This is page numbers 17 - 42 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 communities.

Topics

Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister of Transportation regarding the two boats that have been damaged and other boats that have been damaged in the summertime in Clyde River. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister of Transportation is will the docking facility be implemented this year. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Return To Question 32-13(2): Implementation Of Docking Facility In Clyde River
Question 32-13(2): Implementation Of Docking Facility In Clyde River
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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With regard to the Clyde River harbour and marine facilities that the honourable Member for Baffin Central is asking about, the department is completing the design of this breakwater in the Clyde River harbour. We are looking at the possibilities of putting this structure in place. However, it is in the budgeting process. All Members know we are going through a budgeting process and we won't be completing the budget until May. We have a lot of work still to do in completing the budgeting process. Normally, we don't really want to go ahead and see whether this is going to go ahead this year or not. I have to say we are looking at it and that we know the concerns in Clyde River. We know what happened with the two boats that were damaged from the storm last summer. We are aware of the concerns of these people in this community. However, with the budget process in place, we have to say that we are looking at it and we will take the considerations of the Member. Thank you.

Return To Question 32-13(2): Implementation Of Docking Facility In Clyde River
Question 32-13(2): Implementation Of Docking Facility In Clyde River
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to address my question to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. I think that Mr. Dent told me that rental arrears owed to local housing authorities are not an eligible benefit any longer under social assistance. I think that is the answer I got. How much money is owed by public housing tenants to this government at this point in time?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Ng.

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that is a very detailed question. I will take the question as notice and report back. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The question was taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps I will ask the Minister of Justice or the Premier this question. As we are aware, ITC plans to go through the court system regarding the gun control act. I am wondering how much funding will be used to support ITC. I am wondering if the Government of the NWT has indicated whether they would help with funds that will be used for the court proceedings or have there been any request for funds from the GNWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 34-13(2): Financial Assistance For Itc Re Gun Control Legislation Court Costs
Question 34-13(2): Financial Assistance For Itc Re Gun Control Legislation Court Costs
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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. About two or three weeks ago, there was a public statement by Rosemarie Kuptana of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, suggesting that they will be following up a resolution passed at the Inuit Tapirisat annual assembly suggesting that legal action be looked at as a way to minimize the impact of the gun legislation, to minimize the impact that it has on the traditional lifestyle of aboriginal people; the Inuit in particular.

I made a public statement following that suggesting that as a government, we do have a program called the aboriginal court challenges program which has a small amount of money available and symbolizes our own commitment to assisting aboriginal people, whenever we can, to protect and to further define their rights; to protect and define these rights through the courts if necessary. I had indicated that I would be prepared to consider supporting the Inuit in a possible court challenge. I'm aware that the Inuit are only looking at legal options and may be strategizing with other aboriginal groups across this country to decide whether they will proceed at this time or wait for implementation of this bill; where they would use an actual case that is brought before the courts to challenge the validity of the bill or provisions of the bill with regard to its application to Inuit people or perhaps to aboriginal people in other parts of the country.

There has been no request, as yet, for additional money, but there have been some discussions between officials to date. I should remind Members that the gun bill that is now law has yet to be implemented. We have details, at this time, from the federal government as to when or how they proposed to implement this bill. Thank you.

Return To Question 34-13(2): Financial Assistance For Itc Re Gun Control Legislation Court Costs
Question 34-13(2): Financial Assistance For Itc Re Gun Control Legislation Court Costs
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Are there further oral questions? Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Public Works. I requested some information through our research department here but they're having problems getting the information from the Department of Public Works and Services. I wonder if the Minister would help in the area of getting the information on the cost of privatization of certain departments that have already proceeded in the past. Would he be able to help out in that area? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Return To Question 35-13(2): Minister's Assistance In Obtaining Costs Of Privatization
Question 35-13(2): Minister's Assistance In Obtaining Costs Of Privatization
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Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

Mr. Speaker, I'd be pleased to meet with the Member privately and discuss with him what exactly he's having a problem in getting and I'll see what I can do to help out. Thank you.

Return To Question 35-13(2): Minister's Assistance In Obtaining Costs Of Privatization
Question 35-13(2): Minister's Assistance In Obtaining Costs Of Privatization
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, we have units with running water that are being renovated, while we have homes, which I call substandard, without running water. My question is will the honourable Minister provide information to this House regarding how many social housing units in Pelly Bay, Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak are without running water systems? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Ng.

Return To Question 36-13(2): Public Housing In Natilikmiot Without Running Water
Question 36-13(2): Public Housing In Natilikmiot Without Running Water
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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it must be my day for detailed questions. Mr. Speaker, I'll have the Housing Corporation staff put that information together and report back to the House. Thank you.

Return To Question 36-13(2): Public Housing In Natilikmiot Without Running Water
Question 36-13(2): Public Housing In Natilikmiot Without Running Water
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

Levi Barnabas High Arctic

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister, Mr. Kakfwi. The justices of the peace in my constituency haven't had training in three years. They are very beneficial and of great assistance to the communities. Can the Minister tell us if they are prepared to hold a training session for JPs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Justice, Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I must say that I'm not aware of the status of our efforts in that area. I've been focusing mostly on trying to find some training money for coroners. I'll take the question as notice and advise all Members at the same time of what the status is of training

for JPs in the Northwest Territories in the coming year. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is again directed to the honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Some preamble first: When the renovation program is done renovating public units, it is mostly done in the winter. This is inconvenient for the tenants as they have to move from house to house in the dead of winter. Why are the renovations done in the wintertime instead of the summertime? Thank you.