This is page numbers 1229 - 1250 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 premier.

Topics

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Mr. Speaker, buried in the Toronto Globe and Mail yesterday was a fascinating article which injected a touch of reality in the overwhelmingly emotional gun control debate. The story documents the fact that, although the firearms control bill is on the verge of becoming law, no one has yet produced objective evidence that many of its key components will make Canada a safer place.

New Zealand discontinued its registry in 1983 after the national police reported that it was useless. Police in two Australian states have recommended dropping their gun registration programs because they can't enforce compliance.

Professor Gary Mauser, author of a recent Fraser Institute report that is highly critical of Mr. Rock's gun control bill, said the issue has more to do with votes than violence.

Since it is currently fashionable to equate firearms with violence, and there is an emotional crusade against firearms, especially in urban Ontario and Quebec, the government sees a political opportunity.

Professor Mauser says the government ignores evidence that violent crime is more closely linked to social breakdown and to economic and political factors, than to the availability of guns.

countries, less than half the gun owners and no more than 60 per cent of the guns get registered. The bill won't work.

An Hon. Member

Hear! Hear!

---Applause

---Applause

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Professor Mauser says Minister Rock knows the bill won't work. His Justice department officials have told him and he still wants it. Why is Minister Rock imposing this unworkable legislation on this country? I got the answer from insiders in the Liberal Party of Canada -- I know a few.

---Laughter

Allan Rock wants to use this legislation to propel him as the prime candidate to replace the present Liberal Party leader when Mr. Chretien retires.

Some Hon. Members

Ohh!

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

So, have I got a deal for him. I'm prepared to endorse Mr. Rock as the best person to succeed Jean Chretien as Liberal Party leader if he'll just exempt the NWT from gun control.

So, let's hear it for Allan Rock for next leader of the Liberal Party of Canada!

---Laughter

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Congratulating Kitikmeot Tep Graduates
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this week I spoke on the grade 12 graduation ceremonies held to recognize and honour the first graduates from the Kugluktuk School in Coppermine and the Kullik High School in Cambridge Bay. Later today will be another historic event for the Kitikmeot as graduation ceremonies are being held this afternoon to honour the first 11 graduates from the Nunavut Arctic College's Kitikmeot teacher education program. These 11 graduates, who are now certified teachers, will be instructing children in the region during the next school year. These graduates will use their experience and skills to contribute to the educational system in the NWT. They will also be role models for youth and children in showing that with desire and ambition any goal is attainable.

I would like to formally recognize and congratulate the five TEP graduates from my constituency: Ms. Mary Eetoolook, Ms. Mary Gillis, Ms. Jessie Lyall, Ms. Margaret Lyall, and Ms. Susie Ohokannoak for their achievements. At this time I would ask all Members to join me in congratulating and wishing all graduates the best of success in their future endeavours. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Congratulating Kitikmeot Tep Graduates
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Pollard.

Return To Question 555-12(7): Status And Treatment Of Glos
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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John Pollard Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a question asked by Mr. Allooloo on June 8, 1995. It concerns the status and treatment of GLOs.

Mr. Speaker, all government employees laid off due to budget reductions, in Yellowknife and other communities, received the lay-off entitlements provided for in the collective agreement. In May 1995, new lay-off provisions were negotiated which replaced the existing lay-off provisions and the workforce adjustment program. The negotiations included settling all outstanding grievances related to the workforce adjustment program.

Minutes of settlement were signed with the Union of Northern Workers to apply the new lay-off provisions to the GLOs. In addition, the government liaison officers were given a further six-weeks' notice of layoff.

Mr. Speaker, if I might I have another one. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 554-12(7): Criteria For The Workforce Adjustment Program
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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John Pollard Hay River

Mr. Speaker, it's the same subject with regard to criteria for the workforce adjustment program, asked again by Mr. Allooloo on June 8, 1995.

Mr. Speaker, in March 1995 the workforce adjustment program applied to employees whose positions were eliminated or relocated due to change in a department's structure, responsibilities or functions. It did not, Mr. Speaker, apply in cases where positions were altered or eliminated due to budget reductions.

Mr. Speaker, in May 1995, new lay-off provisions were negotiated with the UNW which replaced both the lay-off provisions in the collective agreement and the workforce adjustment program. Many of the benefits of the workforce adjustment program are now included in the lay-off provisions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mrs. Marie-Jewell on June 7th regarding procedures for GNWT laid off or redundant positions.

When a position is declared redundant and the department is unable to find alternate employment for the incumbent of that position, a formal letter of lay-off is issued. The letter provides at least three months' notice that employment will be terminated. Normally, the employee is required to work for those three months but that requirement may be waived at the discretion of the employee's deputy minister.

Mr. Speaker, I have a second return, if I might. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Return To Question 541-12(7): Provision Of GNWT Procedures To New Employees
Return To Oral Question 536-12(7): Procedures For GNWT Laid-off Or Redundant Positions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Following appointment to a GNWT position, all employees attend a documentation session. In addition, they are invited to attend an information session which provides an orientation to the GNWT. During these sessions, new employees receive information about our government and its policies.

Employees who are appointed to managerial and excluded positions are given employees handbooks with their job offers. These handbooks provide information about their terms and conditions of employment as well as the affirmative action policy and conflict of interest guidelines.

Bargaining unit employees receive a copy of the respective collective agreement but these books do not include such things as these policies.

Personnel staff are presently designing an information package which will be given to all prospective employees. I have asked that they include something in the package that will address the Member's concerns and ensure compliance with government procedures. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 541-12(7): Provision Of GNWT Procedures To New Employees
Return To Oral Question 536-12(7): Procedures For GNWT Laid-off Or Redundant Positions
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

Where is he? Where is he?

---Laughter

No, just kidding. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased today to be able to recognize a former constituent, Mr. Troy Harper, who is now an architecture student working here for the summer with Mr. Gino Pin and his architectural firm. Thank you.

---Laughter

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

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ballantyne.

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

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize the designated hitter from the CBC dream team, Dave "Sweetness" Miller. According to Legislative Assembly slugger and RBI leader, Jeannie Marie-Jewell, the CBC can't hit the ball for love nor money. We believe that Sweetness Miller will turn the CBC team around and once again we will hear the

pure crack of the bat and the applause of their great fans here in the Legislative Assembly. Thank you.

---Laughter

---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

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.

Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It being Friday, I have an important question for the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Mr. Speaker, according to a report I heard on the radio from an undoubtedly reliable source -- some Member of the NDP Party -- the Honourable John Todd used his good offices and funds of his department to finance a trip for two prominent Liberals to attend a fund-raising dinner which featured the Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Jean Chretien, in Edmonton.

I've just received an invitation to a fund-raising dinner in Yellowknife at the end of this month which will feature another very important Liberal, the Honourable Paul Martin. I know there are some very prominent Liberals in my riding who would love to be funded to come to that dinner and lobby for important projects in Iqaluit. So I would like to ask the Minister, since I know he's fair to all, generous to all and treats every MLA with equal respect, I wonder if the Minister would entertain funding the modest cost of travel for a couple of prominent Liberals in my riding to attend this fund-raising dinner and lobby for the constituency of Iqaluit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 558-12(7): Financial Assistance For Liberal Fund-raising Dinner
Question 558-12(7): Financial Assistance For Liberal Fund-raising Dinner
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

I'll do even better than that, Mr. Speaker. I'll ensure that the two prominent Liberals who are in Iqaluit will have an opportunity to meet the Prime Minister early this month when he visits Iqaluit.

---Applause

Return To Question 558-12(7): Financial Assistance For Liberal Fund-raising Dinner
Question 558-12(7): Financial Assistance For Liberal Fund-raising Dinner
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.

Supplementary To Question 558-12(7): Financial Assistance For Liberal Fund-raising Dinner
Question 558-12(7): Financial Assistance For Liberal Fund-raising Dinner
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Dennis Patterson Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very impressed with the Minister's generosity. But I don't think they'll get a trip out of that one because I think the Prime Minister is coming to Iqaluit. I understand that there's going to be an important fund-raiser in Ottawa later this year which will feature the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, the Honourable Jean Charest. I would like to ask the Minister if he would be prepared to fund two prominent members of the Conservative Party -- there are two of them in Iqaluit that I know of -- to take a trip to this fund-raising dinner in Ottawa.

Supplementary To Question 558-12(7): Financial Assistance For Liberal Fund-raising Dinner
Question 558-12(7): Financial Assistance For Liberal Fund-raising Dinner
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 558-12(7): Financial Assistance For Liberal Fund-raising Dinner
Question 558-12(7): Financial Assistance For Liberal Fund-raising Dinner
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

(Microphone turned off)

---Laughter

Sorry, Mr. Speaker. It should be an interesting evening. You could probably hold it in a telephone kiosk.

---Laughter

No, I don't think it would be appropriate to invest any of our limited fiscal resources to meet with the Conservatives because they are not currently in power and probably will have no opportunity of being in power in the coming years. Thank you.