This is page numbers 1441 - 1471 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 know.

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Today in my Member's statement I referred to the challenges involved in providing radio service to the communities in the Arctic, especially to the people of my riding. In a letter to the Honourable John Todd on this very issue, Mr. Nerysoo states, and I quote: "My staff is working with the TVNC aboriginal broadcasters, the federal Department of Heritage, the CRTC, Telesat Canada, NorthwesTel, cable system owners and CBC North to attempt to rationalize the present often duplicated systems, and to jointly provide for a more efficient and economical communications infrastructure using new digital technologies." My question to the Minister is: will the Minister update this House on how discussions are going with these various groups and what, if any, progress is being made?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 659-12(7): Improvements To Communications Systems Infrastructure
Question 659-12(7): Improvements To Communications Systems Infrastructure
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I agree with the honourable Member of the importance of the communications infrastructure in the Northwest Territories and the importance to her constituency. I want to advise the honourable Member that approximately two weeks ago I had an opportunity to meet with the board of TVNC here in the Legislative Assembly. We had a number of discussions about the directions that they wish to go in a number of areas in terms of communications infrastructure, generally, in the north. It was intended that the board of TVNC would be meeting with NorthwesTel, the cable companies and I believe CBC, last week. From that, there would be an indication as to whether or not there could be a partnership developed amongst all those agencies to ensure that we had a consistent approach to communication systems across the Northwest Territories.

I have not heard the results of those meetings, but I indicated to them that the government's position is that we would encourage partnership from all those groups who were involved in communications in the Northwest Territories, and we would support a cooperative approach in resolving some of these particular issues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 659-12(7): Improvements To Communications Systems Infrastructure
Question 659-12(7): Improvements To Communications Systems Infrastructure
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question I would like to direct to the Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister whether his department has a policy for turnaround time for letters or concerns that are brought to his department. I have a constituent who wrote over three months ago and is still awaiting a reply. They received a form letter that says yes, we got your letter, thank you; but they're still waiting for a reply and it has been almost a week ago since I brought this to the Minister's attention. I would like to know whether his department has a policy as to turnaround time for things in his department.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Ng.

Return To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department doesn't have a policy in place for the turnaround time for responses. However, I would like to say that we try to get responses out in a fairly reasonable time. With respect to the issue that Mr. Whitford has brought forward from one of his concerned constituents, I would like to say that the department and I try to accommodate the concerns that are brought forward, first by Members of this Assembly; and, second, from political representatives elected at large through municipalities and organizations; and, third, concerns brought forward by constituents. Members of the general public at large voice a lot of concerns to my department with respect to decisions made by municipalities.

The life of politics, as we all know, is a tough business. Decisions that we make as politicians are always questioned, and it's no different in municipal politics. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Three months is a long time, three months plus is an even longer time. I can understand the frustration he may have in receiving many enquiries et cetera, but I'm sure the Minister can understand the frustration that Members face when their constituents don't get answers from our government. I would like to ask the Minister if he would be so kind as to address some of these things, and give an update after a period of time has elapsed, because three months is a long time. Could they give an update to the effect that they're at least working on something, or something like that, and not leave people in limbo?

Supplementary To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Ng.

Further Return To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, after the honourable Member brought forward his concern about the timing of response to his constituent's issue, I directed the department to forward a letter to the individual. It is in the process right now, Mr. Speaker, thank you.

Further Return To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you. I appreciate the Minister's position but I would certainly like to receive from him his assurance that this won't go on beyond another week before a letter is received, at least a letter, in not more than one more week.

Supplementary To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Ng.

Further Return To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, I can commit to that.

Further Return To Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Koana, Uqaqtii.

---Applause

I have a question for the Minister of Health and Social Services. On May 30, 1995, the standards for medevac personnel for the Government of the Northwest Territories was signed off and approved by yourself, as Premier. I would like to ask, what is the status of the work now for setting standards for air medevac carriers.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Cournoyea.

Return To Question 661-12(7): Standards For Air Medevac Carriers
Question 661-12(7): Standards For Air Medevac Carriers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, the work has been completed and I wanted to look at it a final time before we proceed with the standards. The work has been completed and it should go through the process in a very short period of time, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Return To Question 661-12(7): Standards For Air Medevac Carriers
Question 661-12(7): Standards For Air Medevac Carriers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 661-12(7): Standards For Air Medevac Carriers
Question 661-12(7): Standards For Air Medevac Carriers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the concerns leading up to the review and the work that is being done is where the control is going to be for authorizing medevac air carriers. Is it this government's intention to centralize control for authorizing the use of air carriers for medevacs, or will the control be at the regional health board levels?

Supplementary To Question 661-12(7): Standards For Air Medevac Carriers
Question 661-12(7): Standards For Air Medevac Carriers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Ms. Cournoyea.

Further Return To Question 661-12(7): Standards For Air Medevac Carriers
Question 661-12(7): Standards For Air Medevac Carriers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, the document that we're dealing with talks about the standards for a certain type of medical travel. It doesn't not take away any of the decisions at the regional level. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 661-12(7): Standards For Air Medevac Carriers
Question 661-12(7): Standards For Air Medevac Carriers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 661-12(7): Standards For Air Medevac Carriers
Question 661-12(7): Standards For Air Medevac Carriers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Koana. Can we be assured, then, that decisions for use of air carriers for medevac purposes will remain in the control of regional health boards?