Debates of May 22nd, 1996

This is page numbers 537 - 581 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 chairman.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
Transportation Agenda Update (1996): Creating Opportunities Through Partnerships
Appointment Of Supreme Court Judge For Nunavut
Construction Of Hospitals For Inuvik And Baffin
Need For Baffin Regional Director
Tough Decisions In Times Of Fiscal Restraint
Congratulating Baker Lake And Arviat Graduates
Reinstatement Of Public Speaking In The Classroom
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Rationale For Sale And Lease Of Staff Housing
Criteria For Sale/purchase Of Staff Housing
Interaction Between Premier's Panel And Resource Management Committee
Cbc Report On Possibility Of Civil Service Strike
Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Replacement Generator For Iqaluit
Responsibility For Maintenance Of NWT Highways
Item 12: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Bill 14: Legislative Assembly And Executive Council Act, No. 3
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Bill 11: Appropriation Act, 1996-97 Department Of Justice
Committee Report 2-13(3): Standing Committee On Infrastructure Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Return To Question 285-13(3): Interaction Between Premier's Panel And Resource Management Committee
Question 285-13(3): Interaction Between Premier's Panel And Resource Management Committee
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 543

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the start of this term of the 13th Assembly, we changed the way this

Legislative Assembly operates, we changed the committee structure so that committees and the Members on those committees are fully involved in the things this government does and in developing budgets. I also expect that Members of this committee, especially the chairperson and deputy chairperson, would be involved in this panel. That way, we would have open communication and the left hand will know what the right hand is doing and we'll move on. I expect that his committee would have involvement in this panel. Thank you.

Return To Question 285-13(3): Interaction Between Premier's Panel And Resource Management Committee
Question 285-13(3): Interaction Between Premier's Panel And Resource Management Committee
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 543

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 285-13(3): Interaction Between Premier's Panel And Resource Management Committee
Question 285-13(3): Interaction Between Premier's Panel And Resource Management Committee
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 543

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Premier for making that statement. The concern I have is that as a committee, as a whole, we are also looking at such subject matters which will affect how government does things, especially in relation to the other process we're under with regard to the amalgamation of the three departments and how that is going to change how we deliver programs and services with regard to Economic Development, Renewable Resources and Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. By amalgamating those three departments, there will probably be some effect on the recommendations that will come out of your committee and also on the committee that is overseeing that. I would like the opportunity to have the Premier's panel to make a presentation to the committee once you have something to present.

Supplementary To Question 285-13(3): Interaction Between Premier's Panel And Resource Management Committee
Question 285-13(3): Interaction Between Premier's Panel And Resource Management Committee
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 543

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 285-13(3): Interaction Between Premier's Panel And Resource Management Committee
Question 285-13(3): Interaction Between Premier's Panel And Resource Management Committee
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 543

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be chairing this panel myself, so I have no problem at all with making a presentation to the committee at the appropriate time. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 285-13(3): Interaction Between Premier's Panel And Resource Management Committee
Question 285-13(3): Interaction Between Premier's Panel And Resource Management Committee
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 543

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Question 286-13(3): Cbc Report On Possibility Of Civil Service Strike
Item 6: Oral Questions

May 21st, 1996

Page 543

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Finance. Yesterday there was a question directed to the Minister from Mr. Ningark that was in relation to the possibility of a strike. I have a letter from a constituent of mine who is concerned by the reporting on CBC which indicated that the honourable Minister of Finance had indicated that a public service strike is inevitable. I don't believe that's what was said, but it's on page 1190, at the bottom. Could the Minister of Finance please clarify what he had indicated in his response to the possibility of a strike?

Question 286-13(3): Cbc Report On Possibility Of Civil Service Strike
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 543

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 286-13(3): Cbc Report On Possibility Of Civil Service Strike
Question 286-13(3): Cbc Report On Possibility Of Civil Service Strike
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 544

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did hear the news article earlier this morning by a CBC announcer, where he had implied that we were advocating a strike. Nothing could be further from the truth. I think I make it clear yesterday that this government believes in the collective bargaining process, has made a sincere and conscious effort to negotiate with the union to reach an appropriate compromise where we all take our appropriate reductions. I think that's what we tried to conclude. Unfortunately, we couldn't come to an arrangement with the UNW, but both parties agreed that we would present our final offer and that the union would take it out to its membership. I'm told and advised that the union will be going out. It's imminent that the union will go out with the final offer any day now. I'm also advised that they will be recommending to their membership to vote no. What I said was, if there is a no vote, it will then mean we have to go to mediation, which takes about 21 days. I want to make it clear that the offer we made to the union was a final one. There are no additional dollars other than what we brought to the table earlier last month.

A no vote, to me, means a strike vote. I think that would be unfortunate, but that's what it means to me and perhaps that's what my colleague's constituent was alluding to today. I think it's very important to explain to the public at large and to this House that this government is not advocating a strike. Thank you.

Return To Question 286-13(3): Cbc Report On Possibility Of Civil Service Strike
Question 286-13(3): Cbc Report On Possibility Of Civil Service Strike
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 544

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Supplementary To Question 286-13(3): Cbc Report On Possibility Of Civil Service Strike
Question 286-13(3): Cbc Report On Possibility Of Civil Service Strike
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 544

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if I heard correctly, the Minister of Finance is indicating that, in actuality, voting no to this package would be voting in favour of a strike. Is that correct?

Supplementary To Question 286-13(3): Cbc Report On Possibility Of Civil Service Strike
Question 286-13(3): Cbc Report On Possibility Of Civil Service Strike
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 544

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 286-13(3): Cbc Report On Possibility Of Civil Service Strike
Question 286-13(3): Cbc Report On Possibility Of Civil Service Strike
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 544

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just remembered the CBC reporter's name; Mr. Miller, I believe. Yes, in my interpretation of the current situation, given the fact that I believe there is no other further window of fiscal opportunity to make any additional offer, a no vote, after 21 days of mediation, would ultimately lead to a strike situation which, again, I think is unfortunate. I do appreciate my colleague giving me the opportunity to clarify that today. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 286-13(3): Cbc Report On Possibility Of Civil Service Strike
Question 286-13(3): Cbc Report On Possibility Of Civil Service Strike
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 544

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 544

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a question of the Minister of Health and Social Services. There was an article in the paper this week that there was burn-out at the health centres. I would just like to make reference to a couple of items and then pose a question. Nurses at the meeting said there is a lack of doctors in northern communities and that forces the health workers to carry out more responsibilities and more job stress. I think we all know the need for good medical services in all the communities, and certainly in the regional centres -- and no doubt, there is difficulty attracting doctors to the North as it is, keeping doctors in Canada, because so many of them are being enticed and lured to the US because of the potential of making larger dollars and bigger research money available, et cetera, wherever they go. However, the Minister stated the government may be looking at subsidizing tuition for doctors in return for an agreement to work in the North when they finish medical school. Personally, I think that's a tremendous incentive, and hopefully we can attract some people in the North in that way. I wonder if the Minister could tell us what he has in mind as a commitment and a contribution towards the doctors' fees to get through medical school.

Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 544

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Return To Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 544

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as it stands now, it is just a preliminary investigation into the possibility of retaining physicians. We recognize that there's a shortage and a big demand throughout the Northwest Territories and we're competing with other jurisdictions for these services. It's just a preliminary look at some of the options that might be available to secure some of these physicians on a longer term basis, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Return To Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 544

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 544

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you. I can't remember the name of the doctor who came from New York and went to Alaska, and there's a TV program on that. While it's dramatized, the idea of such a program would be excellent. I would highly encourage the government to pursue it. I would like to know if the Minister could tell me what his process is from here, in following up on this idea.

Supplementary To Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 544

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Ng.

Further Return To Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 544

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it would be in discussions with the NWT Medical Association to get their points of view on what they would recommend. They could identify some of the problem areas that we could

try to resolve in trying to move this issue a bit further, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 545

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 545

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

I also wonder, Mr. Speaker, certainly we want to encourage our northern students to be the first ones to take advantage of any such program, but there may be other areas where we need such expertise. I wonder if the Minister could tell us -hypothetically, in the medical field -if he would entertain such a process for not only doctors, but perhaps even nurses since we need nurses as well from the North.

Supplementary To Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 545

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Ng.

Further Return To Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Question 287-13(3): Financial Assistance For Medical Students
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 545

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are putting some effort into recruitment and training of nurses for our NWT health care system as it stands now. We're certainly open to any suggestions and any opportunities that can be identified and investigated as far as retaining any of our professional people for longer periods of time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.