This is page numbers 1135 - 1164 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 report.

Topics

Supplementary To Question 512-12(7): Devolution Of Technical Officer Trainee Position To Pond Inlet
Question 512-12(7): Devolution Of Technical Officer Trainee Position To Pond Inlet
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1149

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 512-12(7): Devolution Of Technical Officer Trainee Position To Pond Inlet
Question 512-12(7): Devolution Of Technical Officer Trainee Position To Pond Inlet
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1149

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm unaware of this specific proposal that the Member is referring to but I will look into the issue and let the Member know. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 512-12(7): Devolution Of Technical Officer Trainee Position To Pond Inlet
Question 512-12(7): Devolution Of Technical Officer Trainee Position To Pond Inlet
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1149

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. There was a concern that was raised in this House about the safety of Bird Dog officers in firefighting. So my question is directed to the Minister responsible for forest fire management.

What I would like to know is, what about the firefighting crews? We have a number of firefighting crews in some of the communities, as well as government firefighting crews. They fly daily and a lot of times with different fixed-wing planes as well as helicopters. Is there a standard that the pilots must meet before they fly our crews around, and are the fire bosses questioning the experience of the pilots that fly them around? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister responsible for the forest fire management program, Mr. Morin.

Return To Question 513-12(7): Pilot Standards For Transporting Forest Fire Crews
Question 513-12(7): Pilot Standards For Transporting Forest Fire Crews
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1149

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have met with quite a few of the fire bosses or the crew bosses and the crews since I gained this responsibility, and we have talked at some length about all issues in firefighting. I asked if they were at all concerned. I know that we have to bring in helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft at any given time when fires do become abundant. So I asked them at that time if they had concerns with the pilots. The one crew boss mentioned to me very clearly that they don't question the pilots as long as they meet some minimum standards to get their licence. As a matter of fact, one guy said last summer a helicopter pilot would show up who had never before been near a forest fire, and they would all jump in and work with the guy to make it happen and to make the job easier. They would actually help him with the loading of the plane, teach him how to load the helicopter and work with him because they know it's a team effort. They'll go out, and they know the number one priority is to fight fire.

So my understanding with the crew bosses and the crews I have talked to is that they don't have a concern. They know it's a team effort and they are all willing to go out and do the best they can. Thank you.

Return To Question 513-12(7): Pilot Standards For Transporting Forest Fire Crews
Question 513-12(7): Pilot Standards For Transporting Forest Fire Crews
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1149

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Supplementary To Question 513-12(7): Pilot Standards For Transporting Forest Fire Crews
Question 513-12(7): Pilot Standards For Transporting Forest Fire Crews
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1150

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is there a policy by the department on pilots? I am concerned about the crews. Fortunately, we have not had any serious accidents with the pilots because of lack of experience but there's always that possibility, and my concern is that we have crews that fly with pilots. I am sure that the majority of them are experienced in forest firefighting but some of them don't have the experience. What is the policy on pilots without firefighting experience by this department? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 513-12(7): Pilot Standards For Transporting Forest Fire Crews
Question 513-12(7): Pilot Standards For Transporting Forest Fire Crews
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1150

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 513-12(7): Pilot Standards For Transporting Forest Fire Crews
Question 513-12(7): Pilot Standards For Transporting Forest Fire Crews
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1150

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Their experience would vary, but basically, the experience for the fixed-wing operators -- for example, Twin Otters or whatever we use to service the fires, or light to medium helicopters -- is different. I will be happy to get that information for the Member. But in order for these pilots of helicopters and fixed wings to fly, they have to have adequate licences that are issued by Transport Canada. So they would all have those licences and I will get that information.

As far as actual firefighting experience is concerned, I do not believe that is a complete necessity to carry the crews in and out. I guess the helicopter or fixed-wing pilots gain that experience as they work with the fire crews fighting the fires. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 513-12(7): Pilot Standards For Transporting Forest Fire Crews
Question 513-12(7): Pilot Standards For Transporting Forest Fire Crews
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1150

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Renewable Resources. I think the Minister is aware that several Inuit-owned organizations from the Baffin region have applied for turbot quotas in sub-area O off Baffin Island and that I had urged this government to go to bat for them with Mr. Tobin. I would like to ask the Minister of Renewable Resources if he has done anything to pursue the interests of these Inuit-owned enterprises applying for turbot quotas in the waters off Baffin? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Return To Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1150

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have written a number of letters to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. I have also just recently met with Mr. Tobin with regard to concerns that have been raised by Inuit fishermen in the Baffin region.

I recently received correspondence from Mr. Tobin indicating to me that, with respect to the permanent licensing for offshore ground fish, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, with the help of the harvesting adjustment boards, is working to permanently reduce the number of ground fish licenses in the Atlantic provinces over the coming months. Now, I am sure the Member is very aware of the efforts that Mr. Tobin has made with the Spanish vessels and the difficulties he has faced with the struggle on the ground fish in the Atlantic. I believe one of the conditions was that there would be some reductions, and this is the indication that he has given to me at this point. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1150

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Supplementary To Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1150

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, I am aware that unfortunately Canada gave back some of the turbot quota that it won in order to settle the contentious dispute in southern waters over the turbot. What I would like to ask the Minister is, what has he done to ensure that, of what remains, the Inuit get a fair share of the quota, recognizing that the Inuit land claim cites that special consideration shall be given to the principles of adjacency and economic dependence of communities when allocated commercial fishing quotas? Has the Minister been able to impress upon Mr. Tobin that whatever is left, even if it's a reduced amount, the land claim requires special consideration to be given to Inuit applicants for fish in their waters? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1150

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Further Return To Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1150

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my discussions with Mr. Tobin, he indicated to me the negotiations that he has been holding with the Greenland Home Rule; however, it was without consultation with either the Baffin regional HTA or the Nunavut wildlife management board. In our meeting, we had in attendance with us Jerry Ell who is a member of the Baffin Regional Inuit Association and also a member of a number of the regional boards in the Baffin who also impressed upon Mr. Tobin that there is a requirement that there be some consideration made to the Inuit harvesters in the Baffin region for sub-area 0. He has indicated to me in writing that in any discussions that will be held with regard to sub-area 0, consideration will definitely be made with the Nunavut wildlife management board and again, in writing, he has indicated that he has consulted with the Nunavut wildlife management board in the allocations that he announced just recently. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1150

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Supplementary To Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1150

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for using his good offices to arrange this meeting and to include Baffin representatives. The Minister is

well aware that last year at this time, when turbot quotas were divided up, NWT applicants only got about 10 per cent of what was allowed in the waters adjacent to Baffin Island. I would like to ask the Minister, is he optimistic after his meetings and discussions and correspondence with Mr. Tobin that this year we'll do significantly better than the 10 per cent we were allocated over Maritime companies last year. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1151

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Further Return To Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1151

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the allocations that were made in sub-area 0, there was a quota set for 1995 of 5,500 tons. In his news release, Mr. Tobin indicated that the Inuit quota for that area would be 1,000. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Question 514-12(7): Support For Inuit Applications For Turbot Quotas
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1151

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Safety and Public Services. Mr. Speaker, when I questioned the Minister responsible for fire suppression, he indicated that the Bird Dog officers are in orientation and are working. But I got off the phone about an hour ago and my information is that the Bird Dog officers have not yet flown and still refuse to work with the government. So, I would like to ask the Minister responsible for Safety and Public Services a question. Air attack officers, better known as Bird Dog officers, in the Fort Smith region have expressed concern about safety. In fact, they have refused to work until their concerns are addressed. Has the Minister's department been involved in ensuring that the safety concerns of the Bird Dog officers are being considered and taken care of? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Nerysoo.