Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding, when a statement is made in this House, a false statement, and one misrepresents the House, that it is not acceptable. That, Mr. Speaker, is my point of order. Thank you.
Debates of Oct. 22nd, 1997
Topics
Further Return To Question 20-13(5): Keewatin Resupply Project
Question 20-13(5): Keewatin Resupply Project
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 32
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Further Return To Question 20-13(5): Keewatin Resupply Project
Question 20-13(5): Keewatin Resupply Project
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 32
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Mr. O'Brien, if we are looking at the rules of debate, we have Section 23(i), which imputes false or hidden motives to a Member.
I would like to ask if it is under that point that he is making this point of order? Also, again just under the parliamentary rules and forms by Beauchesne's, it also says that it has been formally ruled by Speakers that statements by Members respecting themselves and particularly within their own knowledge must be accepted.
I must accept Mr. O'Brien's statement. If that is so, then are we looking at a point of order under section 21(i)? I must accept the Member's statement by his saying he did not miss any meetings. But I still did not hear Mr. O'Brien raise on that point of order that Mr. Arlooktoo has, on this point of order imputes false of hidden motives to another Member. I must hear it from the Member. Mr. O'Brien.
Further Return To Question 20-13(5): Keewatin Resupply Project
Question 20-13(5): Keewatin Resupply Project
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 32
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Todd, for your encouragement. I know, Mr. Todd, you are always trying to help somebody. I certainly will not be asking it from you, Ms. Thompson. Mr. Speaker, according to Section 23(i), that is the point in which I have raised my point of order. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 20-13(5): Keewatin Resupply Project
Question 20-13(5): Keewatin Resupply Project
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. I will review the Hansard and give my ruling at a later date. Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier in regard to my Member's statement in regard to a child advocacy group. In my statement I referred to certain statistics in regard to the Northwest Territories where 644 cases of physical abuse of children have been reported since 1992; 887 cases of sexual abuse of children have been reported during the same period.
Mr. Speaker, the figures of both sexual and physical abuse is staggering at 1,533 reported cases in a five-year period. Also, since 1994, there has been 40 young people whom have taken their lives. It goes on in regard to what we hear in the news regarding child pornography. The court case in the north of what happened in institutions where a lot of young people went to school, especially in hostels in relation to Grollier Hall and other institutions, who are finally coming forward.
Mr. Speaker, my question to the Premier is, with these staggering statistics, do you think it is a critical matter that we deal with the whole question of finding an advocacy group to ensure that a child advocate will work to ensure the legal protection of children and to promote their welfare in society? Mr. Speaker, my question is, are these staggering statistics telling us that we should do something in regard to the protection of these children? Thank you.
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Premier.
Return To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have my Minister responsible for Health and Social Services answer that question. Thank you.
Return To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.
Return To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I agree these statistics warrant concern. It is safe to say we do have the legal authority now, and that is to implement measures as a result of any kind of activity which may jeopardize children or put them at risk because of elements outside of their control. We do have the legislative authority and we do use that authority in child apprehension situations which require it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was hoping the leader of this House will be able to assist me on this matter without shuttling to the Minister, who I have been asking questions on this matter time and time again, who has not really done anything about.
Supplementary To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
I would like to remind the Members, if it is not within the knowledge of the Premier, then he will refer those matters to the Ministers responsible for that department. That is why the Premier did refer the question to the appropriate Minister. I would like to remind Members not to raise the issue of whether or not the Premier should be responding to those questions. Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to the statistics I mentioned, in regard to the Department of Health and Social Services. Is there an agency to protect children in place, at the present time?
Supplementary To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, under the Child Welfare Act, right now and under the future Child and Family Services Act, which will be put in place next year, the Department of Health and Social Services, has the legal child welfare protection issues on statutory obligations in place. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister tell me exactly how many person-years we have presently in this particular area of child protection or child welfare in his department that presently exists to assist children in regard to concerns that they have?
Supplementary To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not have that detail of information with me right now. I will find out exactly how many child welfare protection workers there are throughout the Northwest Territories under the employ of ourselves or the Health and Social Services board and advise the Member. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister also tell me exactly how many people do we have in regard to researching? Assisting clients in regard to cases of sexual abuse? Any cases in regard to child pornography? And cases in physical abuse of children, in regard to apprehending people and taking them to court? How many people do we have in that portfolio?
Supplementary To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 33
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Minister, I heard about five questions.
Further Return To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 34
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will, at the same time as requesting information under child protection workers, read the Hansard and have staff compile all that information that the Member has asked for. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Question 21-13(5): Need For Child Advocacy Group
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 34
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Picco.
Question 22-13(5): Aurora Fund Eligibility
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 34
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week we had a briefing on the Aurora Investment Fund. I would like to follow up with some questions on the fund with the chairman of the FMB. I know the government has stated that the Aurora Fund is at arms length from government, but I believe it is an instrument of government. Can the Minister or an Ordinary Member of this Assembly or companies they have an interest in, receive loans from the fund? Thank you.