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

An Hon. Member

Hear! Hear!

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Return To Question 629-12(7): Availability Of Caribou Sport Hunting Tags
Question 629-12(7): Availability Of Caribou Sport Hunting Tags
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that caribou sport hunters, at least in the west, have been very successful. I also realize that the polar bear outfitters have also been very successful in bringing people up. I believe there are commercial tags that are available, at least in the Keewatin for the Beverly Qamanirjuaq herd. However, I also understand that it is up to the local hunters to decide how those tags will be used. At the present time, I believe those tags are being used to catch caribou to be brought to the processing plant in Rankin Inlet.

For the caribou on Southampton Island, I'm sure everybody knows of the work that has been done in conjunction with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. From what the department tells me, there are sufficient caribou there to produce caribou meat for processing for a long period of time. I would think that it would be timely if there were some local people who would want to start outfitting on Southampton Island, but I believe that that decision should lie with the people on Southampton Island. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 629-12(7): Availability Of Caribou Sport Hunting Tags
Question 629-12(7): Availability Of Caribou Sport Hunting Tags
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Thompson.

Supplementary To Question 629-12(7): Availability Of Caribou Sport Hunting Tags
Question 629-12(7): Availability Of Caribou Sport Hunting Tags
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is, will the Minister provide direction and encouragement to my constituency in caribou sports hunting? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 629-12(7): Availability Of Caribou Sport Hunting Tags
Question 629-12(7): Availability Of Caribou Sport Hunting Tags
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Further Return To Question 629-12(7): Availability Of Caribou Sport Hunting Tags
Question 629-12(7): Availability Of Caribou Sport Hunting Tags
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know what type of direction would be required. I would be willing to write to the hunters' and trappers' association in

Coral Harbour to suggest that a portion of the tags that are available for commercial processing could be used by outfitters, if they so wished. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 629-12(7): Availability Of Caribou Sport Hunting Tags
Question 629-12(7): Availability Of Caribou Sport Hunting Tags
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Are there any further oral questions? Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

I have question for the Premier, Mr. Speaker, and it's to do with the question of division. Presently, Mr. Speaker, the process of decision, it seems to me, has some inequity in structure as to how it's being approached, and all the more power to the east, but in Nunavut there is a legislative pace for division, there is a structure for division with the Nunavut Implementation Commission and later on with an interim Commissioner and there's a time frame.

There's not an equal structure in the west, and there is some concern raised by a number of people, and I've had this concern for a long time. At some point, this inequity in structure could cause us some problems as we try to have a fair resolution of the division question.

My question to the Premier is, how would the Premier suggest that we deal with this and what is the government plan to ensure that there is equal participation in the creation of two new territories by both east and west? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Return To Question 630-12(7): Inequities In Division Process
Question 630-12(7): Inequities In Division Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I believe that we had hoped, as a government, that the constitutional development process would have taken care of some of those so-called inequities. As well, we thought that the aboriginal groups would also utilize the Western Caucus to feed into the process as well.

Mr. Speaker, I realize there are concerns out there about the perceived inequities, and I believe that because of the varying and diverse opinions of several groups in the western territory, it is difficult to get a consensus on what should be fed into the process.

Mr. Speaker, I realize that this is an outstanding issue. It's my intention to try to look to some type of formula that would take care of the problems that are expressed. Mr. Speaker, we have had some general discussions on how we can accommodate or try to do a better job in involving the varied western interests in the process.

I believe it is one issue that I had intended to discuss with Mr. Irwin again. It is not an issue that has not been discussed with him. As Mr. Irwin has stated to me, we have give him a better plan of action so that he can evaluate just where the various groups in the western Arctic or the Mackenzie valley can come together on some very important issues.

So, Mr. Speaker, I know that this is an outstanding issue and we will try to address it as soon as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 630-12(7): Inequities In Division Process
Question 630-12(7): Inequities In Division Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

Supplementary To Question 630-12(7): Inequities In Division Process
Question 630-12(7): Inequities In Division Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I want to really emphasize that I don't have any criticism of the approach of Nunavut towards division. My concern is that because the approach in Nunavut is federal government backed, they have

a more direct pipeline and they have an institutional advantage, as it were, in all discussions to do with division.

It seems to me that we have to come up with, in the west, some equivalent body with an equal sort of status and an equal pipeline into Ottawa. Otherwise, inevitably, there will be serious problems down the road as we try to deal with the thorny issue of division.

My question to the Premier is, has the Premier thought about some kind of an institutional body in the west, whether it's an interim division Commissioner in the west or some other such body that has the same sort of access to the federal government as the interim Commissioner in Nunavut will have? Is the government looking at some possibilities to ensure equity of access and equity of opportunity to make sure that the debate is fair and no misunderstandings will arise? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 630-12(7): Inequities In Division Process
Question 630-12(7): Inequities In Division Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 630-12(7): Inequities In Division Process
Question 630-12(7): Inequities In Division Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I know that, in the discussions with Mr. Irwin, he continually brings up the issue of the consensus of what the west wants. There are varying opinions by region on what that should be. However, I know that the honourable Member is suggesting -- and I should correct it as this is not correct -- that the Nunavut Implementation Commission is deriving its legislative authority through the federal government and some kind of process and that there should be some equivalency on this side, in the west.

Mr. Speaker, I will try to continue to approach the subject with the Minister responsible, Minister Irwin, on that inequity, and we will continue to work with the various groups in the western Arctic to try to come up with a consensus on working together to try to get the support from Mr. Irwin; he feels that consensus is imperative in order for him to support any kind of initiative that I would suggest on behalf of this government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 630-12(7): Inequities In Division Process
Question 630-12(7): Inequities In Division Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Safety and Public Services a question, but he's not in the House, so I will pose my question to -- Mr. Speaker, I just realized that I have said that he wasn't in the House, and I withdraw those remarks. But I was initially going to pose a question...

---Laughter

to the Minister of Safety and Public Services, but I will pose my question instead to the Premier, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I have been aware that the chief safety officer of the Northwest Territories has indicated that the responsibility of air attack officers lies under the jurisdiction of the NWT Safety Act and is the responsibility of this government. In light of the information that I've received, I would like to ask the Minister whether he can indicate to this House if he's aware of this latest development, recognizing that yesterday he stated that he was going to obtain a legal opinion. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. The question is to the Minister of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 631-12(7): Responsibility For Safety Of Air Attack Officers
Question 631-12(7): Responsibility For Safety Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated yesterday, the information that the honourable Member has provided through her questions has been provided to the staff. As a result of the information, they have had discussions with the Department of Justice and with our constitutional legal counsel. They have been advised by legal counsel that, in their view, this matter does lie in the territorial jurisdiction because the issue of qualifications of the pilots has been settled by Transport Canada, and because the issue of air worthiness of aircraft has been settled by Transport Canada. The issue remaining is whether the air attack officers, as government employees, are not involved in the actual operation of the aircraft and are in the aircraft in the capacity of passengers.

Mr. Speaker, I can advise the honourable Member that, as a result of this information, I've been told that the chief safety officer is now investigating this particular matter, in conjunction with close contact and advice from legal counsel. I would ask the honourable Members for their patience and understanding so we can permit the chief safety officer to conduct this investigation thoroughly and as quickly as possible.

Return To Question 631-12(7): Responsibility For Safety Of Air Attack Officers
Question 631-12(7): Responsibility For Safety Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question 631-12(7): Responsibility For Safety Of Air Attack Officers
Question 631-12(7): Responsibility For Safety Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you. I appreciate that response. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister whether he can indicate to this House the time it would take to do the investigation.

Supplementary To Question 631-12(7): Responsibility For Safety Of Air Attack Officers
Question 631-12(7): Responsibility For Safety Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 631-12(7): Responsibility For Safety Of Air Attack Officers
Question 631-12(7): Responsibility For Safety Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can't give an absolute time frame because we're not certain of the extent to which the investigation needs to be conducted. Therefore, it makes it difficult for me to give the honourable Member the time frame she is looking for. The other thing is, we're not sure about the complexity of the investigation either. We understand the concern the honourable Member has raised and will carry out the investigation as best we can, taking into consideration all factors. Then I will report on that investigation to my colleague accordingly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 631-12(7): Responsibility For Safety Of Air Attack Officers
Question 631-12(7): Responsibility For Safety Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, I've heard that there may be a plan to cut $1 million from the fee-for-service payments to doctors and I would like to get some clarification on that. I will ask the Minister, is there a plan to reduce the fee-for-service component for private practitioners?