This is page numbers 57 - 83 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 ---agreed.

Revert To Item 10: Petitions
Revert To Item 10: Petitions

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Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table Petition No. 2-13(2) signed by 241 residents of the community of Clyde River, supporting more public housing for the community. Mr. Speaker, the Clyde River Housing Association has only 98 public housing units available and there are 72 people now on the waiting list for public housing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Revert To Item 10: Petitions
Revert To Item 10: Petitions

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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Item 13, tabling of documents. Before we move to item 14, notices of motion, I would like to acknowledge the Scouts who are with us today as Pages.

---Applause

Forgive me if I am not able to pronounce your names right. They are Sam Bartlett, Shane Wallis, Stewart Mackenzie, Jonathan Bilodeau, Andrew Bishop, Ben Singer, Jeff Nungaq, Nathan Arngna'naaq.

---Applause

Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. Mr. Todd.

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by my honourable colleague from Tu Nedhe, that Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96, be read for the first time.

The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you, Mr. Todd. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Question is being called. All those in favour of the motion, please signify in the usual manner. Thank you. All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96, has had first reading. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Mr. Todd.

Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by my honourable colleague from Tu Nedhe, that Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1996.

Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you, Mr. Todd. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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An Hon. Member

Question.

Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Question is being called. All those in favour of Bill 1, please signify. All those opposed to the second reading of Bill 1? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 1 has had second reading and, accordingly, the bill stands referred to Committee of the Whole. Thank you. Item 18, second reading of bills. Mr. Todd.

Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Public Service Act by taking out provisions that require disagreements that arise during negotiation of a collective agreement to be referred to an arbitrator and substituting provisions that allow employees who are members of a bargaining unit to strike, and the Minister to change the terms and conditions of employment where there is no longer a collective agreement in effect. As a consequence, the bill provides that the renewal provisions in the current collective agreement no longer have any effect.

The bill also amends the act to establish an offence for unlawfully striking or declaring a strike; it sets out a process for the making of agreements to identify what are essential services and which employees in the bargaining unit are required to work during a strike to provide an essential service or to respond to an emergency; it establishes bargaining units and clarifies which positions are excluded from the collective agreement.

The bill also consequentially amends the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association Act and the Union of Northern Workers Act.

Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you. To the principle of the bill. Mr. Picco.

Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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Edward Picco Iqaluit

Mr. Speaker, I said publicly in this House on Friday that I would speak against this bill to amend the Public Service Act. Mr. Speaker, as a former UNW local president

and a former member of the UNW bargaining team, I think I understand the ramifications of this act. The carrot in the act was to give the union the right to strike. But the government proposes to set out a process for the making of agreements to identity which are essential services and which employees of the bargaining unit are required to work during a strike. Thus, the process will negate many members of the bargaining unit to actually strike.

Mr. Speaker, the amendment also provides that the renewal provisions in the current collective agreements are no longer in effect. This will ensure that the bargaining units will have to negotiate a collective agreement with one hand tied behind their back. Mr. Speaker, this act would also establish bargaining units and clarity which positions are excluded from collective bargaining. This means that many of the people who are now included under individual bargaining units could be excluded. The amendments to the act also mean that the disagreements arising from collective bargaining will no longer be referred to an arbitrator. Mr. Speaker, this change will mean that independent dispute reconciliation methods will no longer be present, giving the employer an unfair advantage over the employees.

Mr. Speaker, it would seem to me that the changes in the Public Service Act have been tailored to emasculate the union. Mr. Speaker, the amendments asked for will consequentially mean that the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association Act and the Union of Northern Workers Act will also have to be amended. Thus, the proposed amendments to the act will have far- reaching effects.

Mr. Speaker, everyone in the NWT now realizes the depth of our financial problems. Everyone in the NWT realizes that there will have to be cutbacks. Everyone in the NWT also realizes that the way the GNWT does business will have to change. Mr. Speaker, I also agree and know these things. However, Mr. Speaker, I feel that the collective bargaining process should be carried through its culmination, and to introduce this act is a provocation to our employees.

Mr. Speaker, the government knew last summer that it was facing a severe budget shortfall. It is my opinion that the government should have begun discussion with our unions and our public service at that time to work out common solutions to fiscal situation. This was not done and now the 13th Assembly is put in a very difficult situation.

Mr. Speaker, the window of opportunity for the 13th Assembly to balance its budget and to get our fiscal house in order is narrowing, Mr. Speaker, I realize this and I also realize that the changes in the Public Service Act are made to make this so. Mr. Speaker, the far-ranging effects of this one act cannot be contemplated in one day or one week. Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, being introduced before the public service bargaining units sit down to negotiate with the government sets a dangerous precedent for the collective bargaining process in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the history of organized labour in the Northwest Territories has been a colourful one. In the 1990s and the upcoming 21st century, unions will still be needed to provide the checks and balances that are needed in our northern workplaces. After these changes are implemented, the public service union of our employees will be a shadow of its former sell, and that will be a poor legacy for the 13th Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded vote on the proposed amendment, when it comes to a vote in this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you, honourable Member. To the principle of Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act. Mr. Erasmus, to the principle of the bill.

Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to indicate that I don't appreciate calls for a question that are happening so quickly. Many people don't understand what's going on here.

I, too, am concerned that a lot of people may be pulled out of the bargaining unit by being classified as essential people. I need to be reassured that this is not a ploy to do that. We have heard reports that perhaps up to 30 per cent of employees may be classified as essential or unable to participate in strikes. I need to be reassured that this is not the case. Thank you.

Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you. To the principle of Bill 2, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

February 18th, 1996

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Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The document we are talking about only became public information this past Friday and as a Member representing Hay River and having many respected representatives of various unions in my community, I have not had a chance to go back to them to discuss this with them to hear what other options there may be to this. Unfortunately, when it comes to the recorded vote, I will have to abstain. Thank you.

Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you. To the principle of Bill 2.

Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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An Hon. Member

Question.

Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Question is being called. Are we ready for the question? A recorded vote has been requested. All those in favour of Bill 2, please stand.

Recorded Vote

Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Mr. Todd, Mr. Morin, Mr. Kakfwi, Mr. Antoine, Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Ng, Mr, Henry, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Krutko, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Dent, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you. All those opposed, please stand.

Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Mr. Roland, Mr. Picco, Mr. Enuaraq, Mr. Barnabas, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Mr. Steen.

Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you. All those abstaining, please stand.

Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

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Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Mr. Rabesca, Mrs. Groenewegen.