This is page numbers 1109 - 1133 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 chairman.

Topics

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm sure we're all aware of the fact that the Bird Dog operators in Fort Smith refused to fly with the DC-4s that are providing fire suppression to the Government of the Northwest Territories. It's my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that the Bird Dog operators refused to fly due to safety concerns that are not being addressed by this government and was requested in the request for proposal that this government had called for.

I would like to ask the Minister whether or not the Minister's department has addressed this outstanding issue so the Bird Dog operators could fly with Buffalo Airway's DC-4s? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister responsible for the Forestry Management Program, Mr. Morin.

Return To Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me assure the Member that any safety concern an employee raises will be addressed by this government and we are addressing the concerns raised. Bird Dog officers don't have to fly in DC-4s, they're a Bird Dog plane and the company uses DC-4s on the fires. At present, all the ducks, or CL-215s, I mean, have passed all inspections. All the pilots for Buffalo Air, all the planes have passed all MOT inspections. It's just a matter of giving some reassurance to Bird Dog officers on the two captains of the DC-4s, and we are taking steps to do that as of today so it should be a done issue. Thank you.

Return To Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recognize that the Bird Dog operators fly in with the Bird Dog planes that accompany the DC-4s to fight fires. We all know that these operators have refused to fly as of this date. I asked the Minister whether or not the department has addressed this outstanding issue so the Bird Dog operators could fly with Buffalo Airway's DC-4s. Certification, Mr. Speaker, by Transport Canada is totally different than recognizing whether or not the pilots have enough experience to bomb fires with the DC-4s. According to the Bird Dog operators, these pilots did not have enough fire bombing experience in fighting fires, that's the purpose for refusing to fly. Therefore, I would like to ask the Minister whether or not his department has addressed this issue with respect to the lack of safety. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to assure the Member that there is no lack of safety and we don't jeopardize our employees by placing them in unsafe working conditions. As far as the department and I are concerned, Buffalo Airways is a safe company and they agreed with this government about standards, have met those standards and will be fighting fires. Some Bird Dog officers have agreed to go to work. We have taken steps to ensure that they all have the opportunity to go back to work, and once those steps are final, they will be given notice to report to a base at 8:00 in the morning. If they choose not to, we will look for other people to replace them. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that's a really shameful way to treat any employee, especially when they're concerned about their safety. These gentlemen, I know, have had many years of experience with firefighting. I would like to ask the Minister, will he assure this House that he will adhere to the standards his department set out for bombing hours for firefighting in the request for proposals for fire suppression, in order to assure Bird Dog operators they can safely fly and accompany these DC-4s? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me say it again that we, as a government, do not jeopardize any of our employees or put them in unsafe working conditions. I would also like to say that it is my job and my senior management's job to make specifications about fixed-wing aircraft or any other standard for firefighting in the Northwest Territories. It is not the Bird Dog officers' job to make those standards. We have done that. We have agreed with Buffalo Airways, they are ready to work and, hopefully, everyone can go to work fighting fires. When you go to a proposal call, you want to find out what other contractors have to offer so you can carry out similar types of business with maybe less standards. It would be nice to be able to afford bigger and better aircraft, but we cannot do it. We are going to fight fires with DC-4s and CL-215s with the standards we mutually agreed to with Buffalo Airways. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Time has lapsed for oral questions. Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, your final supplementary.

Supplementary To Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For my final supplementary, I would like to ask the Minister, will he assure this House whether the request for proposal this government put out for standards will be adhered to. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like I just previously tried to explain to the Member, when you put out a request for proposals, you put target standards in and certain conditions. It does not necessarily mean that you have to meet every specific standard. What it means is that the person who wins the proposal call can sit down with the Government of the Northwest Territories and work out what is adequate to fight fires with, the equipment we have which is owned and operated by northerners, not anyone from the south. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Question 503-12(7): Safety Concerns Re Fire Suppression Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Time for oral questions is now over. Item 8, written questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct a question to the Minister of Public Works responsible for fire suppression.

Would the Minister responsible for the forest fire management program provide to this House a copy of the request for proposals for air tanker contracts for five-year terms.

This contract is to provide, operate and maintain air tanker and Bird Dog aircraft for fire suppression.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

I have another written question, if I may proceed, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. This is also for the Minister of DPW, responsible for fire suppression.

1) Would the Minister responsible for the forest fire management program advise this House of the firm his department hired to fly along the DC-4s with Buffalo Airways?

2) The Minister's department hired two experienced firefighters to fly along with Buffalo Airways. Would the Minister advise this House the cost of hiring this firm to fly along with Buffalo Airways?

Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 7, written questions. Mr. Patterson.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This if for the Minister of Transportation.

Would the Minister of Transportation advise this House what are the residency requirements to obtain a driver's licence in the NWT?

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

And, if I may, I have another one. This is for the Minister of Health.

Would the Minister of Health and Social Services advise this House how long does a person have to be a resident in the NWT to obtain a health care card?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Mr. Koe.

Item 10: Petitions
Item 10: Petitions

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a copy of Petition No. 9-12(7) dealing with the matter of the need of a senior citizens' facility in the town of Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, this petition contains 455 signatures; the petitioners' request: "Whereas there is a need for the elders of our community, we, the people of Inuvik, want the Government of the Northwest Territories to implement a senior citizens' facility into the five-year capital plan."

Mr. Speaker, the original petition was submitted by mail to the honourable Rebecca Mike when she was Minister of Social Services and I don't believe the petition was ever tabled in this House. So, I'm taking the opportunity to table it today. Mahsi.

Item 10: Petitions
Item 10: Petitions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 10, petitions. Mrs. Thompson.

Item 10: Petitions
Item 10: Petitions

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Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present Petition No. 10-12(7) dealing with the matter of Chesterfield Inlet's request for a second nurse. Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 182 signatures and, Mr. Speaker, the petitioners' request reads as follows: "We, the residents of Chesterfield Inlet, hereby petition the GNWT and the Keewatin regional health board to appoint a second nurse to be stationed in Chesterfield Inlet."

---Applause