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 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

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary 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

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Mr. Speaker, the Premier's answers were quite unsatisfactory, that is why I am asking this question. The Premier earlier told Mr. Allooloo, well we could have put together ad hoc guidelines, but we wanted to do a proper job. Then she told Mr. Ningark that they wanted to have flexibility. About a year ago, she told this House that the work on these guidelines was almost complete. So, I would like to ask the Premier, which one is it? Are they going to be flexible? Are they going to finish the work? Mr. Speaker, what is the status of these guidelines she committed to completing over a year ago? Thank you.

Supplementary 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

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Further 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

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

I guess I will have to be repetitious. Over a year ago, we had committed to do these guidelines and policies. We were working very hard to get them completed, and the languages unit had put a lot of effort into getting those guidelines and policies completed. As we were moving along and getting these policies and guidelines in place, we were attempting to enhance or take into consideration the agreement between the federal government and the territorial government and aboriginal languages.

Subsequently, during the negotiations of the new agreement, we became aware that there would be some problems that would exist because of cutbacks or there would not be the amounts that we had become accustomed to. As a result, we took out the guidelines to see if the direction we were going made the best of the possible resources we would have. As well, we are well aware that some of the initiatives taken by aboriginal organizations and workshops show that some expenditures were requested to have a more community-based type of delivery. That affected the guidelines. When the federal government began moving closer to the agreement, they were inclined to be more flexible. Therefore, the guidelines would take that approach, which would meet two objectives. One, what people have said they would like to see, more community involvement and more community-based language development. Now we can incorporate that and see where it can best fit in. We are trying to work that into the guidelines, Mr. Speaker.

I guess it is all of the three. The only problem is, we can't move as quickly as we had anticipated in the beginning to get those guidelines in place. We're trying our very best to do that. I said we should have them done earlier but we didn't. Other things came into play, like a new agreement and what people had recommended from the various workshops. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further 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 803

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary 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 803

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is very informative to know of all of this work that is going on and why progress has not been made but I guess the problems remain, Mr. Speaker, for members of the public. We're dealing with an act that was passed five years ago by Members of this Assembly, a legal obligation on the part of the Government of the Northwest Territories, with amendments, and we still today don't have any concrete guidelines explaining how it is to be implemented.

As a result, government departments have no direction on how they should conduct themselves under the act. Members of the public have no idea of their specific rights to deal with government offices in their own languages. I would like to ask the Premier, will she commit to publishing specific concrete guidelines and regulations immediately so that government departments and members of the public will know where they stand? Thank you.

Supplementary 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 803

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Further 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 803

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, as I outlined earlier, the guidelines are presently being reviewed once again so we don't overlook any issues or make priorities different than what people are recommending. The booklets on the Official Languages Act have been produced. That was an earlier question. I know it is not definitive, but it does give general guidelines about what individuals can expect.

The language brochure is in all written languages and is widely circulated. Along with that, we realize we have to provide those guidelines and we'll do them as quickly as we can. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further 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 803

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday in response to a question, the Premier indicated that the community futures program may be on the block and we may lose it. I believe there are four areas which host community futures program: Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Hay River and Inuvik. I would like to ask the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, what is the status of the community futures program in the Northwest Territories?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 803

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was recently in Ottawa meeting with Mr. Axworthy and our MP for Nunavut, Jack Anawak, on this issue. The community futures program was and is, I believe, at the national level, going to be transferred to the western diversification organization. We have asked Mr. Axworthy if he would consider transferring the current community futures program in the four areas Mr. Koe spoke about to the GNWT, and at this time he's agreed to initiate some discussions to see if there is a possibility that this transfer could take place. Thank you.

Return To Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Thank you. The current community futures program, I believe, are all managed and directed by boards of directors. These boards are made up of people from the surrounding communities that the program services. If the programs are taken over by this government, will the existing boards be reappointed or will they be in place to continue to direct these programs?

Supplementary To Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 803

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 803

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know this program very well. I initiated it in the Keewatin a number of years ago. It's not our intent to change anything in this program. It is my understanding, at least from my experience, that it is highly successful in the NWT. It certainly is in the Baffin and Keewatin and I believe it is also in Inuvik and Hay River. While the discussions are somewhat preliminary at this time, I'm reasonably confident that as we move forward, we will have to do so in consultation with the community futures program groups in those four areas. The transfer, if and when it takes place, will be done in a manner that would keep the boards, their lending and administration, as independent as they currently are. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 803

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 804

Fred Koe Inuvik

I also believe the current managers of these programs are federal public servants. Will there be discussions, for the ones who wish, for them to transfer to the GNWT if that happens? Will they be allowed to do that?

Supplementary To Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 804

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 804

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my preliminary discussions with Mr. Axworthy, we talked about the possibility of transferring some of the jobs that are directly related to service in community futures program. That will all be on the table in our discussions with the federal Minister. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 804

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, I made a statement on the tourism industry in the Nahendeh area. I would like to follow up that statement with questions directed to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism.

As I said in my statement earlier, there is a legitimate need for tourism enhancement in the Deh Cho. Can the Minister look into the current contribution for the Nahanni Ram Tourism Association and explore the possibility of increasing this year's contribution? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 804

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, nobody will deny that Mr. Nahendeh...

---Laughter

Mr. Antoine's riding, the Nahanni area -- in my opinion, anyway -- is certainly one of the premier attractions in the Northwest Territories for tourists.

Return To Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 804

An Hon. Member

Hear! Hear!