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

Further Return To Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single Diploma High School System
Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single-diploma High School System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1173

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not sure that we necessarily need to conduct a survey, we may already have information on file. Again, I'll note the concern of the honourable Member, and whatever is most appropriate in terms of consulting employers I will certainly try to ensure that we have that kind of information on file. If it requires us to do a survey, then obviously we'll be able to consider that.

I must also advise the honourable Member, I believe our labour force survey gives us a great deal of that information, and as a result of that, we're also highlighting some of the employment requirements, trade requirements and skill requirements that are presently required by employees in the Northwest Territories. But I will take note of the suggestion.

Further Return To Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single Diploma High School System
Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single-diploma High School System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1173

The Speaker

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Subsequent to my Members statement regarding the use of commercial room and board, I would like to direct my question to the honourable Minister of the Housing Corporation. On the outset, Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the honourable Minister that there are many positive things that have come out of this business incentive policy. That should be noted publicly in the House.

Mr. Speaker, my question to the honourable Minister is, why are bed and breakfasts not considered to be eligible under the Housing Corporation directive.

The Speaker

Minister responsible for housing, Mr. Morin.

Return To Question 521-12(7): Consideration Of Bed And Breakfasts Under Bip
Question 521-12(7): Consideration Of Bed And Breakfasts Under Bip
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1173

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The intent of the department's commercial room and board directive is to support the economic viability of commercial establishments -that is, hotels or motels in the communities -- by requiring all non-local contractors to use these business and the use of the facilities. In the past, contractors from outside the communities have, from time to time, set up bunk houses or bought older units and called them a bed and breakfast to got around our policy. So we've tightened up our policy to close this leakage. We've also issued a directive saying that contractors must stay in hotels.

The bed and breakfast facilities in these communities are licensed by Economic Development. They are licensed as a bed and breakfast for a tourism home. They are basically for one-night stays. It's defined as a private home or dwelling in which a room or rooms are offered for rent to the travelling or vacationing public. It anybody wants to get a hotel licence, then we would be able to assist them with the Economic Development people in order to get a hotel licence. But a hotel and a motel costs a lot of money to invest in that, whereas a bed and breakfast takes a small amount of money to invest. What we're trying to do is make sure that the actual hotels and motels in the communities become economically viable. That is why the directive was issued. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 521-12(7): Consideration Of Bed And Breakfasts Under Bip
Question 521-12(7): Consideration Of Bed And Breakfasts Under Bip
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1173

The Speaker

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

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for fire suppression. Mr. Speaker, no doubt, we're concerned about the situation with regard to the forest fires. Can the Minister tell this House what resources are being used to fight the fires, particularly in the area of Fort Norman?

The Speaker

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

Return To Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1174

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last night, when the forest fire was reported, we immediately responded with ground crews and helicopters to get them in the area. We had approximately three crews, around 17 men on that fire on the west flank of it to try to redirect it away from the community of Fort Norman. We've also sent in four CL-215s. I believe by now, it's 2:35, the DC-4s would have left Hay River for Norman Wells. We're also sending in more medium and light helicopters. We're sending in relief crews to relieve the firefighters who have fought fire there all night.

Just previous to walking in the House, I talked to our man in charge in Norman Wells. They're doing everything possible to try to redirect this fire. We had no choice but to pull our firefighters off because the wind had changed. The fire is approximately 4.5 kilometres away from the community of Fort Norman. When the wind changed, we had approximately a 10 kilometre wind. What happened was the smoke came in on the side of the fire that we were fighting, so our visibility for our men was reduced. For safety reasons, we pulled the men off the fire because we may have had a hard time to pick them up with the helicopters due to the smoke.

At the present, they are also doing back burning from Fort Norman to try to create a buffer zone to save the community. All people have been evacuated, except for approximately 30, to Norman Wells. So we are sending in more equipment and trying our best to contain that fire. Thank you.

Return To Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1174

The Speaker

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1174

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could I ask the Minister, are the DCAs being used to fight these fires in Fort Norman? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1174

The Speaker

Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1174

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There were two CL-215s that were sent in earlier today and two more followed it. The DC-4s are going in there, and if we have to use all those aircraft, we are going to use every one of them, with or without Bird Dog officers. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1174

The Speaker

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1174

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That leads to my next question. Can the Minister indicate to the House the status of the Bird Dog officers with respect to assisting the DC-4s? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1174

The Speaker

Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1174

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As far as I understand, all the flight crews of the DCAs are qualified as far as we are concerned to operate those aircraft and fight fire. We have them taking extra precautions because of the safety issue raised about the Bird Dog officers to make them comfortable. I believe that process is to be completed today. So, hopefully, these Bird Dog officers will accompany the DC4s and the Bird Dog planes into Norman Wells. Whether or not they are, I do not know. Once I find that information out, I will be happy to relay that information to the Member. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Question 522-12(7): Resources Used To Fight Fort Norman Forest Fire
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1174

The Speaker

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a question of the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. I know the Minister has encouraged meetings to take place with aboriginal leaders to discuss their position on the northern accord, and I believe the Minister participated in those meetings this morning. I would like to ask the Minister, how are things going. Thank you.

--- Laughter

The Speaker

The Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 523-12(7): Progress Of Northern Accord Meetings
Question 523-12(7): Progress Of Northern Accord Meetings
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1174

John Todd Keewatin Central

Everything is fine, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 523-12(7): Progress Of Northern Accord Meetings
Question 523-12(7): Progress Of Northern Accord Meetings
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1174

An Hon. Member

When you are not involved, it's wonderful.

Return To Question 523-12(7): Progress Of Northern Accord Meetings
Question 523-12(7): Progress Of Northern Accord Meetings
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1174

John Todd Keewatin Central

Mr. Speaker, I did meet with the aboriginal groups at 10:30 this morning on the issue of trying to reach an arrangement with them so that we can jointly move forward to the federal government to quickly transfer the responsibility for minerals, oil and gas to this government.

There was some concern raised by a number of the groups about a much clearer definition of self-government, and Mr. Kakfwi has addressed that with the groups and will address it again tomorrow. I have indicated to them that, from my perspective anyway, there has to be some closure to the discussion. At some point, we have to get on with the negotiations.

The majority of the groups in the room have agreed to continue to work on Tuesday, what we call the working group, to see if an accommodation can be made in terms of some of the wording and some of the changes they want for the draft accord that was put before them on April 7th. I am optimistic that, while we may not have everyone at that table, we will have some, and I have indicated to them that an arrangement has to be made by June 30th. There is no further extension beyond June 30th. Thank you.

Return To Question 523-12(7): Progress Of Northern Accord Meetings
Question 523-12(7): Progress Of Northern Accord Meetings
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1175

The Speaker

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

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have question for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Earlier this year, the Inuvik Regional Health Board put out advertisements looking for a company or someone to provide orthodontic services to the Inuvik region. I understand that the health board has completed the task of doing the tendering, reviewing, choosing a contract and they've prepared the necessary equipment lists and are getting quotas on these lists. Apparently, they are now waiting for formal approval from the department to proceed. Each day that we wait, it costs us more money because there are between 45 and 60 people involved each month who are transported out for orthodontic services. So I would like to ask the Minister what the status is of this issue so that orthodontic services can be provided by the Inuvik Regional Health Board.