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

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

I think it's incumbent upon me as an MLA to say to the people of Yellowknife that things will change. The Yellowknife that we know is going to be changing rapidly, and we have to start preparing for that change. To try to put our head in the sand and say somehow the status quo will be maintained I think is misleading and dishonest to our constituents.

Having said that, Mr. Speaker, I think the western Arctic and Yellowknife have a tremendous future. We have everything going for us. There are only 40,000 people with vast resources. I think we have a very skilled population. Though we argue amongst ourselves, at the end of the day I'm convinced we'll come together and we're going to make it work.

In the future, I think Yellowknife has to draw upon its strengths. As I said before, it has unmatched infrastructure here in the territories. It has a trained workforce. It has a critical mass of population whereby you can have investment opportunity, whereby you can bring in the larger opportunities from southern Canada, where you can bring in the banking and financial institutions. So I think it's very important for the western Arctic to have a Yellowknife. It's also very important for Yellowknife to recognize that without the support and the interaction with the rest of the western Arctic, Yellowknife can't thrive.

I think that Yellowknife has to get back to its roots. It started off as a very important mining centre, and I see the potential in mining as tremendous. I'm happy to see this mayor and city council are trying to take advantage of that, and are out there pursuing opportunities in mining.

I also see Yellowknife having to really improve their relationship with regions. All too often, Yellowknife has sat in splendid isolation. We, in this House, have heard many times some of the frustration by people across the territories. I think it's time for Yellowknife -- and the mayor and council are starting on this-- to embrace the regions. I think that Yellowknife in partnership with the regions strengthens everybody.

So, Mr. Speaker, I think that at the end of the day if there is proper planning, if there is leadership, creativity and goodwill, I think the people of Yellowknife can move towards 2000 with a lot of confidence and a lot of energy. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

--- Interruption in Proceedings

Would the Sergeant-at-Arms request that the gentleman leave.

--- Interruption in Proceedings

--- SHORT RECESS

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The House will come back to order. We're still on item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my honourable colleague for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent, on what I expect to be the imminent passage of Bill 32.

--- Applause

As you know from your own experience as a Member, Mr. Speaker, it's not always easy to bring forward a private Member's bill and I applaud Mr. Dent's effort and conviction in doing so.

At the same time, though, Mr. Speaker, I remain troubled as I see this bill go on to third reading.

Mr. Speaker, I will always support any endeavour which serves to preserve and enhance the integrity of this House. In retrospect, I believe that Bill 32 will do that. But I remain very concerned about a loophole that exists with regard to Members who may receive a conditional discharge, and I am certain that the legal profession will make every effort to capitalize on it.

I am also concerned, as I stated during standing committee hearings and again during debate in this House, that Mr. Dent's initiative does not go far enough. I believe that there is a far broader range of offences, including bootlegging, impaired driving, illegal possession of drugs, fraud and others that should have been included. I believe that any Member found guilty of these should not be allowed to sit in this House.

I have already stated my concerns over the potential interpretation of threatened violence or attempted assault, and I wonder what our constituents must think when we become so buried in legal definitions and case law that we're not even sure whether our laws reflect what we mean.

But, Mr. Speaker, what troubles me most about seeing Bill 32 passed through this Legislature is that just one more signal of a disturbing trend in Canada; a trend that is pushing all difficult decisions into the courts to decide.

Mr. Speaker, while I applaud Mr. Dent's efforts, this bill runs contrary to the basic belief that I have in our democratic system. It is my belief that it should be up to the people who decide when an elected representative is to be removed, not an outcome of a sentencing hearing in a court. Decisions to expel a Member should occur through an election or when other elected Members choose to exercise the rules of the House.

I am troubled by the increasing Canadian trend of pushing almost every decision into the courts through Charter challenges, constitutional interpretations and so forth. We will take a 10-minute break, please. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Thebacha is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

I am troubled when I see basic common-sense decisions -- like the decision to expel an elected representative who sexually exploits children or assaults another person -- are now being codified in the written laws of our land. Mr. Speaker, the power to exercise those common-sense decisions should be left in the hands of the people who elected us, not the courts. That's especially true here in the north where, for centuries, our elders and leaders did not have to rely on written law. They don't need to have some university-trained judge to tell them what is morally or right to do. Mr. Speaker, those decisions should be with the people who elected us.

Mr. Speaker, I find it absolutely regrettable that Cabinet should vote as a block to defeat the principle of recall, which would have reinforced the people's power to remove a Member. If we had embraced that concept, Mr. Speaker, I don't believe that Bill 32 would have been necessary. Choices about the potential expulsion of MLAs would have remained where they should be, with the voters of the Northwest Territories. I want to put on the record that I will be voting in favour of Bill 32 at third reading, Mr. Speaker. Because, as I said, I believe that when all things are said and done, it is a good bill. But, I will be voting with a feeling of concern in my heart and I hope all Members will take at least a moment to ponder the direction

in which we are moving, as we enact this legislation. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Some Hon. Members

(Microphones turned off)

---Laughter

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Public Works and Services. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, I asked the Minister a question about a call for proposals for copying services that had been undertaken by the Housing Corporation, and I would like to thank the Minister for having responded by letter to me with some details on that call for proposals so quickly. One question is still outstanding and that is, does this call for proposals represent a change in government policy where large-volume copying will now be contracted out?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Morin.

Return To Question 599-12(7): Call For Proposals For Photocopy Services
Question 599-12(7): Call For Proposals For Photocopy Services
Members Present

Page 1316

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is no change in the policy regarding the use of office photocopiers and none is planned in the near future. Thank you.

Return To Question 599-12(7): Call For Proposals For Photocopy Services
Question 599-12(7): Call For Proposals For Photocopy Services
Members Present

Page 1316

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Thompson.

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today in my Member's statement, I referred to the serious problem experienced by sick people in Repulse Bay who need safe transportation to the health centre or to the airport. My question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Is it an approved practice of your department to transport seriously-ill patients on sleds or in the back of pick-up trucks?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Cournoyea.

Return To Question 600-12(7): Departmental Policy On Transportation Of Patients
Question 600-12(7): Departmental Policy On Transportation Of Patients
Members Present

Page 1316

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the matter of the community health centre vehicles in Repulse Bay, the health centre has two skidoos and one all-terrain vehicle and the health centre has two community health nurses. The health board indicates that the number of vehicles is sufficient. The other back-up that the health centre has is that the nurse on call is allowed to take the vehicle home for government business and return to the health centre to see a patient.

Mr. Speaker, the position of the Keewatin Regional Health Board is that it supports local enterprises, such as taxi services. Under the medical travel policy and the non-injured health benefits agreement, ground transport does not pay for travel within the community to go to the airport. The board has indicated to me that it has made its policy positively clear and they are abiding by their general policy where, when a closed in vehicle is required, they support the use of local taxi services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 6: Oral Questions
Item 6: Oral Questions

June 13th, 1995

Page 1316

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Thompson.

Supplementary To Question 600-12(7): Departmental Policy On Transportation Of Patients
Item 6: Oral Questions
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1316

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

I don't think the Minister of Health and Social Services knows that there are no taxis in Repulse Bay. I guess my question is, will the Minister undertake to make sure that a solution can be found so that the nursing station can have access to a van or have a van to transport patients who are seriously ill, so they don't have to depend on a four wheeler or a skidoo to transport them back and forth or on pick-up trucks that are available in the community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 600-12(7): Departmental Policy On Transportation Of Patients
Item 6: Oral Questions
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1316

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Ms. Cournoyea.

Further Return To Question 600-12(7): Departmental Policy On Transportation Of Patients
Item 6: Oral Questions
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1316

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated to the Member, I have received information from the Keewatin Regional Health Board that has apprised me of the measures they've taken. They also indicated the concern they have is although there are vehicles available that they can contract out, it may work for awhile, but then the businesses are no longer there. Certainly, Mr. Speaker, I believe as circumstances change, we have to address the issue. Yes, I will continue to work with the Keewatin health board to see that patients, particularly if they are seriously ill, are comfortable in their transportation from the health centre and in their transportation out of the community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 600-12(7): Departmental Policy On Transportation Of Patients
Item 6: Oral Questions
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1316

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Currently, I believe negotiations are continuing on the development of a northern accord for the Northwest Territories. I would like to ask the Minister, what is the current status of these negotiations?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 601-12(7): Status Of Northern Accord Negotiations
Question 601-12(7): Status Of Northern Accord Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1317

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. These are fluid negotiations. It is my understanding, in talking to Mr. Bailey who is leading the discussions on behalf of this government, that everybody is currently still at the table and is working aggressively to go through the draft accord in an effort to see if an arrangement can be made with all the groups so we can meet the June 30th deadline. Thank you.

Return To Question 601-12(7): Status Of Northern Accord Negotiations
Question 601-12(7): Status Of Northern Accord Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1317

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.