This is page numbers 1311 - 1340 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 education.

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, Hon. Don Morin, Hon. Richard Nerysoo, Hon. Kelvin Ng, Mr. Ningark, Mr. Patterson, Hon. John Pollard, Mr. Pudlat, Mr. Pudluk, Mrs. Thompson, Hon. John Todd, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Zoe

--- Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Members Present

Page 1311

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with a great deal of pleasure and relief that I am able to report to you today that the Norman Wells fire is controlled on the front toward the community of Norman Wells. The fire centre will be recommending to the emergency measures organization that they can begin plans to return people back to their homes.

Six crews with support from three helicopters, three caterpillars and various other equipment are in the process of completing what they refer to as a "cat line" which is built along the edge of the fire to ensure the fire will not cross into unburned forest if it flares up again. Because of the dry conditions and the low water table, it is likely the fire will continue to smoulder for a long time. My staff will continue to monitor the fire area for the rest of the summer, but after the edges are fully secured there will be no further action on the fire.

Again, I want to express my appreciation to all of the people involved in various ways in responding to the fire situation including community leaders, residents who were evacuated, fire crews, managers and supervisors, and all the people who stayed behind in the community to carry out essential services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Morin. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Thompson.

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The health centre in Repulse Bay is in need of a vehicle to transport patients. Currently, residents of the community have to rely on the hamlet community service trucks to transport them when they are seriously ill. Often, people are reluctant to call the service men in the middle of the night knowing that they have to work in the morning. A lot of times, seriously ill people are forced to travel by skidoo or four-wheeler and, in some cases, even by sled.

I am told that in the wintertime, patients who cannot walk to the health centre or airport are wrapped in sleeping bags and transported on stretchers in the back of pick-up trucks or on komatiks, with IVs attached to them. This is obviously not a safe way to move sick or injured individuals.

Mr. Speaker, the health centre was built with an attached garage so there is already a facility in place to house a vehicle. The local nurse would be responsible for the automobile to ensure that it is only used for medical purposes. I would urge the Department of Health and Social Services to act quickly so that the health and well-being of the residents of Repulse Bay is no longer placed at risk. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I wish to put on record my appreciation to the people of Yellowknife for the way in which they, on such short notice, took action to receive and make as comfortable as possible the people who were evacuated from Norman Wells last week, and the tremendous support that has come forward from the Mayor Dave Lovell and his counsellors. The way in which the entire operation was carried out is something to be very proud of. On behalf of the people of Norman Wells, I want to thank, again, the people of Yellowknife, the mayor and his council.

The people of Fort Norman have also expressed over and over again, their deep appreciation and gratefulness that they feel towards the people of Norman Wells for the support and the way in which they were also received by that community once the community of Fort Norman was evacuated. The community of Norman Wells; I want to put on the record, the impression that I had in spending three days with them last week, how well organized they were, how committed they were to the work they were doing, and my own observations were that although people were put under such pressure and stress for such a long period of time, they carried out their work so well, in spite of the difficulties that they encountered.

Max MeInyk, the mayor of Norman Wells, the council and the emergency measures organization there took care of Fort Norman and then themselves, in turn. I should also mention.

the chief of Deline, John Tetso, who was called literally on one-hour notice to receive over 370 people from Fort Norman. And who, in six hours, was able to receive that many people and house them.

Mr. Speaker, I request consent to complete my statement.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Sahtu is requesting consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. The people of Deline have also opened up their homes in their community to receive their friends and relatives. There have been literally no complaints or concerns that have come out of that community since they arrived in Deline, and it's all to the credit of the chief and council of Deline and the residents of that community.

I think something has to be said about the cooperation, effort and extra work put in by the RCMP in the Sahtu communities, and the excellent working relationship they had with each of the communities that I have mentioned: the nurses, the social workers, the extra people who were brought in by Health and Social Services. All have provided a great deal of support and help to those communities. They pitched in and did more than their share of work in Norman Wells, in Deline and Fort Norman, and, of course, here in Yellowknife.

It is not exactly over, but I have counselled all the people I've talked with that, surely as in any operation, there were a few hiccoughs. The emergency measures operations in Norman Wells, Fort Norman and here in Yellowknife may have suffered a few mishaps. Now is not the time to air those. There will bea full accounting, I am sure, of the operations that were carried out, and people will have ample opportunity to question the manner in which these operations were carried out. At this time, we must continue to support those people who were put in charge of these operations: Renewable Resources, throughout this operation; for myself, keeping in close touch with the operators and the superintendent in Norman Wells; the deputy minister of Renewable Resources; the Honourable Don Morin, who has provided excellent information and support has been a great comfort to myself; and, to many of the people who have asked for information. I'm sure we've assured the people in the Sahtu that the many questions they have about the conduct of the department, the policies that this government follows in firefighting, that there will be a day and a time to explain and to have questions aired in a proper manner. For that, there is confidence that people will see that things were done in the best interests of the people. Thank you, very much.

--- Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, Members of this House. On Friday, June 9th, I was honoured to have been invited to address the Deh Cho women's First Nations gathering in Fort

Simpson which was held from June 9th to June 11th. The Deh Cho women addressed the serious undermining of the aboriginal people today with their eyes open and a determination to deal with our needs, having particular emphasis on youth and elders. Many symptoms were identified and addressed.

Certainly, these have been pointed out here, as in other forums. However, the Deh Cho women's First Nations gathering addressed many solutions within the power of the aboriginal community today. Much of the power to regain pride, to reinvigorate our elders and to calm our children comes from within ourselves and a reinstatement of our own beliefs in our culture and teachings. Men and women play an equal role in these issues, not to compete with each other, but to complement our collective strength and shore up one another's weaknesses. The members of the aboriginal community are the only ones who can participate in redefining itself. The role of government is to support this process, by helping communities incorporate their needs into viable planning and ensuring the protection of aboriginal rights in the future.

I would like to congratulate the efforts of the Deh Cho women's First Nations gathering and hereby will be tabling the resolutions passed during their deliberations at the appropriate time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Water Safety
Members Present

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I, too would like to add my support to what Mr. Allooloo had to say yesterday about water safety. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Department of Transportation and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs for their upcoming public service announcement campaign on water safety.

I had the opportunity to participate in that in a small way, by reading a few lines that say: "Everybody enjoys the lakes and rivers in the north. Some people fish, others swim and many travel the waters by boat and by canoe. Lots of people don't wear their lifejackets and they risk their lives every day they go out on the water. Your family needs you, we need you, so please, make sure you always wear your life jacket." Now, that's the message that a number of us and, certainly, the departments are trying to get out. However, each year we still lose two or three people to water accidents, not to mention those who manage to escape by sheer luck. These need not happen, Mr. Speaker, if we observe a few simple rules:

1) Make sure you're familiar with water safety procedure;

2) Water and alcohol don't mix; and,

3) You always wear your lifeiacket and insist that all of your family and guests on your boat wear lifejackets.

A message that some of my colleagues in a different profession said I should mention is that you may look very macho to your friends and family but, to the RCMP and the coroners who are recovering you, you all look the same: you look dead. If you don't want that to happen, wear your lifejacket.

--- Applause

Water Safety
Members Present

Page 1313

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer some comments and opinions about Bill C-68, the gun control legislation. There have been a lot of eloquent statements made by my colleagues in this House about the events and negotiations leading up to the gun control legislation, which was passed yesterday. I was very dismayed and appalled that Bill C-68 did get passed by the House of Commons yesterday. I believe the amendments to the bill do not go far enough in terms of dealing with the issues raised by people in the north.

Of special concern are issues raised by aboriginal people with respect to their rights to hunt, trap and fish and to use firearms for their livelihood. The other areas are outlined in some of the claim agreements and have to do with the levying of fees for registering and getting certificates and licenses. The two agreements I'm familiar with -- the Inuvialuit final agreement and the Gwich'in settlement agreement -- have statements in them that protect the rights of these people. They should not have to pay for permits, licenses or other authorizations. The gun control bill comes under that.

Also, in terms of the consultation process, the latest committee that went around went to Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson. The response the committee received there was very similar to what they heard across the territories: our people were very upset at the short notice and the type of consultation they came to do. I believe the bill has now gone up to the Senate, and we should continue our lobbying efforts as hard as possible. Mahsi.

--- Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Further Gun Control

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, am not surprised but distressed by the passage of Bill C-68 which was given third reading in the House of Commons yesterday.

I would like to take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker -- I commented on the feeble amendments that were introduced yesterday -- to announce the formation of the new Nunatsiaq Coalition against further gun controls. This organization, Mr. Speaker, has sprung into existence out of the strong and deeply-felt concern against this new federal gun control law. The objects of this new organization are to oppose further gun controls which say are intrusive, unfair and unreasonable to the legitimate aspirations of law-abiding, responsible firearms owners and users. The coalition is working very hard to demand accountability of their elected representatives.

Although newly organized, they have sought support and received extensive support for a petition which has been circulated through the good offices of hunters' and trappers' organizations from Kitikmeot to Keewatin and Baffin. The petition, which I'll table later today, has 1,000 names on it and is growing by the day. The coalition represents aboriginal and non-aboriginal hunters and firearms owners in Nunatsiaq. It is strong and determined.

Mr. Speaker, I know that the MP for the Western Arctic today in a radio interview stated that there may be a silent majority in her riding who support the new gun control bill. I feel very confident in saying, and I know the Nunatsiaq coalition against further gun controls proves, that is certainly not the case in Nunatsiaq riding. This remains a very serious issue, and the last won't be heard of it from the passage of this bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When I see that the government is conducting a study on this subject or that subject, then I first of all ask myself what the purpose of the study is.

I know that there is an individual who is trying to gauge how important sport is to the people of the Northwest Territories. He has talked to several Members today. A study on sport, whenever you see it come out of the blue like this, makes you think that here is one more thing, maybe, that's being examined as a frill. Maybe we could save some money it we don't do this or we can cut it back.

I would like to say something about that, Mr. Speaker, publicly, because all my life, and as I get older, I have become even more convinced that one of the ways in which young people grow is to really become involved in some kind of physical activity, whether an individual sport or a team sport, because in the long run, your society is going to depend on the health, the fitness and the vigour of your young people. Member's Statement On Nunatsiaq Coalition Against I see the huge changes that have taken place in the Northwest Territories, from camp life where people were very active and engaged and busy all the time, to urban life where there are different challenges. When you see young people getting. involved in vigorous activity, you realize that this is one way in which young people develop, learn all the values of cooperation, competition and associating with people, achieving goals and objectives that you set for yourselves; sport has always done that. At every school I have ever worked over a long career, Mr. Speaker, I found that it went together. You could get kids up at six o'clock in the morning to go to train or practice for some important events. You

couldn't get them out for an early math class but you could certainly get them out for something like that.

I would be very disappointed if this government sees the opportunity to save a few dollars by taking away something which is very valuable for young people in the development of their personalities and their lifestyles. I would hate to see us drawing support from it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Pudlat.

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In this House, we have heard a lot in the past few years about the subject I am going to be talking about. I want to bring this up again while I am still a Member of this Assembly.

There is a very short airstrip in my constituency. It's in between hills and mountains. As we all know, Mr. Speaker, we are aware that there was going to be an improvement there in 1987 when we still had the BRC in the region at the time. There was going to be an improvement made to that airstrip.

I think this is very important to the safety of the community and to the aircraft that travel to and from the community. We are all aware that there has been no major mishap, but when the windis blowing from the south, you have to go straight towards a hilly area to take off and to land.

Mr. Speaker, I want to remind this government that they owe these small communities and my community of Lake Harbour for improvement of airstrips and to remind the Minister of Transportation that they have to service all of the communities, even if they are small and poor, to prevent mishaps or accidents in the future.

There have been funding cuts. We all know that, but I think that we owe our people good facilities so that they'll be safer and so we don't have to spend further money in the future. I just wanted to remind the Members that this is still a concern in my constituency. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Northwest Territories as we know it is changing quickly. Yellowknife, as the capital city, must embrace those changes. I have been in politics for 17 years and there have been tremendous changes here in Yellowknife. The infrastructure that is in place now, the opportunities that are in place now in Yellowknife are so much greater than they were 17 years ago.

A lot of people who ave worked very hard in building Yellowknife deserve a lot of credit for the effort that has gone Into it. Today we have a city that we can be very proud of and a city that has no equal for its size anywhere in the country.

I hear criticisms from some people in Yellowknife. Some don't think they are well looked after. They don't think that they have everything that they want. But the reality is, Mr. Speaker, most of those criticisms come from people who have just come to Yellowknife in recent years. Those who have been here a long time recognize the support that Yellowknife has had from the Legislative Assembly and from successive governments in order to build that infrastructure. Yellowknife has done very well by this Legislative Assembly over the years. I just wanted to put that on the public record.

The face of Yellowknife is changing rapidly. I would say that close to 25 per cent of the population today is aboriginal, and probably by the year 2000 closer to 50 per cent of the Yellowknife population will be aboriginal. Young people tend to gravitate towards larger centres, so I see the political dynamics in the western Arctic changing significantly over the next five to 10 years, where aboriginal people will start to embrace Yellowknife as their city.

As I said, over the years, Yellowknife MLAs, with the support of this Assembly, have been able to bring a lot of infrastructure into Yellowknife, have been able to protect jobs in Yellowknife; but times are changing, Mr. Speaker. Division, the impending federal government cutbacks and the stronger regions in the western Arctic will bring sweeping changes to the structure and size of government across the territories, especially here in Yellowknife.

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

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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