for adoption commissioners have not yet been finalized.

Mr. Speaker, many, many people in all our ridings are waiting for this bill to be implemented. All we need to take are some very simple steps. For heaven's sake, Mr. Speaker, let's get on with the priority and next simple steps required to implement the Custom Adoption Recognition Act already passed by this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Implementation Of Custom Adoption Recognition Act
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 796

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Mercy Killings
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 796

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to comment on an issue that has been brought to my attention by the Fort Smith Society for Disabled Persons. The issue is "Mercy Killing." As you know, Mr. Speaker, the society is highly respected by the residents of my constituency, as it's volunteers contribute countless hours towards helping those who must struggle with physical and mental illness and disabilities.

The society has been active in encouraging improved wheelchair accessibility to local buildings and business places. Board members and volunteers have worked hard to enhance the quality of life for the disabled by providing personal support and fostering community acceptance.

Mr. Speaker, the Society for Disabled Persons is also respected as a voice for those individuals whose physical limitations have made it difficult to speak out. From time to time, the board offers comments on issues of importance to disabled people, not only at the local or territorial level, but nationally.

Mr. Speaker, recently I have received correspondence from Sister Sutherland who is the president of the society. On behalf of the entire board she raised their serious concerns about apparent trends for its mass approval of what had been described as mercy killing of the severely disabled.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to share her words with my colleagues in this House, and I quote from her letter, "This society believes that persons with a disability should not have to live at the mercy of anyone who does not respect them and support them as they are. Disabled persons have much to offer family, friends and care givers and deserve their love and respect at all times. We believe that life is sacred for all and is a gift of God which no one has the right to take away. The Great Creator and Father of all will come for each one of us when he decides it is the right time. We ask you, as our MLA, to speak out and ask all northerners for their compassion, their love and their respect for all, before it is too late for someone in the Northwest Territories who lives with a disability."

Those thoughts were communicated to me in a letter from the Fort Smith Society for Disabled Persons, dated March 15th. Mr. Speaker, I think we are all aware that recent instances surrounding the termination of life for disabled persons does evoke powerful legal, political, and particularly moral questions.

I seek unanimous consent to continue with my statement.

Mercy Killings
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 796

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Thebacha is requesting unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mrs. Marie-Jewell, conclude your statement.

Mercy Killings
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 796

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, like many Canadians, I know that I've found myself drawn to contemplate the circumstances of Susan Rodriguez, who chose to end her life with her physician's assistance, and may God bless her soul. More recently, similar questions have arisen from the trial of Robert Latimer, a Saskatchewan grain farmer convicted of killing his 12-year-old daughter who suffered from severe cerebral palsy. The court's decision to find Mr. Latimer guilty of second-degree murder is now under appeal.

Mr. Speaker, those are not remote, irrelevant issues for northerners. They confront us as we talk, think and pray about the sort of society we want to have. Indeed, I recall that a similar matter came before the Bourque commission for constitutional development, and the commission's first report, Working Towards a Common Future, even recommended, and I quote, "A new western territory constitution should establish the right of a competent person of majority age to refuse medical treatment to prolong life for themselves or their minor children." Ideas about entrenching such rights bring us face to face with questions about the sacredness of life, Mr. Speaker, and will require careful thought and open discussions in our homes, in our communities and the forums from which our draft constitution will emerge.

I'd like to thank Sister Sutherland and the board of the Fort Smith Society for Disabled Persons for bringing this important subject to our attention, and I applaud their continuing commitment to improving and safeguarding the dignity in life and the quality of life among the disabled. Thank you.

---Applause

Mercy Killings
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 796

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Item 3, Members' statements. Ms. Mike.