This is page numbers 1197 - 1228 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 education.

Topics

Supplementary To Question 551-12(7): Status Of Nunavut Travel Authority
Question 551-12(7): Status Of Nunavut Travel Authority
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1209

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 551-12(7): Status Of Nunavut Travel Authority
Question 551-12(7): Status Of Nunavut Travel Authority
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1209

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I'm not satisfied. I think it's unfortunate that we can't have greater participation out of the Kitikmeot area but there is strong representation from the Keewatin and Baffin. There is a clear commitment by the interim board members to work closely with the industry in Kitikmeot to get increased representation. But, I think it's important to recognize that this is an interim board that is to develop the guidelines, the code of conduct, the way it is going to operate, and how the executive is to be elected. It is to make recommendations to me about the splitting of the funding.

You will remember that I spoke earlier in the House that it is the department's intent to transfer marketing dollars that are currently available in the department over to the industry, both in the east and west. While there may be a significant cut in the operational core funding, there will be additional dollars in terms of program funding. Hopefully, this will enhance industry's participation and ensure that where we spend the money is reflective of their needs in the future. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 551-12(7): Status Of Nunavut Travel Authority
Question 551-12(7): Status Of Nunavut Travel Authority
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1209

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

June 7th, 1995

Page 1209

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister responsible for Safety and Public Services. Mr. Speaker, the other day I asked about the safety of air tanker officers under section 13(1) of the Safety Act. The Minister's response today indicated that the Safety Act of the Northwest Territories does not apply to air attack crews because safety issues concerned with aircraft and airline transportation are dealt with in the Canada Labour Code.

Mr. Speaker, air attack officers are GNWT employees, so what responsibility does our government have, taking into consideration that these individuals are our employees? Why don't they fall under the NWT Safety Act? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1210

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, this is a matter of legal jurisdiction. Presently, this government or any other government, I don't believe, has jurisdiction over the airline safety matters. That rests in the hands of the federal government. Whether or not they are employees of ours, the matter of safety issues related to transportation presently fall under the Canada Labour Code. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I responded to the honourable Member in the manner that I did today.

Return To Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1210

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1210

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you. The Minister is saying it with regard to airline transportation, but I am asking the Minister what responsibility our government has with respect to any individuals, whether they are air tanker officers, Bird Dog officers, et cetera, taking into consideration they are GNWT employees. Is he saying the responsibility totally lies with the federal government under the Canada Labour Code? Doesn't our government have any responsibility with respect to the Safety Act? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1210

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1210

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, Mr. Speaker. I am saying that, presently, the way the rules and laws are in existence, the federal government's rules override our authority. Their jurisdiction rests within the matter of airline transportation. The honourable Member may be addressing the issue of public servants' ability to raise complaints with regard to safety issues and the safety of their working conditions. That normally comes through the Department of Personnel or Financial Management Board Secretariat. That is the general route they would normally go.

Further Return To Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1210

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Supplementary To Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1210

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Just for clarification and for the record, is the Minister indicating the Safety Act doesn't apply to civil servants of the Government of the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1210

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1210

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, no. What I have said is that in the airline industry, which we do not have jurisdiction over, that is the area where the Safety Act does not apply. In areas where we do have responsibility and jurisdiction, the Safety Act is the rules by which any individual may file a complaint or raise a concern with regard to the safety of the working conditions in which they operate.

Further Return To Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1210

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Final supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Supplementary To Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1210

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister clarify for me whether it is only under airline jurisdiction that the federal Canada Labour Code applies to, and not the NWT Safety Act? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1210

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That may not be the only portion of responsibility. I will put together an information document and provide all Members with a copy of those areas where the Safety Act may not apply and the other portions of where the Safety Act would apply to make it clearer. It depends on a number of jurisdictional questions, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Question 552-12(7): Employment Status Of Air Attack Officers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1210

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Earlier in the session, I asked the Minister about the new itinerant economic development officer service that was proposed in the budget that was recently passed. The Minister responded to my questions stating that these positions will be filled by June 30th of this year. I will assume that that is still valid. However, I still have some difficulty in determining how these two teams of economic development officers will function. I would like some clarification. I would like to ask the Minister as to how these teams will operate. Will they be travelling to these different communities or areas when called upon or will they go on a rotating basis? I need some clarification.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 553-12(7): Role Of Economic Development Officer Teams
Question 553-12(7): Role Of Economic Development Officer Teams
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think there will be a schedule of travel and arrangements made. After all, that is the intent of this; to get in and service these smaller communities. I am sure that if there is an emergency or there are opportunities, we would be flexible enough to meet both of

these situations. There won't be an organized schedule because that is important to the constituencies and the clients. We will respond to the specific requests of these communities or individuals within it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 553-12(7): Role Of Economic Development Officer Teams
Question 553-12(7): Role Of Economic Development Officer Teams
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1211

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 553-12(7): Role Of Economic Development Officer Teams
Question 553-12(7): Role Of Economic Development Officer Teams
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1211

Fred Koe Inuvik

I presume that the recruitment of these positions has been started if they are to be filled by June 30th. I wonder where the PYs for these positions are coming from. Are they new PYs or have they been reallocated from other tasks within the department?

Supplementary To Question 553-12(7): Role Of Economic Development Officer Teams
Question 553-12(7): Role Of Economic Development Officer Teams
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1211

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.