Mr. Speaker, the Gwich'in Tribal Council have just recently sent a letter to the Premier, requesting that a meeting take place, to work on a mutually acceptable definition and a mutually acceptable approach to fulfilling the obligation set out in that particular section of the Gwich'in claim. I am expecting to be invited to participate in that meeting, which I hope will take place in the next week or so. Thank you.
Debates of Nov. 29th, 1996
Topics
Return To Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 69
Return To Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 69
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary. Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 69
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My supplementary is in regards to the commitment by the minister. Do you have particular dates, and times for this particular meeting? Have you considered looking at trying to resolve this thing as soon as possible, because we do feel that there are presently some issues in relation to contracts that have been released in the Gwich'in settlement region, which are presently being questioned in regards to the way they were allocated. How soon can they expect this meeting?
Supplementary To Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 69
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Kakfwi.
Further Return To Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 69
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, the request for a meeting, as penned by Mr. Robert Alexie, I believe, and Mr. Nerysoo, was addressed to the Premier, and I think, appropriately, since it should probably involve myself and perhaps other appropriate ministers, as the different jurisdictions are addressed in those discussions. I am not aware that the Premier has made any definite commitments at this time to meet with the delegation. I understood that the delegation is in town at the present time. How long they will be in town I have no idea. But it is probably a matter of logistics, trying to find a time when the Premier and other ministers are available. If they choose to meet with specific ministers as events are unfolding in the House today, I would expect that all of us will be available for the week-end, and very definitely next week as well, to meet with the delegation, and I would welcome the opportunity. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 69
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary. Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 69
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regards to that, my question to the minister is, will he be able to have the information which is spelled out in the agreement in regards to
the statement "government shall assist in the development, the commercial viability of Gwich'in businesses and enterprises, and the necessary identification of proposed sources of financial assistance" and also looking at the programs that presently are being delivered by this government, so that they can take a look at those programs also. Will you have that information available for this meeting?
Supplementary To Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 70
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Kakfwi.
Further Return To Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 70
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, our mandate is to let the public know, and certainly aboriginal peoples and their representatives what opportunities we have for advancing the economic well-being of communities and regions, and different peoples in the Northwest Territories. We would be prepared to have the senior officials there at the meeting to have a discussion with the Gwich'in leadership on what resources and opportunities, programs, services currently are available to them, in order to assist in the economic aspirations that they may choose to pursue at this time. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 70
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary. Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 70
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final supplementary is, will the Minister commit, and report to his other colleagues, that in relation to the other contractual arrangements that may be in question in the Gwich'in settlement region, be put on hold until these discussions have been resolved?
Supplementary To Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 70
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Kakfwi.
Further Return To Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 70
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, since I am not aware of the particulars that the member is referring to, I really am not able to make that commitment. I would suggest that the sooner we make arrangements for a meeting, that the sooner we can address the issues and concerns that the delegation would bring to us. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Question 43-13(4): Obligation To Conduct Meetings Under Gwich'in Comprehensive Claim
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 70
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
I would like to recognize some Grade 10 students from Sir John Franklin school with their teacher, Cynthia Russell. Welcome.
--Applause.
Oral questions. Mr. Henry.
Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 70
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the minister responsible for RWED, Mr. Kakfwi. I refer to the socio-economic agreement between BHP and the BHP diamonds project. I refer to a definition of northern residents. One particular clause within that agreement, within that northern resident definition is that the person to be classified as a northern resident, has to have been continuously a northern resident for a period of at least six months prior to hiring. My question to the minister is, was their any consideration given to the fact that the Northwest Territories needs the taxes that are generated by the employees and also the purchasing power of goods and services that would be obtained through business in the north with those employees purchasing goods and services? This clause requires someone having to live in the Northwest Territories six months prior to being able to get a job here as a northerner. When people would be hired in the south, and I think there is a recognition by all parties, that a certain number of employees will come from southern Canada. If they are flying in and out to the job site, there is not much of an opportunity for them to become northern residents, to live in the Northwest Territories and therefore gain the tax revenue, or have their tax revenue attributed to the Northwest Territories. Again, my question to the minister is, was any consideration of this fact given to that prior to putting it into this agreement? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 70
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.
Return To Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 70
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, I can assure the member that a great many things were taken into consideration in advancing the positions that we took in negotiating with the federal government, with BHP, and the different aboriginal groups that were involved in the many negotiating tables that took place, that culminated in the conclusions that we reached with BHP, with the aboriginal groups, and agreements that were reached between the federal government and this government. Whether we should have fly-in/fly-out operations, how we can maximize opportunities to benefit from taxes, from economic opportunities that will arise from this development, were all considered.
The member will be, and should be aware that all this was a process of negotiations and perhaps some things fell by the wayside, that is the nature of negotiations. Thank you.
Return To Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 70
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions supplementary, Mr. Henry.
Supplementary To Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 70
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The request that I have, what happens when the company, BHP needs employees and has filled its southern quota and cannot find suitable northerners? Does this company scale back it's operations or does the GNWT compensate for lost revenue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 70
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, that was your third supplementary, Mr. Kakfwi.
Further Return To Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 70
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, the company has, voluntarily, months ago stated very clearly its commitment, to
It is our expectation at this time, that with the good-will and the very strong commitment made by BHP, and the support and co-ordination by the agencies of this government, that we will be able to meet that, and if we are not able to meet it, it is our expectation that BHP will meet with us to address the deficiencies that may be encountering so that we can still strive to meet the targets that we have set in the written agreement. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 71
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Henry.
Supplementary To Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 71
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just would like to commend the minister on a very clear and concise answer, and I would encourage other members/ministers to do the same, rather than short answers. Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Question 44-13(4): Definition Of Northern Residency Under The Bhp Socio-economic Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 71
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Just to remind the members that is improper use of question period. Oral questions, Mr. Erasmus.
Question 45-13(4): Tabling Of The Workplan On The Amalgamation Of Infrastructure Departments
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 71
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The question is for the Premier. It is in relation to the previous question that I asked about the amalgamation document that he sent to the Government Operations Committee, which he has refused to table. I would like to know if the Premier, or the Cabinet have any reservations, or if they have anything against the Government Operations Committee or myself as the Chairman of Government Operations tabling this document.