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

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for North Slave is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do you have any nays? Conclude your statement, Mr. Rabesca.

James Rabesca North Slave

The store is able to provide a high quality of service and products that, until now, were only able to be purchased in Yellowknife. This store can easily be comparable to any that are in Yellowknife or in southern Canada. As you can see, Mr. Speaker, if it wasn't for the foresight of the late Charlie Charlo, the planning of the Rae-Edzo Development Corporation and funding by CAEDS to hire my colleague, Seamus Henry, the spirit of cooperation between the NWT Development Corporation, Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the banking community, as well as the overwhelming response by the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op, Arctic Co-operatives Limited and Aurora College, this project would have never been able to get off the ground. The community of Rae-Edzo may not have been fortunate enough to get a building or a store of this quality.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, as you can see, it is possible for government agencies on all levels and private business to work together to make a dream turn into a reality. Again, I would like to quote Dan Marion's saying: "This is truly a marriage made in heaven." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Winners Of The NWT Regional Science Fair
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 161

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During this past winter, Yellowknife schools held science fairs. This past Monday, a regional science fair was held at the William

MacDonald Junior High School where the winners from the individual school fairs were able to demonstrate their science projects.

The regional science fair has been held for a number of years and the sophistication of the projects is increasing each time. There is a certain cost to running science fairs, however. Unfortunately, this year, the fair lost its funding from the NWT Science Institute and was nearly cancelled as a result. However, through the efforts of teachers from various schools who did not want to see this valuable and worthwhile learning experience disbanded, the science fair was held.

I would like to commend and congratulate those teachers and acknowledge the efforts of all staff from all schools; the volunteers from the community who were judges, including a number of staff from the public service, some of whom work here at the Legislative Assembly; the territorial Department of Transportation, who printed certificates for the entrants; and, the many Yellowknife businesses who donated prizes.

I would like to mention the first prize winners in each grade: grade 4 was Elliot Nguyen; grade 5, Kristy Colman; grade 6, John Zaozirny; grade 7, Becky White; grade 8, John Seeton; grade 9, Ricky Chan. Unfortunately, there were no funds to send the winners to the Canada-wide science fair and I hope this can be rectified in the future. I would like to congratulate all those students who participated in the 1996 science fair.

--- Applause

Winners Of The NWT Regional Science Fair
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 162

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Western Arctic Fuel Resupply Contract
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 162

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to briefly make reference to the Budget Address. I note that this document is not complete, as there is no postal code on the address. I will make reference to that later in the week.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House to demonstrate the need for balance, the need to criticize the government when it is warranted. With that right, there also comes the obligation to praise and recognize the government when they take tough stands and do what is right.

One bouquet of roses should be delivered to the present government for a good sound decision. I refer to the decision made by the Department of Public Works and Services, in which they awarded the fuel resupply contract of the Western Arctic to Imperial Oil's refinery in Alberta. This was a good sound decision made on sound financial principles.

I can understand and sympathize with the employees of the Norman Wells refinery that could potentially lose their jobs as a result of the awarding of this contract. It is also my understanding that the Norman Wells refinery is inefficient and slated for shutdown. If you 'can't compete, you have to

shut down. The reality of life is if you can't supply a product at a price your customers can afford, you are going to go out of business.

I have to praise the government for making the decision on a financial basis in conjunction with the welfare of employees who may have to find other work. I would encourage this government to continue along the same lines of procuring goods and services.

Along those lines, I would refer to comments made in this House yesterday where it was stated that of a random selection of 87 purchases made by the GNWT between April 1993 and February 1994, 50 per cent of them were less expensive in the Northwest Territories than their southern competitor. This says to me that we have, after 20 years of government financial support through the business incentive policy, a mature, competitive and private sector where the business incentive policy, at least as it now stands, is unnecessary. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to finish my statement.

Western Arctic Fuel Resupply Contract
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 162

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Yellowknife South is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Henry.

Western Arctic Fuel Resupply Contract
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 162

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we go through this future budget exercise over the next few weeks, I would implore all Members of this House to have another look at the need for this business incentive policy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Western Arctic Fuel Resupply Contract
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 162

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Turbot Fishing Licence Application
Item 4: Members' Statements

May 1st, 1996

Page 162

Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

Mr. Speaker, recently, applications for licences to fish turbot have been made to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans on behalf of Inuit throughout the Baffin region. Mr. Speaker, my constituents and others in the Baffin are seeking rights to catch turbot in what is called area "0," which includes waters in Davis Strait which are next to the communities in which we live.

Our constituents face crippling costs of living, high population growth and high unemployment. They were hit very hard by the damage to the seal industry done by Greenpeace and the animal rights movement in Europe. This has unfortunately caused many of our people to lose hope. The damage done by the animal rights movement has been very depressing for many of our able-bodied citizens.

Unfortunately, apart from opportunities like this in Renewable Resources, there are too few opportunities for employment in the private sector in our region. We are optimistic that the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans will grant a quota to Inuit living next to these valuable resources, since article 15 of the Inuit land claims agreement requires that the Government of Canada give special consideration to the principles of ..adjacency and economic dependence of Nunavut communities' in allocating commercial fishing licences. These are our fish in our waters and we deserve our fair share of these resources to provide employment as an alternative to depending on government.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank my fellow Baffin MLAs -- Mr. Picco, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Mr. Barnabas and the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo -- for supporting these applications; the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and the wildlife federation for the support for these applications. Mr. Speaker, I am seeking unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Turbot Fishing Licence Application
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 163

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Baffin Central is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Conclude your statement, Mr. Enuaraq.

Turbot Fishing Licence Application
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 163

Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also wish to give my special thanks to the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi and officials from his Department of Renewable Resources for actively supporting the Baffin applications with the Minister. I also appreciate the support we have been given from our MP, Jack Anawak, and the Honourable Ethel Blondin, Minister of State and MP for the Western Arctic.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister has recently made an announcement about these licences. Mr. Kakfwi has been communicating with his office. Later today, I will be asking Mr. Kakfwi for some questions, decisions and announcements which were recently made by the Minister and what the potential is for further allocations of the Baffin Inuit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

Turbot Fishing Licence Application
Item 4: Members' Statements

Page 163

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 59-13(3): Difficulties Marketing Nwt Arts And Crafts
Item 5: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 5: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 163

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is in response to a question asked by Mr. Krutko on March 26th regarding difficulties marketing NWT arts and crafts.

The Government of the Northwest Territories, through the Northwest Territories Development Corporation, operates 22 companies including the Fort McPherson Canvas Shop and the Aklavik Fur Shop. There are no individual marketing plans for these subsidiaries because each is too small to absorb the high overhead costs. To solve this problem, a company known as Arctic Canada Wholesale Ltd. was set up as the marketing arm for the light manufacturing and arts and crafts subsidiary companies.

Arctic Canada Wholesale is the key to success for all the arts and crafts subsidiary companies. Although Arctic Canada Wholesale got off to a slow start as funding was severely limited, solutions are being identified and a restructuring plan and comprehensive marketing strategy will be developed.

With respect to the purchase of products made by crafters, the corporation has six agents buying homemade crafts for resale. If individuals are interested in selling to the corporation, they should contact the president or departmental staff who will refer them to the Development Corporation.

The marketing of arts and crafts has been identified as an issue in the business plan developed by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. The department will be working with all major wholesalers, including Arctic Canada Wholesale, to develop a strategy to increase sales of northern arts and craft within and outside Canada.

In the preface to this question, the Member's comments in relation to a newspaper column on the craft show in Inuvik may have left the impression that the Government of the Northwest Territories was responsible for events in Inuvik. The show was organized by an Inuvik business person under contract to the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. Staff in the Department of Economic Development and Tourism provided the contractor with some assistance, but were not responsible for the organization of the event and did not provide any funding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 59-13(3): Difficulties Marketing Nwt Arts And Crafts
Item 5: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 5: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 163

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 31-13(3): Funding Assistance For Building And Learning Strategy
Item 5: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 5: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 163

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Rabesca on March 22, 1996, regarding funding assistance for building and learning strategy.

Mr. Speaker, the Member for North Slave identified a total of $20,000 as an outstanding claim for 1995-96 building and learning projects in Wha Ti.

For the 1995-96 fiscal year, a building and learning project involving three trainees, and valued at approximately $65,000, was approved for Wha Ti. On December 7, 1995, the Development Corporation submitted an additional project proposal for consideration. On December 15, 1995, the Building and Management Committee informed the Development Corporation that it did not support this proposal. However, in early February 1996, the Development Corporation submitted a claim for $13,100 related to the project contemplated in the December 7th proposal.

I have agreed to meet with the honourable Member for North Slave and community representatives from Wha Ti to discuss this issue. Thank you.

Return To Question 31-13(3): Funding Assistance For Building And Learning Strategy
Item 5: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 5: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 163

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Barnabas.

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

Page 163

Levi Barnabas High Arctic

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to recognize Mr. Peter Flaherty of Grise Fiord, who is receiving the award for outstanding volunteer service for 1996 and his mother, Rynie, and his sister, Mary.

--- 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 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

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

Page 164

Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to recognize my good friend, James Attagootak, and his wife. Welcome to the Assembly. I recognize them. Thank you.

--- 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 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ningark.

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

Page 164

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my great pleasure to recognize an old acquaintance and former colleague, who used to be the Dean of the House, Ludy Pudluk.

--- Applause

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

Page 164

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Welcome back to the Assembly. This is the first time we have to look up. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Antoine.

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

Page 164

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a constituent from Wrigley, Lorraine Menicoche-Moses. She is a financial administration officer for Pehdzeh Ki First Nation.

--- 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 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Rabesca.