This is page numbers 1250 - 1278 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

Further Return To Question 574-12(7): Economic Potential Of Tannery In Coral Harbour
Question 574-12(7): Economic Potential Of Tannery In Coral Harbour
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is our intention to have the tannery somewhat similar to the model we've cleared in Whale Cove. It will be a smaller community type of tannery to avoid some of the difficult and costly expenditures that have come about because of the environmental considerations related to larger tanneries.

I don't know exactly what the available dollars are, but I believe there was somewhere in the region of $30,000 to $50,000 spent in Whale Cove. I think, coupled with the capital investment, we would also send in, perhaps, some people with expertise garnered in the Whale Cove experience. It will be a combination of some training dollars and some capital dollars to put a plant in place. I'm fairly optimistic that we can get that under way in the coming months, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 574-12(7): Economic Potential Of Tannery In Coral Harbour
Question 574-12(7): Economic Potential Of Tannery In Coral Harbour
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Public. Works and it has to do with the application of the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op to receive status under the BIP. Mr. Speaker, as the Minister knows, the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op is 100 per cent northern owned and operated. It provides competition to OK Economy and keeps the price of food down in Yellowknife, to the benefit of everyone.

The Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op has been refused BIP status since 1988 because there is a clause in BIP that says a northern supplier must be accessible to the general public. My question to the Minister is, why was that clause put into BIP criteria and how does that relate to Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister responsible for Public Works, Mr. Morin.

Return To Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the business incentive policy was first developed, it was to encourage businesses to develop in the Northwest Territories and encourage businesses to branch out into small communities. Also, the intent of the business incentive policy is that businesses carry a stock open to the general public. That's the reason the clause is in the policy. Thank you.

Return To Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, from this Minister we've heard many references about the spirit and intent of BIP. Surely, the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op is as northern as any business under BIP. It seems to me that the clause that was put in 1988 was to stop home storefront or telephone call operations, and that doesn't apply to the reality of the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op. So my question to the Minister is, will the Minister, as he has done on other occasions, look at the rather rigid policy to see if the spirit and intent would allow the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op to be eligible for BIP preference for food. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will look at the spirit and intent of the BIP and see if we can readdress the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op issue. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Question 575-12(7): Yk Direct Charge Co-op Application For Bip Status
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Ms. Mike.

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Housing relating to staff housing in Clyde River. The school there has had to compromise its hiring practices due to the lack of staff housing. Because of the shortage, they have to reject well-qualified and married teachers, and hire couples just to save on housing units. However, there are four empty staff housing units in the community. The community education council has asked to use those for teachers, but they have been told that the units are allocated to health employees. Can the Minister tell me whether it is the policy of the Housing Corporation to allocate specific staff housing units to specific departments?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Housing, Mr. Morin.

Return To Question 576-12(7): Allocation Of GNWT Staff Housing
Question 576-12(7): Allocation Of GNWT Staff Housing
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It shouldn't be the policy of the Housing Corporation to identify units for specific organizations or departments in this government. The whole idea of transferring staff housing to the Housing Corporation was to consolidate all of our housing under one roof so we can make better use of it. I'm hoping that is what they're doing out in the communities.

It's good that the Member has raised that issue. I will look into that and see if we can address that problem. Houses shouldn't be sitting there empty if they're needed. Thank you.

Return To Question 576-12(7): Allocation Of GNWT Staff Housing
Question 576-12(7): Allocation Of GNWT Staff Housing
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

Supplementary To Question 576-12(7): Allocation Of GNWT Staff Housing
Question 576-12(7): Allocation Of GNWT Staff Housing
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1255

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The information I have is that these four units are allocated to health employees. However, some of the health staff aren't utilizing these units, and the education council has been told that it is for some time in the future when health staff increases that they are reserving these. Can the Minister assure me that these units can be

allocated to the teachers so the community of Clyde River can hire the teachers they want to hire, and not compromise? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 576-12(7): Allocation Of GNWT Staff Housing
Question 576-12(7): Allocation Of GNWT Staff Housing
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 576-12(7): Allocation Of GNWT Staff Housing
Question 576-12(7): Allocation Of GNWT Staff Housing
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me assure the Member that I will look into this issue today. I don't say who gets units in any individual community and I'll look into it. It's a serious issue as far as I'm concerned because they shouldn't have to jeopardize how people hire teachers. We will look into it today. If the Member can give me some written information on it, then I could follow up on it immediately. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 576-12(7): Allocation Of GNWT Staff Housing
Question 576-12(7): Allocation Of GNWT Staff Housing
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. During the January 19 to 21, 1995 Nunavut leaders' meeting in Gjoa Haven, a number of resolutions were made. One of the particular resolutions, Mr. Speaker, was a resolution recommending that the Minister collaborate with the Nunavut Implementation Training Commission and Arctic College to review the feasibility of relocating the Sivuniksavut program to Nunavut, and delivering it through Arctic College. Would the Minister indicate whether a detailed response to the Nunavut leadership components can be expected? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 577-12(7): Response To Nunavut Leaders' Summit Resolutions On Education In Nunavut
Question 577-12(7): Response To Nunavut Leaders' Summit Resolutions On Education In Nunavut
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, Mr. Speaker, an answer is expected. All honourable Members should realize that we are in the process of developing a strategy for Nunavut Arctic College. That particular document has not been completed. It will deal with the matter of program delivery.

The other component is that we have Mark Cleveland and the staff who he is associated with dealing with this particular matter. In fact, they should be meeting this week or within the next few weeks with the boards to address this matter of training.

There are a number of serious problems with the Nunavut Implementation Commission's report that causes us some very significant concerns. responsibility; it rests in the hands of the Nunavut Implementation Commission and really has to be resolved with the Nunavut leadership.

However, I can advise the honourable Member that having met with the Nunavut Arctic College, the Aurora College Board and Yukon College Board in Fort Smith; having met last week with the chairs of the Nunavut boards of education; we are all concerned about ensuring that we have a consistent approach to educational and training matters for Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 577-12(7): Response To Nunavut Leaders' Summit Resolutions On Education In Nunavut
Question 577-12(7): Response To Nunavut Leaders' Summit Resolutions On Education In Nunavut
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Supplementary To Question 577-12(7): Response To Nunavut Leaders' Summit Resolutions On Education In Nunavut
Question 577-12(7): Response To Nunavut Leaders' Summit Resolutions On Education In Nunavut
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the honourable Minister for his response. Can the Minister be a little bit more specific and let us know when? I know the matter is in the works, but I would like to know, on behalf of the Nunavut people, when these questions will be resolved by the Minister; exactly when. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 577-12(7): Response To Nunavut Leaders' Summit Resolutions On Education In Nunavut
Question 577-12(7): Response To Nunavut Leaders' Summit Resolutions On Education In Nunavut
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1256

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 577-12(7): Response To Nunavut Leaders' Summit Resolutions On Education In Nunavut
Question 577-12(7): Response To Nunavut Leaders' Summit Resolutions On Education In Nunavut
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1256

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to advise the honourable Member that the document and resolutions are being dealt with right now. The problem is that we can't agree on a plan of action until we're satisfied collectively about what it is that we intend to do. I can advise the honourable Member that with regard to calling a meeting which the department would organize, it has been agreed generally that the suggestion that I made that we meet later on this fall has been accepted. There are a number of other points that have to be dealt with, Mr. Speaker: The Nunavut Arctic College plan; the whole issue of dealing with the Nunavut Implementation Commission report on a single divisional board, which the board members and the chairs do not agree with.

So the problem isn't necessarily a departmental issue, it's an overall transitional plan issue; therefore, makes it difficult. If the Nunavut Implementation Commission changes their view on a single board, then it makes our work much simpler because we're working with institutions that are already in place from K to 12, than from the Arctic College board as it is presently in existence. But those are some of the major problems that we're encountering. I hope that our relationship with the divisional boards, which has been excellent to date, and the working relationship I've developed now with the chair and the Nunavut Arctic College board has been excellent, and I hope to continue to work with them to ensure that we do the job and to respond to the recommendations that have been made.