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

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

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin, I understand you have several. Just go through them.

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

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

(Microphone turned off)

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

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Just one? You have only one return? Okay.

Return To Question 570-12(7): Bip Status Of Northern Municipalities
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Patterson on June 9, 1995; BIP status of northern municipalities.

Municipalities are not eligible to register as northern companies under the business incentive policy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 570-12(7): Bip Status Of Northern Municipalities
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Whitford.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. It's a pleasure to introduce to you a long-time friend and northern businessman, Mr. Joe McBryan. Mr. McBryan is the founder of Buffalo Airways, Buffalo Courier Services and now Buffalo Air Tanker Services.

As well, I would like to introduce to you Barb Paquin, executive director, NWT Literacy Council.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Transportation. Over the past months, the Minister has been making various statements, culminating in his statement last week that the transfer of the Arctic A airports is going to take effect come July 1st, I believe. There is still some concern, though, with the operations of the airports. Even though these transfers will take place and ownership and management will transfer from the federal Ministry of Transport to our government, it seems that the federal government is still making decisions on contracts and how the airports are being run; and these decisions are long term, in some cases. So I would like to ask the Minister, since he stated that in the negotiations he would try to ensure that services of these Arctic A airports are maintained at the current levels, what the results of the negotiations are and if there are any cutbacks proposed to the operations of these airports.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't believe, at this time, that there will be any significant cutbacks on the operations of the nine Arctic A airports. As I said earlier last week, we've negotiated a base funding of $24.5 million. We believe that that level of funding will be adequate to maintain the current services that we have in all of these airports, and maintain the positions and the jobs that relate to them. Thank you.

Return To Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi. Thank you for that information. I've read and heard several reports about cuts, not only in the north but across Canada, to the weather information services. Most of

the airports, especially in the south, have transferred to automated weather information services. I would like to ask the Minister if our airports will continue to be manned, or will they be cut and replaced by these automatic weather information services? I know there have been some cuts already, but will all of the airports be transferred to these automated services?

Supplementary To Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to differentiate. The flight service stations still remain in the hands of Transport Canada. They will be looking after the operations and maintenance of the airports. I do recognize what my honourable colleague is saying. There is some talk about putting in automated systems, both in his area and in the Cambridge Bay area. That is being done in southern Canada at the present time. We are under discussion with Transport Canada that the difference, if you want, between us and the rest of the country is that in most cases, but not in all cases, the primary mode of transportation into Arctic communities is by air and that some preference must be given to ensure that they are manned by people rather than by automated equipment. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Supplementary To Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Thank you. There is also some concern about the role of firefighters in these airports. Some of the airports have manned teams on 24-hour standby at the airports. Are there going to be any cuts to these services at these airports?

Supplementary To Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We recognize that right now the firefighting and safety aspects of airports are coming under review right across Canada. We are working hard, as I said earlier to try to maintain the current level of services and the jobs that relate to operating these nine Arctic A airports, but it's my understanding that the discussions, as they relate to fire safety and emergency measures, are still under debate with the different organizations in the aviation industry, and, at this time, I couldn't assure the honourable Member whether or not there will be cuts. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Supplementary To Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Fred Koe Inuvik

In response to one of my earlier questions, the Minister made a statement about the federal Ministry of Transportation are still going to have some responsibilities, and I am not really clear what they will be, but I would like to ask in terms of the aerological weather observation program.

Last week, I raised a question about the tenders which are being let, and I believe the tenders for this service are for two or three years, so I am wondering why the federal Ministry of Transport would be letting these long-term contracts if ownership and management are going to change.

Supplementary To Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1348

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In discussions right across the country, not just in the territories, it is my understanding that in the flight services and safety components of airports, the federal ministry will still retain authority and responsibility for that. Even though we may be negotiating the nine airports here or a municipality in southern Canada may be negotiating to run their airport, the flight safety and services components of Transport Canada would remain with Transport Canada. Therefore, if there are any contracts which come under their jurisdiction, then they have the mandate, responsibility and fiscal authority to meet these decisions that my honourable colleague alludes to. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Question 613-12(7): Results Of Arctic A Airport Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1348

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you. My question, Mr. Speaker, is to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. It is to do with northern accord negotiations.

We seem to be getting mixed messages. I know the Minister has been in discussions with aboriginal organizations and the federal government for many months. There seem to still be some differences of opinion as to whether or not a northern accord will go ahead. My concern is, if the northern accord doesn't go ahead or if the federal government, for whatever reason, decides that it won't proceed with a northern accord, do we have a fall-back position? So my question to the Minister is, is there is another mechanism besides the northern accord to protect northerners to make sure they get their share of benefits and opportunities if the northern accord doesn't go ahead?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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