This is page numbers 1471 - 1524 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 ---agreed.

Topics

Members Present

Mr. Allooloo, Mr. Antoine, Hon. Silas Arngna'naaq, Mr. Ballantyne, Hon. Nellie Cournoyea, Mr. Dent, Hon. Samuel Gargan, Mr. Koe, Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, 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. Koe. Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Ms. Cournoyea.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I wish to update Members on the government's investigations into concerns raised by Mr. Pudluk and Mr. Allooloo about alleged bombing incidents that occurred in the High Arctic during the 1950s. This update will outline the nature of the incidents and address Members' concerns about the relationship between these incidents and illnesses among North Baffin Inuit during this period.

During the past year, the government has conducted extensive investigations, including written and oral communications, including senior federal government officials involved with the issue during the 1950s and Inuit, or the relatives of Inuit, who witnessed or experienced the alleged bombings.

Mr. Speaker, individuals from the federal Department of National Defence and the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development have confirmed that military exercises, involving low-level "thunderflash bombing runs" were conducted by the United States Air Force near the Admiralty Inlet region of Baffin Island. These exercises only occurred in this area during the winter of 1955-56.

According to federal officials, these low-level exercises involved dropping magnesium flares by parachute to light up the earth for purposes of photographing targets. Military sources say that the exercises involved no explosions, concussions or shocks. Inuit who witnessed and experienced the exercises said the opposite.

Prior to the thunderflash testing over the Baffin, the United States Armed Forces received the necessary approval from Canadian authorities to conduct exercises in the Admiralty Inlet area.

From the evidence gathered by the government, it is apparent that neither Canada nor the United States were aware of Inuit camping in this area. It is also apparent from the government's interviews with Inuit hunters and/or their relatives that neither the families camped in the Admiralty Inlet area, nor Hudson Bay officials at Arctic Bay, wore given any advance notice that the tests would be conducted. As a consequence, Inuit camped in the Admiralty Inlet area were naturally terrified by the thunderflash bomb tests.

After being advised that Inuit were camping in the Admiralty Inlet area, military authorities relocated the testing to an unoccupied region of the High Arctic.

Mr. Speaker, the government's investigation, including a review of relevant medical records, has provided no evidence of injury or illness that could be directly linked to the thunderflash tests.

I should also note that during the course of the GNWT's investigation, evidence concerning unrelated biological warfare tests in different regions of the United States, including Minnesota and Alaska, as well as Canadian tests in Manitoba, were examined.

Although the United States Armed Forces has admitted to biological testing in these areas, there is no evidence indicating that the thunderflash exercises in the North Baffin region involved biological agents.

Mr. Speaker, I noted earlier in my remarks that Inuit who witnessed or experienced the thunderflash exercises have different memories of their impact, which may mean that other types of testing took place in the Admiralty Inlet area. The government will continue its investigations to determine if there is any proof to this statement.

In conclusion, the nature and conduct of this type of military activity is as unacceptable now as it was at the time the tests were conducted.

In the 1990s, while we still have to encourage the Department of National Defence to provide NWT residents with plans for military activities, procedures are now in place to ensure that these activities are no longer conducted without proper consultation with the government and communities.

Finally, the government has made representations to federal committees on national defence and foreign affairs to ensure that the views of NWT residents are part of the public record in establishing new federal defence policies.

Our success in having cruise missile testing stopped is a case in point. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

National Aboriginal Solidarity Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, giikhii. Today is June 21st, the longest day of the day of the year, and the day celebrated since 1982 as National Aboriginal Solidarity Day. Solidarity means unity based on a common interest.

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to see a growing solidarity among aboriginal leaders in the western Northwest Territories. The leaders of nine aboriginal political organizations met as an aboriginal summit two weeks ago in Yellowknife. The groups involved were the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Gwich'in Tribal Council, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, Deh Cho First Nations, Dogrib Treaty 11 Tribal Council, Treaty 8 Tribal Council, the South Slave Metis Tribal Council, Dene Nation and the Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories.

They had hoped to appear before us in committee of the whole to discuss their positions. Some of them oven hoped such a meeting might lead to a real partnership with the Assembly. That will not happen within the life of this Assembly. The leaders of the nine organizations have asked me to state on their behalf, their common positions.

1. an inherent right of self-government. To reach an agreement on the implementation of the inherent right must be a priority for all governments.

Mr. Speaker, the leaders have a legitimate demand that progress on public government in the western Northwest Territories must be matched by progress in a separate process leading to the implementation of the inherent right. We have come a long way in recognizing the inherent right. The leaders are asking us to help them keep self-government near the top of the federal agenda.

2. impact on the implementation of division of the Northwest Territories.

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

National Aboriginal Solidarity Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Inuvik is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Koe.

National Aboriginal Solidarity Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi cho. All aboriginal peoples in the western Northwest Territories should have more meaningful participation in the process leading to division.

Mr. Speaker, I note that the aboriginal leaders sought and obtained support from the executive of the Northwest Territories Association of Municipalities on this position. They had asked if the municipalities also wanted representation on their committee and received the assurance that this was not necessary.

I will also note that this statement should not be taken to mean the Deh Cho First Nations or the Treaty 8 Tribal Council are now willing to join in on the Constitutional Development Steering Committee process as anything other than observers. The Deh Cho and Treaty 8 are pursuing a different direction in the development and implementation of governments in their territorial areas. These groups do, however, wish to protect their legitimate interest in such areas as division of the Government of the Northwest Territories assets and liabilities.

The participation of the Government of the Northwest Territories in negotiations between aboriginal peoples and the Government of Canada is also a source of concern. The leaders of the aboriginal peoples believe that the Government of the Northwest Territories should not have third-party status in any such negotiations, unless the aboriginal peoples concerned consent to such status.

Mr. Speaker, different aboriginal peoples have somewhat different interests, as well as different histories and positions before the law. None of the nine groups want the Government of the Northwest Territories to have third-party status. They believe it is wrong to insist that all should have the same position on this issue before our government revisits the matter. A bannock-cutter approach to self-government will never work.

4. The devolution of authority to the Government of the Northwest Territories is another issue impairing relationships between the aboriginal peoples and the Government of Canada. The leaders of the aboriginal peoples believe that there should be no further devolution from the Government of Canada to the Government of the Northwest Territories without the consent of the aboriginal peoples concerned.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, the nine leaders believe that we would support their positions if we took the time to hear them out. They look forward to the establishment of a mechanism for ongoing formal consultation with the Legislative Assembly on these and other issues. Perhaps the next Legislative Assembly will demonstrate more solidarity with the western aboriginal leaders and the people they represent. Mahsi cho. The inherent right will have a significant and lasting ---Applause

National Aboriginal Solidarity Day
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

4th Annual Pokiak River Music Festival
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to have an opportunity today, through you and this forum, to advise people of the Northwest Territories of an annual event that occurs in Aklavik; at least, for the past four years. This, Mr. Speaker, is the year of the 4th Annual Pokiak River Music Festival. It will occur from June 23rd to 26th. This event is intended to bring together musical talents of people from the Mackenzie Delta/Beaufort region; it's intended to bring together musical talents from throughout the Northwest Territories, from the Yukon and even other parts of Canada.

I wanted to advise the people of the north and certainly Members of this Assembly, that all people are invited and encouraged to attend. The intention is that it's a time to reflect upon the good days and to create joy among people. This event, Mr. Speaker, is an event that is drug and alcohol-free, and is intended to make people aware of the importance of festivities; particularly when it brings together people and families.

This year's event, Mr. Speaker, is entitled "A Tribute to our People, Past and Present," and it is intended to honour their contribution and their guidance to the development of the community of Aklavik and the Mackenzie Delta. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

4th Annual Pokiak River Music Festival
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Failures Of Affirmative Action Policy
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories first introduced affirmative action as the native employment policy in 1985. This policy was meant to address the lack of aboriginal representation in the public services of the Northwest Territories.

In 1989, the affirmative action policy was introduced to replace the native, employment policy. This new policy included provisions for disabled northerners, women and indigenous non-aboriginals who had lived in the north for more than half of their lives or wore born here.

In 1985, the public service had about 30 per cent aboriginal employees. By 1989, however, the native employment policy had brought this figure to just over 32 per cent. This was still far short of the percentage of northerners who are of aboriginal descent; 61 per cent, according to the 1991 census. So, many northerners had high hopes for the affirmative action program.

Well, in 1994, five years later, there had been an increase in percentage of aboriginal employees in the public services from 32 per cent all the way up to 35. This was not the kind of spectacular increase that would be necessary to obtain the goals set by the developers of this policy. Meanwhile, we are losing many of our best and brightest non-native university students who grew up in the north and hoped to return, but who have instead decided to stay in the south. They can't find summer jobs here while they are at school, and they are very pessimistic about their chances of finding permanent employment with the government. Unless they have job prospects in the private sector, they will not return.

The affirmative action policy has also been a trigger for racial tension. These are tensions which I had not seen before the introduction of this policy. But now well-qualified, non-native northerners find it easy to become resentful when they cannot find jobs while less-qualified aboriginal candidates can. While there are many skilled and qualified aboriginal northerners who deserve employment with the government, it is very unfortunate that the existing policy has the effect of turning away the many skilled and qualified non-aboriginal northerners who have as much of a desire to contribute to their home as anyone else.

I seek consent to continue.

Failures Of Affirmative Action Policy
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Yellowknife South is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Whitford.

Failures Of Affirmative Action Policy
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I'm glad to see the government has established an affirmative action policy review task force group. This policy is obviously in desperate need of revision. I remember high and lofty promises that affirmative action would lead to a government workforce that was 52 per cent aboriginal by the year 1990.

Well, here it is five years later and we are still nowhere near that goal, and, in the meantime, we have lost many who could, and who want to, contribute to the north.

The goal of having a public service whose make-up reflects that of the entire population of the north is a valuable one, but this policy has not brought us much closer to that goal. In fact, I dare say that the negative effects of this policy have outweighed as benefits.

As this Assembly draws to the close of its mandate, I regret that we will not be able to change things for the better right now, but it is my sincere hope that the task group reviewing this policy will have developed effective and useful recommendations for the next Assembly. I don't know whether this policy should be improved or can be improved, replaced or even scrapped in favour of an increased focus on education. I do know that it is not working now and it needs to change. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Failures Of Affirmative Action Policy
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Ndilo Education Concerns
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about the community of Ndilo in my constituency. It's been more than a decade and a hall now that I have had the privilege of working with the people of Ndilo and the Yellowknives Dene Band. When I started, Chief Isidore Tsetta was the chief of the Yellowknives Band and Eddie Lacome was the subchief for what was then called Rainbow Valley. When I came on to the scene, there was a major jurisdictional problem and everything had stopped in Ndilo. The federal government said it was a territorial responsibility; the municipal government said it was a federal government responsibility and nothing was happening. The people then were real victims of bureaucratic in-lighting.

From that time, I and many of us have always treated Ndilo as its own community. Many times over the last decade and a half we have tried ways to formalize its status as its own community, but there have been so many barriers. But anyhow, the government and the Legislative Assembly were good enough to include Ndilo in the five-year plan and, for all intents and purposes for the last decade, Ndilo has been treated fairly with h other communities in the Northwest Territories. The issue of education has always been a very important issue in Ndilo. I remember that we started off, probably nine or 10 years ago, with a very successful upgrading program. Everybody remembers Florence Erasmus, the Tree of Peace and their kindergarten program in Ndilo which was a mainstay of the community for many years. In the last couple of years, there has been a very successful after-school care program.

The people of Ndilo, for many years, have been frustrated With the lack of success of their students in the education system here in Yellowknife. They have really thought that because they are a community, they should have more community control over the system. I want to thank the Minister. There have been a number of discussions with the Minister and the issue has come up again around the Education Act.

Mr. Speaker, the band is looking at getting support for the head start program, a pre-school care program in Ndilo, this fall. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Ndilo Education Concerns
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Ndilo Education Concerns
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

They've made a presentation to the Minister to start work on a school in Ndilo, starting off kindergarten to grade 3 but over a period of time having kindergarten to grade 8. The Minister has been open; there's been a lot of support from the Catholic school board, and I think there is a lot of possibility.

I think it's very important for the people of Ndilo. They feel that if they can run the school down there, they can get the parents involved in the school, they can bring the support mechanism to get the kids to school and make sure the kids are successful.

Their intention, ultimately, is to have these successful kids come out of grade 8 and enter the Catholic high school in Yellowknife and go on to whatever career choices they may want to make.

At some point, they are looking at belonging to a Treaty 8 education division, and I know again that the Minister is open and flexible about how, over a period of time, these aspirations can be met.

The people of Ndilo have always felt, just because of the status of their community, that they've been isolated from Dettah, which has a different status. So we are looking at ways that the education programs between the two communities can work more closely together.

So, during the course of the next couple of days, as we discuss the Education Act, there are other meetings happening with the Minister. The Minister has indicated to me and to other MLAs that he's open to finding a solution to allow the people of Ndilo to take more control over the education of their am looking forward to a successful conclusion of those discussions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Ndilo Education Concerns
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Appreciation For Support During Tenure As Mla
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am standing up today to thank some people. I don't usually ask much from you, Mr. Speaker, and I will thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that I am going to be here today and tomorrow during the session. From then on, I will not be attending the rest of the session and this is the last time that I am going to be able to stand up and say what I have to say.

I would like to thank my children, my wife and my relatives, because they have waited and were patient with me while I have been a Member of the Legislative Assembly.

I know that my constituents are not very close; Sanikiluaq is pretty far away. Some times a was very difficult for me to visit my constituents there.

For almost four years, the people I represent have supported me and I would like to thank them. Especially in this year, 1995, I was away from my constituents for a long time dealing with important stuff such as preparation for division and helping out my constituents and I have tried very hard to represent the wishes of the people who elected me. I would like to thank them for being able to support me while I have been a Member of the Legislative Assembly.

I will be here tomorrow in the House, but from then on, I will not be attending. Maybe because we are going to be finished this week. I would also request, Mr. Speaker, to conclude my statement.

Appreciation For Support During Tenure As Mla
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Baffin South is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Pudlat.

Appreciation For Support During Tenure As Mla
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of this House. I will not make a lengthy statement, but I just want to thank the Members, especially seeing as this is our last session. I would like to thank the Members of the Legislative Assembly for assisting me and for helping me with whatever I need.

I would like to thank all the Ministers as well for being able to respond to the numerous requests that I have made. I would like to thank the previous Speaker and the present Speaker for allowing me to speak. I would especially like to thank the staff of the Legislative Assembly for assisting me, even though I cannot speak English. I would also like to thank the people in my community who assisted me. I would like to thank my constituency assistant in Lake Harbour. She's always available whenever I need some assistance. I would especially like to thank the interpreters because I have to use them on a day-to-and I day basis during the session. They were able to accompany me whenever I had to go travelling with committees or on other assignments I had to attend to. So I would like to say thank you very much to the interpreters for helping me and assisting me for almost four years.

I know we have met numerous times in the House this year, because we have to deal with legislation for the betterment of the people in the Northwest Territories.

Also, I would like to thank the people on the Legislation and Finance committees. Lastly, I would like to thank every one of you. I will see you again tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Appreciation For Support During Tenure As Mla
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Pudlat. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Dent.

Importance Of Small Business
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak today about the importance of small business in Yellowknife and the north; especially since the constituency I represent includes the Airport Road and the Kam Lake Industrial Park which has a lot of small businesses in it, and I spend a lot of time talking to small business owners.

Mr. Speaker, I was able to find out that there are 1,761 businesses currently registered in Yellowknife. We can probably estimate that about 1,000 of those will be home occupations or single-source contractors, so that means that there are about 700 storefront operations. Many of those will have started as home occupations, but now are employing people, serving other people across the north.

Small business provides a major source of employment in the north. As we know, the private sector represents an awful lot of jobs. In Yellowknife -- if we include those working for the mines -- we probably have over half of all employment, or at least 5,500 to 6,000 jobs which are provided by the private sector. Employees in these businesses provide this government with a major source of revenue. Easily one quarter of all personal tax revenue collected by this government will come from people working in private industry in Yellowknife. On top of that, the businesses themselves will be supplying a significant portion of the corporate taxes this government receives.

Mr. Speaker, it has long been recognized that the small business sector is best at creating new jobs. With division coming, with funding cuts from Ottawa, it's important that we encourage the development of small business. It's there that we see the future when it comes to more jobs for northerners.

This government needs to examine how it deals with business and make sure that it is business-friendly. We need to look for ways to streamline the regulatory and paperwork functions, perhaps by taking a look at the Newfoundland example where fees have been cut for services.

Mr. Speaker, this government needs to move quickly to get business and labour working on recommendations for revising our Labour Standards Act. Then we also need to make sure that this government is enforcing the provisions of labour standards across the board, making sure that there is a level playing field for business. Too often, we hear of southern competition being able to do a job cheaper in the north because they're in and out quickly, and are never checked to ensure that they live up to the standards northern companies must adhere to. But most important, Mr. Speaker, this government needs to develop an attitude that we support the development of small business. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Importance Of Small Business
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Zoe.