This is page numbers 1374 - 1400 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 assembly.

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, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 1374

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. Good morning. Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers' statements. Ms. Cournoyea.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the Members that the Honourable John Todd will be absent from the House today to attend meetings in Rankin Inlet.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

As well, Mr. Speaker, tonight I'll be travelling to Iqaluit for a number of important functions which will involve two world leaders.

On Saturday, Iqaluit Mayor Joe Kunuk and I will officially welcome German Chancellor Kohl to Iqaluit and Nunavut. The Chancellor, who will be joined by Prime Minister Chretien, expressed an interest in visiting the Canadian Arctic following the G-7 meetings this week in Halifax.

In addition to their presence in Iqaluit, the Chancellor and Prime Minister will visit Cape Dorset on Sunday, and Pangnirtung on Monday. Baffin Central MLA, Rebecca Mike, will be in Pangnirtung during their visit.

Mr. Speaker, both world leaders will have the opportunity to meet residents of all three communities; to spend some time on the land; and, according to the Prime Minister's office, to view Inuit art and meet some of Nunavut's world-famous artists.

Chancellor Kohl has expressed a particular interest in Inuit art. On Sunday evening, the Government of the Northwest Territories will be hosting a dinner for the Chancellor, Prime Minister and a number of guests from Iqaluit.

Mr. Speaker, Members should also be aware that I will take this opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister to discuss a number of territorial issues. I will travel back to Yellowknife on Monday and will be present in the House on Tuesday. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Dent.

Raven Mad Daze And The Midnight Golf Tournament
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1374

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to talk about the celebration in Yellowknife of the arrival of summer and, soon, the longest day. It is marked by the occasion of Raven Mad Daze and the 1995 Canadian North Yellowknife Midnight Classic Golf Tournament.

Mr. Speaker, for Raven Mad Daze tonight, there will be over 70 events on the streets downtown, which is a record number. Everything from a merry-go-round to street vendors to a food fair will be there. There will be four stages with five bands and even more musicians in the talent contest. There will be entertainment for the entire family between 7:00 pm and 12:00 am on the downtown streets and I would encourage everyone to get out and take part. Hopefully, the rain gods are finished with us today and it will be a sunny evening.

The other celebration that marks this event tonight, Mr. Speaker, is the golf tournament, as I mentioned; the Midnight Classic. I would just like to make sure everyone knows that you don't have to be golfing in the tournament to go to the golf course and take part in the fun. There will be courtesy buses leaving from Ndilo and going through the town on a regular basis out to the golf course. Entertainment starts at 7:00 pm tonight with the Chief Jimmy Bruno school drummers from Rae Edzo and also appearing out there will be the Gumboots and Tracy Riley and, at midnight, the pipe band.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to encourage people to get out and take part in the festivities at the golf course, to watch the tee-offs, ranging in time from 3:00 pm this afternoon to 3:00 am. Every three hours, there will be tee offs, as the golfers battle not only the mosquitoes but ravens, who are well-noted ball thieves. With that, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to wish best of luck to the representative who will be holding up the banner for the Legislative Assembly. I understand that our colleague, Mr. Fred Koe, will be golfing in the tournament and I know we would all like to express our best wishes to him on his success. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Raven Mad Daze And The Midnight Golf Tournament
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1374

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Whitford.

Nursing Profession In The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1375

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in March of this year, when we had a lot of legislative matters still ahead of us, Members passed amendments to the Nursing Profession Act. As we near the closure of this Assembly, it is rewarding to look back and view the positive effects our legislation has had on various members of the nursing profession in the NWT.

In fact, passage of the amendments to the Nursing Profession Act has enabled our aboriginal people to realize a long-held dream of being able to receive the training and education to care for their own people. The nursing education now available to students in the Northwest Territories is tailored to meet national standards, thereby giving our graduates the freedom and ability to work anywhere in Canada. Once equipped with these highly-regarded qualifications, our students may well be in demand in countries throughout the world.

The majority of our first students are looking forward to finding work in or near their home communities. Over the years, our nurses have worked in every community in the NWT, winning people's admiration and respect. Initially, the nurses' role was to respond to the communities' health needs. As always, however, the nursing profession evolves to meet changing needs and the role of nurses in the north is always changing.

I am confident that the nurses' future role will be that of informing and assisting community members to take more responsibility for their own health. As members in the communities gain more autonomy and authority, the nurses will help them gain more control over their well-being. In this capacity, nurses will work with the communities to identify their health needs, define methods of approaching problems and to utilize available resources. Therefore, while nurses fill key positions in community development, they will also continue to promote good health standards, restore the sick to health, and lead cooperative campaigns to prevent illnesses.

As the departments of Health and Social Services become amalgamated, the face of health care systems will change. But one thing is certain, and that is the ongoing need...

Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to conclude.

Nursing Profession In The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1375

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Yellowknife South is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Whitford.

Nursing Profession In The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1375

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. As the departments of Health and Social Services become amalgamated, the face of health care systems will change. But one thing is certain, and that is the ongoing need for nurses to become an integral part of the new health system.

One of our national slogans is "nurses make the difference." And anyone who has been ill can attest to the truth of that statement. Although we are all in the midst of change, we can be sure that we will always need nurses in our lives and in our communities. They have won a special place in our hearts and a great deal of respect in our communities. So, as our nursing students prepare to graduate, I would like them to know how welcome they will be and how proud we are of them. Thank you.

---Applause

Nursing Profession In The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1375

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Opposition To Federal Gun Control Legislation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1375

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't have the usual Friday statement today, unfortunately, but I do want to make a few comments about the activities in the Nunatsiaq riding concerning Bill C-68. The Nunatsiaq Coalition Against Gun Control had a meeting last night, and I was asked to convey to Members of this Assembly the fact that members of the coalition are very impressed with the statements and the work that has been done by this Assembly on this issue. They're pleased that at least one level of government seems to be adequately representing the very strong concerns of constituents of my riding and others in the Nunatsiaq riding.

I would like to also announce that they're still working on the petition that I tabled the other day, collecting more names. There are well over 2,000 names that have now been collected, and it is still growing. The plan is to present this petition to the Senate committee and other persons to make them aware of the strength of feelings and the unanimity of feelings on this very important issue in the Nunatsiaq riding.

I would also like to say, Mr. Speaker, that I'm very grateful to have been given the honour of representing the Caucus, through the Caucus Subcommittee on Bill C-68. We have, as you know, some plans to continue our work in Ottawa next week with aboriginal organizations and Senators in a low-key way, but I think it's very important this work continue. So this will be my last day in the House, perhaps my last day this session, perhaps my last day in this House forever. But more about that when I make my reply to the Commissioner's Address, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much.

---Applause

Opposition To Federal Gun Control Legislation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1375

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Importance Of Mlas' Team Unity
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1375

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest last Friday to the discussion that we had on Bill 33, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 3. An act that has also been referred to by some to make the Premier into a queen or an empress or a deity; all kinds of uncomplimentary words, in my opinion.

Mr. Speaker, everyone has an opinion on this bill, and various people recall that we have had people in the past who were deities. I refer, of course, to the first northern-resident Commissioner, Mr. Hodgson, who was sometimes referred to as the emperor of the north; sometimes referred to in...(inaudible)...

Mr. Speaker, there has been some interest in the last while in what's been referred to as team politics. Team politics being a word to describe those people who can, in fact, work together. The alternative to teams, Mr. Speaker, is gangs. If you recall, Mr. Speaker, this week when I was discussing this issue of sport; I raised it as a statement that sport was a very important thing. I found that when I worked in the poorer parts of London and England, as I was a young man very interested in sport, I was asked, why don't you try to get these young people interested in sport; because the alternative to being on a team is really to become part of a gang, and gangs really do terrible things. They get into trouble. Their objectives are not always good objectives. I see that happening in all the urban areas throughout the world. People operate as gangs, and they can cause mayhem, problems, trouble.

So, Mr. Speaker, I'm suggesting today that if we really want to advance, we should think about teams and teamwork; otherwise the result will be gang warfare. Gang warfare, as we all know, is very unpleasant. It characterizes many of our cities throughout the world. And I don't see anything wrong with being part of a team, because that's how you get things done, that's how you move, that's how you become a winner. Gangs never win. They may succeed in the odd battle but, in the long run, they will be divisive, destructive and will get you nowhere. This system is in danger of, in my opinion, descending to gang warfare until we do something about it.

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

Importance Of Mlas' Team Unity
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1376

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. The Member for Yellowknife Centre is seeking unanimous consent. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Lewis, conclude your statement.

Importance Of Mlas' Team Unity
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1376

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Speaker, my honourable colleague from Yellowknife South, Mr. Dent, has talked about the necessity of a cohesive team approach. The Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson, has mentioned team politics. I agree with these statements, Mr. Speaker, and I think we should start working on it right now before the next Media Sharks charity hockey game. That maybe is the secret. If we can get this House to work as a team for the first time to beat the media, by working cohesively perhaps it could be the seeds of a new approach to politics in the Northwest Territories where we suddenly arrive at the formula to be successful. Who knows, Mr. Speaker? If we do it right, this may become an election issue and people can begin training right now so that in the next Assembly we can get a really good team to beat our traditional enemy at this well-known Canadian game. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Importance Of Mlas' Team Unity
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1376

An Hon. Member

Hear! Hear!

---Applause

Importance Of Mlas' Team Unity
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1376

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Potential Of The NWT Mining Industry
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1376

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As my colleague, Mr. Whitford, said in his Member's statement yesterday, this is Mining Week here in the Northwest Territories. Mining has played a very important part in the economy of the Northwest Territories for many years, and it has been a key part of Yellowknife. In my constituency, Giant Mine has provided employment and business opportunities for decades. It has been a very important part of the community.

My understanding is that last year, mining provided some 75 per cent of the goods produced in the Northwest Territories, and actually provided 25 per cent of the GDP of the Northwest Territories. So it's a very, very important component of our economy. As the federal cutbacks become more and more of a factor, I think we're going to have to look at the potential that we have. To me, mining is going to provide some of the greatest potential here in the Northwest Territories.

Members are aware that there has been concern by governments right across the country that the mining industry has been leaving Canada. For many reasons, the mining industry has not found Canada to be very supportive of mining, even though, in many ways, the Canadian economy and the very high quality of life that we've enjoyed in Canada has been an important part on mining. But the other governments in Canada are coming around. There are major endeavours now to support mining. In fact, the big find in Newfoundland in Voisey Bay with Diamond Fields Company, could turn around the economy of Newfoundland. It could go from being a very, very poor province with a tremendously high number of unemployed people, to being a self-sufficient province. I think that's a lesson for us, because if we, especially here in the west, don't take advantage of that mining opportunity, and as the federal government cuts back, we're going to have serious economic problems. So I look to the future with a lot of optimism because of the potential in mining.

This weekend, the Chamber of Mines has many events. The mine rescue competition will be at the Yellowknife arena over the next couple of days.

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

Potential Of The NWT Mining Industry
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1376

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Yellowknife North is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Ballantyne.

Potential Of The NWT Mining Industry
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1376

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's a good opportunity for Members to become more familiar with mining and I hope that Members take advantage of this opportunity, get out and talk to the miners and see what they're doing here in the Northwest Territories. I think all of us should remember, although there are very legitimate concerns right now about the environment and very legitimate concerns about self-government, at the end of the day, the mineral wealth of the western Arctic is going to be what we need to sustain us. There is really no other way around that.

So, I think our challenge together is to find a way to ensure that responsible mining responds to the needs of the Northwest Territories -- especially for us over here in the western Arctic -- including environmental concerns. I think we have to get more aggressive and take control over our destiny. At the end of the day, the only way we're going to receive the full benefits of mining is if we control the agenda. Hopefully, the discussions taking place right now on the mining accord will come to some resolution and we, collectively, in the western Arctic can ensure that mining takes place in a responsible way, and can enjoy the full benefits of mining opportunities. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Potential Of The NWT Mining Industry
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1377

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we've had an opportunity in this House on a number of occasions to discuss Bill C-68. I want to personally, Mr. Speaker, thank on behalf of my constituents, the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Jeannie Marie-Jewell, Dennis Patterson, Jim Antoine, Fred Koe and, especially, John Ningark for having represented the interests of the people of the Northwest Territories and this Assembly in bringing forward our concerns as they relate to Bill C-68.

It is my impression that they have contributed significantly, from at least hearing the comments of Mr. Ningark who brought forward his personal experiences as an aboriginal person to the Canadian public about the relationship of aboriginal people and the use of firearms -- not for the purpose of abusing them but for the purpose of carrying on a life that has been historic.

So, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank again the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Jeannie Marie-Jewell and Dennis Patterson, for venturing into our capital city of Ottawa to express their concerns. I hope others will accept the challenge. I want to say to them, thank you for the work that you've done and thank you for the ongoing work that you will do during the next several weeks. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.