Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Steen.
Debates of Jan. 23rd, 1997
Topics
Return To Question 110-13(4): Dispute Resolution On Division Issues
Question 110-13(4): Dispute Resolution On Division Issues
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 180
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 180
Vince Steen Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Deputy Premier. Mr. Speaker, in the last couple of days here in the House we have been hearing what appears to be a lot of frustration and dissatisfaction from the Minister in regards to division and in regards to the response from the other parties concerned as to Footprints 2. I wonder, Mr. Speaker, if this Cabinet, this government is prepared at this point -- frustrated enough, I should say -- that they would consider writing or phoning the Prime Minister directly and get Mr. Irwin moving on both funding for the west and funding for the east. Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, stop playing games with us. Stop playing games with the east and the west and take his job more seriously. Perhaps the Premier may wish to address the arrogant nature of Mr. Irwin that seems to be quite the general opinion of the public now. I wonder, Mr. Speaker, if the Deputy Premier could indicate whether or not this government is prepared at this point to take this type of concerns directly to the Prime Minister if in fact Mr. Irwin is not being responsive to the concerns of this government. Thank you.
Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 180
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Deputy Premier, Mr. Arlooktoo.
Return To Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 180
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Mr. Speaker, I will not repeat some of the negatives the Member has stated because if I do, I would probably give them some credibility. But maybe what I will do is to clarify a bit more what our position is. I would not call our state as being one of frustration, but what we have recognized is that time is very short. The plan we have for division is very ambitious. We are still very committed to division. We recognize that there are only 22 months left, with a great deal on the books to do and what we are asking for is some clarity from the federal government and the other parties about what their positions are. What Mr. Todd, our Finance Minister, has been working on is indications from the federal Finance Minister, Mr. Martin, who is responsible for approving the formula financing for the two new territories. It is not DIAND or Mr. Irwin. Mr. Todd has spoken at length on that. I would say that is the position of the government that we are still very committed to this ambition and we have taken it upon ourselves to try get the job done as best we can.
Return To Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 180
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Steen.
Supplementary To Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 180
Vince Steen Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not think it is a question of this government's ability to address division. I think in all fairness Cabinet is doing all they can to stay within the schedule in order to have division by 1999. I do not think, Mr. Speaker, that it is entirely a question of funding that we are addressing here. Surely, before Mr. Martin can address the amount of funding that is required for both Nunavut and the new western territory, there has to be an indication from the federal government as what type of structure of government they are willing to fund. So that therefore we would know then what kind of funding to expect from Mr. Martin. I have come to the conclusion that there does seem to be some dragging of feet on the part of Indian Affairs in regards to addressing division at this point. It is nice to say they are in full support of it but they must realize, as well as everybody else, that the deadline is coming, there are certain things to be done before division in a timely manner.
So therefore I think that what I am asking the Deputy Premier to pass on to the Minister and to the Prime Minister, if necessary, is that these deadlines are coming up, these things have to be done. If there is not a satisfactory response -- and I do not think the satisfactory response only towards this government, I think it is a satisfactory response to all the native groups, as well. My question, Mr. Speaker, is would the Deputy Premier and this government pass these concerns on, not just the funding ones, the other ones as well, to the proper levels of the federal government? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 180
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Arlooktoo.
Further Return To Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 180
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Mr. Speaker, those are some good points that the Member has raised. The Premier has been, in the last week, communicating with Mr. Irwin regarding some of our concerns. There is a meeting planned in February, subject to the responses being received from the other parties between Mr. Martin and Mr. Todd to talk further about the funding issue. The GNWT, of all parties I think, is the one who has raised the timing issue more than anyone else, because we know what needs to happen. We know what it involves. We are, after all, the ones who are being divided in two for the purpose of creating two new territories. I appreciate the Member's comments, and the Members of the Division Planning Committee sitting here have taken note of his concerns.
Further Return To Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 180
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry. Oral questions. Mr Picco.
Further Return To Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 180
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will defer my question for now because the appropriate Minister is not here.
Further Return To Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Question 111-13(4): Responsiveness Of The Federal Government On Division
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 181
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mr. Henry.
Question 112-13(4): Recruiting For A Senior Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
January 22nd, 1997
Page 181
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is the Minister responsible for MACA, Manitok Thompson, and welcome back from your snow-in. Mr. Speaker, I understand that the department is presently recruiting for a senior position, and I would ask the Minister to advise me of the status of that hiring. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 112-13(4): Recruiting For A Senior Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 181
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms Thompson.
Return To Question 112-13(4): Recruiting For A Senior Position
Question 112-13(4): Recruiting For A Senior Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 181
Manitok Thompson Aivilik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there was a position for an Assistant Deputy Minister to coordinate the community empowerment development in Municipal and Community Affairs, and an offer of employment is being discussed with the candidate, who is considered both qualified and suitable for the position. We should be hiring that person early next week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 112-13(4): Recruiting For A Senior Position
Question 112-13(4): Recruiting For A Senior Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 181
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.
Supplementary To Question 112-13(4): Recruiting For A Senior Position
Question 112-13(4): Recruiting For A Senior Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 181
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that. My question is to the Minister, is the individual that this position is being offered to, are they being recruited from the north or from outside the north?
Supplementary To Question 112-13(4): Recruiting For A Senior Position
Question 112-13(4): Recruiting For A Senior Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 181
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Ms Thompson.
Further Return To Question 112-13(4): Recruiting For A Senior Position
Question 112-13(4): Recruiting For A Senior Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 181
Manitok Thompson Aivilik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The individual is from the south. We did interview a total of 53 applicants. There were northerners and there were southerners. This individual is qualified for the job and actually he is quite suitable for the job. He has two masters degrees. We are hiring the best person for this position. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 112-13(4): Recruiting For A Senior Position
Question 112-13(4): Recruiting For A Senior Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 181
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, reply to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Mr. Roland.
Item 10: Petitions
Item 10: Petitions
Page 181
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of the impending closure of the Delta House Alcohol and Drug Treatment facility in Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 168 signatures. Mr. Speaker, the petitioners request that the Government of the Northwest Territories reconsider its decision to close this pioneer treatment program, in light of the fact that there are so many people who are in the region who are suffering and dying from alcoholism and all its related problems.
Item 10: Petitions
Item 10: Petitions
Page 181
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Dent.
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Page 181
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Mr. Kakfwi, I wish to table the following document, Tabled Document 23-13(4), the Environmental Agreement between the Governments of Canada, the Northwest Territories, and BHP Diamonds Inc. This Agreement was signed on January 6, 1997. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Page 181
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Tabling of documents. Mr. Ningark.
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Page 181
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, Tabled Document 24-13(4). A letter from the Quqshuun Ilihakvik school of Gjoa Haven addressed to me, regarding the students travelling south on a student exchange. Thank you.
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Page 181
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Tabling of documents. Mr. Roland.