This is page numbers 1341 - 1373 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

NWT Tourism Industry And Outfitters
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1344

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about one of the best renewable resources we have in the Northwest Territories, that being tourism. Mr. Speaker, according to Economic Development and Tourism figures, between May and September last summer, 48,000 tourists spent over $51 million in the Northwest Territories; and that doesn't include the cost of them coming here, that's

actually money that was spent while they were here in the north.

Further, Mr. Speaker, it's estimated that at least $10 million from tourists was left in the territories over the past winter, including the trips to see the northern lights taken by 1,100 people from Japan.

Mr. Speaker, there are approximately 230 NWT businesses which cater to visitors: hotels; beds and breakfasts; fishing lodges; and, one I would specifically like to talk about in more detail today, outfitters. Outfitters are significant contributors to the NWT economy. Most northerners are touched to some degree by the effects of outfitting businesses, because for every dollar of income paid directly to owners and employees of an outfitting business, another 20 cents is generated in the supplier and consumer industries.

In terms of employment, for every person week of direct employment in the caribou outfitting industry, for example, another three work days are generated in supplier and consumer industries.

Mr. Speaker, a lot of people don't know exactly what an outfitter is. An outfitter provides the complete hunting experience, supplying necessary equipment and employing licensed guides to accompany the hunter. Mr. Speaker, like most small businesses in the NWT, these are usually family operations that develop, market and deliver their NWT adventure products to hundreds of visitors each year. An outfitter must be a jack of all trades because they have to be a mechanic, a plumber, a carpenter, an electrician, a problem solver and sometimes a counsellor, just to name a few.

With the new gun control act, they may also have to employ psychiatrists to make sure that people who borrow the firearms from the company are of sound mind.

---Applause

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

NWT Tourism Industry And Outfitters
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1344

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

NWT Tourism Industry And Outfitters
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1344

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, an extensive financial investment and time commitment is required to run an outfitting business. An average day is generally about 16 hours long, and a seven-day week is needed for the duration of a camp which includes setting up and tearing down. Of course, the guides are the hardest workers of all in an outfitting business. All of them, Mr. Speaker, have a significant capital investment in the north, with the average being over $300,000 in their business.

So, Mr. Speaker, there is an awful lot of employment and spin-off employment provided through this business, and all of the revenue is export or new revenue. It's new money into the NWT, not merely recirculated government money, it is new money coming in from outside.

Mr. Speaker, it's important to remember that tourism serves as a bridge between the Northwest Territories and the rest of the world, because it helps promote us as a world-class destination. We cannot afford to lose economic benefits that the tourism industry brings to us, and we must remember than an investment in tourism is an investment in our future.

NWT Tourism Industry And Outfitters
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1344

An Hon. Member

Hear! Hear!

---Applause

NWT Tourism Industry And Outfitters
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1344

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

It's an industry that must be recognized, nurtured and promoted.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to see a close working relationship between the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the new Western Arctic Regional Tourism Authority and all tourism operators to promote and enhance tourism in our region. We need to have a long-term, comprehensive tourism marketing strategy and program for the western Arctic. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

NWT Tourism Industry And Outfitters
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1344

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. At this time I would like to recognize a visitor in the Speaker's gallery, Monsieur Pierre Marchal. He's the Consul-General of France and he's based in Edmonton. Also with him is his wife. Welcome.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Election Of Chief And Band Council In Fort Simpson
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1344

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) What I would like to say today is on our land, the Dene land, there was an election for the chief and band council. This is happening in a lot of communities. Whoever wants to be a chief, there is a lot of work for them. It's hard work to hold the office of chief. Being a chief is hard work. Every day they work for almost 24 hours. It is a lot of work and, on top of that, when there is a shortage of funding, it makes it even harder.

Also, being a chief, they work for the betterment of their people. This is what I would like to say.

The reason I am saying this is that yesterday in Fort Simpson there was an election for the chief and council. As a result, Herb Norwegian is the chief again. On the council is Mary Cazon, Cheryl Cli, Fred Deneyoua, Hazel Isiah, Loyal Letcher, Anita Villeneuve, and Jonas Antoine. There are the people who were elected during the treaty days. During the treaty days, there was also an election for chief and band council. There were two other people who ran for chief. I would also like to thank those two. When we put our names forward for important positions like this, we are doing this for the betterment of our people. If they work well with the new chief, the whole community will benefit as a result. Also, the people who sat as chief and council in the past, I would like to say a big thanks to them. When we are in those positions, we are working for the betterment of our people. Today, with the different system of governments, when people are running for chief it is hard work. Thank you.

Election Of Chief And Band Council In Fort Simpson
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1345

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Antoine. I would also like to say congratulations to the people who have been elected. (Translation ends)

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 31 students who graduated from Samuel Hearne Secondary High School on Friday, June 9th. I was fortunate to make it to that ceremony and was very impressed by the numbers of graduates, but also the mix of graduates. They came from all the communities in the region and they were well dressed and a very impressive lot. The theme of that graduation ceremony was "reach out to the future."

In today's world, in the economy that we are working under and with all the disaster's of the world, I think these young people have a lot that they have to reach out for. The world is at their feet and they are young and energetic. I hope they take advantage of the opportunities that are before them. I would like to thank the parents and the staff of the high school and also Members of the Beaufort/Delta divisional board for their support and helping these kids get to where they are at.

I wish all the graduates well. Reach out high and far to the future. Mahsi.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Appreciation To Cabinet Ministers
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1345

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at least once a session, I try to be positive and uplifting. I don't always like to rant and rave.

---Applause

So today I would like to talk about some good things that have happened...

Appreciation To Cabinet Ministers
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1345

An Hon. Member

Bravo!

Appreciation To Cabinet Ministers
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1345

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

...and give credit where it is due. First of all, I would like to thank Ministers Arngna'naaq and Todd for the good work which has been done by Minister of Renewable Resources and Workers' Compensation Board officials to provide timely compensation for the families of the full-time hunters who died tragically in the waters of Frobisher Bay last fall.

---Applause

Since not every one of those hunters, like many of our constituents, had birth certificates or even marriage certificates, quite a lot of work had to be done to get their applications in order. Credit also goes to Anne Crawford and Maliiganik Tukisiiniakvik for their very hard work assisting the families. But I would like to commend the Ministers for the fact that interim payments have already been received by the families of the full-time hunters and they are well under way to getting the compensation package finalized.

Secondly, Mr. Speaker, I would like to give credit to Raymond Ningeocheak, who has overseen the implementation of the Nunavut Tunngavik hunters' support program this year with the assistance of his capable director Burt Dean and advice from the hunters' and trappers' organizations and the regional organizations throughout Nunavut. This program has received substantial one-time capital contributions from the GNWT and my assessment is they have done an excellent job. They have recently approved a total of 260 applications to hunters in need of assistance throughout Nunavut and I know this will be a very important contribution to developing the renewable resource economy, which we all so much want to support in Nunavut.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank the Honourable Nellie Cournoyea, Minister of Health and Social Services for the attention she gave to care givers in Iqaluit. Since I have some more good things to say, I would like to request consent to conclude my statement, Mr. Speaker.

Appreciation To Cabinet Ministers
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1345

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Appreciation To Cabinet Ministers
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1345

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for the attention she gave to a meeting with care givers in Iqaluit during her recent visit and also for the attention she and her officials gave to the meeting with the officials of the Baffin Treatment Centre. Also, they worked out some funding and implementation problems, which have now been solved, allowing the new Baffin Treatment Centre to start its work and take an in-take clients, successfully, this spring.

I would also like to commend the Minister and the Minister of Justice for finally accomplishing a project that has been long-awaited in this Legislature and that is the tabling of legislation in family law reform. I think this is something that was really expected in the previous Legislature and it never occurred. So it is very gratifying to me that, even though we are in the last few days of the 12th Assembly, that this important work has got to the point where the legislation has been tabled. I know this represents an enormous amount of work. There have been lots of problems and challenges, but I think the Ministers and their officials deserve tremendous commendation for having taken it this far. I am confident that the next Assembly will act upon this long overdue need for reforming our family law.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to mention my gratitude to Mr. Morin and Cabinet colleagues for having, in principle, approved the negotiation of an office space contract for the Department of Renewable Resources for a building, the first phase of which is going up in Iqaluit this summer under the auspices of the Kakivak Association and Qikiqtaaluk Corporation. Cabinet support to this new aboriginal venture in my constituency is appreciated and it will be a big economic boon to the community to have this project going ahead this summer.

The last good thing I would like to comment on, Mr. Speaker, has to do with myself and...

---Applause

...but I want to express my gratitude to my colleagues on the Standing Committee on Finance for having elected me deputy chairman. That was gratifying for me and an honour which I appreciate. That is another good-news item I wish to celebrate with you today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Appreciation To Cabinet Ministers
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1346

Some Hon. Members

Yea.

---Applause

Appreciation To Cabinet Ministers
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1346

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Procedures Used To Dismiss Bird Dog Officer
Item 3: Members' Statements

June 14th, 1995

Page 1346

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, prior to this session, the Minister responsible for fire management took the responsibility to ensure he terminated the manager of air operations, Mr. Rick Pederson. This position was responsible for the air attack officers, better known as Bird Dog officers.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, in speaking to Mr. Pederson, he advised me that only yesterday he received his lay-off notice. Up until then, he was at home not knowing whether he was laid off, fired or his position deemed redundant. Mr. Pederson was given verbal notification on May 9th. Yesterday being June 14th, he was advised officially of his employment status with this government.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I find it shameful that our own act we passed in this House, this government, up until yesterday, I believe, ignored. Mr. Speaker, today I will be tabling a letter which was sent to me on May 29th, and I quote from one paragraph in the letter:

"Rick Pederson is no longer with the fire management program. His services are not required. The decision to proceed without Mr. Pederson was made since I took responsibility for this program."

The letter was signed by Mr. Morin.

Procedures Used To Dismiss Bird Dog Officer
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1346

An Hon. Member

Shame.

Procedures Used To Dismiss Bird Dog Officer
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1346

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, this type of language in a letter tells me that there is blatant political interference on the part of the Minister filling his Cabinet responsibility. In addition, Mr. Speaker, for the Premier of the government to have full confidence in her Minister in the methods used in carrying out his responsibility was somewhat shameful. It's further seen by my constituents that these types of comments

are totally out of character for the Premier to conduct herself in this manner.

However, Mr. Speaker, in light of the proposed method the Premier announced in this House today, I am sure it will give some comfort to my constituents, her willingness to address this issue. Although she stated this investigation would only apply to the assistant manager of the air operation and air attack officers, I would encourage her to also review the method used for the manager of air operation's position, Mr. Pederson.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue with my statement.

Procedures Used To Dismiss Bird Dog Officer
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1346

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.

Procedures Used To Dismiss Bird Dog Officer
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1346

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable colleagues. I have stated over the past couple of weeks the concern of Bird Dog operators and how this government is ignoring the safety aspect of section 13 of the NWT Safety Act, particularly when it was this government who placed this requirement in the request for proposals for the heavy land-based and air tanker proposal which is critically needed to fight fires. I am pleased an investigation is being carried out by labour relations.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier is ultimately accountable for the actions of any of her Cabinet Ministers, and it's her responsibility to ensure our legislation is upheld. The Cabinet, as a whole, has a legal responsibility to uphold our laws we enact, that is why they are called "Ministers of the Crown."

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Premier for her announcement of what course of action she's going to take. The Premier is displaying a professional attitude towards addressing this tense situation, and is more in line with her character. Mr. Speaker, if this government is serious in ensuring the fire operation runs smoothly, then it is important they take every measure to avoid a disaster this summer. Thank you.

---Applause

Procedures Used To Dismiss Bird Dog Officer
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1346

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Ms. Cournoyea.

Return To Question 538-12(7): Completion Of Official Languages Act Regulations
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 1347

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Koe on June 7th. Mr. Koe asked when the regulations for the Northwest Territories Official Languages Act will be completed.

The introduction of regulations on official languages must be considered carefully due to the complex and varied nature of each official language. For example, the provisions of the act grant varying status to the official languages, there are different literacy and fluency levels for each language, and oral tradition will play an important role in language development.

Mr. Speaker, once the official languages policy and guidelines are finalized, the GNWT will meet with the Languages Commissioner and the Department of Justice in order to discuss the needs for regulations under the Official Languages Act.

Return To Question 530-12(7): Status Of Official Languages Handbook
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 1347

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I have a further return to an oral question. The question was asked by Mr. Koe on June 7th. Mr. Koe asked when the official languages handbook will be ready for distribution.

The GNWT remains committed to the completion of the official languages policy and guidelines. In order to complete this task and given the changing fiscal reality of the GNWT, two rounds of consultation with GNWT departments, boards and agencies affected by the proposed official languages policy and guidelines were necessary.

The proposed official languages policy and guidelines are currently being translated.

Language groups will be consulted on the proposed official languages policy and guidelines throughout the summer. Following this consultation, the policy and guidelines will be finalized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.