Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not certain of the thrust of the honourable Member's question. The unfortunate incidents have happened. There was the proper involvement with the incidents and the circumstances that led up to those tragic events that happened in both of those cases, Mr. Speaker.
Debates of Jan. 24th, 1997
Topics
Return To Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 195
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Return To Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 195
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Picco, supplementary.
Supplementary To Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 195
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the concerns coming out of the Iqaluit incident was the situation regarding the Young Offenders' Act, and how the Act seems to be circumventing the situation in regards to the discipline, and so on, with this type of incident. My supplementary question to the Minister of Justice, Mr. Ng is, has the Minister been in contact with the federal authorities, about these problems that are seemingly present with the Young Offender's Act? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 195
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 195
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, no. The fact remains that the disciplinary action was not deemed as a priority. The priorities in this circumstance were to see that adequate treatment and counselling were available to the individuals involved in these circumstances, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 195
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 195
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in a tragedy like this, it is very stressful and difficult on the front line staff. I wonder, has the Minister of Social Services directed, or sent out a directive, to his front line staff? Has the staff received extra training or counselling in this area?
Supplementary To Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 195
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
I agree with the Member's question, but I realize that Mr. Ng is the Minister of Justice, and he is also the Minister of Health and Social Services. If you are asking him as the Minister of Justice, then you have to continue in that line of questioning. If you change to the Minister of Health, then that is treated as a new question. Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 195
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you. Sometimes it gets kind of confusing which hat someone is wearing. Maybe, the Minister then, in my supplementary question, could tell me has he sent out any type of directive to his departmental staff on issues of this matter? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 195
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Return To Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 195
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, no, I have not sent any directives out in this matter, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 196
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 196
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a parent with three small children, I think this type of incident really hits home. I wonder if the Minister can inform the House then, if there has been no directive to his employees, will he be looking at working with his front line staff to give them some direction on what they should be doing to be proactive, and hopefully prevent another occurrence? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 196
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 196
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will not be putting forward any new directives, and putting policies into place that would change. I do not think that the matter in which we handle these types of situations, there are policies in place. Unfortunately, you cannot predict when these types of situations develop. You cannot predict the future, so we have to deal with them post-tragedy, post-incident, and I will continue to do so in as an adequate fashion as we can respond, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Question 115-13(4): Incidences Of Child Burning
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 196
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.
Question 116-13(4): Consultation In Development Of A Protected Area Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
January 23rd, 1997
Page 196
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question will be to the Minister of Renewable Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi. Mr. Kakfwi delivered a document in this House a couple of days ago, the NWT Protected Area Strategy, and some time ago, I had asked the Minister a question on this particular strategy, and it was concerns that were raised by the mining industry, in particular, as to not being as involved as they felt that they should have been in the process. I congratulate the Minister, as I see that in early March, there is a meeting in Inuvik, in which all of the participants have been invited to attend. Can the Minister apprise me of meetings that he has had with the mining industry to alleviate their concerns and bring them onside to this important initiative?
Question 116-13(4): Consultation In Development Of A Protected Area Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 196
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Renewable Resources. Mr. Kakfwi.
Return To Question 116-13(4): Consultation In Development Of A Protected Area Strategy
Question 116-13(4): Consultation In Development Of A Protected Area Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 196
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, I have had some meetings with different representatives over the last few months regarding the mandate and the approach I am taking as a Minister carrying out my responsibilities as head of this newly formed department. I think that it has gone to alleviate some of the fears that industry has had. Hopefully, they realize that the work that we want to do to ensure that the land, the wildlife, and the natural resources of the north should be protected and used wisely for the benefit of the people, is something we take very seriously. At the same time, we want to provide opportunities for industry to continue to develop and grow as long it respects the integrity of the land, the wildlife, and the resources, and benefits our people here in the north. I think that the message has been getting through.
I have not heard anybody complain publicly or otherwise. It must suggest that they are comfortable with the message that we have been sending to them. Certainly, I have been available to meet with every company that has requested a meeting with myself and my officials. I am prepared to continue to meet with them as the need arises. I think they are realizing that we are open for business. If they have concerns, it is a waste of time to address them on CBC or the News of the North, that they can simply come and address to myself or to the Premier. That protective strategy that was announced by the federal Minister earlier this year, is one that the industry should take a proactive approach to addressing, since any development in the future will have to address that it will be done on a piece meal basis. We have an opportunity, in a very practical way, to get together with all stake holders, the aboriginal groups, the wildlife boards, the users of the land and wildlife, and the environmental groups to carve out a strategy to detail the elements that should be taken into consideration in developing a protected area strategy, that we have been asked by the federal government to take the led in developing. Thank you.
Return To Question 116-13(4): Consultation In Development Of A Protected Area Strategy
Question 116-13(4): Consultation In Development Of A Protected Area Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 196
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.
Supplementary To Question 116-13(4): Consultation In Development Of A Protected Area Strategy
Question 116-13(4): Consultation In Development Of A Protected Area Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 196
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
No questions.
Supplementary To Question 116-13(4): Consultation In Development Of A Protected Area Strategy
Question 116-13(4): Consultation In Development Of A Protected Area Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 196
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.
Question 117-13(4): Lowering The Speed Limit On Highway No. 3
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 196
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be to the Minister of Transport, and it is regarding the Rae/Yellowknife No. 3 Highway. Last night, as Mr. Rabesca stated in his Member's statement, an 18 wheeler rolled over and spilled bags of cement. The cause of the accident is still unclear, but accidents seem to be happening on a regular basis on this particular portion of the highway, and there have been a number of fatalities.
Speaking with Staff Sergeant Grundy, he mentioned that the cause of many of these accidents is a combination of reasons. One is the bad road conditions, and the other is speed. The Minister stated yesterday that he is working with industry to ensure that the companies using that particular portion of the highway, they are going to have methods of discipline in place, and that everyone is on the alert. The Minister stated he has spoken, or his staff have spoken, with the RCMP, but the Minister did not commit to lowering the speed limit on that portion of the highway. He only said that he would consider lowering it. I wonder if the Minister could tell us, today, if he will definitely lower the speed limit on that portion of the highway?
Question 117-13(4): Lowering The Speed Limit On Highway No. 3
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 196
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Transportation. Mr. Antoine.
Return To Question 117-13(4): Lowering The Speed Limit On Highway No. 3
Question 117-13(4): Lowering The Speed Limit On Highway No. 3
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 197
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand that the accident that happened at kilometre 286 last night on the highway to Rae-Edzo, at that curve and the load was bags of cement, and there were no injuries. The RCMP are investigating. That is what I have been told today, just to clarify that particular incident. Over the years, as I have travelled on the highways numerous times, I have seen a lot of different accidents over the years, not only on that section, but throughout the highway systems.
I have been told by a crew in Fort Providence that since they improved the highway between Providence and Yellowknife, there have been fewer, almost no accidents and no fatalities, as a result of the improvement in the road conditions. The only section that we have which is extremely bad and needs repairing is the section between Rae and Yellowknife. I informed the Members yesterday, that the department is seriously looking at that, and hopefully we have money approved to start reconstruction in the next few years. As for the speed limit, like I said the other day, I have not made a commitment to lower it, but if that is the direction that I am hearing from Members of this House and members of the public for added safety then we will seriously consider it. Thank you.