This is page numbers 151 - 177 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 community.

Topics

Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 164

James Rabesca North Slave

I would like to recognize my community assistant who was just recently appointed to work with me, Fred Behrens.

--- Applause

Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 164

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. O'Brien.

Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 164

Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure if these individuals are still in the gallery, but I will introduce them anyway. Mr. Bogus Zybe from Baker Lake, a local businessman; Mr. Al Lehuer; Mr. David Simailak. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Todd has asked me to introduce some good people from Rankin Inlet: Mr. David Oolooyuk; Mr. Ray Mercer; and, Mr. Ron Roach.

--- Applause

Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 164

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ootes.

Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 164

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a constituent of mine, someone who is a great volunteer in the community and who volunteers for storefront and mental health; Kathryn Youngblut.

--- Applause

Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 164

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Henry.

Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 164

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Sue Enge, who works at the Legislative Assembly. Sue is also the president of the Native Communications Society.

--- Applause

Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 164

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to recognize a senior RCMP officer in the gallery. Welcome to the assembly.

--- Applause

I would like to tell Members that we have been requested to take a break in order for some award presentations to be done in the great hall. I would also like to say please come back at the ringing of the bells. The mace is still on top of the stand, so respect the Chamber when you move out of here. We will take a 10-minute break.

--- SHORT RECESS

Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 6: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 164

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The House will come back to order. Item 7, oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.

Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my Member's statement today, I am grateful for the support which has been given to Inuit in the Baffin region applying for quotas to fish for turbot in Baffin waters, by the Minister of Renewable Resources. Can the Minister inform this House of the decision recently made by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans on the application from Baffin Inuit for the right to fish for 3,000 tonnes of turbot on area 0? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 121-13(3): Turbot Fishing Quota Application
Question 121-13(3): Turbot Fishing Quota Application
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 164

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans announced on April 22nd, that allocations for northern participation in the Greenland Halibut Fishery for 1996 was a total quota of area OA of 5,500 tonnes; an in-shore quota for Inuit of 1,000 tonnes and off-shore for Inuit of 500 tonnes. This represents an increase of 100 tonnes over the previous year for northern participants. That is still 500 tonnes less than what was requested.

The remainder of the quota was allocated as follows: for licensed groundfish holders, it's 1,500 tonnes; for Seaku Fisheries of northern Quebec, 70 tonnes; Nunavik Arctic Foods of northern Quebec, 70 tonnes; Labrador Inuit Development Corporation, 70 tonnes; Torngat Co-op of Labrador, 160 tonnes; Clearwater Fine Foods of Nova Scotia, 230 tonnes; and, Seafreez Foods Incorporated of Nova Scotia, 1,900 tonnes.

Although the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, along with the Baffin Industry Groundfish Committee and the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board had recommended a greater share for allocation of northern fishermen, the federal Fisheries Minister alone determines these allocations and that is what his decision was at the time; although I had, as well, recommended the recommendations of the Baffin organizations in a letter that I had sent to the Minister. I am still hopeful that the Minister will allow the exploratory fishery -- recommended by the Baffin organizations for up to 2,000 tonnes -- to proceed in area OB which is North Baffin.

I have renewed my request again to meet with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans as soon as possible regarding our interest in this matter, along with the need to discuss other issues that we have concerning fisheries with the Minister as soon as possible. The meeting last week was cancelled due to my need to attend some funerals, as well as the very limited time available that the Minister's staff had indicated to us late last week. Thank you.

Return To Question 121-13(3): Turbot Fishing Quota Application
Question 121-13(3): Turbot Fishing Quota Application
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 165

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Enuaraq.

Supplementary To Question 121-13(3): Turbot Fishing Quota Application
Question 121-13(3): Turbot Fishing Quota Application
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 165

Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister plan to meet with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and discuss Baffin licence allocations? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 121-13(3): Turbot Fishing Quota Application
Question 121-13(3): Turbot Fishing Quota Application
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 165

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 121-13(3): Turbot Fishing Quota Application
Question 121-13(3): Turbot Fishing Quota Application
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 165

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the meeting is requested of the Minister, in asking that sufficient time be given to us to address all the issues that we have outstanding regarding fisheries. Officials are presently in contact with the Minister's office in Ottawa to set up an appropriate time in the next week or so. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 121-13(3): Turbot Fishing Quota Application
Question 121-13(3): Turbot Fishing Quota Application
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 165

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 7, oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. My question is tied indirectly to Mr. Todd's budget speech. Mr. Speaker, it's my understanding that the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has advised the NWT Housing Corporation that effective immediately they consider domestic electricity and local housing organization administration expenses to be ineligible for cost sharing in their agreement on social housing in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, it's my understanding that the dollar amount that we're talking about here could be as much as $10 million. Can the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation confirm whether or not this is the case

and, if so, how he plans to deal with this situation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Return To Question 122-13(3): Elimination Of Federal Funding For Administration And Electricity Costs
Question 122-13(3): Elimination Of Federal Funding For Administration And Electricity Costs
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 165

Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

Mr. Speaker, it is true that on March 29th, CMHC advised the NWT Housing Corporation that they will no longer include the costs of the electricity to tenants and administration costs for local housing organizations ... They will no longer share those costs between our two governments. Mr. Speaker, when this happened, it caused great concern to myself and to Cabinet. As the Member said, this could mean a loss of up to $10 million on top of what we are already losing. This was effective on April 1st, the next business day.

Upon receiving this notice, I immediately directed our corporation to meet with CMHC to try to work things out. So this past Monday, April 29th, the president of the NWT Housing Corporation, Joe Handley, met with senior officials of CMHC in Ottawa on this issue. I also travelled to Ottawa and I was able to speak personally to the federal Minister responsible for CMHC, the Honourable Diane Marleau. We have agreed that our officials will begin meeting in Yellowknife on the 22nd of this month, and will continue until this matter is resolved. Ms. Marleau and I are optimistic that this matter can be resolved without substantial increases in costs to the NWT Housing Corporation.

CMHC has also agreed to postpone the implementation of their proposed changes until at least June 30th, to allow time for these issues to be resolved.

Return To Question 122-13(3): Elimination Of Federal Funding For Administration And Electricity Costs
Question 122-13(3): Elimination Of Federal Funding For Administration And Electricity Costs
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 165

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 7, oral questions. Mr. Rabesca.

James Rabesca North Slave

Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct this question to the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. I am quite concerned about the effects this decision by CMHC would have on my communities. I am pleased to hear that the Minister has arranged for additional talks and to try and resolve this issue. Mr. Speaker, we have had these agreements for many years, and I am sure there must be legalities involved here. I would like to ask the Minister whether or not he has examined the legal aspects of these contracts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Return To Question 123-13(3): Legal Aspects Of Federal Reductions In Housing Subsidies
Question 123-13(3): Legal Aspects Of Federal Reductions In Housing Subsidies
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 165

Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

Mr. Speaker, I have been informed that agreements between the NWT Housing Corporation and CMHC for both capital and ongoing maintenance costs are partnership agreements that have been in place for many years and will continue for up to 40

more years until there is mutual agreement to change. To answer the Member's question further, I do not believe CMHC has simply and unilaterally made the changes that they outlined, so I've asked the NWT Housing Corporation to seek a formal legal opinion on the existing social housing agreements.

Return To Question 123-13(3): Legal Aspects Of Federal Reductions In Housing Subsidies
Question 123-13(3): Legal Aspects Of Federal Reductions In Housing Subsidies
Item 7: Oral Questions

Page 166

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 7, oral questions. Mr. Evaloarjuk.