Members Present
Hon. Jim Antoine, Hon. Goo Arlooktoo, Mr. Barnabas, Hon. Charles Dent, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Hon. Samuel Gargan, Mr. Henry, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Miltenberger, Hon. Don Morin, Hon. Kelvin Ng, Mr. Ningark, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Picco, Mr. Rabesca, Mr. Roland, Mr. Steen, Hon. Manitok Thompson, Hon. John Todd
--- Prayer
Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer
Page 467
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Roland. Good morning. Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin,
Minister's Statement 57-13(3): Ottawa Meeting With Prime Minister
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
Page 467
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to inform the House this morning about my meeting this week with the Prime Minister in Ottawa.
The Prime Minister and I met Wednesday afternoon, in the Prime Minister's office on Parliament Hill, to discuss a number of issues of relevance both to Canada and the Northwest Territories. I found the discussion to be very productive and I am confident that our exchange established a strong foundation for future meetings.
The most important aspect of our discussion focused upon the creation of two new viable political jurisdictions in the North with the creation of Nunavut and a new Western Territory in April of 1999.
I informed the Prime Minister that planning for the development of these two new territories is proceeding reasonably well; however, there are areas of concern which will require attention in the coming weeks and months. in the western part of the Northwest Territories, a considerable amount of work remains to be done to ensure that the new government in the West will have a proper and sufficient constitutional base by April of 1999. 1 informed the Prime Minister that we will require the support and assistance of his government in making certain that all necessary work will be completed in the very short time remaining to us before division takes place.
With respect to Nunavut, I had a blunt and forthright conversation with the Prime Minister about where we are at the present time. I told him that I understand the financial circumstances of the country are difficult, but I felt that Nunavut requires a greater level of support than what is contemplated by the recently-announced federal decisions on infrastructure for Nunavut. I pointed out to the Prime Minister the irony of plans to have the federal Department of Public Works involved in building infrastructure for Nunavut when the Government of the Northwest Territories is a recognized leader internationally on building in the North. The Prime Minister understood the point very well and this government will be pursuing that matter in the coming weeks.
Overall, Mr. Speaker, the discussions with the Prime Minister were very positive and I am confident that we will have his support in addressing concerns of the North as we move towards division. Thank you, Mr. Speaker,
--- Applause
Minister's Statement 57-13(3): Ottawa Meeting With Prime Minister
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Morin. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.
Minister's Statement 58-13(3): Iqaluit Generator Failure
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have an emergency statement.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the Assembly of a situation which may affect the power supply for the community of Iqaluit for the next few weeks.
Last night, a 2.5-megawatt generator failed in a building located near the airport. The town of Iqaluit lost power for about 20 minutes, but was fully restored and there have been no interruptions since. Technicians are investigating the situation at this moment. It is too early to know for sure whether the unit can be repaired, whether it will have to be replaced, or how quickly this can be done.
Mr. Speaker, the loss of the unit accounts for about 30 per cent of the corporation's generating capacity in Iqaluit. The remaining generators can handle the full demands of the community at this time and there is no emergency. However, other unforeseen breakdowns or problems could occur. The community then may be asked to assist by reducing consumption, or may experience rotating outages, while repairs are made.
Operators are stepping up their monitoring and maintenance programs to ensure plant reliability. In addition, a new twomegawatt generator has recently been ordered and will be installed by September.
Mr. Speaker, the corporation regrets the inconvenience and concern this may cause for Iqaluit residents, but we hope that customers will be prepared to lend their cooperation should it be required. Thank you.
Minister's Statement 58-13(3): Iqaluit Generator Failure
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
Page 468
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.
Minister's Statement 59-13(3): Minister Absent From The House
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi will be absent from the House today to attend an economic planning conference in Norman Wells. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister's Statement 59-13(3): Minister Absent From The House
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Morin. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.
Minister's Statement 60-13(3): New Math Curriculum Framework
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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Minister's Statement 60-13(3): New Math Curriculum Framework
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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Some Hon. Members
Ohh!
Minister's Statement 60-13(3): New Math Curriculum Framework
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
Page 468
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Parents across the Northwest Territories, particularly in small communities, have expressed concerns about the standards of education their children receive. In light of those concerns, I am pleased to announce that boards of education will introduce a new math curriculum framework during the next school year.
Once it's in place, parents can be assured that the math lessons being taught to their sons and daughters will be the same as they are in the western provinces and Yukon.
Mr. Speaker, the new framework will help students develop positive attitudes about math and learn skills they need to take them into the 21st century. It emphasizes problem solving, how to communicate effectively about math, and how to connect mathematical ideas to other school subjects and to everyday experiences.
About 150 key resources have been selected to help educators teach the concepts in the framework. Because the western provinces and northern territories make up a sizeable market, publishers and suppliers can now develop learning resources specific to western and northern needs.
The math framework is one of the first joint projects under the Western Canadian protocol, signed in December of 1993. Participating in the Western consortium allows us to share information, pool expertise and use our resources more effectively. The common framework ensures that students can move and not have to worry about catching up with a different math program in their new school. Developing frameworks with other jurisdictions provides us with further assurances that the quality of NWT curricula is as good as anywhere else. Mahsi cho.
Minister's Statement 60-13(3): New Math Curriculum Framework
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
Page 468
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.
Minister's Statement 61-13(3): National Aboriginal Day
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to announce in the Assembly today that
the federal government has proclaimed June 21st of each year as National Aboriginal Day.
National Aboriginal Day has been proclaimed as the day to celebrate the contribution of aboriginal peoples as Canada's First Nations to Canadian society, and to recognize the importance and richness of their different cultures. The Government of the Northwest Territories has lead by example in integrating aboriginal values and traditions into almost every aspect of its activities. The Legislative Assembly, the educational curriculum and the delivery of health care are but a few examples of how aboriginal influences have been steadily advancing to the forefront.
A National Aboriginal Day is long overdue and I'm confident that in the years to come, it will become an important day for the citizens of the Northwest Territories and, subsequently, the citizens of Nunavut and the new Western Territory.
On June 21st, the summer solstice, I encourage groups and individuals to participate in the celebration of the contribution of and the foundation laid by Canada's First Nations -- the aboriginal people -- towards the development of a rich Canadian society. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
--- Applause
Minister's Statement 61-13(3): National Aboriginal Day
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ningark.
Member's Absence From The House
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 468
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform this House that the honourable Mr. Enuaraq will be absent from this House to attend to a personal family matter in Clyde River. Thank you.
Member's Absence From The House
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 468
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.
Naming Of New Western Territory
Item 3: Members' Statements
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Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to briefly comment on the naming of the territory. I found the comments made by the Honourable Steve Kakfwi, a colleague and friend, to be very eloquent and, I thought, very appropriate. They outlined very clearly why we should have a new name for the territory. I would hope that over the course of the upcoming months, we will have a very clear choice between not just accepting the status quo, but a name that does reflect the North, made in the Worth, picked by the people in the North, that reflects what we want and who we are. I fully support the sentiment of my colleague's comments.
The name that comes to mind, that I've heard over the years, 'Nahendeh," seems to have a certain amount of merit for consideration. It is one of the languages spoken up here, so I hope that we do have a clear choice. I was very, very impressed by the comments of my colleague. Thank you.
Naming Of New Western Territory
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 469
An Hon. Member
Hear! Hear!
--- Applause
Naming Of New Western Territory
Item 3: Members' Statements
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.
Yellowknife North Constituency Meeting At Prelude Lake
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 469
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm pleased today to announce that I was a part of history the other evening. I held a constituency meeting at Prelude Lake and I was told it was the first one they ever had there.
--- Applause
Yellowknife North Constituency Meeting At Prelude Lake
Item 3: Members' Statements
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An Hon. Member
Hear! Hear!
Yellowknife North Constituency Meeting At Prelude Lake
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 469
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Some of the concerns and suggestions, things that were discussed, was that perhaps we should keep the name of the Northwest Territories for the Western Arctic; people were very concerned that the youth inhalant program was not going to be funded any longer and they want our territorial government to do something about that; that trucking companies should pay to maintain the road on the Ingraham Trail because the use of that road by the big trucks is very destructive to the road. They also wanted someone to tell the people from Census Canada where they are, because they still have not received their forms and nobody has come out there to see them. So if Census Canada is listening, they're out on the Ingraham Trail.
They also wanted to know the status of the shooting corridor and they wanted something to be done. They also wanted to know about the MLA compensation package; the debate. When I explained the package that we had taken, people seemed in agreement that it was quite reasonable. People wanted to know if there could be some kind of a block fund transfer along the trail, because the Mackenzie Valley Resources Management Act is going to be implemented and seems to be quite haphazard. They also wanted to know what the government is doing about a new constitution or government here; whether there are going to be regional and central governments. I told them I was pretty sure there was going to be a central government. They also wanted to know if lots would be available at Cassidy Point for people to buy.
Finally, I'm also pleased to announce that one of the constituents there felt that I worked too hard and that I should get a raise. Thank you.
--- Applause
Yellowknife North Constituency Meeting At Prelude Lake
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 469
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Just to again remind the Members, under Members' statements, they should confine a statement to one matter only. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.
Tl'oondih Healing Camp Program
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 469
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last year was the first year of operation for the Tl'oondih Healing Camp, which is operated by the Tl'oondih Healing Society, which is a registered, credible organization in Canada. There were 152 men, women, children and infants who participated in the program. Only four people have dropped out of the program for one reason or another, which means that 97 per cent of those people who attend the Tl'oondih program stayed to the completion of the program which is a five-week program.
However, Mr. Speaker, there were no last-minute drop-outs for the program. Everybody who said they were going to attend, attended the program and made an effort to be in McPherson and up to the camp.
As I mentioned earlier in the last couple of weeks in my statements, there is currently a waiting list of 215 men, women and children who would like to attend this unique program, which is designed and developed in the North by Northerners. Mr. Speaker, the Tl'oondih camp provides employment to 22 people in such areas as community health workers, therapists, administrators, cooks, camp maintenance people, adult councillors, youth councillors, child care workers and day care workers. The healing camp also hires people to cut wood, transport people and goods as they are needed, and the program is unique; its basic initiative is to help families. This is basically the first program in the country which has been developed by an aboriginal organization and which has been funded by the Gwich'in Tribal Council. We urge this government to seriously consider looking at this program with regard to its uniqueness.
A family who goes through this program together will save this government large amounts of money and allow people to gain pride in themselves and fit into the wage economy. With that, I will be asking the appropriate Minister a question in this matter, at the right time. Thank you.
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