This is page numbers 231 - 261 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

Return To Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 244

Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

Mr. Speaker, as far as I'm concerned, the statement and the policy that I announced this afternoon and the role of the birthright corporations are one and the same; that is, to maximize opportunities in employment for Inuit. With that, that the government and

the birthright corporations and NTI should be working together to achieve that goal.

Return To Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does that mean that all other Inuit business will still have access to competitive bidding on contracts and such, or will that be a closed shop?

Supplementary To Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Further Return To Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

Mr. Speaker, the intent of our policy is to maximize benefits for all Inuit private businesses, including the businesses that are run by the birthright corporations. It is for all beneficiaries.

Further Return To Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister further commented that the government has agreed to enter only into negotiated contracts when they have full support of the community and their MLA. Will the other two tenets for negotiated contracts be part of that package? Those two tenets being northern content and within budget.

Supplementary To Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Further Return To Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

Mr. Speaker, the conditions attached to negotiated contracts remain the same; that is, those that the Member speaks of. Plus, on top of that, in the Nunavut region we will require the additional support and the time for interested Inuit firms to have a fair chance at those contracts, also.

Further Return To Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Question 175-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Public Works and Services. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I referred to this subject in my Member's statement. Has the Minister awarded a contract recently for the Iqaluit fuel resupply?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Return To Question 176-13(3): Awarding Of Iqaluit Fuel, Resupply Contract
Question 176-13(3): Awarding Of Iqaluit Fuel Resupply Contract
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Speaker, the information I have on that is that the awarding of that contract is in its final stages. The letter of intent to award the contract has gone to the company.

Return To Question 176-13(3): Awarding Of Iqaluit Fuel, Resupply Contract
Question 176-13(3): Awarding Of Iqaluit Fuel Resupply Contract
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

Levi Barnabas High Arctic

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is about the statement made by the Minister of Public Works, Mr. Arlooktoo, about the new GNWT policy to comply with article 24 of the new land claims agreement. As I understand it, a 10 per cent BIP adjustment through the business incentive policy was necessary for the GNWT to comply with article 24. Could the Minister explain why there was no BIP adjustment referred to in his announcement this afternoon? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Return To Question 177-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Question 177-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

Mr. Speaker, just by way of background, the Government of the Northwest Territories, through its present business incentive policy, already offers bid adjustments to northern contractors in the range of 10 to 15 per cent. What NTI was asking for was a further bid adjustment of 10 per cent on top of what we already offer. What article 24 requires is that the GNWT establish bid criteria for awarding contracts that consider the use of Inuit content. There is no requirement for any additional bid discount, aside from BIP and article 24.

We have studied very carefully the question of any additional bid adjustment and what real impact or difference it would have. We have decided on a minimum content approach for several reasons, Mr. Speaker. The minimum content approach guarantees Inuit content whereas the bid adjustment does not. The fact that a minimum content approach will be mandatory means the content must be promised and achieved. Contracts who do not comply with it, will be charged with damages. The bottom line is we were looking for real results in Inuit employment participation.

Return To Question 177-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Question 177-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Before I continue, I would like to recognize some grade 8 students in the gallery. They are exchange students from both Yellowknife and Rankin Inlet. The school in Rankin Inlet is Maani Ulujuk School. The Yellowknife school is Weledeh. I think the teacher for Rankin is Margo. Welcome to the Assembly.

--- Applause

Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.

Supplementary To Question 177-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Question 177-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 246

Levi Barnabas High Arctic

Qujannamiik, Uqaqtii. Does the Minister of Public Works believe that this new policy will result in more Inuit companies and more Inuit employees involved with GNWT capital projects? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 177-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Question 177-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 246

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Arlooktoo.

Further Return To Question 177-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Question 177-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 246

Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

Mr. Speaker, the answer is yes. In fact, in working on the policy, we tried to make sure whatever policy we came up with, that was the goal; that more Inuit businesses will pop up, so to speak, more will have Inuit employees and more of them will win government contracts.

--- Applause

Further Return To Question 177-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Question 177-13(3): GNWT Position Regarding Article 24 Of Nfa
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 246

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Renewable Resources, concerning his speech on the local sulphur dioxide air pollution reductions. The Minister indicated that the draft gold roaster discharge control regulations will enforce harmful effects caused by emissions of sulphur dioxide. The Minister indicated that within 10 years, sulphur dioxide emissions from the Giant roaster would have to be reduced by 90 per cent. Does this mean that Giant is presently emitting sulphur dioxide nine times over the limit?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 178-13(3): Sulphur Dioxide Emissions From Giant Mine
Question 178-13(3): Sulphur Dioxide Emissions From Giant Mine
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 246

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is a difference in operation between Giant and practically every other mining operation in North America. It is probably the only one or one of the very few that still uses a rather antiquated method of mining gold. It has been suggested that economically we are required to keep Giant operating since that is the present mode of operation, but it is also suggested that it is the responsibility of us as a government to create some indication that the present mode of operation cannot continue indefinitely. At some time, Giant has to look to modernizing its equipment and moving to a method of extracting gold from the ore in a more economic way that provides for less pollution to the environment. Thank you.