This is page numbers 54 - 86 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 4th 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 nunavut.

Topics

Members Present

Hon. James Antoine, Mr. Barnabas, Hon. Charles Dent, Mr. Enuaraq, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Hon. Samuel Gargan, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Henry, Hon. Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Miltenberger, Hon. Don Morin, Hon. Kelvin Ng, Mr. Ningark, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Picco, Mr. Rabesca, Mr. Roland, Mr. Steen, Hon. Manitok Thompson, Hon. John Todd

-- Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Good morning. Orders of the day. Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Item 2: Ministers' Statements
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ministers have a number of important statements ready for delivery. I would like to request the indulgence of the House to seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 34(6), which specifies a 20 minute time limit for ministers' statements. Thank you.

Item 2: Ministers' Statements
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The ministers have not made their statements to suggest that they are going to be exceeding the 20 minutes. So, would you allow the process to proceed and if you require more time, request unanimous consent. Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Minister's Statement 9-13(4): World Aids Day
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Sunday, December 1st is World Aids Day. An international event to expand and strengthen the world wide effort to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS. This year the theme is One World, One Hope. People from all countries hope for a cure, a vaccine, an end to discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS and an end to denial. As you are aware the Department of Health and Social Services recently released four documents which make up the HIV/AIDS framework for the Northwest Territories. These resources are new tools that communities and governments can use to deal with HIV/AIDS as the development community wellness plans.

Communities, regions and organizations can use these documents to develop their strategies to focus on: stopping the spread of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases through education and prevention; providing information about HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, testing to those who want it and counselling and treatment services to northerners living with HIV and AIDS; and providing community-based care and support for HIV-infected people and their families, caregivers and friends.

As part of the implementation plan for the HIV/AIDS framework, next week the department, in partnership with Health Canada and the Canadian Association for Community Care, will hold a two-day train-the-trainer workshop for home care coordinators and home support workers. The workshop will enhance the skills of home care workers and prepare them for caring for HIV-infected northerners in their homes.

Mr. Speaker, we know some northerners take risks with their health. As individuals, families, communities and governments, we all have a role to play in solving the problems we face. We can share information, ideas and experiences to develop our plans to address community problems. We can help ourselves.

World AIDS Day gives us the chance to talk and learn about HIV infection and ways to prevent it, such as practising safer sex, show compassion and understanding for people living with HIV and AIDS, and remember those northerners who have already died from AIDS-related illnesses. Mr. Speaker, the red ribbon we wear is a symbol of our hope, our compassion and our support as we raise awareness about this devastating disease. Thank you.

Minister's Statement 9-13(4): World Aids Day
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has been widely recognized for some time that the NWT legislation governing family law requires updating and reform. Family law and its renewal touches on the lives of everyone in the Northwest Territories.

For this reason, we involved and consulted with a broad spectrum of interest groups. We also spent considerable time researching customary family law as it applies to our northern aboriginal population. This process led to passing and implementing the Aboriginal Custom Adoption Recognition Act and resulting in the four bills I will introduce later today.

These bills I will introduce are the Child and Family Services Act, the Adoption Act, the Children's Law Act, and the Family Law Act.

The Child and Family Services Act provides a northern solution that allows communities to become responsible for child welfare issues at the local level. It builds on the desire to promote healthy communities that deal with child welfare matters according to community standards. Many aboriginal children were adopted under previous legislation and this made access to their records difficult. They are now seeking information about their birth parents and extended family. The Adoption Act proposes a more open process to facilitate searches and reunions when adopted children become adults.

The issues covered in the proposed Children's Law Act include the legal status of children, the establishment of parentage, custody of and access to children, guardianship of the estates of children, and child support. When parliament amends the Divorce Act to provide guidelines for child support, I will begin the process to change our legislation to harmonize the two schemes.

The main issues covered in the proposed Family Law Act are domestic contracts, spousal support, division of family property, and possession of the family home.

The proposed Children's Law Act and Family Law Act will modernize family legislation in the Northwest Territories and replace the following existing legislation: the Domestic Relations Act, Maintenance Act, Minors Act, Matrimonial Property Act, Extra-Territorial Custody Orders Enforcement Act, and parts of the Child Welfare Act dealing with the status of children and paternity.

In future, other legislation that relates to family law issues will be amended accordingly. Mr. Speaker, this is a comprehensive package of family law legislation. I look forward to these bills going before the Standing Committee on Social Programs and I am confident that this process will generate useful public consultation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recently amended terms and conditions of employment require the government to shut down its operations over the Christmas period in order to provide a block of five mandatory days of leave without pay for employees in non-continuous operations. I am announcing today that most government operations and services will be shut down from December 23, 1996 through January 1, 1997.

Employees have received payroll stuffers and electronic mail messages informing them of the mandatory days off, as well as, the effect this will have on their pay cheques.

Specific departments that will be shut down over the Christmas period are Northwest Territories Housing Corporation; Education, Culture and Employment; Finance; Safety and Public Services; Legislative Assembly; RWED; and Executive.

Offices in the Departments of Transportation; Justice; MACA; Public Works and Services; and, Health and Social Services will be closed but certain facilities and services will continue to function.

For instance, motor vehicle offices in Yellowknife and Iqaluit will be closed but their contract offices in other communities will remain open. Airport, highway and ferry services will also remain available. Correctional facilities and services will operate over Christmas. Public Works and Services will continue to provide building security and maintenance for government buildings.

As well, the Emergency Measures Organization, Fire Marshall and office of Municipal and Community Affairs will maintain their emergency phone numbers during the shutdown period. Health centres will remain open and health and social services will be advising clients and residents of the levels of service available in each community.

The government will be informing the public and clients of the shutdown period and the services available over that period through means such as posters, announcements, correspondence or advertisements in all communities. In addition, the Office of the Press Secretary will be issuing a news release advising of the Christmas shutdown period. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Over the past several years, northerners have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the social assistance program. In 1993, the Special Committee on Health and Social Services recommended that the program should do more to encourage pride, a desire to work, and a sense of initiative. The Minister's Forum on Income Support Reform received a similar message in 1995. After consulting with northerners, the forum recommended the program be linked to jobs and training in the wage and traditional economies, encourage people to make responsible choices and make the best possible use of the money available. I am pleased to announce that a new income support program which follows these principles will be launched in January of 1997. Income support will be largely a transitional program designed to assist people who need help while they develop new skills to become more independent.

Community based workers will help those receiving income support develop careers plans and identify productive choices such as hunting, education, training and community service work. Elders and those who are unable to work will receive additional support. Changed administration of the program also means that those involved in productive choices may no longer have to visit the income support worker once a month to receive their cheques.

We feel that income support can be best delivered by the local community. Local control and delivery would allow each community to set their own definitions of productive choices. This means the program will meet local priorities and use available resources in the best way possible to help people in need. Staff are prepared to work with interested communities on plans for training and transfer of responsibility as communities are ready. We hope to see transfers starting in the next few months.

The new income support program will provide basic benefits for people in transition who need financial help for a short time. Extended benefits will be available to people who need help over a longer period, if they are involved in activities that contribute to their personal or community growth. For example, productive choices may include training, academic upgrading or participation in healing programs. The individual and the income support worker will work together to develop an individual plan and then choose a productive activity that will help that person progress towards future goals. The new income support program will bring together community resources to help people in need. By linking benefits to productive choices, it will help people develop the skills they need to become more independent.

The new program should be an important step in helping individuals and communities reach their goals. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples released its report on Thursday, November 21, 1996. The report is contained in six volumes and runs to almost 4000 pages. We should take pride in the fact that Mr. George Erasmus, a prominent Dene leader most of us have had the honour of working with over the years, co-chaired the Royal Commission. On behalf of the GNWT, I would like to congratulate him for his hard work over the past five years in producing this watershed report.

The report contains a chapter on the north which will be of particular interest to people in the Northwest Territories. The Royal Commission's findings draw a strong connection between the northern economy, education and training and institutional development in the north. These are connections we are familiar with in processes such as division, western constitutional development and aboriginal self-government.

The recommendations in the report are aimed at creating a new relationship between Canadians and Aboriginal Peoples. I will not try to summarize their recommendations, Mr. Speaker. The Royal Commission itself produced a summary which is 100 pages long.

Mr. Speaker, governments and Canadians have not had a chance to properly digest a report of this magnitude in the week or so since it was released. The Government of the Northwest Territories is now engaged in reviewing the report and considering the numerous and wide-ranging recommendations.

I want to stress that the Royal Commission report touches on all aspects of government operations and will engage the attention of all departments and agencies, not just the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs. We will need to take a coordinated approach within the Government of the Northwest Territories to review this important report so that, early in the new year, we will be in a position to respond to these Royal Commission recommendations that are relevant to the Northwest Territories.

One of the primary objectives of the Commissioners was to ensure that the report not disappear from view a few weeks or months after it was released. However, some people in the media have already suggested that the report will be shelved with most of the recommendations never implemented.

We must be prepared to immediately encourage a follow-up process with federal/provincial/territorial and Aboriginal governments so that the massive achievement of the Royal Commission is not ignored or wasted.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is once again facing cutbacks throughout the country. CBC Northern Service Radio is slated for a cut of 28 percent by April 1st of next year, while Northern Service Television will be cut by 39 percent by April 1st, 1998.

It appears that the CBC is making decisions at the national level which show little regard for the realities of regions like the north. Regional programming, which attracts a limited audience in southern markets like Vancouver or Edmonton -- where commercial stations are also available -- are being considered in the same manner as regional programming in the North, where there are few commercial alternatives

Across-the-board cuts have a higher impact here in the north that any other region of Canada. It is simply not economical for private broadcasters to serve the diversity of people and cover the vast distances between communities in the north. CBC not only provides service to residents in almost every community, it also provides service in a variety of languages across four time zones.

I have already expressed this government's opposition to any substantial cuts to CBC Northern Service through letters sent to CBC Northern Service through letters sent to CBC chairman Perrin Beatty, Honourable Sheila Copps, Federal Minister of Canadian Heritage and the NWT's two Members of Parliament. I have also met with Minister Copps to discuss this government's concerns about the impact of the budget cuts.

My colleagues, the Honourable Manitok Thompson, Iqaluit MLA Edward Picco and Nunatsiaq MP Jack Anawak, recently met with Mr. Beatty to reinforce this message and to further explain the CBC's important role in providing broadcast services in aboriginal languages.

The cuts to CBC Northern Service are particularly significant in light of recent cuts to aboriginal broadcasters, including the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation, Native Communications Society and the Inuvialuit Communications Society. The federal government is cutting its support to these broadcasters by almost 15 percent in the current fiscal year and another three percent next fiscal year.

The Northwest Territories is quickly approaching an important point in its history. Division will raise many issues. Northerners must be fully informed so we can make the political decisions needed to carry us into the future. An easily accessible source of information, provided in the languages of the NWT, is more important than ever. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ministers' statements. Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Edward Picco Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday we talked about and debated the direct link between education and job opportunities. However, the net result of discussions was that we had to do more. Government cannot create all the employment opportunities but it can provide the stimulus for

economic growth by the usage of tax credits, providing cost-effective re-training for the new reality of the 90s and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, it is easy for us to sit here and pontificate but we all know it is harder to actually make change. We need a process to discuss possible alternatives to downsizing. I know that we will be meeting as a Nunavut Caucus to talk about job-sharing, flexible hours of work et cetera in Iqaluit in the coming months, but we have to do something now that will carry on in the whole Northwest Territories before and during the run up to 1999. Mr. Speaker, this is not a grand standing ploy but an honest attempt to seek other solutions to impending job losses and hopefully find a workable solution.

As the MLA representing the largest community and the largest public service outside Yellowknife, I make this offer sincerely and with expediency. I do not want to see my family, friends, neighbours and constituents laid off. There will have to be lay-offs but these could be minimized with discussions, as I have outlined, with our NWTTA and UNW partners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Members' statements. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

Absence From The House
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq

(Translator) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to inform the members that I will be absent from this House this weekend and I will be back on Tuesday. I will be attending the meeting of Nunasi Corporation. Thank you.

Absence From The House
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

The Need For A New Wharf In Clyde River
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

(Translator) Thank you, Mr. Speaker and good morning to my colleagues. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk about a wharf in Clyde River. In the past years, we have lost our two large boats and also we have lost more than our boats, because we do not have a proper wharf. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to ask the Minister of Transportation about this. This question will be directed to the Minister of Transportation, if that is correct? Thank you.

The Need For A New Wharf In Clyde River
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my reply to the Opening Address, after nearly 25 years of lobbying this government, the Hamlet of Rae-Edzo has taken it upon itself to investigate ways of constructing an airport for the community of Rae-Edzo. To date the Hamlet has contracted a specialist to develop a geotech study to review alternative sites as well as to develop a socio-economic study to determine the benefits that could be achieved with an airport in the community.

To me, these are positive moves that will hopefully provide us with a badly needed facility. For years, this government has taken the position that Rae-Edzo does not need an airport because of the highway linkage. However, this does not really hold water as, traditionally, Rae-Edzo has been, and still is, the hub of the region for considerable trade taking place between all communities within the region. The Hamlet is now in the process of finding partners that understand our position or are willing to work with us to provide this very important life-line. I hope this government will find a way that they can assist the community with this worthwhile venture.

I would also like to say that, again, after many years of discussions between this government and the community of Rae-Edzo, I believe we are finally coming to agreement over the issue of an inadequate water and sewage system. I was, to say the least, sympathetic to my colleague's demonstration yesterday regarding the problems the city and he are having with the water and sewage system. It is important to realize that some of our infrastructures are aging and need repair and it should not be the community's full responsibility to repair our system. I would like to believe that the Department of MACA will be prepared to take some responsibility. I just hope the talks with the community will continue and we will have some solution to this problem. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. Members' statements, Mr. Ootes.