This is page numbers 1165 - 1196 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 liquor.

Topics

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Patterson.

Lack Of Consultation Of Firearms Control Task Force
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1169

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week I described my experience in my constituency with the federal firearms control task force as one of the most cynical efforts at manipulation I've ever seen in all my years of service as an MLA. Today I would like to elaborate on why I would use such strong language.

Most people who communicate across a language and cultural barrier understand that special sensitivity is required. It's not enough to engage the services of an interpreter; one must speak in language the interpreter can understand, especially when describing complex legislation.

The Members of the federal firearms task force who came to my community could not speak plain English. I wrote down a typical, painful example. The Ottawa visitors were asked by my constituents why experienced hunters should have to take gun safety courses. The Ottawa bureaucrats, in reply, tried to ask my constituents whether they could suggest another way to recognize the skills of experienced hunters other than by making them take a course. Here is how the bureaucrat asked the question of a unilingual member of the Amarok HTA, "is there a non-invasive way of validating their competence?". Mr. Speaker, this is not plain language. This is bureaucratic gobbledegook.

Unless issues like compulsory registration, lending and licence requirements are dealt with, Bill C-68 is quite clearly a substantial infringement of the aboriginal right to hunt. The Supreme Court of Canada has clearly ruled in the Sparrow case that the rights of aboriginal peoples in Canada cannot be infringed by a government. In the rare case where infringement of an aboriginal right may be justified, the court said that there must first be meaningful consultation with the aboriginal people involved.

I want to say as clearly as possible to the federal Justice Minister Allan Rock and to any judge who in future may be asked to consider this issue, that I believe the records of this Assembly, statements of many of my colleagues about the lack of notice, the rushed timetable, the poor presentation and communication, clearly establishes that on Bill C-68 my constituents have not been meaningfully consulted by the federal government. I say they haven't been consulted at all. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Lack Of Consultation Of Firearms Control Task Force
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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An Hon. Member

Hear! Hear!

--- Applause

Lack Of Consultation Of Firearms Control Task Force
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 471-12(7): Policy Re Outside Employment Of Rcmp Officers
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

This is in response to a question asked by Mr. Koe on the 26th of April regarding outside employment of RCMP officers. Mr. Koe asked what the policy was for RCMP officers seeking private sector opportunities, especially relating to liquor outlets in northern communities.

The RCMP have a policy on conflict of interest and outside employment which as been designed for all members of the force at all locations in Canada. Although it would not be a breach of the RCMP code of conduct for a member to apply for a licence for a liquor outlet, the member would be investigated for conflict of interest if the member was successful in his or her application.

In the case of a successful application for a liquor license by a member stationed in a small northern community, it is likely that he or she would be declared in a conflict and be ordered to immediately abandon or withdraw from the licence. If the member refused to obey the order, he or she would be in breach of the RCMP code of conduct and subject to disciplinary action, which could include dismissal from the force. Thank you.

Return To Question 471-12(7): Policy Re Outside Employment Of Rcmp Officers
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Zoe.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize two classes of students from Rae-Edzo's Elizabeth Mackenzie's Elementary School. I believe they are a grade 4 or 5 class and a grade 5 class. They are here with their teachers, Steve Boss and Judy Foster, and also their bus driver Henry Lafferty. I would like to welcome all the 41 students, their teachers and bus driver to the House. Mahsi.

--- Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Patterson.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Mr. Speaker, some of you may not be aware of the efforts of a modest man who quietly monitors our operations in the interests of organized labour in the public sector in the Northwest Territories. He has very humbly moved his seat so he's not quite as visible to me as usual. But he's still here today, I believe, hiding: Mr. Ben MacDonald of the Union of Northern Workers. Thank you.

--- Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Koe. Mrs. Marie-Jewell, your point of privilege.

Point Of Privilege

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, a point of privilege. Pursuant to Rule 21, with your permission, I would like to raise a point of privilege to clarify a matter that was reported on the 7:30 am and 8:30 am newscasts on CBC Mackenzie. Mr. Speaker, yesterday in committee of the whole, I introduced a motion that, if passed, would recommend that a plebiscite question be put to the people of the Northwest Territories on the matter of raising the legal drinking age from 19 to 21 years.

I am pleased that CBC chose to air a report on this important matter. However, in the course of the report, it was stated that I, as a Member for Thebacha, am in favour of raising the drinking age. I want to emphasize, Mr. Speaker, that at no point during yesterday's debate did I indicate that this was my position. Actually, Mr. Speaker, I realize that there are advantages and disadvantages to both sides of the question. As yet, I have not stated my own position until I hear more about what my constituents think.

What I was trying to do was to provide a process through which this whole matter could be taken to the people. I know that there are differing Views on this issue in communities all across the Northwest Territories. I chaired a public meeting in Fort Smith last fall where opinion was mixed on whether the legal drinking age should be raised. I know that the Standing Committee on Legislation heard differing positions on the question, even though the committee report indicates that no witnesses supported the idea. I know this because a number of students travelled from my community and told the committee that they thought the drinking age should be raised. The Dene Nation, as well, passed a resolution at it's national assembly in support of 21 years old as the drinking age.

Mr. Speaker, these things show that there are conflicting opinions on the subject and I would like to see people given an opportunity to vote openly and fairly. At this time, I'm taking no position and I've taken no position on whether the eligibility age should be raised. But I do believe the matter should be left in the hands of the people of the Northwest Territories to tell us what they think. I want to clarify my position on that for the record, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the media has a responsibility to report accurate comments and proceedings of this Assembly, as their interpretations and reporting are of importance with regard to informing the public about what is happening in this Assembly. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to advise the House on this issue. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker

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

Fred Koe Inuvik

Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker. Currently, there is a lot of work and discussions about division of the Northwest Territories. Of major concern to all governments involved is the cost of division and the implications to this government. It has always been my understanding that the federal government would pay for any incremental costs incurred for division, so it would be nice to get some clarification on this issue. I would like to ask the Premier, is it still the understanding between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the federal government that the federal government would pay for any incremental costs incurred in division?

The Speaker

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Return To Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, although there are varying assessments about what that cost is and will be, it is still the position and understanding of Northwest Territories Government that the federal government will bear the incremental coats for division. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. What work is being done currently to try to modify the amount of incremental costs that will occur because of division?

Supplementary To Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, there has been at least three studies done to evaluate the possible incremental costs of division. However, the actual costs are difficult to determine because, at this time, the structure of government has not been determined. On behalf of all the residents of the Northwest Territories, in trying to make sure that the programs and services continue and people receive those programs, the Government of the Northwest Territories, on a continuous basis, continues to try to make sure that the federal government keeps at the top of their list of priorities their obligations for funding for incremental costs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Fred Koe Inuvik

I would like to ask the Premier, then, who is involved in these discussions and work with the federal government?

Supplementary To Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, thank you for your tolerance. With regard to the set-up of the structure of government, it's the responsibility of the Nunavut Implementation Commission to set up the structure and advocate the placement of certain areas of administrative responsibility and identify needs. This government has an internal joint committee that continues to track and work with NIC to make sure we're working out those particular expenses and planned timetable so we can make sure that the federal government is also involved in setting those timetables. Through my office, we're continually in contact with the federal government to keep track of this working relationship.

It may seem a bit skewed bemuse of the number of people who are involved; however, my office is trying very hard to make sure we're tracking all the decisions that are being made. We are trying to be involved, informative and provide the necessary information and research to determine the possible implementation costs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Question 517-12(7): Responsibility Of Incurring Incremental Division Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker. It has always been my understanding that with division there are going to be two new territories, one in the east and one in the west. The aboriginal leaders, especially in the west are very concerned about the impacts, not only on the costs in the creation of a new western territory but as they relate to self-government and treaty negotiations. So, I would like to ask the Premier, when will the aboriginal leaders from the west be asked to become involved in working out the costs of division?