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

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

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Thebacha is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

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

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Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, once the paving is complete, I would welcome Mr. Todd once again to ride on Highway 5 with me so we can see what other paving is required. Mr. Speaker, I would encourage him to ensure further funding be allocated for future paving. But until then, Mr. Speaker, the constituents from Thebacha express our gratitude for allowing our future driving on Highway 5 to be more comfortable this summer and in the future.

---Applause

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

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statements. Are there any further Members' statements? Item 4, returns to oral questions. Ms. Cournoyea.

Return To Question 314-12(7): Inclusion Of Glos In Workforce Adjustment Program
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Titus Allooloo on March 27th. Mr. Allooloo asked if government liaison officers who refused revised job offers for half-time positions would be eligible to participate in the workforce adjustment program.

The workforce adjustment program does not apply in cases where positions are altered or eliminated due to budget reductions. Government liaison officers who receive layoff notices were provided with layoff entitlements, including severance pay and priority status on competitions within the GNWT for a period of one year following their layoff. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 314-12(7): Inclusion Of Glos In Workforce Adjustment Program
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 515-12(7): Safety Concerns Of Bird Dog Officers
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

I have a return to an oral question asked by the Member for Thebacha on June 6, 1995 with regard to safety concerns of Bird Dog officers. I have reviewed section 13(1) of the Safety Act of the Northwest Territories. Section 13 deals with the concept of "unusual danger," relative to normal occupational hazards. 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 through the Canada Labour Code.

On May 16, 1995, the chief safety officer was verbally contacted by Mr. Bob Robertson of the Union of Northern Workers, concerning a "right to refuse" by air attack crews involved in forest firefighting. Subsequently, the chief safety officer received the complaint in writing.

The chief safety officer advised Mr. Robertson by letter dated May 16, 1995, that the Government of Canada has jurisdiction in questions of safety involving air attack personnel, because section two of the Canada Labour Code defines "federal work, undertaking or business" to mean, among other things, "aerodromes, aircraft or a line of air transportation,...". The chief safety officer further provided the Union of Northern Workers with excerpts of the Canada Labour Code.

We understand that the Union of Northern Workers did contact staff of Human Resources Development Canada, formerly Labour Canada, and that an investigation was launched. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 515-12(7): Safety Concerns Of Bird Dog Officers
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. 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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a man who really probably doesn't need an introduction, since he is a known, familiar and I would even say, a beloved figure, in this Assembly. I could go on, but I

understand I only have 30 seconds. So without further adieu and without exceeding the time allotted to me, I would like to recognize a man who isn't here only in his official capacity representing the UNW, but also, I know, as a citizen who cherishes the democratic process. I refer to Mr. Ben MacDonald. 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 Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Whitford.

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

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Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to introduce and recognize some members of our Polish community in Yellowknife. Mr. Eugeniusz Buczynska and his daughter Malgorzata Buczynska, and their friend Iwona Marczak. Eugeniusz is visiting for three months and he is certainly looking forward to our hospitality. Iwona is hoping to immigrate to Canada.

---Applause

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

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Are there any further recognition of visitors in the gallery? Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today I made a statement about the plight of the Porcupine Caribou herd and the 10-02 lands on the north slope. I would like to ask the Minister of Renewable Resources if he can give us an indication of what this government's position is for the continuing protection of the 10-02 lands.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Return To Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This government has made every effort to comply with the concerns that we have received from the aboriginal groups in the area. In the middle of February, the Premier wrote to The Right Honourable Jean Chretien regarding a number of issues and one of those issues was regarding the calving grounds which the Member is concerned with. She pointed out the concerns that this government has with regard to Porcupine Caribou calving grounds.

Return To Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Fred Koe Inuvik

Koana, Mr. Speaker. There has been lots of lobbying going on and there continues to be lobbying efforts going on with the United States Legislatures. These lobbying efforts have been met and supported by the Porcupine Caribou Management Board and by the Gwich'in. The Government of Yukon has also provided some financial assistance to support some lobbyists. I would like to ask the Minister what this government is doing to support some of the lobbying efforts that are going on currently in the United States.

Supplementary To Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Further Return To Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The most recent activities that have been taken by this government have been through the Premier to the Prime Minister. With the information we are receiving from the Prime Minister's office, we have heard that the President of the United States is looking at this and is very concerned. I also understand that the State of Alaska is the jurisdiction which has been pressuring to open up the area in Alaska. However, the correspondence we have received has been that the President is in support of not opening up this area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Fred Koe Inuvik

As was mentioned earlier, the Porcupine Caribou herd crosses many borders; Alaska, Yukon and Northwest Territories. Many people in these areas are dependent on the herd. So there is need for a lot of cooperation and consultation. I would like to ask the Minister, has the Minister or his officials been consulting recently with the Government of the Yukon or the Gwich'in on this particular issue?

Supplementary To Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Further Return To Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Item 6: Oral Questions

June 7th, 1995

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Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we have a discussion paper prepared by the Department of Renewable Resources on options and recommendations for protecting the caribou calving grounds. I believe that consultation will take place with the Inuvialuit, the Gwich'in and the Nunavut renewable resource management boards. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Final supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Supplementary To Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Fred Koe Inuvik

I am pleased that work is ongoing and that an options paper is being developed. Can the Minister share some of those ideas with us now in terms of some of the initiatives that this government will be taking to ensure that the US Congress and the US Senate knows the position of our northern people?

Supplementary To Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Question 543-12(7): GNWT's Position On Protection Of The Porcupine Caribou Herd
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Arngna'naaq.