Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I apologize to the member if I frustrate him. But if you ask clearer questions, then you get clearer answers. I advise the member to do that in the future. I would not want to supersede or go against what all the members of this Legislative Assembly agreed to, a process. I am fully committed to the process and, as I said earlier, we do have a work plan now of how to carry amalgamation. That has been approved by Cabinet. I have sent it to Government Ops and Government Ops will make recommendations to the government, as well as, all the stakeholders will get it and they will make recommendations as well and it will also be tabled in the Legislative Assembly in January. I will make sure that all members of the Legislative Assembly get a copy as well. Then they can raise concerns or give us advise to assist in the amalgamation of these three departments. Thank you.
Debates of Nov. 29th, 1996
Topics
Further Return To Question 31-13(4): Tabling Discussion Paper On Departmental Amalgamations
Question 31-13(4): Tabling Discussion Paper On Departmental Amalgamations
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Further Return To Question 31-13(4): Tabling Discussion Paper On Departmental Amalgamations
Question 31-13(4): Tabling Discussion Paper On Departmental Amalgamations
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral question, final supplementary, Mr. Ootes.
Supplementary To Question 31-13(4): Tabling Discussion Paper On Departmental Amalgamations
Question 31-13(4): Tabling Discussion Paper On Departmental Amalgamations
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Yes, Mr. Speaker. From the information we have been provided with, we have been told that Public Works expects to have most of the reductions made before January 1st, 1997. So, it is rather fruitless to discuss this in January, February. Hence the reason for the need to table this document today, so that we can discuss it in public before all the members. It was decided today, by members of the Ordinary Members' Caucus, that we wish to have this document tabled today. I am asking the Premier, again, if he will reconsider tabling this document today.
Supplementary To Question 31-13(4): Tabling Discussion Paper On Departmental Amalgamations
Question 31-13(4): Tabling Discussion Paper On Departmental Amalgamations
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
Some Hon. Members
Hear! Hear!
-- Applause
Supplementary To Question 31-13(4): Tabling Discussion Paper On Departmental Amalgamations
Question 31-13(4): Tabling Discussion Paper On Departmental Amalgamations
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Morin.
Further Return To Question 31-13(4): Tabling Discussion Paper On Departmental Amalgamations
Question 31-13(4): Tabling Discussion Paper On Departmental Amalgamations
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is news to me that Public Works would have all this work done by January 1st, 1997. I do not think so. Let me state once again, Mr. Speaker, that we have worked on the work plan. We have talked to members about that already and that is a plan of how you can amalgamate. That does not mean the details are thrashed out. Cabinet has approved that. We have sent it to Government Operations, and we are looking forward to the Government Operations making recommendations, and the minister will meet with Government Operations. We are committed to consultation with the stake-holders. We will then table that document in the House in January, we will move on to get the job done with all that good advice and recommendations everybody has. That is the process that all members of this Legislative Assembly agreed to, I am not going to stand here and say that I am going to pre-empt that process. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 31-13(4): Tabling Discussion Paper On Departmental Amalgamations
Question 31-13(4): Tabling Discussion Paper On Departmental Amalgamations
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions, Mr. Evaloarjuk.
Question 32-13(4): Wildlife Officer In Hall Beach
Item 6: Oral Questions
November 28th, 1996
Page 62
Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Renewable Resources. We know that we are representing our constituents, and when we speak for the constituents, we do not like to answer "no". They would like to get a wildlife officer in their community. The wildlife officer for Igloolik is responsible for Hall Beach, but it takes a long time for this person to go to Hall Beach. They were wondering if they would be able to get a wildlife officer for Hall Beach?
Question 32-13(4): Wildlife Officer In Hall Beach
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The minister responsible for Resource, Wildlife and Economic Development. Mr. Kakfwi.
Return To Question 32-13(4): Wildlife Officer In Hall Beach
Question 32-13(4): Wildlife Officer In Hall Beach
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, the department has tried through the exercise of amalgamation, to lead the present contingent of economic development officers, renewable resource officers, that are presently allocated to communities, to have those unaffected. It is not possible to say that we will increase the numbers that we have. It is possible to look at possible re-deployments or to transfer positions where they are available, and where they are currently existing - to have these transferred to communities as part of transfer agreements, as part of block funding, so in that context I am prepared to look at the request by the community as stated by the member, and see what we can do within that context. Thank you.
Return To Question 32-13(4): Wildlife Officer In Hall Beach
Question 32-13(4): Wildlife Officer In Hall Beach
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions, Mr. Picco.
Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 62
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my member's statement, I asked about the job-sharing and flexible hours of work et cetera to help minimize the job losses that we foresee coming up in the new realm of 98 million dollars, Mr. Todd talked about yesterday, being slashed.
My question is for the Premier, who has the responsibility for personnel. Has the Premier looked at these alternate solutions to job losses? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Premier.
Return To Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my understanding that in the very near future, there is going to be a major conference going on in the member's riding on this whole issue. We are very committed to this conference, as a matter of fact, it is in the tune of 100,000 dollars we have committed.
I listened with great interest to the member's statement, I believe that Mr. Todd will have to take those issues up with the union and our employees. They may be acceptable to them, then again they may not, I do not know that. But it is something worth exploring. Thank you.
Return To Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions, supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said in my member's statement, that conference has been initiated by NIC and it's main focus will be on the workplace that we will find ourselves in after the vision in 1999. Thus my earlier question, if the Premier was looking at this, so I guess, he is not. So my supplementary question then, to the Premier is, when will he be looking at it for the GNWT of 1996-97-98 and the first 3 months of 1999? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Morin.
Further Return To Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my understanding from information that I got from my colleague in charge of FMBS that we have been looking into this, and that is one of the main reasons that we contributed so heavily in the $100,000 range, to this conference. I know the conference is sponsored by NTI, and I know also that it is for the Nunavut government, what they were looking at for the Nunavut government after April 1, 1999. But recommendations are recommendations, maybe we can adapt some of those recommendations and use them before then, in this case. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Oral questions, supplementary. Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not trying to be adversarial to the Premier, and in my member's statement I tried to say that I was asking in sincerity. If FMBS is looking at it and he just found out it is, is it possible then, to get a copy of the working document that FMBS must be working from? Or, as the Premier is the minister responsible for personnel, I find it very surprising that he is not aware of any kind of discussion. So, maybe, my supplementary question to the Premier is, when will he make available the working document that this government is preparing to use next month in Iqaluit for the NIC conference?
Supplementary To Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Mr. Picco, I must rule your question out of order. Perhaps you might want to rephrase your question as to whether there is such a document, but you cannot ask for a Cabinet document.
Supplementary To Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is there a such a document, does he have said document?
Supplementary To Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
You are welcome, Mr. Morin, but, I did not hear a response.
Further Return To Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No.
Further Return To Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Question 33-13(4): Alternatives To Public Service Job Losses
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 63
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.