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

Southampton Island Caribou Harvest
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1200

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ningark.

Absence From The House
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1200

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to advise the House that I will be absent from this House all day tomorrow because I'm tired...

---Laughter

No, because I'll be travelling to Cambridge Bay to attend the graduation ceremony of students of the Kitikmeot region from the teacher education program. Thank you.

Absence From The House
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1200

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Opposing Introduction Of NWT Sales Tax
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1200

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thanks, Mr. Speaker. This isn't a result of a formal constituency meeting but on my stroll through the streets of Yellowknife yesterday at noon hour and today at noon hour -- when I met my colleague Mr. Whitford who tried to claim my corner in the middle of the city -- I learned that one of the concerns that people have is this government has been thinking about introducing a sales tax.

I have tried to tell people that this is the last gasp of this government, there's nothing on the agenda, there is no legislation and no plans for this government to impose a sales tax in the few months that this 12th Assembly has left to live. I would like to point out though, Mr. Speaker, that all the great expectations of the goods and services tax imposed by the federal government some years ago have not produced the expected results and I would like to warn any future government that in our jurisdiction such a tax would really be regressive. Simply because, what happens when you put a tax on money that has already been taxed once in the form of personal income tax, what you are going to do is really reduce consumption, not just simply put money into the government coffers.

You are going to build up consumer resistance. They decide whether they are going to spend or not. Businesses get very upset when they see they have to charge ridiculous prices for things. You see sales where businesses say they'll swallow the GST and we won't have to pay that. It becomes a sales ploy or gimmick. We also have a very young population, Mr. Speaker. Older people like me have a fridge, a washing machine, furniture and all kinds of stuff because we've lived long enough and have earned enough money over a period of time to get the things we need to survive in our houses. But young people have to face a very uncertain future in terms of employment and the economy, and we should be very, very careful before we impose this kind of tax in this jurisdiction, given the kind of population we have, where half the people are below the age of 15. It is a population that really is very, very sensitive, a business community is just beginning to develop and I would warn any future government that it would not be a wise action to take. Thank you.

---Applause

Opposing Introduction Of NWT Sales Tax
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1200

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Baker Lake Traditional Lifeskills Program
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1200

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to report to the House today on the excellent work being done in Baker Lake by Jacob Ikinilik and others. As we all realize, our elders who are rich in traditional knowledge and on-the-land skills are quickly being lost and our younger generations have not learned their ways. Without direct action the traditional ways will disappear. (Translation ends)

Over the winter, Mr. Ikinilik collected information from elders to include in the traditional lifeskills program that has begun in Baker Lake, organized by the volunteers and targeted students. The traditional camp has been set up and knowledgeable elders have been recruited as the role models for youth attending the camp. They were able to acquire some funding and make a feeble start in late February. A large two-room igloo was built near the community where youth and elders could spend time together. The school fully supported this program and the instructor allowed class time for classes to participate in this program.

I'm happy to see this cooperation and know they will have a very effective program. They are presently training young people in preparation of traditional meat. I am excited to see such initiatives coming out of Baker Lake. I have been working with the group and encourage them to continue.

My primary goal over the last four years has to been to ensure the cultural program in the school was relevant and effective. The importance of these types of projects cannot be overstressed, and I commend all those involved in making them a success. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Baker Lake Traditional Lifeskills Program
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1201

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Concern Re New Federal Firearms Legislation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1201

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know that I said I might speak for the last time on the gun control bill, the other day, but I continue to receive, daily, expressions of grave concern from my constituents about Bill C-68, the new federal gun control bill, and new problems emerge by the day. The latest has to do with the Honourable Warren Allmand.

Mr. Speaker, we had some sense of confidence in talking to Mr. Allmand who is known to many of us personally. The former Indian Affairs Minister knows the north and listened very carefully to the presentations our Caucus subcommittee made before his Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on Bill C-68. Now, just when his committee is about to report the results of its deliberations on this very important bill, it seems that Mr. Allmand is to be dismissed as chair of the committee for having voted against a budget bill.

Mr. Speaker, a change of chairperson at this crucial time -- the chair who had listened to us and many other persons with serious concerns about this bill -- is a setback for those persons who placed their faith in the committee and its chair.

Concern Re New Federal Firearms Legislation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1201

An Hon. Member

Agreed.

Concern Re New Federal Firearms Legislation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1201

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Patterson, your time is up for your Member's statement. Mr. Patterson.

Concern Re New Federal Firearms Legislation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1201

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Is it up?

Concern Re New Federal Firearms Legislation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1201

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Is the time correct?

Concern Re New Federal Firearms Legislation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1201

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

I don't think I've quite used up my time, Mr. Speaker, but I would like unanimous consent to continue whether I've used up my time or not. Thank you.

Concern Re New Federal Firearms Legislation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1201

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The time wasn't finished. I apologize, Mr. Patterson, for that. The Member for Iqaluit is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Patterson.

Concern Re New Federal Firearms Legislation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1201

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. As I was saying, Mr. Speaker, I fear that a change of the chairperson at this crucial time -- the chair who had listened to us and many other persons with serious concerns about this bill -- is a setback for those persons who placed their faith in the committee and especially in its chairperson. It will, I fear, cause further instability in a process which has already been criticized for not allowing enough time for thoughtful discussion and serious consideration of how the bill might be amended and might be made workable.

Secondly, Mr. Speaker, there is increasing concern about the costs of the administration of the new compulsory registration regime. It's well known we do not have the computer and satellite technology available in many of our communities to allow the Northwest Territories to become part of a national firearms registration network electronically, as contemplated by the bill. Installing the necessary computer and satellite facilities would represent a staggering cost in the north. Who will pay for these increased costs?

While communities like Chesterfield Inlet, addressed by my new colleague in the Legislature, a neighbour, are without local policemen due to funding shortfalls for policing in the NWT, will additional precious financial resources have to be spent on hardware and software for an electronic registration system no one wants or needs in the Northwest Territories?

There is also great concern over whether general hunting licence holders will have to pay for registration of their firearms. The policy now on whether GHL holders will have to pay for firearms acquisition certificates required by the present law, seems to vary widely in the Northwest Territories. Some local policemen are saying to people who apply for FACs that they will be exempted from paying a fee only if they can establish that they are on welfare; only then. Other people have found out and have been told that they will only be exempted from paying a fee for the FAC if they can prove that they are full-time hunters with incomes under $30,000. Our MP is providing assurances that gun registration will not cost anything. But the federal Minister of Justice is saying that beyond the $85 million that his government has committed to paying for the national registration system, users will pay the additional costs of registration.

Mr. Speaker, if aboriginal people and GHL holders in the NWT end up being exempted from fees for registration -- and I hope they will -- then who will pay the costs of implementing the system in the Northwest Territories? Will it have to come from our government?

Mr. Speaker, at every turn, this new legislation looks more and more like the most invasive piece of legislation ever proposed by the Government of Canada to apply to the north. I fear that it will be widely ignored or challenged by our constituents, and that the overall respect for law and order which has improved over the years in the north will suffer enormously in the process.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, someone somewhere in Ottawa must understand that this new regime is not only unacceptable, but also unworkable in the north. Thank you.

---Applause

Concern Re New Federal Firearms Legislation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1201

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Transitional Document For 13th Assembly
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1201

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance and the government are presently working on a transitional document to help guide the deliberations of the next Legislative Assembly and government as they grapple with a very difficult agenda which will be driven, to a great extent, by the realities of division and federal government cutbacks. The Standing Committee on Finance is

also working on a transitional document and hope to be working closely with the Minister.

The next Assembly and government will have their work cut out for them in order to provide a smooth transition to division. What I intend to do, Mr. Speaker, in the next few days, is to use at least some of my Member's statements to give some of my views of some of the ideas that perhaps should go into this transitional document and make a few suggestions to Mr. Pollard that may be useful in formulating the document.

It seems to me that the next Legislative Assembly are going to need a very tight and well-planned agenda. That agenda should be created very early in the life of the Assembly with input from Members. There should be a full debate on the floor of the House on what that tight agenda is. Because we don't have a party system, it is very difficult for the public to feel involved. It is important that we don't break down into bickering and regional differences. All MLAs should be involved in planning an agenda and debating it in the House so that it's out there for the public to have an opportunity to bless it or not bless it. At least then you are starting with something real and at least there is some possibility that the government and Assembly can be successful in completing their agenda.

I believe that, as I said, the agenda should be very tight. There should be an equal focus on two major aspects, I think. One is on building a real economy. I think we have to take advantage of the strengths in our economy. I think we have to be pragmatic and realistic. We can't afford to have our heads in the sand. If there are opportunities in mining, we have to take advantage of opportunities in mining. If there are opportunities in oil and gas, we have to take advantage of opportunities in oil and gas, or in the fishing industry. Somebody has to pay for our social programs, and it's up to us to create that economy. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Transitional Document For 13th Assembly
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1202

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Yellowknife North is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Ballantyne.

Transitional Document For 13th Assembly
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1202

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the other focus has to be in creating healthy communities. I think those two go hand in hand because without healthy communities there aren't people to take advantage of a healthy economy.

So I don't think we have to have the left and the right ideological battle about what a government is all about. I think that here in the north we have to do both simultaneously. I think we are going to have to break some new ideological ground, because unless we get our people and our communities up to scratch we are not going to be in any position to take advantage of any economic benefits that might come to us.

We have said many times in this Assembly -- and I think it's very important in the next government and Assembly -- that education has to be a primary tool to achieve our goals. Education has to continue to be a focus.

I think one thing that is going to be very important for the next Assembly is that we can't allow constitutional development to dominate the whole political agenda. There are other forums for constitutional development. I think the government should be creative, should be helpful, should be supportive, but I don't think that we can afford the luxury of spending all our time here in the Legislative Assembly debating constitutional issues. I think people want jobs and people want to feel safe in their communities. They want community control. I think that's something that the next Assembly is going to have to decide very early on or the next four years could be wasted essentially fighting endless constitutional battles.

I also don't think we should reinvent the wheel. I think this government and this Assembly have done some good work. I don't think we should start over again on income reform and community wellness. I think we can build on the strategies that this government has started, so I think there is a very good basis out there that we can work on.

I do think, though, that we are going to have to revitalize and take a new look at our methodology for turning over powers to communities. I think there has been a lot of work done, there has been a lot of effort and it really hasn't worked for a number of reasons. I am not saying this to blame anybody. I am just saying that the times weren't right and it didn't happen. I think the next government is really going to have to look at a new way to focus their energies to turn over real powers to people in communities.

Lastly, and I think quite importantly, we are going to have to develop a very sophisticated, forward approach with the federal government. Inevitably the federal government is going to be trying to cut us back over the next four years. They are dealing with a major debt crisis. I think it's very important that we strengthen our Ottawa office; that we know exactly what we are trying to achieve when we deal with the federal government; that we have a very well-coordinated plan when we are doing it, together with a well-coordinated media strategy.

So, with that, Mr. Speaker, these are just a few ideas that I have that perhaps the government and the Minister of Finance might consider as they put together a transitional document. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Transitional Document For 13th Assembly
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1202

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Appreciation For Paving Of Highway 5
Item 3: Members' Statements

June 7th, 1995

Page 1202

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last weekend I drove on Highway 5, and I was extremely pleased to notice a lot of work being done on the highway.

---Applause

The work being done on our highway is the long-awaited continuation of our highway pavement. The last time our highway was paved was in the 1980s, about 12 kilometres out of Fort Smith. I think it was 1982 or 1983.

Appreciation For Paving Of Highway 5
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1202

An Hon. Member

(Microphone turned off)

---Laughter

Appreciation For Paving Of Highway 5
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1203

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

The continuation of the pavement program was not placed in the capital plan due to the excuse of our highway traffic which did not warrant pavement. And it's not praise to Arnold McCallum, Mr. Speaker. It's praise to Bruce McLaughlin who was Minister of Transportation at the time.

However, Mr. Speaker, when the issue of paving was addressed in the budget session, I recall advising the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Todd, about the inequitable distribution of funds to address paving highways across the north. Mr. Todd immediately took the responsibility of addressing the inequity and found a method to find funds to pave our highway.

Mr. Speaker, I was extremely pleased to see local people working and, in addition, local contractors such as Herons' Trucking and C & R Construction assisting with the paving project.

Appreciation For Paving Of Highway 5
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1203

Some Hon. Members

Hear! Hear!

---Applause

Appreciation For Paving Of Highway 5
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1203

Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

I want to take the time this afternoon, Mr. Speaker, to applaud Mr. Todd's actions.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, this is what we call a good Minister in action, fulfilling his responsibilities. Mr. Speaker, in my experience, Mr. Todd is a Minister who, when he makes a commitment, will make every effort to fulfil it. On the other hand, if he can't do something, he will state it, which I appreciate, because he knows that he is just as candid as I am. Mr. Todd has always tried to accommodate Members, Mr. Speaker, and this is probably why I hardly ever ask him any questions.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to complete my statement.