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

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Personnel. Mr. Speaker, it's my understanding that when a person is laid off from their position, the person has had three months on the job before the position is terminated. Could the Minister confirm that under normal circumstances when a position is either declared redundant or the individual laid off, the individual occupying the position should be placed on lay-off status. Thank you.

The Speaker

Yes, I'll ask the Premier or the Minister of the Personnel Secretariat.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I will take that question as notice. Thank you.

The Speaker

Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Thompson.

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Health and Social Services. I know the Minister of Health is aware of the correspondence regarding the support for the one nurse in Chesterfield Inlet. I believe the Minister knows that the one nurse is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Will the Minister be able to do anything to give more support to this overworked nurse? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Cournoyea.

Return To Question 537-12(7): Additional Nurse For Chesterfield Inlet
Question 537-12(7): Additional Nurse For Chesterfield Inlet
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, the whole issue of the nursing staff at all the health centres is presently being looked at to see what is a fair number to staff the health centres. I have said it before in the House, but I will restate it again: the staffing of the health centres were taken over as is.

The plan of the department is to attempt, as quickly as possible, to continue to work toward establishing a formula for the number of people who would be at the nursing station. So we are actively pursuing that formula. In education, there is a formula for staffing the school system because of the high number of children, and I believe that it's only fair that we move in a similar direction in looking at the health units. At this time, it is difficult to do because the union negotiations are not yet concluded, and making any suggestions or changes is not really appropriate. So, once the arbitration is over, we'll attempt to try to bring that discussion forward so that the health centres can see a window of opportunity to have their concerns addressed.

We realize that at the present time there are float nurses that are available to spell people off; however, we know that's not

adequate. In some of the larger stations, as well, they are feeling that the growth of their communities has not been taken into consideration in terms of staffing of those units. As quickly as we can move in this area, the issue is in active consideration. Thank you.

Return To Question 537-12(7): Additional Nurse For Chesterfield Inlet
Question 537-12(7): Additional Nurse For Chesterfield Inlet
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Thompson.

Supplementary To Question 537-12(7): Additional Nurse For Chesterfield Inlet
Question 537-12(7): Additional Nurse For Chesterfield Inlet
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Mr. Speaker, as you know, I'm a new Member and I'm anxious to get this problem solved. Will the Minister be able to give me an answer before the end of this session for this particular case? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 537-12(7): Additional Nurse For Chesterfield Inlet
Question 537-12(7): Additional Nurse For Chesterfield Inlet
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 537-12(7): Additional Nurse For Chesterfield Inlet
Question 537-12(7): Additional Nurse For Chesterfield Inlet
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish I could but I do not believe that the process that's going on right now will be concluded. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 537-12(7): Additional Nurse For Chesterfield Inlet
Question 537-12(7): Additional Nurse For Chesterfield Inlet
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

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

Fred Koe Inuvik

Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Premier. The Official Languages Act was passed almost 11 years ago and there are several references in the act to regulations. To my knowledge, the regulations for this particular act have not been completed. I would like to ask the Premier, when will the regulations for the Official Languages Act be completed?

The Speaker

Madam Premier.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I'll take the question as notice. Thank you.

The Speaker

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 Justice. Mr. Speaker, over the past couple of months, I've had a few phone calls with respect to the maintenance enforcement program. My constituents have been very appreciative of the program, providing they could get in touch with the maintenance enforcement officers. However, the apparent problem appears to be the maintenance enforcement program has a toll-free number which all northerners can take advantage of. Unfortunately, though, once you get through, you get a recording and you are supposed to leave a message. Many of my constituents have indicated that their messages they have left have never been answered, and it's quite frustrating trying to reach them. They

did state, however, that once you do reach them they are very helpful.

I would like to ask the Minister it he can find out from his department what might be the problem when individuals are attempting to reach maintenance enforcement officers in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 539-12(7): Difficulties In Contacting Maintenance Enforcement Officers
Question 539-12(7): Difficulties In Contacting Maintenance Enforcement Officers
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I'm sure the people within the maintenance enforcement section would be very concerned to hear that they have some members of the public who are having difficulty reaching them since they are a very highly motivated group of individuals and very committed to providing a top quality service. I will bring this to their attention and ask them to make sure that the concern of the Member for Thebacha and all other Members are dealt with as soon as possible to ensure that this does not happen again. Thank you.

Return To Question 539-12(7): Difficulties In Contacting Maintenance Enforcement Officers
Question 539-12(7): Difficulties In Contacting Maintenance Enforcement Officers
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

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

Question 540-12(7): Strategy For Sale Of Power Corporation Houses
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

June 6th, 1995

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. I understand that there is a strategy now in place for the sale of houses owned by the Power Corporation. I would like to ask the Minister what is the strategy for the sale of housing units owned by the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

The Speaker

The Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Ms. Cournoyea.

Return To Question 540-12(7): Strategy For Sale Of Power Corporation Houses
Question 540-12(7): Strategy For Sale Of Power Corporation Houses
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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, the corporation is currently activating meetings with employees to discuss the disposal of the accommodation in Fort Simpson, Norman Wells and Inuvik. There are a number of smaller communities in the north where the corporation has housing units that they no longer require and we are in the process of formally transferring all property of the NWT Power Corporation. Now that this obstacle is out of the way, the corporation plans to sell staff accommodation in those communities where they no longer have needs identified.

Mr. Speaker, one of the problems has been in the proper survey of the lots in the community. It didn't allow very clear access or identification of the sale and the security that an interested party may have in getting a mortgage and purchasing that particular unit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 540-12(7): Strategy For Sale Of Power Corporation Houses
Question 540-12(7): Strategy For Sale Of Power Corporation Houses
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 540-12(7): Strategy For Sale Of Power Corporation Houses
Question 540-12(7): Strategy For Sale Of Power Corporation Houses
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Fred Koe Inuvik

I would like to ask the Minister -- I assume that the corporation owns houses in other communities like Iqaluit, Fort Smith or Hay River -- when will the sale of units begin in those communities.