This is page numbers 331 - 362 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 communities.

Members Present

Hon. Jim Antoine, Hon. Goo Arlooktoo, Mr. Barnabas, Hon. Charles Dent, Mr. Enuaraq, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Henry, Hon. Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Miltenberger, Hon. Kelvin Ng, Mr. Ningark, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Picco, Mr. Rabesca, Mr. Roland, Mr. Steen, Hon. Manitok Thompson, Hon. John Todd

--- Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 331

The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you, Mr. Henry. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Premier will be absent from the House today and tomorrow to attend meetings with the Prime Minister of Canada and the Honourable Stephan Dionne in Ottawa. Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform this Assembly how my department is using information technology to improve services and how it plans to make the most of a new data communications network that will link northern communities over the next two years.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment has been actively involved in developing the northern information highway, in partnership with educational institutions, the private sector, the federal government, aboriginal organizations and the NWT Internet community. One of the most popular initiatives is a territorial education bulletin board, which has linked most educators and many students for the past four years.

My department also established the NWT's first World Wide Web site, which has been operating for more than a year and a half. The department has helped pilot a desktop video conferencing system, which has been used by high school science classes in Pond Inlet and Kimmirut.

Through the community access program, the department has provided public access to the Internet and training in 14 communities this year.

Mr. Speaker, my department plans to build on these accomplishments. A distance learning project team is assessing projects to be started in the next year. These include:

- training programs to help educators make the best possible use of information technology;

- automated access to the catalogue for the territorial public library system;

- improved access to career planning information;

- evelopment of aboriginal language operating systems and data distribution systems; and,

- expansion of the community access program to all NWT communities.

Mr. Speaker, the new territorial data communications network will save this government money. There will be less need for staff travel, reduced printing costs and streamlined administration. But more importantly, better access to information will mean all residents of the Northwest Territories will have a chance to improve their education. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mrs. Thompson.

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to offer my congratulations to the 12 students who, last Friday, graduated from Aurora College's recreation leaders' diploma program in Inuvik.

The department has long been a partner with Aurora College in this program since its first students started back in 1986. The program has provided northerners and our recent graduates with a unique blend of classroom education and on-the-job practicum training, both in Inuvik and their home communities. Most graduates are now returning to their communities to assume recreation leadership positions.

The graduates are Dean McLeod of Aklavik, who received the Minister's award for practicum excellence; Adam Smith and Jon Buchan of Yellowknife; Collin McPherson and Nyla Klugie of Whitehorse; David Fredlund of Rankin Inlet; Donna Sabourin of Whale Cove; Faye Doctor of Tulita; Remi Krikort of Pelly Bay; Sharon Idlout of Igloolik; Simon Kuliktana of Kugluktuk; Steve Cockney of Tuktoyaktuk.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank the community councils of each graduate for supporting the development of recreation and local leaders in their communities. Recreation leaders are important to the physical and social health of their communities and play a major role in providing activities that support their residents' well-being.

Mr. Speaker, as we continue to work together to empower communities, we hope to continue building on successes such as the recreation leaders' program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Dot Minister's Meeting With Abt
Item 3: Members' Statements

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James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to thank the Honourable Jim Antoine, Minister of Transportation, for setting aside time to meet with members of ABT to discuss concerns which I raised in the House last week.

I believe the meeting today was fairly successful and it allowed ABT to express their concerns and also started the important role of opening communication between the department and community. I would also like to say there is a need to review the existing set of policies and other policies in our system to make them more accommodating to true northern companies and give them an ability to benefit from contracts.

There is a need to ensure all contracts have some form of local training component. This could possibly be used as a benchmark within the business incentive policy and other policies. I believe, Mr. Speaker, that today is the start for this review and I would like to thank the Minister of Transportation in organizing the need and assisting myself in pursuing it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Dot Minister's Meeting With Abt
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

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

Water Quality In Fort Mcpherson
Item 3: Members' Statements

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One thing that we may take for granted is water quality in our communities. In the case of Fort McPherson, there has been a real outcry with regard to the taste and colour of our water. At this time of year, it is a very brown colour. Year after year, there have been concerns raised, yet the department has made temporary arrangements to upgrade the facility, but it seems that the community has identified the problem as the water source and not the processing treatment that is used. You can't remove the smell of the water at this time of year. The water has high traces of chlorine due to the system used to break down the different chemicals such as magnesium and the pH balance.

Some things we take for granted, such as drinking water out of a tap. We have to look at what is more important. We have had a high number of people with cancer in the community. People in the past have stated that it is because of the chlorine that is used in the water system. There may be a connection because of the large amounts of chlorine to bring the water up to a certain standard. We may have to look at the whole health issue.

With that, I will be asking the Minister an appropriate question on that matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Water Quality In Fort Mcpherson
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

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

Giving Thanks To People Of Arviat And Nwtpc
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to offer my thanks to the people of Arviat. They welcomed us with open arms. They were very kind to us and they organized the meeting very well. I would also like to thank the MLA from Arviat. He made the arrangements properly. As well, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister for the NWT Power Corporation. The oil spill in Igloolik has been fixed and we were well informed of the occurrences that were happening. Although this was an emergency situation, they fixed it up very well. Thank you.

Giving Thanks To People Of Arviat And Nwtpc
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Qujannamiik. I would like to remind that Members' statements are for Members to make a statement based on only one item. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Name For New Western Territory
Item 3: Members' Statements

May 13th, 1996

Page 332

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, on April 1, 1999, the Northwest Territories will be divided into two new territories. The new eastern territory will be called Nunavut, however there hasn't been a decision on the name for the new Western Territory. As a suggestion of the other western groups involved in constitutional work, a subcommittee of the Western Caucus has been given the responsibility of finding out what western residents want our territory to be called. Four weeks ago, we started the process by inviting the residents of the Western Arctic to help name the new Western Territory. Schools, band councils, Metis locals and municipal offices throughout the Western Arctic received information packages with details of how to submit a suggestion. There were also advertisements in local papers. We want to hear from you. If you think the new territory should have a new name, let us know what name would capture the heart and soul of the people and the land we live in. If you think Northwest Territories is just right, then let us know that, too.

So far, over 300 people have let us know what they think the name should be and why. Of those, 95 per cent have suggested keeping the name "Northwest Territories''

--- Applause

Whether you want to keep the name "Northwest Territories" or want something new, we need to hear from you. The only way we can know what people think is if you call us, write us or send us a message on the information highway. Make sure your voice is heard.

On behalf of the Subcommittee on Naming the Western Territory, I encourage everyone to let us know what you think. Talk to your friends and family and think about who we are. You have until the end of July to get your suggestions in to us, and we look forward to hearing from you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Name For New Western Territory
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

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

Arctic Bay Students' Trip To Ottawa
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 333

Levi Barnabas High Arctic

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in April, the social studies 33 class from Arctic Bay travelled to Ottawa. During the field trip ... (Translation ends)

... they went to Trent University in Peterborough to find out about the native studies program there. They met with their MP, Jack Anawak, Pauktuutit and met the Arctic Ambassador for Canada, Ms. Mary Simon. In order to take this trip, the students raised the sizable sum of $3,500 through bake sales, raffles and part-time jobs. They worked hard for this trip. They also reached out to businesses from Ottawa and. in particular, the Rotary Club in Nepean, Ontario.

I rise today to give tribute to this outstanding class of students. They will be the first grade 12 class to graduate from the new community high school in Arctic Bay. This trip was a big help to the students because it was very helpful in preparing them for the next step in their education, which could require them to go to school in southern Canada.

I would like to pay tribute to the students and their teacher, Mr. Blake Seward and, in particular, to thank First Air and Ms. Sonja Maviglia for the generous contribution First Air made to make this trip possible through discount fares.

Congratulations to the school, the students and their teacher. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Arctic Bay Students' Trip To Ottawa
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 333

The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

Extending Thanks To Residents Of Arviat
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 333

Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On one item...And, Mr. Speaker, I will not be asking for unanimous consent for my statement.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to offer my thanks to the people of Arviat for their assistance when the Nunavut Leaders' Summit had their meeting there. First of all, I would like to thank Kevin O'Brien, the MLA for Kivalliq. He was very welcoming to us all. Also, the Arviat mayor, David Alagalak, was very kind to us. Also, other people who organized the meeting prior to our arrival and

who worked very hard, I would like to thank as well. Also, my friend, Inoluk, I would like to thank him, as well. The people who entertained, Simon Sejjirak, Emiel and the Arviat band; I would like to thank them as well. The population of Arviat came to the community hall and helped us out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Extending Thanks To Residents Of Arviat
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 333

The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

Qujannamiik. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Graduation At Aurora Campus
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 333

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During the past weekend, I was home in my community of Inuvik and, at that time, I attended the graduation ceremony at the Aurora Campus of Aurora College. At that time, there were 95 students graduating. It was good to be part of the ceremonies and to see so many people taking advantage of our education system and bettering themselves and moving ahead to prepare themselves for a productive future.

I would like to say to all the graduates who went through the different programs they took part in, that I wish them the best in their future. Hopefully, the changes we're making will help increase the opportunities they have to be gainfully employed. Thank you.

--- Applause

Graduation At Aurora Campus
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 333

The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

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

Community Empowerment
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 333

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make some brief comments about community empowerment. Last week when I was in my community, I had some meetings with the community leadership. While we talked about budgets and reductions, we also talked about some of the changes that the Premier talked about and when he tabled his Agenda for Change in the Assembly.

What is perceived as a keystone to that Agenda for Change is the government's position on community empowerment and what that means. There is a major interest in Fort Smith of the community groups, the band, the Metis Nation and the town council to sit down and start talking about how we implement that and what it means. They asked me for something in writing. They asked me what is the plan. We have a general blueprint as tabled in the House, but we don't have the other particulars that we need to start moving forward.

It is critical for us, as MLAs, to be able to go to our communities with something specific. In Fort Smith, we would like to plan for a major meeting in early fall to discuss the whole issue of community empowerment, and we would like to be able to sit down with the Ministers involved to do that. I just want to encourage the government to put that paper on the table. I know we're going to be looking at papers from the Minister of Health and Social Services on community wellness; through Justice, community justice. All these issues are very intricately related and it's critical that we have something that we can go to the communities with that they can read, that they can see and touch.

We are waiting in Fort Smith. There is great potential for this, and I look forward to the government's papers and positions on this. Thank you.

Community Empowerment
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Deputy Speaker John Ningark

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