This is page numbers 100 - 127 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 public.

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Supplementary To Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

February 20th, 1996

Page 112

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I question this initiative because when I got into this House, I received a lot of phone calls from my constituency with regard to the Gwich'in language program which was being run out of this Legislature. I was told to save money, we were going to cut out that program and those dollars were going to be spent in the communities. Being told that and arguing the point, I was told by constituents that these languages and the programs that were delivered through this House regarding the translation were important to my constituents.

If that is the case, I have made an attempt to save this government money by doing away with the language program out of this House regarding the Gwich'in translators who were here in the past and who aren't here today. That way, they could continue their work in the communities. Was that the game plan all along or not?

Supplementary To Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 112

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 112

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is not responsible for providing the translation services in this House. That comes in with the budget of the Legislative Assembly. I can't respond to questions about changes that are made at the Legislative Assembly. I can tell the Member that Education, Culture and Employment's goal is,

with the program funds we have available, to try to significantly involve the language groups in determining how those programs are delivered. I will be discussing with the Standing Committee on Social Programs in the very near future a review of how language programming is delivered and making some recommendations about how we can change that and move the services closer to the people in the communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 113

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 113

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

My supplementary is with regard to fairness. As you know, the seven official languages includes all the aboriginal languages and French, which you see in the newspapers. A lot of dollars and resources are spent in the area of the Francophone community which is a small group versus the aboriginal majority in the North. To be fair, there should be a fair allocation based on population. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 113

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 113

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, almost all of the French language information the Member sees has been paid for by the federal government. The program is largely funded, to the tune of $18 million over three years, including this year, by the federal government. In the agreement, they have called many of the shots as to where the funding is spent. I just want to remind all Members of this House that that program saw significant reductions from the previous three-year agreement. It was $38 million.

So there is no question that we are under pressure to continue to deliver services, while having received a significant decrease in the amount of funding we get from the federal government.

Further Return To Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 113

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Based on the response from the Minister of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if the process to bid on the contract to do brush clearing would be the same as to build a hydro dam. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 94-13(2): Ntpc Process For Bidding On Contracts
Question 94-13(2): NTPC Process For Bidding On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 113

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, given the magnitude of the finances of the two projects, the answer is no. They would not be the same.

Return To Question 94-13(2): Ntpc Process For Bidding On Contracts
Question 94-13(2): NTPC Process For Bidding On Contracts
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 113

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd. It is regarding Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, which will be dealt with later on today. I understand that clause 3 revokes the articles in three collective bargaining agreements which state that the agreements wiII stay in force, even after their expiry date, until new agreements are concluded. This has understandably lead to significant confusion and consternation among organized government employees. However, it is my understanding that even with the passage of this bill, the collective bargaining agreements will continue to be in force as long as negotiations are continuing. Can the Minister tell me whether this is so and clarity this issue for the benefit of all unionized government employees?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Henry. I must rule your question our of order. The document is not on the order paper and I believe it is still in committee. While there is a report on the order paper that will be done regarding the act, it isn't in the House for the Minister to respond to. So I must rule the question out of order.

---Ruled Out of Order

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

Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Transportation. In view of the recent press that Canarctic Shipping has received, can the Minister please advise this House as to the present relationship that this company has with the Department of Transportation, if indeed there is a relationship? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Return To Question 96-13(2): Clarification Of Relationship Between GNWT And Canarctic Shipping
Question 96-13(2): Clarification Of Relationship Between GNWT And Canarctic Shipping
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 113

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With regard to Canarctic Shipping, I may have to go into some background so everyone understands where I am coming from. Canarctic Shipping was created in 1975 by the federal government in partnership with Northwater Navigation. It was a consortium of three companies. The federal government owns 51 per cent of Canarctic, while Northwater Navigation had owned 49 per cent.

Canarctic is based in Ottawa with a seven-member board of directors; four of them who are appointed by the federal Transport Minister. All have been federal civil servants. The remaining three directors are appointed by FedNav.

Canarctic was created as a vehicle to build and operate the MV Arctic. It is an ice-breaking bulk oil carrier built in 1978. The Arctic was converted to an ore ship in 1986. It can carry about 25,000 tons of ore or petroleum products. It is 17 years old. However, it was surveyed by Lloyd's and it is deemed to be equivalent to five years old. The original purpose of Canarctic was to develop and demonstrate Canadian expertise in the Arctic shipping of mineral resources. As a ship built in Canada and operating under the Canadian flag, Canarctic was not expected to be a profitable company. By 1993, the federal government had invested approximately $80 million in Canarctic and any future profits were to go to reimburse Canada for this investment.

Mr. Speaker, Canarctic had succeeded in its mission of demonstrating Canadian expertise, providing shipping services to Nanisivik and Polaris mines and carried crude oil from Panarctic's Bent Horn Well in Baffin. In doing so, Canarctic has also developed world leading expertise in ice-navigation systems, utilizing satellite and radar systems and has been doing an increasing consulting business with industry, government and Arctic shipping.

Canada now considers the experiment complete and wants to move Canarctic towards commercial viability and away from federal ownership. The 49 per cent ownership is by FedNav. It is a Montreal-based privately-held Canadian shipping company with revenues that range in millions per year.

The proposal from FedNav was proposed by Canarctic management. The option was that the shareholders' agreement gives FedNav right of first refusal of the shares. As early as January of 1992, the Minister of Transportation of the day was Titus Allooloo, who wrote to the federal Minister advising him of the GNWT's interest in Canarctic. Subsequently, the Minister of Transportation and Mr. Todd, did intervene with the federal Minister of Transportation and DIAND and there were a lot of discussions. The idea behind these discussions, Mr. Speaker, was that if FedNav had the right of first refusal and if the government was wanting to get out of this Canarctic experiment, we would have lost the northern expertise in shipping.

With no aboriginal groups at that time interested in taking over the Canarctic interest, the GNWT had discussions to see if Canarctic could be turned over to northern management, through the GNWT first and then turn it over to the private sector at a later time. However, this whole exercise has stopped as of last fall and there is no more development between the government and Canarctic at this point. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 96-13(2): Clarification Of Relationship Between GNWT And Canarctic Shipping
Question 96-13(2): Clarification Of Relationship Between GNWT And Canarctic Shipping
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 114

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Supplementary To Question 96-13(2): Clarification Of Relationship Between GNWT And Canarctic Shipping
Question 96-13(2): Clarification Of Relationship Between GNWT And Canarctic Shipping
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 114

Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can we, therefore, assume that the Department of Transportation or the government is not involved in the negotiations to purchase Canarctic? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 96-13(2): Clarification Of Relationship Between GNWT And Canarctic Shipping
Question 96-13(2): Clarification Of Relationship Between GNWT And Canarctic Shipping
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 114

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Antoine.

Further Return To Question 96-13(2): Clarification Of Relationship Between GNWT And Canarctic Shipping
Question 96-13(2): Clarification Of Relationship Between GNWT And Canarctic Shipping
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 114

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the present time, there is no direction to me as the Minister of

Transportation by the rest of my colleagues in Cabinet to proceed with following this any further. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 96-13(2): Clarification Of Relationship Between GNWT And Canarctic Shipping
Question 96-13(2): Clarification Of Relationship Between GNWT And Canarctic Shipping
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 114

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Mr. Enuaraq.

Item 10: Petitions
Item 10: Petitions

Page 114

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, signed by the residents of Pangnirtung. Mr. Speaker, Petition No. 4-13(2) contains 14 signatures and they request, "We, the undersigned citizens of the Northwest Territories, do humbly petition the Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories as follows:

"That Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, be rejected outright by the Members of the Assembly as it implements an unfair regime of collective bargaining in the Northwest Territories; and further

"That should Bill 2 not be rejected outright, a minimum commitment to democratic action demands that the public be provided full opportunity to comment on the proposed bill; and further

"That Members of the Legislative Assembly who fail to act to prevent the travesty that the passage of Bill 2 would represent, especially if done without public consultation, be condemned for anti-worker and undemocratic conduct." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 10: Petitions
Item 10: Petitions

Page 114

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 10, petitions. Mr. Picco.

Item 10: Petitions
Item 10: Petitions

Page 114

Edward Picco Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, signed by the employees at the Baffin Regional Hospital and residents of lqaluit.

Mr. Speaker, Petition No. 5-13(2) contained 42 signatures and, Mr. Speaker, the petition requests the following:

"We, the undersigned citizens of the Northwest Territories, do humbly petition the Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories as follows:

"That Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, be rejected outright by the Members of the Assembly as it implements an unfair regime of collective bargaining in the Northwest Territories; and further

"That should Bill 2 not be rejected outright, a minimum commitment to democratic action demands that the public be provided full opportunity to comment on the proposed bill; and further

"That Members of the Legislative Assembly who fail to act to prevent the travesty that the passage of Bill 2 would represent, especially if done without public consultation, be condemned for anti-worker and undemocratic conduct."

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition dealing with An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, signed by the employees of Baffin House in Montreal. Mr. Speaker, Petition 6-13(2) contains 11 signatures, and, Mr. Speaker, the petitioners request, "We, the undersigned citizens of Montreal, do humbly petition the Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories as follows:

"That Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, be rejected outright by the Members of the Assembly as it implements an unfair regime of collective bargaining in the Northwest Territories; and further

"That should Bill 2 not be rejected outright, a minimum commitment to democratic action demands that the public be provided full opportunity to comment on the proposed bill; and further

"That Members of the Legislative Assembly who fail to act to prevent the travesty that the passage of Bill 2 would represent, especially if done without public consultation, be condemned for anti-worker and undemocratic conduct."

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, signed by the residents of lqaluit. Mr. Speaker, Petition No. 7-13(2) contains 22 signatures, and, Mr. Speaker, the petitioners request:

"We, the undersigned citizens of the Northwest Territories, do humbly petition the Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories as follows:

"That Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, be rejected outright by the Members of the Assembly as it implements an unfair regime of collective bargaining in the Northwest Territories; and further

"That should Bill 2 not be rejected outright, a minimum commitment to democratic action demands that the public be provided full opportunity to comment on the proposed bill; and further

"That Members of the Legislative Assembly who fail to act to prevent the travesty that the passage of Bill 2 would represent, especially if done without public consultation, be condemned for anti-worker and undemocratic conduct." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.