This is page numbers 1 - 15 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 2nd 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 community.

Members Present

Hon. Jim Antoine, Hon. Goo Arlooktoo, 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

Page 1

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Good afternoon, Members. Mr. Clerk, would you ascertain if Her Honour, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, is prepared to address the Assembly at this time.

---O Canada

Item 2: Opening Address
Item 2: Opening Address

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Commissioner's Opening Address

Item 2: Opening Address
Item 2: Opening Address

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Commissioner Maksagak

Please be seated. Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislature, I am pleased to welcome you to the Second Session of the 13th Assembly.

First of all, I want to recognize the difficult work Members have been involved in since being elected last November and the hours you have spent away from your families and your homes while developing a plan to make sure our budget is balanced.

As the Second Session gets under way, it is appropriate to note that your work is on schedule and that the Premier will be presenting a statement on areas of agreement already reached between Cabinet and the committees. Much has already been accomplished in the development of business plans for departments and the government as a whole.

During the next few weeks, these plans will be completed and reviewed by the standing committees after which the budget will be finalized for presentation.

Mr. Speaker, I want to urge all residents to have a great deal of understanding about the financial circumstances and the difficult social and economic agenda facing the new Legislative Assembly.

As we begin the Second Session of the 13th Assembly, it is my belief that the government's vision of a Northwest Territories with a secure financial future and a healthier, better-educated and more self-sufficient population will be achieved.

And we will do that in a way that will result in the Northwest Territories becoming more established as a politically and economically viable unit of Canada where people will enjoy a good quality of life and where they will have access to more of the jobs they want and need.

Mr. Speaker, this won't happen by itself. It will take some difficult decisions, debate and hard choices to manage our projected deficit. And it will take many people working together to develop the plan on how to get the job done. But we will get there. Northern residents are a tough and resilient people.

While we will have to make some sacrifices and lower our expectations about what governments can do, our vision remains clear. Our belief in a northern Canada with new government institutions that respect cultural values and traditions, that will work towards social and economic stability and fair treatment regardless of race or sex is solid.

It is in support of this vision and this belief, Mr. Speaker, that our government is developing its budget for the 1996-97 fiscal year and an action plan that will return us to a balanced budget before division takes place in April of 1999.

Mr. Speaker, we may find ourselves in a difficult situation, but your government and this Assembly are not going to let it interfere with reaching the goals and objectives that all of us have been working so hard to achieve. We will have to slow down and shoulder a little more of the expense ourselves, but there are good reasons to believe that challenges can be met.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to your government's budget presentation, a legislative program that includes the Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96, and An Act to Amend the Public Service Act will be introduced for your consideration during this session. Your government considers these bills essential to the good conduct of government business and I recommend their passage.

Mr. Speaker, I now declare open the Second Session of the 13th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.

---Applause

Item 2: Opening Address
Item 2: Opening Address

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 3, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Minister's Statement 1-13(2): Sessional Statement
Item 3: Ministers' Statements

Page 1

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome Members back to the Legislative Assembly. For the past two months, Members of the Legislative Assembly and

committees have been discussing budget reform and other challenges facing the Northwest Territories.

In addition, Ministers spent two days last week reviewing the recommendations that came from a new budget development process that has all Members of the Assembly working together to find common ground.

Cabinet and Caucus have reached agreement in a number of areas. And there has been some disagreement that still has to be worked out. I want to outline some of our common ground this afternoon.

During our discussions, it has been clear to Cabinet and Caucus that the Northwest Territories needs a change of direction in order to build the kind of future our people want. Many of the old ways of doing things cost far too much money. We're going to change that. And out of that change, we are going to find opportunities by strengthening existing partnerships and building new ones.

Changing government so that it makes more sense at both the territorial and community levels is the only way to move into the future. It's the only way to make sure our children and grandchildren won't be buried in debt. As a result, we are moving towards a business plan that will eliminate our deficit situation within two years. Most of the reductions will be done in the first year. The rest will be done in the second year because of the social issues we are facing. People must have time to adjust. We understand that.

Mr. Speaker, eight years ago I ran for a seat in this Assembly to change government. So have other Members of this House. Some progress has been made, but now we have the opportunity to make major changes; to make the government serve the people of the Northwest Territories.

This government is determined to do this despite our budget situation. For example, we are going to get out of government functions that can be handled better by the private sector. This will mean more money in the hands of the private sector and a far greater opportunity to develop permanent jobs. We've all heard the private sector say they could do things better. This government will give them the opportunity.

As a start, we will privatize the petroleum products division, property management, computer systems and services, community resupply operations and the Northwest Territories parks system.

The government will also consolidate departments and reduce administrative overhead. And we are going to assist in the development of those sectors of the economy that can provide new business and employment opportunities for the people who elected us to office. Many of these opportunities are going to be community driven in the fur industry, in the arts and crafts sector, in the production of meat and fish products, in the areas that our people do well.

To make this work, Cabinet and Members of the Legislative Assembly will be making some tough choices, but they will be quality choices and we will take time to make them properly.

You heard me on December 13th. Some key messages are worth repeating: We have been listening to the people; government will be made smaller; wages and benefits will be cut; and, program and service levels will be reduced without hurting those who need them the most. We can no longer afford to be spending nearly half of every dollar for administration costs.

We will create new opportunities by cutting back on government overhead and putting people at the community level to work in jobs that give them management and budget controls. We're talking about block funding, about turning over funds, program dollars, administration dollars and capital dollars to the community as well as infrastructure, buildings and ownership.

This will give elected community leaders exactly what they want; the opportunity to set priorities over programs and services, property management and capital projects delivered in their home communities. Government has to serve the people, not itself. It is not only necessary, it is right and we are going to do it.

This government, working with people across the North, has an opportunity to be different and unique in the way it responds to the needs of our constituencies. And let me assure you, when we are finished it will be unique.

To implement our plans, we have to work and learn together to make sure that government works to the benefit of all areas of the Northwest Territories. That means we will be making sure that aboriginal rights, treaty rights and aboriginal concerns and views are taken into account in the planning process and when we make decisions.

Mr. Speaker, a smaller and more effective government structure will be created to get more money out to communities where it is needed the most. We'll do that through consolidation of departments, by reducing administrative overhead and by cutting red tape.

Effective immediately, we will:

- consolidate the departments of Economic Development and Tourism, Renewable Resources and Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources into one department to save dollars and to create one-window shopping for resource-related development and economic activity;

- we will refocus Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs within the Executive department to make sure this area of importance has broader access and support from Cabinet;

- we will combine the Financial Management Board and the Department of Finance into one organizational unit;

- we will downsize and restructure the Housing Corporation to make it more community-development oriented;

- we will be transferring responsibility for community empowerment from Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs to the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs because that department has people at the community level throughout the Territories who are in a position to get the job done;

- in addition, the government will be fast-tracking legislation and changes to policy that will allow for block funding of communities so they can set their own spending and their own programs and services priorities;

- and finally, we will be moving the Personnel Secretariat into the Department of Executive and moving towards completing the transfer of occupational health and safety from the Department of Safety and Public Services to the Workers' Compensation Board where it fits better and can be more responsive to the needs of the workplace.

Consolidating departments and changing the way government programs and services are delivered is only one part of the plan. Within the next few weeks, we will begin working with employee associations to talk about salary and employee reductions and to develop a made-in-the-North approach to the benefits our employees receive.

This government is not prepared to maintain the same benefits package that was originally designed to attract a public service from southern Canada. But we will have a package that is affordable and that will allow our employees to enjoy the benefits of living in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, we will also be speaking with our partners operating health and education boards about funding reductions. And we're going to ask them to develop plans that will eliminate duplication and save money by entering into new arrangements that will result in reductions and sharing of administrative resources.

Everyone has a part to play. Alternatives North and its plan to come up with a socially responsible budget is an example. And so is the amount of public input we have received telling us that the way we work must be changed. We fully agree.

The Territories can no longer afford expensive procedures and delivery systems, too many government departments, too many committees and too many boards and agencies. The money we have must be spent carefully to realize the opportunities that will flow from our budget reform process while continuing to provide programs and services to those who need them the most.

But we do have a $1 billion. And we can do a lot of good in the Northwest Territories with that much money. We will need to be clear, determined and united with our partners. That's important. And the economic and social well-being of our communities and the people who live there will be the starting point of all our decision-making.

That's why a priority of this government and Assembly is to work towards healthy communities and community-based problem solving by continuing the community wellness initiative. We will not only move to expand the jurisdiction of community governments, we will also

integrate services designed to help people get at the root causes of their problems.

Instead of three or four government-assisted organizations helping people at the community level, there will be a single, more cost-effective agency that can serve as the centre of community wellness initiatives within each community.

The concept of community wellness is linked closely to income reform and the community empowerment initiative. Communities will be able to use their block funding to set their priorities for programs such as education, health services, social assistance, employment and training, community justice and crisis intervention.

Taking this approach will allow communities to focus their resources on issues and activities where solutions are needed the most. Mr. Speaker, healthy communities are needed to take advantage of job opportunities that will be created through privatization and by seizing other economic development opportunities.

We have a young, capable and willing population who can benefit from any opportunities we can create and we will strengthen the capacity of the northern workforce to meet the demands of the job market.

We have exciting opportunities, particularly in the development of mineral resources as long as they proceed in a socially and environmentally-sound manner. The economic and employment benefits that will result from developments in the diamond area will be immense.

But make no mistake, we will have to be aggressive with mining companies so that northern workers replace southern workers and get the opportunity for wage employment in the land where they live.

As I stated earlier, this government and this Assembly are determined to turn budget reform into opportunity and to reduce the Territories' economic reliance on government spending. To help in this area, I intend to move quickly to establish a panel of independent advisors on the economy and employment and on how to improve the business climate to attract jobs, investment and capital to the Northwest Territories.

We have already started the process of building an aboriginal partnership. Cabinet and the Assembly understand the need for aboriginal organizations to play a part in the decisions we are making. I want to build on the strengths that already exist. We are scheduling regular meetings between Cabinet Ministers and aboriginal summits in the West, in Nunavut and in completing protocol agreements with both groups.

We have to move ahead and we have to do it in a way that respects the claims process and treaty land entitlements. Aboriginal organizations must be our partners. Together, we have to convince Ottawa to do what is right.

That means the federal government must come clean on where it stands regarding aboriginal self-government, incremental costs for division and continued support for a results-oriented approach to developing a constitution for the western Territories.

We need certainty in these two areas and we need it now. All the work necessary to have two new governments up and running by April 1, 1999 will and must be done. The political aspirations of the people in both new territories can't be denied.

Of primary interest is northern control over northern resources. We need to take control of the land and all of its resources. This is more significant to us than it is to Ottawa from a revenue perspective. The legislative authority is also important. It would let us manage the gas and oil exploration and mineral development that is currently taking place.

The land we occupy belongs to the people who live here. It's time for people in the Northwest Territories to control their own future. It's time for the federal government to let go. Mr. Speaker, when I stood before this House last December, I stated that no government in the history of the Northwest Territories has ever taken office faced with the number and degree of challenges facing the 13th Assembly.

I stated that our plan to address those challenges can be built on the foundation of hard work and input from aboriginal groups, interest groups and the people we represent. The participation of the people is a key part of building both the budget for this year and towards establishing an agenda for action that will guide our decisions through our term and into the future.

In closing, I want to leave you with three messages: Ministers and the Legislative Assembly will lead by example; the budget situation is tough but manageable and it will be managed in a fair and compassionate way; and, this will be done so our children and grandchildren may have aspirations and opportunities we have not had.

Mr. Speaker, change won't manage us. We will manage it. Mahsi cho. Thank you very much.

---Applause

Minister's Statement 1-13(2): Sessional Statement
Item 3: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Ootes.

Motion To Move Minister's Statement 1-13(2), Sessional Statement, To Committee Of The Whole, Carried

Minister's Statement 1-13(2): Sessional Statement
Item 3: Ministers' Statements

Page 4

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Rule 35 and 34(5), I move, seconded by the Member for Thebacha, that Minister's Statement 1-13(2), Sessional Statement, be moved into Committee of the Whole for discussion tomorrow.

Minister's Statement 1-13(2): Sessional Statement
Item 3: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Item 3, Ministers' statements. Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Presentation To Commission On MLA Compensation
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 4

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today I had an opportunity to appear before the Commission on MLA Compensation. I addressed many of my constituents' on the way we pay ourselves. I made reference to the confusion of the present system of compensation. Do you realize we have 13 different accounts under which we are paid? One is a salary for sitting in the House; a further for constituency work; an extra remuneration for committee work, et cetera.

I addressed this confusion, as well as the issue of pensions. My constituents really feel that the pension provision is far too lucrative. I emphasized the need for the commission to recommend changes and not to accept the status quo. However, I suggested that they take into account a number of considerations; these included the fact that this is a demanding job which to me, so far, has been quite full time. There is no job security in this and the job of an MLA must be made financially fair so that knowledgeable and capable citizens in the North want to represent us in this Legislature.

My major suggestions for change to the commission were that MLAs should have one basic salary based on the assumption that we do attend all the meetings demanded of the job; that constituency/Legislature business is intermixed and cannot be easily separated; that we should be penalized for absences in our duties in the Legislative Assembly and lack of attendance at committee meetings; we should get extra, but equal compensation for chairing any of the committees; and finally, I asked that the pension system be changed to conform with comparative standards in the rest of Canada.

I am disappointed that more Members did not make statements to the commission and am especially disappointed that only one former Member of this House made a presentation. I hope that we can expect the comprehensive and complete report from this commission. Thank you.

---Applause

Presentation To Commission On MLA Compensation
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 4

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Edward Picco Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to say that over the past two weeks back home in Iqaluit, I held several meetings with constituents, union members and senior employees of the government. Mr. Speaker, many of my constituents are concerned about the fiscal situation of the government and await word of reductions and job losses.

Mr. Speaker, while I was in Iqaluit, the Minister of Education released a communique about the transfer of Nunavut College programs from Iqaluit. Mr. Speaker, I will table, later in this House, a petition signed by over 130 students, instructors and people in Iqaluit who are attending the college there. Many of these people, Mr. Speaker, are also from outside of the community of Iqaluit.

Mr. Speaker, these students are asking the Minister and the government to reconsider this relocation, and I will be asking questions of the Minister on this topic later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Fire At Fort Mcpherson School
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 5

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the early morning hours of January 9th, the Chief Julius School in Fort McPherson was destroyed by fire. The Fort McPherson RCMP and volunteer firefighters were called to the scene immediately but could do little to stop the blaze. Apart from being the community's only school, this building also housed the museum. It had a number of Dene artifacts, some dating back to the 1800s. The total loss has been estimated at between $7 million and $8 million.

Since the time of the blaze, the community of Fort McPherson has rallied amongst themselves. Various community buildings now double as classrooms; such as, the hamlet office, band council, Gwich'in tribal office, the youth hall and the church. The school housed approximately 240 students of which, 220 students are presently attending school in Fort McPherson and 20 of the students are presently attending school in Inuvik.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the communities across the Northwest Territories and southern Canada that have offered their assistance. And I would like to congratulate the residents of Fort McPherson for their ability to mobilize during a time of crisis.

Although the community and the school system have done an excellent job dealing with this crisis, I'm sure the Minster and Members of the House are as eager as I am to see a new facility up and running as soon as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Fire At Fort Mcpherson School
Item 4: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to pay tribute to a man from Pangnirtung who was respected throughout the North, but was known elsewhere as well.

Mr. Speaker, I speak of Etuangat Aksayuk who died at his home in Pangnirtung, surrounded by his adoring family on Tuesday, January 16, 1996. Etuangat was elevated to the Order of Canada in November 1995 and made his first and only journey to southern Canada to receive an award from the Governor General.

Mr. Speaker, Etuangat's very long life was remarkable in many ways. Those who knew him, knew he was a man who was remarkable for his spirit, love and compassion for his fellow human beings. Etuangat was a true Inuk: an able hunter, a loving parent and a respectful, humble man. He dedicated most of his life to working with people who needed help, and with the many doctors who have served in Pangnirtung since the early 1930s. He also worked as a guide, translator, hunter; he also hunted for families who were too old to hunt for themselves during the many periods of sickness and epidemic that swept the area.

As Mr. Pearson noted, he was paid very little money for his work, but money never bothered him. He saved many lives. Etuangat made a video tape in which he told stories of his memories of the early whaling days in Cumberland Sound.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

I'm sorry, Mr. Enuaraq.

Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Baffin Central is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any

nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Enuaraq.

Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these amazing interviews can be seen at the Angmarlik Visitors' Centre in Pangnirtung. I am very happy that Etuangat received such a high honour as the Order of Canada for his public service, in the last year of his life. He had an extraordinary visit to Ottawa. The visit gave him a chance to visit two dear friends who he hadn't seen for many years. He also visited a farm and witnessed the birth of a cow which was named in his honour. He also saw a tree for the first time. Etuangat was also given a tour of the Senate and House of Commons by Senator Willie Adams. He enjoyed the visit, but was anxious to return to his lifelong home after it was all over.

I think that Mr. Pearson, one of his many friends and admirers, wrote very well in a recent tribute to Etuangat published in Nunatsiaq News. Etuangat will be missed, but he would not want us to be sad and mourn his passing. His life was a great one, Mr. Speaker, and in its final chapter he was thanked and honoured by the country that he served and loved as we knew him and also loved him. Mr. Speaker, thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Perhaps on behalf of the Assembly, we will ask the Clerk to send out our condolences to his family, his relatives and his friends. Mahsi cho.

Item 4, Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

Need For New Airport Terminal In Resolute Bay
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 5

Levi Barnabas High Arctic

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I wish to speak about the need for a new airport terminal in Resolute

Bay. The replacement of this aging passenger terminal in my constituency is a very high priority for me and the community I represent. Our airport is very important to us in several ways. It is a vital facility for our growing tourism industry. Tourists and other visitors to Resolute Bay and the High Arctic must have a good impression when they arrive.

Resolute Bay is the gateway to the Arctic Islands, the new national park on Ellesmere Island, it is also the hub for the polar scientific activities. It is also the hub for employees' rotations and supplies for the Polaris Mine. It is also the terminal through which we receive the supplies we require from the South. There have been times, in the recent past, when Resolute Bay Airport was one of the busiest in Canada. It is my belief that in some time in the future when world-wide demand for natural gas and oil pick-up, this airport will once again become a very busy stage ground for oil and gas activities.

The current airport terminal was built in the early 1950s. One end is owned by Kenn Borek Air and the other end has an addition which was built by Pacific Western Airlines. The building is small and worn out. Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Government of the Northwest Territories took over responsibility for the Resolute Bay Airport and other A airports last year. I also understand that funding was built into the transfer agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories to allow the construction of the new terminal.

Mr. Speaker, I'm also looking forward to working with the Minister of Transportation, the Honourable Jim Antoine, and other Members of the Assembly to ensure that this very important, long-awaited project which has been built into the funding for the transfer of Arctic A airports proceed in a timely manner. Since the new Nunavut government is due to be established on April 1, 1999...

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude.

Need For New Airport Terminal In Resolute Bay
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 6

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Barnabas is seeking unanimous consent. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Barnabas, complete your statement.

Need For New Airport Terminal In Resolute Bay
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 6

Levi Barnabas High Arctic

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the new Nunavut government is due to be established on April 1, 1999, I believe that it is important this project be concluded well in advance of the establishment of the Nunavut government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.