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.

Members Present

Mr. Antoine, Mr. Ballantyne, Hon. Nellie Cournoyea, Mr. Dent, Hon. Samuel Gargan, Mr. Koe, Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, Ms. Mike, Hon. Don Morin, Hon. Richard Nerysoo, Hon. Kelvin Ng, Mr. Ningark, Hon. John Pollard, Mr. Pudlat, Mr. Pudluk, Mrs. Thompson, Hon. John Todd, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Pudlat. Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Ms. Cournoyea.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the weekend, three Nunavut communities hosted Prime Minister Chretien and German Chancellor Kohl. The people of Cape Dorset, Pangnirtung and Iqaluit are to be commended for their hospitality and the way they provided the Canadian and German delegations with a brief but memorable experience of life in communities and on the land in Nunavut.

However, even before it started, the visit to the Arctic by these two world leaders was seen as an opportunity to present a very important message to both Canada and Europe. Mr. Speaker, Members are aware that in recent months, the federal government has been taking an aggressive role at the international level in defence of the Canadian fur industry. The visit to Nunavut by Germany's Chancellor provided both Canada and the NWT with an excellent forum to reinforce our messages, particularly with respect to the devastating economic effects of the European ban on sealskin imports and further damage which the proposed ban on leghold traps will have on the traditional harvesting economy.

Mr. Speaker, in personal conversations with the Prime Minister and Chancellor Kohl, I was assured that both will continue to take steps to bring some common sense to the way in which their governments deal with decisions on the fur trade. Members should also be aware that the Chancellor gave a number of interviews with the German press in which he expressed concerns about the impact of the animal rights/anti-trapping lobby on the traditional harvesting economy of aboriginal peoples. In addition, the Prime Minister advised that he spoke personally to European leaders about the fur issue at the recent Halifax G-7 summit.

One other important product of the Nunavut visit was the exposure that Baffin Island and the Northwest Territories received on national and international television during the last four days. Moreover, having millions of people around the world hear Chancellor Kohl promote the environment, cultures, people and communities of the Arctic is an unexpected bonus for our tourism industry.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Ms. Cournoyea.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Silas Arngna'naaq is ill and will be absent from the House today. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

(Translation) Last Friday, I heard a program on the radio from Iqaluit about the proposed gun control legislation. They interviewed Jack Anawak and it was a phone-in show. He was asked questions about the registration, about having to pay $50 to get a certificate. When he asked why this was the case, he answered that it was approved by the territorial government. I want the Inuit to understand fully that this gun control legislation was not introduced by the territorial government and is very much opposed by northerners.

The fee they have to pay, the $50, was established by the federal government. The federal government introduced this fee and I just want to make this clear to northerners. If I didn't misunderstand, the Member of Parliament said this was the case, but it wasn't introduced by the territorial government; it was introduced by the federal government. I just wanted to make that clear. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Thompson.

Importance Of Community Radio Stations
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Community-run radio stations are a lifeline for most remote settlements in the Arctic. They rely heavily on these stations to provide them with local, national and international news. For many people, especially unilingual Inuit, the radio is the only source for news and information.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has been an important player in ensuring that even the smaller communities have basic radio service; however, in many of these communities, the equipment is outdated and, as a result, there are frequent interruptions in service. The company contracted to keep these stations operational and to repair equipment has a local contact person in most communities who has received basic training on the equipment by the contractor. However, Mr. Speaker, the training provided is so basic that often the individual is not able to make even basic repairs. Locating parts for such old equipment and delays in shipping can often lead to a community having to go without radio service for weeks, sometimes months.

I realize that delivering such a service to a small community is a complex and costly venture, but if the Government of the Northwest Territories is going to remain involved in funding these stations, better coordination is needed to ensure that the best possible service is provided. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Importance Of Community Radio Stations
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Zoe.

Forest Fire Suppression
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we all know, last year was a very bad year for forest fires in the north, and this year is shaping up to be as bad or even worse. But I'm glad to see, Mr. Speaker, that the Minister responsible for forest fire management is acting decisively to respond to the situation. We all applauded his announcement yesterday of a 31 per cent raise to certified firefighters' wages with good reason, although the other part of his announcement was just as important. Many of my constituents have complained in the past about compensation when their cabins or traplines were destroyed by fire. The increased compensation announced yesterday by the honourable Minister will go a long way towards addressing their concerns.

Mr. Speaker, increased community involvement is the other important part of these new initiatives. Involving community leaders about how to fight forest fires is a common-sense solution which will help us use our limited resources better and more efficiently. I hope the government and the Minister will work hard to help communities take action now to build fire breaks, develop an action plan or do whatever needs to be done to protect our communities from fires.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am glad to see that it is a cool, wet day again today. I know many of us look forward to sunshine in the summer, but with the forest being so dry, we need all the rain we can get. I hope we get enough to make this summer a safe and happy one for all northerners. Mahsi.

Forest Fire Suppression
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Some Hon. Members

Hear! Hear!

---Applause

Forest Fire Suppression
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Are there any further Members' statements? Mr. Ballantyne.

Financial Implications Of Division
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about a serious developing problem in the Northwest Territories. We are heading into a period of major financial uncertainty. The Northwest Territories is a very difficult region to govern at the best of times. It is a huge area with many different languages and cultures and a very small, scattered population. We have the youngest population in the country and the highest unemployment. We have terrible social problems. The political, economic and social fabric of our society is very fragile. The federal government has raised high expectations in the areas of division and of self-government.

Mr. Speaker, here in this House we should talk about how we are going to deal with those expectations in the years to come. I think this government has done a good job to protect the resources we have. I think the Minister of Finance has done the best job he could do, but the reality is the problems that are facing us in the next four or five years are immense. The federal government has to be held accountable because of the expectation they have raised. They have let every region think that self-government is just around the corner and that they will pay the incremental costs of division. I see signs more and more that that isn't the case.

The real danger for us, unless we deal with these problems and unless the federal government lives up to its expectations, is we in the Northwest Territories will turn against one another. I see that potential with every passing day as being a possibility. Today, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Finance some questions about his ideas of how we should try to approach this. I think as we head into an election, we have to be very clear and honest with our constituents; the future won't be the same as it was in the past. We won't have as much money, we won't be able to meet everyone's expectations. I think that all of us have a responsibility to be very realistic of what we can achieve in the next four years.

So I hope in the dying days of this Assembly, that the government and MLAs try to make it very clear to their constituents that we are heading for tough times. The federal government is struggling with a huge deficit and debt problem. I have no doubt that part of the solution is going to be more cutbacks in the Northwest Territories. If there isn't enough money to do things properly, then we have to work...

Financial Implications Of Division
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

---Applause

Financial Implications Of Division
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Financial Implications Of Division
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have some difficult times ahead. I think we have the capacity and will in this House to deal with those times. It is very important that we remember that the federal government has the ultimate responsibility to live up to their commitments. For the rest of us, the name of the game is we hang together, do our best and that will get us through these tough times. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Financial Implications Of Division
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I have a good-news statement. Periodically, when I go to Inuvik, I get invited to talk to students in the schools. They want me to talk about politics and government systems. A few months ago, I met with the senior students in SAMS Elementary School. At that time, I used the information and educational package that was prepared by the Legislative Assembly. When I was in Inuvik, I met one of the teachers whose classes I talked to. I handed this material out at the end of my talk and they used it in their discussions afterward. She said the students were very pleased with the information that was provided to them. It was very concise and useful information.

So I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of those students and instructors, to thank the Speakers who have been involved in preparing this information and thank the staff of the Legislative Assembly for doing a very good job. Mahsi.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Todd.

John Todd Keewatin Central

Mr. Speaker, could I seek unanimous consent to return to item 2. I apologize for missing that.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Keewatin Central is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 2, Ministers' statements. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Todd.

Minister's Statement 104-12(7): Business Corporations Act
Revert To Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1443

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, honourable colleagues. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Justice, I would like to provide an update on the commercial law reforms. While much work remains to be done, it is timely to summarize the progress which has been made to date.

1. After over 25 years of attempts to complete the job, the transfer of the land titles program was completed in the summer of 1993.

2. The Personal Property Security Act was first tabled in 1993 and eventually passed in 1994. Regulations are now being drafted and the computer program and public relations materials necessary to implement the act will soon be developed. It is anticipated that this act will come into force in early 1996.

3. Amendments to the Partnership Act were passed and came into force on January 1st of this year.

4. Amendments to the Co-operative Associations Act were passed earlier in the current session and changes to the regulations necessary to bring the amendments into force are now being drafted.

5. Amendments to the Land Titles Act were passed in April, some of which are already in force. To bring into force the remaining amendments, regulations are now being drafted.

At the appropriate time later today, I will table a consultation draft of a Business Corporations Act. This draft is being circulated to the business community and the legal and accounting professions for their comments. This act would replace the present Companies Act and Companies Winding-up Act.

The current Companies Act closely resembles the Companies Act of Alberta, which they replaced more than 10 years ago. It has not been adapted to current commercial practices and in a number of areas overlaps with personal property security legislation and securities legislation. In the past 15 years, most of the provinces and the Yukon have adopted legislation based upon the Canada Business Corporations Act.

A Business Corporations Act would strike an appropriate balance between the interests of the majority and minority shareholders, creditors and the public dealing with companies. At the same time, it would simplify procedures, eliminate unnecessary applications to the court and eliminate areas of duplication with other legislation.

Specifically, the new act would:

1. Simplify the procedure for incorporation, including elimination of the requirement to specify the objectives of the company and the requirement that each company have at least two shareholders.

2. Improve the process for the approval of company names.

3. Provide greater flexibility in the share structure and in the relations between shareholders.

4. Simplify the procedure for amendments to the corporations share capital and for amalgamations, including reducing the requirements for court approval of these fundamental changes. This is achieved in part by providing for specific rights for minority shareholders who are not in agreement with the fundamental changes.

5. Simplify the procedures for dissolving and reviving companies, including dispensing with the requirement for court approval in most instances.

6. Eliminate unnecessary applications to the court while allowing recourse to the courts in the case of legitimate problems. The Companies Act now provides that almost all fundamental changes to a corporation require the approval of the court, even where there are no shareholders who disagree with the changes. In other cases, the legitimate concerns of minority shareholders are not adequately addressed.

Once all comments are received from the public, the bill will be prepared, Mr. Speaker, for consideration by the 13th Legislative Assembly. Thank you.

Minister's Statement 104-12(7): Business Corporations Act
Revert To Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Ms. Cournoyea.