Debates of June 9th, 1995
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
- Members Present
- Item 1: Prayer
- Minister's Statement 85-12(7): Ministers Absent From The House
- Minister's Statement 86-12(7): Sahtu Forest Fire
- Gratitude To Emergency Response Organizations Re Sahtu Forest Fire
- Kitikmeot Boarding Home Costs For Constituent
- Resolutions Passed For Training Preparations For Nunavut
- Problems With Custom Adoption Process
- European Commission's Stance On Importation Of Canadian Furs
- Invitation To Ministers To Visit Aivilik
- Congratulating Pwk High School Graduates
- Globe And Mail Article Re Federal Gun Control Legislation
- Congratulating Kitikmeot Tep Graduates
- Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
- Return To Oral Question 536-12(7): Procedures For GNWT Laid-off Or Redundant Positions
- Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
- Question 558-12(7): Financial Assistance For Liberal Fund-raising Dinner
- Question 559-12(7): Status Of Part-time Glo Positions
- Question 560-12(7): Departmental Responsibility For Glo Positions
- Question 561-12(7): Minister's Visit To North American Art Symposium In New Mexico
- Question 562-12(7): Status Of Water Services In NWT Parks
- Question 563-12(7): Aircraft Services Used In Fighting Sahtu Forest Fire
- Question 564-12(7): Review Of Request For Proposals Re Bird Dog Aircraft Services
- Question 565-12(7): Payment For Accommodation At Kitikmeot Boarding Home
- Question 566-12(7): Status Of Health Services In Nahendeh Region
- Question 567-12(7): Status Of Formula Financing And Incremental Division Funding Negotiations
- Question 568-12(7): Request For Extra Assistance To Fight Sahtu Forest Fire
- Question 569-12(7): Waiving Employment Procedures For Fire Suppression Staff
- Question 570-12(7): Bip Status Of Northern Municipalities
- Written Question 29-12(7): Proposal Call For Orthodontic Services
- Written Question 30-12(7): Purchase Of Services From Northern Municipal Corporations
- Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
- Bill 33: An Act To Amend The Legislative Assembly And Executive Council Act, No. 3
- Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
- Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
- Revert To Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
- Samuel Hearne High School Graduation
- Item 22: Orders Of The Day
Members Present
Mr. Allooloo, Mr. Antoine, Hon. Silas Arngna'naaq, Mr. Ballantyne, Hon. Nellie Cournoyea, Mr. Dent, Hon. Samuel Gargan, Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Marie-Jewell, Ms. Mike, Hon. Richard Nerysoo, Hon. Kelvin Ng, Mr. Patterson, Hon. John Pollard, Mr. Pudlat, Mr. Pudluk, Mrs. Thompson, Hon. John Todd, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Zoe
---Prayer
Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer
Page 1229
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Good morning. Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers' statements. Ms. Cournoyea.
Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer
Page 1229
Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput
Mr. Speaker, may I make a brief emergency statement with regard to the forest fires that are happening in the Sahtu region?
Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer
Page 1229
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Madam Premier, proceed.
Minister's Statement 85-12(7): Ministers Absent From The House
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
Page 1229
Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput
Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Don Morin's return has been delayed so that he can attend to matters related to the Norman Wells forest fire and evacuation. The Honourable Stephen Kakfwi is also remaining in the region because of the fire situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister's Statement 85-12(7): Ministers Absent From The House
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
Page 1229
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Arngna'naaq.
Minister's Statement 85-12(7): Ministers Absent From The House
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
Page 1229
Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to make an emergency statement about the Sahtu forest fire.
Minister's Statement 85-12(7): Ministers Absent From The House
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
Page 1229
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
You may proceed, Mr. Arngna'naaq.
Minister's Statement 86-12(7): Sahtu Forest Fire
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
June 9th, 1995
Page 1229
Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday the hot and windy weather caused the forest fire at Fort Norman to move down the Mackenzie Valley and it is now a threat to Norman Wells. The winds died down overnight and the fire remained about 50 kilometres southeast of Norman Wells. Based on advice from the Department of Renewable Resources, the emergency measures organization made the decision to also evacuate Norman Wells. All night planes flew. First, the 340 people from Fort Norman were moved to Deline and then the jets moved about 400 people to Yellowknife. The evacuation proceeded very smoothly and the Honourable Don Morin indicated that he has nothing but praise for all people involved.
The firefighting crews have now returned to Fort Norman. About 30 firefighters from the Sahtu and Deh Cho are in Fort Norman working to put out spot fires and they have set up a sprinkler system to keep buildings wet. The only loss at this time is the Ursus Airways building at the airport. The worst of the fire seems to be through that area now.
Actions are now being concentrated to protect Norman Wells. Four CL-215s are on site and one DC-4. Two more CL-215s are coming from Quebec. Caterpillars are working to establish a fireguard at Jackfish Lake, about five kilometres out of Norman Wells. Mr. Morin has been impressed with how hard and efficiently the firefighting crews are working in very difficult conditions.
The weather is expected to be hot and windy again today. At this time, we cannot predict when people will be able to return to their homes. Anyone wishing to know who arrived in Yellowknife from Norman Wells and where they are staying can call a special number at city hall. That number is 920-5693. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to praise all those who are involved in responding so capably and efficiently to this emergency. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister's Statement 86-12(7): Sahtu Forest Fire
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
Page 1229
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Arngna'naaq. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ballantyne.
Gratitude To Emergency Response Organizations Re Sahtu Forest Fire
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 1229
Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Yellowknife MLAs and I'm sure all the Members of the House, I would like to express our support and our gratitude to the literally hundreds of individuals who have been involved in fighting the terrible fires in the Sahtu region and who have been involved in the emergency response organizations in Deline, Norman Wells and Yellowknife. On short notice, they have responded magnificently to this crisis. I think all of us owe all of those people a tremendous debt of gratitude.
Here in Yellowknife, at 10:00 pm last night, a team was mobilized. There are some 384 people who flew in from Norman Wells through the night. Dozens of municipal officials, territorial government officials and volunteers have been working with these people. They are set up in hotels and at Akaitcho Hall. The city is putting on recreation programs today for some 200 kids. I think all of us recognize that in a time of crisis, people of the Northwest Territories stick together and help one another. This is one of those times and I think we can all be proud of the way we've come together to deal with this crisis. Thank you, very much.
---Applause
Gratitude To Emergency Response Organizations Re Sahtu Forest Fire
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 1230
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Pudluk.
Kitikmeot Boarding Home Costs For Constituent
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 1230
Ludy Pudluk High Arctic
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to raise something that is of concern to me. Last winter, the GLO positions were cut in half to part-time positions; few ended up with full-time positions. Since those cuts were made, people are only working part-time so their income has decreased drastically. At this time, there is a problem. The daughter of a woman who is a GLO is in Yellowknife and I believe it was yesterday that she tried to move to the Kitikmeot boarding home but she was told that she would have to pay room and board.
She was told that, since her mother works for the government and is a GLO, she would have to pay room and board. She couldn't stay at that boarding home when she found out she had to pay. Her mother's income has decreased and this is a big problem. Right now, she's house-sitting for people who are on holidays. She is all alone and her mother worries about her. She doesn't know what to expect, all alone in that house. I'm sure this will create a lot of problems.
A lot of people work as GLOs and most of them work part-time. This will have a big impact on the future. I just wanted to make that comment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Kitikmeot Boarding Home Costs For Constituent
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 1230
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Item 3, Members' statements. Ms. Mike.
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