This is page numbers 85 - 100 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.

Topics

Support For NWT Development Corporation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 88

Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For a cost of $1.5 million, Pangnirtung Fisheries employs 35 to 40 people year-round and about 10 fishermen. By 1998, Pangnirtung Fisheries is projected to contribute $15.7 million in payments to fishermen and related businesses at a cost of $6 million.

Mr. Speaker, I know that in these times of financial restraint it may be tempting to judge government programs by whether they are self-sufficient or not. That may be fine for larger communities which have a developed economy and a strong private sector, but in my constituency where the private sector will not go and where unemployment is very high, the Northwest Territories Development Corporation mandate allows it to create real jobs for a relatively small government contribution.

Mr. Speaker, without the Development Corporation contributions, many more of my constituents would be on welfare or even worse. I salute the NWT Development Corporation for what it's doing in my riding and other smaller communities in the NWT, and ask other honourable Members to recognize even in these difficult financial times that in some cases it is very worthwhile to spend government money to create jobs in communities which have little or no private economy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Support For NWT Development Corporation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 88

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Hanging Ice Bison Ranch Proposal
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 88

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to make a comment today about the Hanging Ice Bison Ranch and the Department of Renewable Resources. The Department of Renewable Resources gave the community of Fort Smith until December 1st to submit a proposal to possibly salvage the Hanging Ice Bison Ranch. After I was elected, I made this an issue and we tried to come up with a salvage plan, but lo and behold we found out that the government had moved ahead and ignored its own deadline to us and said it's too bad, it's unfortunate, but we've already signed a contract.

That was fine. We weren't that happy but we decided we would make the best of it because some of that was our own fault. We indicated to the government that we would be interested in pulling together a salvage plan with possibly using Elk Island buffalo and possibly going to the people of Fort Providence to see if they would be kind enough to give us some buffalo to restock Hanging Ice Ranch.

The government indicated that they would be very happy to work with us in a positive way that, yes, they would leave the infrastructure that was there to help us possibly pull together a salvage plan. We accepted that in good faith. As things have proceeded, the buffalo are now gone and it turns out that not only are the buffalo gone but they've killed the ranch and now they're in there looting the corpses. They've taken away the infrastructure that they promised they would allow us to keep to work around to see if we could put together a proposal. The deputy minister, who seems to be running the department, has made that commitment. I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, that the people of Fort Smith feel very shabbily treated by the Department of Renewable Resources in this case. We've attempted to be very calm and rational about this to work with the government; and it's extremely disillusioning, I might add, as we talk about open government and working with the people. If it's an indication of how the Department of Renewable Resources intends to do business, then I think we have lots of work to do if they want to have a good working relationship in the community and I think it's very unfortunate. Thank you.

Hanging Ice Bison Ranch Proposal
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 88

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Correction To Statement Re Language Pathologists
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 89

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I look on the orders of the day, I do not find a position for errors or correction so I'll make my statement here.

Last Friday, I made a statement in this House regarding speech and language services offered by Stanton Regional Hospital. In my statement, I incorrectly advised that the number of speech and language pathologists available to the Western Arctic were two positions. In actual fact, the number is four, with a possibility of a fifth position which would service Yellowknife schools.

I apologize for any misunderstanding this may have caused. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Correction To Statement Re Language Pathologists
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 89

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Steen.

Appreciation Of NWT Workforce
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 89

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday when we were going through the supplementary expenditures, we recognized $41 million that was spent by this government on some programs. Little or none of these expenditures were directed towards the present GNWT workforce. Most of the monies were identified as being spent on education, social assistance and harvesting programs.

I would like to take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to point out that the $41 million is roughly the amount of money this government has as an accumulated deficit. None of it or very little of it can be contributed towards our workforce.

I think at this time, it would be appropriate to take this opportunity to thank the people who are working for us out there, and to let them know that we do appreciate what they're doing. There are some of us here who do support them.

Mr. Speaker, I don't doubt that when it comes to third reading, the bill for amending the legislation with regard to our workforce agreement will be passed. I just want them to know that there are some of us here who appreciate what they're doing for us. Thank you.

---Applause

Appreciation Of NWT Workforce
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 89

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Selection Process For Awg
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 89

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. First off, I would like to say hello to my wife and children back home. Sorry, I would like to wish my parents back home best in their quest to become the king and queen of the Muskrat Jamboree Festival in Inuvik.

---Applause

He's 74, going on 75, and he's trying to become king.

Mr. Speaker, today I bring into this House a concern with the selection process of the Arctic Winter Games. It was brought to my attention that during the trials, it has been said that certain coaches were using this process to confirm selections already made. Mr. Speaker, when these concerns were brought forward to me, I requested of MACA information on selection process, who was picked and the ratings given to all athletes. Up until now I have not received this information.

Mr. Speaker, what I am speaking about is to do with ice hockey. Mr. Speaker, I don't know exactly how much this government is spending on trials -- although I have just been given an update -- if the teams are already picked, what are the purpose of these trials? In this day and age of budget cuts and reducing funding to programs, can we justify this ongoing commitment to the games, especially since the process is not seen to be fair in its selections? If this process does not change, then I would have to agree with the Member for Thebacha...

---Laughter

...about the need for review of the Arctic Winter Games. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Selection Process For Awg
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 89

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Closure Of Extended Care Unit At Stanton
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 89

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A number of organizations and individuals in my constituency have contacted me about the potential closure of the extended care unit at Stanton Regional Hospital. This is a unit that provides extended care to patients from around the NWT, who need long-term, supervised convalescence, or who are, unfortunately, terminally ill and need medical and quality care to provide comfort during their last days.

The extended care unit was established at Stanton Hospital because many of the care requirements are medical in nature. The extended care unit is a 14-bed unit and has been used for long-term care, palliative care, convalescent care, respite care and rehabilitation for the past eight years, maintaining a 97.8 per cent occupancy rate. The unit provides care through an interdisciplinary approach with a wide range of services such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy and respiratory therapy that are available only at Stanton Regional Hospital.

A very dear and long-time friend of mine, Ross Harvey -- who many of you may know -- spent his last days in this unit. With great physical effort, he wrote to the chairman of the hospital board urging him to maintain the unit at Stanton Hospital. He expressed his gratitude to the staff for the truly concerned effort they made to ease the pain and provide some quality to his final months of life.

Many of the patients of the extended care facility require immediate and round-the-clock access to medical services and staff.

While the current fiscal situation may be a factor in considering the possibility of relocating the unit to various other locations in Yellowknife, I would urge the Minister of Health to recommend relocating other areas of the hospital administration such as Finance or Personnel, which do not require close proximity to medical equipment or medical staff.

In view of the lack of alternatives in support programs in care, I am deeply concerned about the impact of the potential closure of the extended care unit of Stanton of the current and future residents of this unit. Thank you.

Closure Of Extended Care Unit At Stanton
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 90

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Purchase Of Hap Houses By Housing Corporation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 90

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to note that yesterday, going through the Supplementary Appropriation, No. 2, I was amazed at my colleague from Tuktoyaktuk when he stated that the Housing Corporation are presently still in the process of purchasing units that have been given to individuals as HAP units and buying them back at possibly twice as much as what it cost to build. If that practise is being continued, this government should seriously look at it. In this time of restraint, we are short of a lot of houses in the Northwest Territories.

The previous government announced that they were in the process of selling off government units to employees and getting out of the housing market. I find it awful that this practice is continuing. With the need of housing for individuals and the cutback with regard to the funding for housing from the federal government, we should seriously look at individuals who receive HAP units as a house which is given to them, versus the existing program of access where a person has to qualify and pay into that program. This should be looked at, especially if this government is purchasing units that have been given by this government by individuals and then buying them back. That practice doesn't make sense. I will be asking the Minister question on this later on. Thank you.

Purchase Of Hap Houses By Housing Corporation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 90

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

World Championship Dog Races In Manitoba
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 90

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I would like to indicate that I have not heard one Member in this House who has indicated that they do not appreciate our public civil service.

---Applause

In fact, we have heard quite the opposite. People do appreciate our civil servants. However, we do have a potential deficit of $150 million. We see lots in the papers about MLAs receiving too much and MLAs having to take a decrease in their salaries. I think everyone else has to take their share as well.

With that, I would like to turn to a fax I received from the Arctic Marina Kennels on last weekend's world championship dog races at the Pas, Manitoba. I am happy to inform this House that Richard Beck from Yellowknife is the new world champion dog musher.

---Applause

Richard Beck is from Yellowknife North.

---Laughter

---Interjection

World Championship Dog Races In Manitoba
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 90

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Third place was Frank Kelly from Yellowknife; fourth place was Grant Beck from Yellowknife; third place was Ernie Campbell from Yellowknife; tenth place was Heather Beck, the only girl and a rookie from Yellowknife; twelfth place was Raymond Beck from Hay River; thirteenth place was Jim Essrey from Hay River; and fourteenth place was Brian Cole from Yellowknife.

I don't know if any of these people are going to the Arctic Winter Games, but I am glad we went to The Pas. Thank you.

---Applause

World Championship Dog Races In Manitoba
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 90

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. To remind Members, when you do a Member's statement, keep it to one subject. Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ningark.

Safety Of School Children In Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 90

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe, and surely Members of this House believe, that education is a priority of this government thereby making the safety of school children also a priority of this government.

Safety Of School Children In Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 90

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statements. Are there further Members' statements? Mr. Antoine.

Importance Of Native Languages
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 90

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) I would like to say something in my language today. I would like to say something about my language. I seldom here anyone speaking their own language in here. I believe this is a step backwards. There are many issues regarding the lack of for languages. I would like to say something today. I have been wanting to say something ever since we started sitting. Over half of the people back in my constituency speak in their own language. This is why I like to speak my own language once in a while. They talk about the cut in funding and we

seem to be taking the languages...I would just like to say something in my language to recognize the importance of our language.

---Applause

Importance Of Native Languages
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 91

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Krutko.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

February 19th, 1996

Page 91

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

I would like to recognize a pool shark in the gallery, Mr. Pete Liske.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 91

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Henry.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 91

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The gentlemen, among others, who are responsible for bringing light to this Chamber and other buildings; Dave Maguire, an employee of NTPC.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 91

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Are there further recognitions? At this time, I will recognize the Pages. We have a number of Pages here who belong to the Boy Scouts. There is Chris Mercredi, Stewart MacKenzie, Ryan Silke, Adam Gordon, Zoltan Kalnay -- I hope I pronounced that right -- Julian Morse, Jeff Nungaq, and Nathan Arngna'naaq. These are our Pages for today.

---Applause

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.