This is page numbers 89 - 106 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 3rd 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 safety.

Topics

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

With regard to the NWT transfer, I understand that no actuarial review has been done to enable employers and workers, the stakeholders, to determine what the financial impact will be nor has a benefit analysis been done. My concerns are as follows: That I am misinformed on the information supplied to me; that stakeholders are paying for this; that stakeholders have not been made aware of this; that stakeholders have no say in this. Later today, I will be asking several questions with regard to the proposed transfer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will save the greetings until the end. Mr. Speaker, we have been busy since the swearing-in ceremony. The budget process has consumed a lot of our time, so much so that the paperwork tends to pile up on our desks. We have run from one meeting to another and it seems that, at times, our focus is narrow and quite specific. Let us not forget the reason we first put our names to paper during the fall election. Many of us stated that it was time to change the way government did business. We believed we could make a difference and that we could represent the people in a fair and honest way.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that from time to time we have to get out from the paper that seems to surround us to, once again, look around to the people who put us here and the reasons why they put us here. Some voted for us because they believed we could represent their concerns and push to change the things that did not make any sense. They wanted us to bring common sense to the process that we call the Legislative Assembly. It is for those very people that we make decisions.

Mr. Speaker, during my campaign, I compared the process of government to a big wheel. It goes around and around. From time to time, it stops in your community. The people have a chance to voice their concerns. Something seems to have gone wrong. Nothing seems to change. It seems to be business as usual. Mr. Speaker, I put my name to paper to try to change this process, as I believe many of us did.

I think it is time to put meaning to our words; it is time to take action instead of just talk. I refer to the things we have been dealing with in the budget for the people of the Territories, as well as ourselves. I think it is time to take action. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like the Member for High Arctic, Mr. Barnabas, I too have some good news to bring; it concerns a young man from the Yellowknife North constituency, Mr. Brent Beck. Brent left this morning to the Second Trofeo Topolino Sled Dog Competition. This is an international sled dog competition for juniors. The 1996 edition will take place at the ski resort community of Passo, Tonale, and the valley high above, Ponte di Legno. This event is an opportunity for children from different parts of the world to meet in the Italian Alps and celebrate together the snow, the mountains and sled dogs.

The race is open to all junior mushers who can show proof of appropriate experience in driving sled dogs, such as a recommendation from their mushing club, mushing school, national organization or a recognized musher. Brent will be representing the Yellowknife, the NWT and Canada as the only Canadian going. He will be representing us in the 13-to16-year age group with one to four dogs. I would like to congratulate Brent on his trip and he is being assisted by the new champion who won the dog derby here, Tim White. Tim donated $2,000 of his winnings so that Brent could attend this event. Thank you.

--- Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 42-13(3): Breakdown Of New Northern Allowance
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 93

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Picco on March 22nd, with respect to the breakdown of the new northern allowance.

The new northern allowance will be paid to employees in regular instalments as part of their bi-weekly pay. The full amount of the northern allowance paid each calendar year will be reported on the employee's T-4 in the section entitled, "travel in prescribed area." This will enable employees to take maximum advantage of the tax deduction for travel. Employees determine the amount of tax to be withheld from their bi-weekly pay on their TD1 form, which must be completed when an employee commences employment and which may be updated periodically as circumstances change.

I have another one, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 42-13(3): Breakdown Of New Northern Allowance
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 94

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Go ahead.

Return To Question 4-13(3): Status Of Arbitration Awards
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 94

John Todd Keewatin Central

I was asked a question on March 2 1 st by Mr. Henry, with respect to the status of arbitration awards.

There were no findings by the arbitrator that the government was guilty of wrongdoing over a 10-year span from 1985 to 1995. Instead, there were rulings on procedural matters and decisions on which jobs were appropriately excluded against the criteria and which jobs, in the opinion of the arbitrator, did not meet the criteria.

Several rulings have been received and there are rulings still outstanding. It would be very expensive to produce 75 copies of the rulings for tabling in the House. Instead, I will have a binder of the rulings in my office that I will be pleased to make available to any Member who wishes to review this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 4-13(3): Status Of Arbitration Awards
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 94

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Return To Question 36-13(3): Contamination Of Fort Mcpherson Water Supply
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 94

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Krutko on March 22nd, regarding contamination of the Fort McPherson water supply.

The Member for Mackenzie Delta asked if the Department of Transportation was taking measures to alleviate the hamlet of Fort McPherson's concerns about the possible accidental contamination of its water supply from the Dempster Highway.

The department has no record of an accident ever occurring on the highway in the vicinity of the water source. Nonetheless, the department plans to widen the highway this year from 7.5 metres to 10.5 metres which will improve traffic safety and reduce the likelihood of an accident near the water source. The department also plans to install guardrails along the highway beside the lake to reduce further the possibility of a vehicle leaving the road and contaminating the water source.

The Member's question also raises the possibility of contamination from the calcium chloride the department applies on the highway to control dust. Dust control improves visibility on the highway and helps to maintain safe driving conditions. The water source is tested regularly, and the department has no evidence that calcium chloride from the highway is contaminating the water supply.

The Department of Transportation would prefer to continue applying calcium chloride on the highway. It makes a positive contribution to highway safety and reduces the amount of dust that would otherwise settle in the reservoir. However, should the hamlet of Fort McPherson so request, the department will promptly discontinue its dust control program near the water source. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 36-13(3): Contamination Of Fort Mcpherson Water Supply
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 94

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, I have stated many times in this House, my concern for the extremely high unemployment levels that exist in my communities of Arviat and Baker Lake. Mr. Speaker, the pending lay-offs and overall government downsizing only adds to this already desperate situation. Mr. Speaker, my question relates to the number of positions that my constituents see advertised for your department. Mr. Speaker, out of fairness and sensitivity to the unemployed in the Kivallivik region, would the honourable Minister please consider locating some of the jobs that have been advertised in Arviat and Baker Laker as opposed to locating all these jobs in Rankin Inlet? Thank you. Mahsi cho.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Return To Question 70-13(3): Vacant Positions Advertised In Keewatin Region
Question 70-13(3): Vacant Positions Advertised In Keewatin Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 94

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I'm aware of the concern raised by the honourable Member, The situation of filling the positions in Rankin Inlet is ongoing, it's part of the Arctic A transfer initiative that is under way. I've asked the department to look at the situation. As we examine the request of this honourable Member, I will get back to him at a later time. Thank you.

Return To Question 70-13(3): Vacant Positions Advertised In Keewatin Region
Question 70-13(3): Vacant Positions Advertised In Keewatin Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 94

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated to this House in my Member's statement regarding the NorthwesTel communication outage in the Nunavut area, the former information indicated, Mr. Speaker, that those communities in the Western Arctic served by the microwave were not affected. The former information indicates that there is no indication at this time when the service will be restored. Mr. Speaker, this statement causes me some concern. When the communication links are out, there is no way of knowing how long it will be out for in the Nunavut area. Mr. Speaker, in this day and age, with advanced technology, surely this should not happen within our jurisdiction. In the event this happens again, what alternative do we have to communicate with the Eastern Arctic communities?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Premier, Mr. Morin.

Return To Question 71-13(3): Alternatives Available During Communications Breakdowns
Question 71-13(3):alternatives Available During Communications Breakdowns
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 95

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member raised a very valid concern: communication is very important. The safety that people feel by being able to communicate from any remote Community in the Northwest Territories is very important. I will have discussions with NorthwesTel to find out if they have any back-up plans should this happen again, or what they will put in place to ensure that we always have some sort of communication line open to our remote, small communities. Thank you.

Return To Question 71-13(3): Alternatives Available During Communications Breakdowns
Question 71-13(3):alternatives Available During Communications Breakdowns
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 95

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Public Works and Services. I've received several phone calls from constituents in the last 24 hours, as a result of the public consultation on the business incentive policy meeting that was held in Hay River this week. The constituents who called were business people and they were very concerned with the proposed changes to the business incentive policy. I was wondering if the Minister could outline for me the remainder of this process. I understand that there was originally consultation, and now there's a second round of consultation going on; but, I'm concerned with the process because I want to know what input this House is going to have in the final changes that are recommended. So, as I said, an outline of the remaining process would be appreciated. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Return To Question 72-13(3): Business Incentive Policy Review Process
Question 72-13(3): Business Incentive Policy Review Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 95

Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

Thank You, Mr. Speaker. The NWT-wide public consultation of the business incentive policy will be completed next week, on April 2nd. The drafting of a revised policy is continuing. As I mentioned before in this House, the responsibility for administering the policy and maintaining the policy will be turned over to the Department of Economic Development and Tourism in the very near future. So, although the Department of Public Works will continue to have a role in the business incentive policy, the responsibility will be moved to another department quite soon. Thank you.

Return To Question 72-13(3): Business Incentive Policy Review Process
Question 72-13(3): Business Incentive Policy Review Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 95

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 72-13(3): Business Incentive Policy Review Process
Question 72-13(3): Business Incentive Policy Review Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

March 26th, 1996

Page 95

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What provision is there, or is there any provision in the process, for Members in this House to be involved before the new percentages of preference are implemented?