Debates of Feb. 21st, 1996
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.
Topics
- Members Present
- Item 1: Prayer
- Minister's Statement 11-13(2): Meeting Of Canadian Bar Association In Yellowknife
- Minister's Statement 12-13(2): Sivuliuqtit -nunavut Management Development Program
- Minister's Statement 13-13(2): Medevac Children From Arviat
- Education Week And Congratulations To New Nwtta President
- Resolutions Passed At The Lqaluit Baffin Leaders' Summit
- Concerns Re Rankin Inlet As Hub For Fuel Resupply
- Tribute To Bazel Jesudason
- Opposition To Public Service Act Amendments
- North Slave Self-government Negotiations
- Opposition To GNWT Purchase Of Canarctic Shipping
- Equal Representation Of All NWT Residents
- Importance Of Self-government Negotiations
- Tribute To Nahendeh Constituents On Receiving Commissioner's Award For Bravery At The Highest Level
- Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
- Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
- Question 81-13(2): Revised Completion Time Frame For Rankin Inlet Tank Farm Project
- Question 82-13(2): Availability Of Report Re Transfer Of Arctic College Programs
- Question 83-13(2): GNWT Acceptance Of Decentralized Government Model Proposed By Nic
- Question 84-13(2): GNWT's Support For Inherent Right To Self-government
- Question 85-13(2): Hanging Ice Bison Ranch
- Question 86-13(2): Canarctic Shipping Contract Negotiations
- Question 87-13(2): Number Of Bison Shipped South
- Question 88-13(2): Privatization Plan For Computer Services
- Question 89-13(2): Construction Of Road Between Inuvik And Tuk
- Question 90-13(2): Cost Of Building Ice Bridge Across Slave River
- Question 91-13(2): Lack Of Response From Minister Re Alcohol Education Funding For High Arctic
- Question 92-13(2): Request For Premier To State That GNWT Represents All NWT Residents
- Question 93-13(2): Status Of Gwich'in And Inuvialuktun Language Programs
- Question 94-13(2): NTPC Process For Bidding On Contracts
- Question 95-13(2): Clarification Of Clause 3 Of Public Service Act
- Question 96-13(2): Clarification Of Relationship Between GNWT And Canarctic Shipping
- Item 10: Petitions
- Item 12: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
- Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
- Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
- Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
- Committee Motion 1-13(2): To Amend Clause 4 Of Bill 2, Carried
- Committee Motion 1-13(2): To Amend Clause 4 Of Bill 2, CarriedCommittee Motion 2-13(2): To Amend Clause 5(1) Of Bill 2, Carried
- Committee Motion 3-13(2): To Amend Clause 6 Of Bill 2, Carried
- Committee Motion 4-13(2): To Amend Clause 9 Of Bill 2, Carried
- Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
- Revert To Item 10: Petitions
- Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
- Assent To Bills
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 121
Vince Steen Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, my first comments are in response to a comment made by the Minister of Finance with regard to the public perception of having this piece of legislation fast-tracked through the House.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to point out to the Minister that if he was so concerned about the bill receiving proper consultation, why did he suggest unanimous consent to put it straight into Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Chairman, I voted against unanimous consent, but it wasn't particularly that I was against the piece of legislation. I voted so that the bill would go to the committee and from there it would be up to the committee as to whether or not they felt more public consultation was needed or not. In other words, I didn't want anyone to say that this bill was fast-tracked through the House.
Mr. Chairman, I don't particularly have any concerns with the wording of the bill. My concern is more with the snowball effect these amendments to the legislation will have. It would give this government the opportunity to amend the wages and benefits of the employees. Where my concern comes in is although I don't have very many government employees in my region, we do have a lot of hamlet and housing employees and they have unions. No doubt the next thing that is going to happen is they will be requestion to reduce their wages and benefits to their employees as well. Their wages and benefits Reflect what this government has. I do have that as a concern.
I am also surprised that at this time of great restraint, the Federal government hasn't taken the same action to reduce their wages and benefits to their employees. Our wages and benefits for our employees reflect what the federal government used to have.
Mr. Chairman, because I don't particularly have any concerns with the wording of this bill and I believe the unions have had proper opportunity to have input into the bill, according to the Members of the committees, I would vote in favour of the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 121
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. I have Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Ootes and Mr. Henry. Mr. Erasmus.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 21st, 1996
Page 121
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When this bill was introduced, I indicated my concern about excluded positions. I had heard on the radio that perhaps 30 per cent or more of people in the bargaining unit could be excluded the way the bill had been worded. Through the Government Operations committee, we had input from the union bosses. As a result of that, we tightened up the wording of several clauses.
We have also been assured by the Minister of Finance that less than 400 people would be excluded as a result of this new legislation.
During our meetings, which were public for the most part, the union indicated that it was okay with them to take out arbitration. They indicated that that process was too slow and that the arbitrators were reluctant to make hard decisions. They also indicated that they had been trying to get the right to strike for years. They also indicated that they wanted us to change the legislation so they could strike on the same day that the government could change terms and conditions of the previous agreement. We have done that.
I would like to add that several members of my family work for the government. They, too, will be affected by this legislation. However, I would prefer that they and others have their wages and benefits cut rather than laying them off because that's the alternative: massive lay-offs. It's been a very difficult process and very difficult to make a decision upon, however, I will be voting in favour of this bill. Thank you. Reflect what this government has. I do have that as a concern.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 121
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Mr. Ootes.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 121
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I've approached this issue on a very serious basis because if affects a lot of people, employees of the Government of the NWT. I can truly tell you that I've given it a lot of consideration. I was pleased that we moved into considering this bill through the Government
Operations committee where we had an opportunity to have input and I had some opportunity to have my input. At the Government Operations committee level, we had presentations by the stakeholders: Mr. Todd, the Minister of Finance; Mr. Crook of the Union of Northern Workers; and Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Lyons of the NWT Teachers' Association. They expressed their concerns about the government's bill.
I can understand the emotion associated with this situation but I feel that the government has moved substantially since we first looked at it. I'd like to speak for a moment, as well, about our financial problems here in the North. It is driving a lot of the need for us to make decisions. The bottom line is we need to shave $150 million off of our budget and all northerners will be affected; all northerners, not just our employees. We have a difficult situation on our hands here but our agenda is to solve those difficult problems. I'm not going to make the budget be solved on the backs of the workers; I'm going to make the budget be solved on the backs of everybody in this territory because that's reality.
I see the process we're going through as a solution to massive lay-offs, as some other Members have stated, and we're here to make those tough decisions. Not all of our decisions will be very popular. I know that we will hear from a lot of people, once we start discussing the budget: people who don't have jobs, the people who are on social assistance, the students, everyone, the workers in the government, we will hear it from everyone.
I hope that both parties will approach this issue in good faith and I am confident that it will result in a satisfactory solution to this issue. I will be voting in favour of this bill today. Thank you.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 122
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. General comments. Mr. Henry.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 122
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If it's your pleasure, Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a question first and carry on with a statement.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 122
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Sorry about that, I was momentarily distracted looking at my list. Mr. Minister.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 122
John Todd Keewatin Central
What?
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 122
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
(Microphone turned off)...and proceed with my statement.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 122
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. We allow the Members to ask questions if they wish to.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 122
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Earlier on this afternoon I had asked a question of Mr. Todd, the honourable Minister of Finance, and it was ruled out of order. I feel that it's important that that question be asked again. I accept the fact that during Mr. Todd's presentation at the beginning, it was probably covered but I would specifically like to separate it because it has been brought to me by a number of my constituents and I believe it deserves clarification.
I will reread this again, if I may. This is with regard to Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act. I understand that clause 3 revokes the articles in the three collective bargaining agreements which state that the agreements will 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 in force as long as negotiations are continuing. I would like the Minister to tell me whether this is so and clarify this issue for the benefit of all unionized government employees.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 122
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Minister.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 122
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The straightforward answer is yes.
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 122
The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Henry, please continue.
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