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

Return To Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 801

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.

Supplementary To Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 801

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the same Minister, I guess. How will the elimination of this office affect the ongoing use of interpreters in the NWT court system? This is my brief supplementary to the same Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 801

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pudlat, I believe the Premier has indicated that perhaps the two questions that you have asked of the Premier are better answered by the Minister of Justice. So, Mr. Pudlat, do you still want to ask the Premier the question or do you want to ask the Minister of Justice the same questions? Mr. Pudlat.

Supplementary To Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 801

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not willing to let this issue go, but I'll pose the question at another time.

Supplementary To Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 801

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Point of order.

Supplementary To Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 801

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Patterson, your point of order.

Point Of Order

Supplementary To Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 801

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Mr. Speaker, I understand that in response to the question posed to the Premier, the Premier said the question should be referred to another Minister. Would it not be appropriate for you, Mr. Speaker, to refer that question to the Minister designated by the Premier?

Supplementary To Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 801

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. I will follow up on the Premier's suggestion to refer to the question to the Minister of Justice. There were two questions asked by Mr. Pudlat. Perhaps you would like to respond, Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 801

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, there is some possibility of major reductions in the aboriginal languages program as a result of a change in funding levels from the federal government. At this time, the Member will note that in the proposed budget of Justice, there is a reduction of about a half person year in the Department of Justice for training legal interpreters, plus some reductions in the O and M requirements for the coming year.

This basically means that there is going to be a reduction in the support and training levels we've been able to maintain in previous years. The degree to which changes in funding will change the proposed budget of the Department of Justice is not clearly defined yet. The details will come out when the opportunity arises in committee of the whole for me to present the proposed budget for 1995-96 for the Department of Justice. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 801

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Is that okay, Mr. Pudlat? Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Item 6: Oral Questions

April 3rd, 1995

Page 801

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Mr. Speaker, I have no problem in having services done in the French language. I think every language, either Inuktitut, other aboriginal languages, English, French and others are God-given languages. Each and every person has the right to that in Canada. Mr. Speaker, my problem is, in my community there are about 300 people who use Inuktitut as a first language; there are about 10 people in that community who use English as a first language; and, about two people in that community who use French as a first language, Mr. Speaker.

As I indicated earlier, I have no problem. But this seems to be a little odd to me. Especially when this government, through the Premier, lays off the government liaison officers, executive service officers who, in my community, in most cases, are used by the Inuktitut-speaking people who are not able to find interpreters and translators. My question to the Premier, Mr. Speaker, is who pays for the provision of French services for offices which have no French speaking employees? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Return To Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 801

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, the question is who pays for the provision of French services to offices where no one speaks French? Mr. Speaker, it would be my understanding that because there are no French-speaking people in that office or in that area, there would be no requirements for the provision of a person or people to do that work in that area. Thank you.

Return To Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 801

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Ningark, supplementary.

Supplementary To Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 801

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the same Minister. In the act we talk where there is a significant demand or due to the nature of the office it is reasonable that communication with, and services from that office be available in both English and French. Can the Premier tell me what guidelines or regulations exist to determine exactly what is significant demand, what is reasonable, according to this part of the act? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 801

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 802

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I just want to bring to the attention of individuals and Members that within the expenditure for languages, although we refer to the agreement on aboriginal languages between the federal government and the Northwest Territories government, the Government of the Northwest Territories also provides significant other dollars for language enhancement, such as in the Department of Education where language is taught in the schools. And certainly in a lot of other areas where there is a significant requirement. So there are other dollars that the Government of the Northwest Territories makes available for those expenditures.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment, in cooperation with the departments of the Executive, Justice, Health and Social Services, and the public colleges, are looking at and conducting a review of the interpreter translation training programs delivered or used by these departments. They do say that:

"The purpose of their review is to assess the delivery structure of the existing training programs and to recommend any changes that will maximize the utilization of human and financial resources. An interim report containing the findings of the review will be submitted to the interdepartmental steering committee by the end of February..." which is there, "...and the final report containing recommendations will be submitted by March 15th."

So, Mr. Speaker, in trying to lend services to the various levels of government and due to our requirement to meet people's needs, we are trying to do everything possible. Not only with the dollars that are available through the aboriginal language agreement with the federal government, but also through resources available through the budget of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 802

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Supplementary To Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 802

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the same Minister. I would like to ask the Premier, is there a guideline or regulation that exists to determine exactly what is a significant demand? What is reasonable? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 802

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 802

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I believe that we have been very flexible on what significant demand has been. Where it makes sense, we try to offer the services and the support. So, I guess it is determined on the basis of how important it is and what we can do to accommodate the request. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 802

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Premier about subsection 14(2) of the Official Languages Act which provides that regional, area, or community offices of government institutions shall provide services in official languages other than English or French, where there is "a significant demand or due to the nature of the office, it is reasonable that communications with and services from that office be available in the appropriate official language." I would like to ask the Premier, what guidelines or regulations exist to determine what is a significant demand, or what is reasonable according to this part of the act? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Return To Question 394-12(7): Guidelines For Provision Of Services In Official Languages
Question 394-12(7): Guidelines For Provision Of Services In Official Languages
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 802

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I believe that I have already answered that question. Thank you.