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

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the knowledge of the Dene and Metis of the Sahtu, we recall that the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s was a time when the approach of the federal governments of the day regarding firefighting was very much an approach of using manpower at the ground level. We have come to a stage where, last summer, our people realized that we spend excessive amounts of money fighting fires. Last summer, I believe, we spent in excess of $25 million. Most of the fires in the Sahtu were extensive. Huge areas of land were burned and scorched, in spite of the high-tech approach we took. In spite of the bombers and huge numbers of aircraft and people involved, the land burned anyway.

People have asked over the last two winters, what difference does it really make whether we have bombers? The land didn't all burn during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Last year, in spite of the great support given to firefighting by bombers and choppers, there were huge tracts of land which burned anyway. As the MLA for the Sahtu, I know that many of the people at the community level would welcome any change to give people at the community level an avenue through which their suggestions for change and observations on how to get a more community-oriented approach to dealing with fires, would be related to the government.

It is this message that has been getting through to our communities, particularly in the last three weeks: that there are possibilities for change, where we don't have to feel that the drier our country gets, the more broke this government is going to get; and the more our country burns, the less money we'll have for other essential services because of the high-costing, but ineffective, means we take to fight fires. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Work Of Bird Dog Officers
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1377

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member for Thebacha, my constituents are very concerned about the way we address fires, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, many northern residents at times, I believe, don't fully understand the responsibility of an air attack officer, better known as Bird Dog officers. I'm going to attempt to explain some of the working conditions they have to work under.

When the Bird Dog aircraft flies ahead of DC-4s or CL-215s, they assist the pilots in fire attacks. For example, when the Bird Dog is five minutes back from the fire, the air attack officer will contact the fire boss and any aircraft in the area to notify them that the Bird Dogs are now controlling the fire space and to start making arrangements to clear the area for the tanker group. The air attack officer is responsible for the safe operation of the air tanker group and, as such, may remove crews from the fire if he deems it hazardous to life or property, either people on the ground or in aircraft.

Mr. Speaker, the air attack officer works under very difficult conditions. Remember, smoke could be very dense from a fire; and, there could be very hot conditions which create hot air pockets so planes could lose altitude very quickly. There are, at times, turbulence, prevailing winds, down drafts and lack of visibility, no doubt from the amount of smoke.

Mr. Speaker, I was saddened to hear that there were lay-off notices given to two air attack officers, including the assistant air operator, Jack Bird. Jack Bird was raised in Hay River and also Yellowknife. I recall, quite vividly, going to school with Jack here in Yellowknife. Jack Bird started in Inuvik in 1974 as a firefighter. He completed training in resource management in February 1975. He was based in Yellowknife until 1980 as an assistant resource management officer, where he was responsible for the supervision of ground crews. He also has worked as an air attack officer since 1980. He has been on loan to most agencies in Canada, the United States and in Mexico.

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

Work Of Bird Dog Officers
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1378

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Work Of Bird Dog Officers
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1378

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want the House to note that Jack Bird, was the first and only native to be nationally certified in Canada. Incidentally, the only other native was from the NWT, Fred Lepine, from Hay River. In 1989, Jack Bird moved a step ahead in his career and was able to achieve the assistant manager of air operations until Wednesday, where his

responsibilities, including supervision of the air attack officers, had been questionable.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, another air attack officer, Mr. Jeff Austin, who is a certified air attack officer with 16 seasons of active fire suppression, who also lives in Hay River also has been given notice. I will be seeking clarification from the Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board with regard to these two lay-off notices, particularly with respect to what the Premier had announced in this House yesterday. I will also be requesting further clarification from the Minister of Public Works and Safety. I did invite Mr. Jack Bird, Jeff Austin to this House today. I will be pleased, at a later point in time, to recognize them, along with their regional vice-president, Mr. Keith Dowling. Thank you.

---Applause

Work Of Bird Dog Officers
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1378

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Further Return To Question 568-12(7): Request For Extra Assistance To Fight Sahtu Forest Fire
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 1378

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mrs. Jeannie Marie-Jewell on June 9th with regard to the request for extra assistance to fight Sahtu forest fires.

The Fort Smith Forest Fire Centre regularly receives offers to purchase or lease additional aircraft for firefighting purposes. However, if additional aircraft are required during the season, the forest fire centre will first determine if these can be charted from local air carriers and if not, will issue a request for assistance from other jurisdictions through the mutual aid resources sharing management agreement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 568-12(7): Request For Extra Assistance To Fight Sahtu Forest Fire
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 1378

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Return To Question 501-12(7): Reason For Increase In Stumpage Fees
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 1378

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Brian Lewis with regard to the reason for an increase in stumpage fees.

Under the Forest Management Act and regulations, there are two charges for timber harvesting: reforestation charges and timber cutting charges. Changes were made to these charges as part of the 1995-96 operational planning process. These changes affect spruce and pine saw logs, but not fuel wood. The reforestation charges have increased. Despite the increase, this fee is still substantially lower than other jurisdictions. Under legislation, the money collected for reforestation must be put back into reforestation activities.

A new schedule for the timber cutting charges is being developed. This new schedule will tie the timber charges to the price of lumber. With the present lumber prices, most operators will pay less under this new schedule than they did last year. This new schedule will be in place for the next harvest season. I am providing a letter with additional information to the honourable Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Return To Question 501-12(7): Reason For Increase In Stumpage Fees
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 1378

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 532-12(7): Status Of Government Liability When Lowering Proposal Standards
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 1378

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral questioned asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on June 7th of this year regarding the status of government liability when lowering proposal standards.

She asked and requested a legal opinion as to whether or not there is an increase in liability to this government if the department chooses to lower the standards called for in the "request for proposals" when accepting bids.

Legal counsel has advised me that governments are liable for their negligent acts and omissions. However, there is no legal precedent that indicates that not adhering to the specifications contained in their request for proposals and ultimately entering into a contract, as a result of it, constitutes negligence. Thank you.

Return To Question 532-12(7): Status Of Government Liability When Lowering Proposal Standards
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 1378

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Ng.

Return To Question 571-12(7): Status Of Forest Fire Emergency Measures Procedures
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 1378

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Whitford on June 12th with respect to the forest fire emergency measures procedures.

Municipal and Community Affairs, through the emergency measures organization, coordinates this government's role in emergency responses. This includes coordinating government support to municipal emergency operations such as the efforts in Yellowknife and Deline to house and feed the evacuees from Fort Norman and Norman Wells.

This coordinating role is largely guided by the GNWT peacetime emergency plan and the community's emergency response plan. A community emergency response plan typically identifies local emergency response resources and the procedures, roles and responsibilities of local organizations for various emergency situations.

The rapid and successful response to the evacuation efforts of Fort Norman and Norman Wells is the result of a coordinated effort of the city of Yellowknife, the GNWT department of Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment, the emergency response committees of Fort Norman, Norman Wells and Deline, and the countless volunteers who responded to requests for everything from strollers and baby diapers to pillows and bedding.

Akaitcho Hall was used as one of the residences for evacuees. Akaitcho is being used for an elder hostel program at this time and arrangements were made by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to organize the operations of the elder hostel program to make available the space and services of Akaitcho Hall for evacuees. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 571-12(7): Status Of Forest Fire Emergency Measures Procedures
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 1379

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 571-12(7): Status Of Forest Fire Emergency Measures Procedures
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 1379

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, could I ask for the unanimous consent of my colleagues to return to item 2, Ministers' statements, please?

Return To Question 571-12(7): Status Of Forest Fire Emergency Measures Procedures
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 1379

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Mackenzie Delta is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 2, Ministers' statements. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Nerysoo, proceed with your statement.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two statements. I hope I don't take up too much time. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that this week, June 12th to the 18th, is Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Week 1995. The theme of this year's Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Week is "Communication: Open the Channels."

Communication is an essential element in the prevention of injuries in the workplace. Employers must ensure that employees know how to do their jobs safely, but employees must ensure that their employers are made aware of hazardous conditions that develop, so that employers can take steps necessary to rectify the hazardous conditions.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Safety and Public Services is especially active in providing public education this week and promoting the theme of "Communications: Open the Channels." The department has public information booths in the lobby of the Siniktarvik Hotel in Rankin Inlet, in the Northern Store in Inuvik, in the WG Brown Building in Iqaluit and in the Panda II Mall in Yellowknife. At all these locations, staff are handing out pamphlets and printed materials, stickers and other material promoting safety and performing demonstrations.

The staff involved in our public education efforts this week include safety officers, electrical inspectors, gas and boiler and pressure vessel inspectors, as well as mine safety inspectors and staff of the fire marshal's office.

The department's mining safety division is especially active this week in public education through our participation in Mining Week. Our staff are key participants in the mine rescue competition, which allows the general public to gain an appreciation of the emergency response systems in place in NWT mines. I would like to invite all honourable Members to come out and watch mine rescue teams from across the Northwest Territories to go through their paces this weekend at the firehall and the Yellowknife Community Arena. Our mine rescue teams are the best in Canada, and this weekend they will be judged by some of the toughest mine rescue competition judges in Canada, including Mr. Terry Vaughan

Thomas who was instrumental in developing our new mine safety legislation.

Mr. Speaker, when the department investigates accidents, our staff know that one of the most common causes of workplace injury is poor communication. The Department of Safety and Public Services is using Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Week to focus public attention on the need to keep the channels of communication open in the workplace and to the general public so that we can all learn how to work safety together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Continue, Mr. Nerysoo.

Minister's Statement 99-12(7): Legislative Action Paper On Recall
Revert To Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1379

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time today, I will be tabling the government's legislative action paper on recall. The action paper was prepared in response to a recommendation last fall from the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges. Recall is a formal "citizen-driven" process to remove a Member from their seat before the normal term of the Legislature is over. As requested by the standing committee, the action paper addresses a number of issues related to the implications of and approaches to implementing recall in the Northwest Territories.

In preparing the action paper, the government has attempted to provide a balanced account of the arguments in favour of and opposing recall. The government acknowledges that the issue of accountability of Members to their constituents has been the subject of numerous debates and a number of concrete initiatives during the life of this Assembly. Recall represents a measure where constituents can initiate measures on their own to hold their elected Member accountable.

The government also acknowledges the work of Yellowknife Centre MLA, Brian Lewis, and other Members who have encouraged this Assembly and our constituents to give serious consideration to recall for increasing the accountability of their elected representatives.

In the final analysis, the government believes that recall has both advantages and disadvantages, given the circumstances and challenges that the Northwest Territories, our constituents and their elected representatives will face in the coming years. Accountability will no doubt be an issue in the upcoming territorial general election. This legislative action paper on recall will hopefully make a useful contribution to the debate on whether this accountability instrument should be incorporated into our consensus system of government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Minister's Statement 99-12(7): Legislative Action Paper On Recall
Revert To Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1380

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. 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

Page 1380

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I take this opportunity to introduce Gary Bohnet, president of the Metis Nation; and, Michael Paulette, vice-president of the Metis Nation.

---Applause

As well, Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure of introducing to you members of Elder Hostel. The group that's here will be visiting our Legislative Assembly, parts of the Northwest Territories -- certainly Yellowknife -- to learn a little bit more about the political system in the Northwest Territories. I'll be meeting with them for about an hour or so afterwards.

---Applause

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

Page 1380

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

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

Page 1380

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Mr. Jack Bird from Fort Smith who was the assistant manager of air operations until Wednesday. Mr. Bird resides in Fort Smith. I would also like to recognize Jeff Austin from Hay River. Both gentlemen are accompanied by Mr. Keith Dowling who is the regional vice-president in Fort Smith of the UNW. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Page 1380

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Thompson.

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question directed to the Minister of Renewable Resources. I know that the Minister of Renewable Resources is also aware that the sport polar bear hunters who come into the communities go to Repulse Bay and Coral Harbour to hunt polar bears. This has been running smoothly for a long time, and the guides and outfitters are paid well by these sport hunters who are coming to these communities. All the men and women in the communities benefit from those sport hunters who are coming to the communities, especially to Repulse Bay and Coral Harbour. The hunters are able to make some extra money by taking them out; and the women who make the clothing for those hunters, are paid well for the work they do by making the outdoor clothing for these sport hunting. So, sport hunting for polar bears has been one of the programs that has operated very well in the north, and everyone is aware of that.

As our Minister knows, the Department of Renewable Resources has said in Coral Harbour there are a lot of caribou on Southampton Island at this time. My question is regarding the sport hunting of polar bears, as it has operated very well in the past. I'll ask my question in English. (Translation ends)

My question is to the Minister of Renewable Resources. Building on the success of polar bear sport hunting, will the Minister provide direction and encouragement to his officials to find a way to make caribou sport hunting tags available for a much-needed economic opportunity to my constituents? Thank you.