Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member for Thebacha is implying an ulterior motive with my statement last night about the programs on principal trades, the trades programs to be moved to the Nunavut region. Mr. Speaker, what I was trying to point out was that indeed we do not have those types of trades programs in the east. I have asked that for the last two years to have those types of programs moved. I do not see why we should have people from Pond Inlet or Iqaluit having to travel to Fort Smith so that we can take those types of trades programs. That is what I was saying. He tried to imply that I was trying to loot, his actual words were looting and pillaging.
Debates of Oct. 24th, 1997
Topics
Member's Statement 24-13(5): Issues To Address As We Approach Division
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 175
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Member's Statement 24-13(5): Issues To Address As We Approach Division
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 175
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Picco. Your point of privilege, Mr. Picco.
Point Of Privilege
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 175
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My point of privilege is that the Member was trying to accuse me of an ulterior motive in my statement saying I was trying to loot and pillage. Thank you.
Point Of Privilege
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 175
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. The Member can only rise on a point of privilege if his privilege in this House has been denied and so the Member for Iqaluit does not have a point of privilege. Mr. Picco, your point of order.
Point of Order
Point Of Privilege
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 175
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think under the point of order section 23(i) of Beauchesne's Rules of Order that the Member was trying to imply that I had ulterior motives in my statement last night concerning the transfer of programs, trades programs from Thebacha Campus to the east in Iqaluit, Rankin, Cambridge Bay or Nunavut. We do not have those types of trades programs. There was no ulterior motive. I have been saying that for two years. By saying, I wanted to loot and pillage and then on one hand I was using compassion about the hospital transfers are two separate issues. The need was demonstrated, Mr. Speaker, that the underbase of the hospital money in the east was needed.
Point Of Privilege
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 175
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Picco, I will review Hansards and give you my ruling on your point of order. Thank you. In order to clarify the point of order, I would like to ask the Members if they have any debate regarding the point of order. To the point of order. Mr. Miltenberger.
Point Of Privilege
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 175
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Very clearly, I agree with the Member for Iqaluit. He has no ulterior motive. His motive is very naked and obvious. He is intent on moving resources from one community, one region to another. One happens to be in the west and one happens to be in east. I was just acknowledging that fact and saying it has a detrimental effect on the overall process as we move towards division. I concur with the Member. He has no ulterior motive. It is very clear what he want to do and he makes no bones about it. Thank you.
Point Of Privilege
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 175
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Henry. To the point of order. No? Mr. Picco.
Point Of Privilege
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 175
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is no ulterior motive when we do not have the trades programs. April 1, 1999 is coming. The monies that are given to the Northwest Territories for all the people of the Northwest Territories, that is all I was asking. To imply that I am trying to loot and pillage is incorrect and should be struck down by yourself in the ruling, under section 23 (i). The rhetoric spewed by the Member for Thebacha over the past few months on east/west splits is not acceptable.
Point Of Privilege
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 175
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Mr. Picco, I have heard the Member for Thebacha, as well as, I have heard you on your
point of order. I must say that you do not have a point of order. Members' statements. Mr. Roland.
Member's Statement 25-13(5): Beaufort Delta Leaders Conference
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 176
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it seems the long hours in the House have had an effect on some Members during this morning's session. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to notify and bring notice of the plans upcoming in Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, there will be a number of Members of this Assembly who will be travelling to Inuvik next week. The reason for this travel is twofold. One the Members will take part in the Beaufort Delta leadership conference that is taking place and to see what things are happening in that community. As well, for the second part of this trip, and I hope it will be more of a relaxing atmosphere to be in especially looking at the couple of days we have been through while the Members are in Inuvik. I have organized a charity hockey game between the old-timers of Inuvik and the MLA sharks. A number of Members from this Assembly who have once before skated together will have to dust off their equipment and skate again. I have recruited some younger legs in the process because I think we will need some support. One of the minor hockey teams from Inuvik will be selecting a number of players to boost our group and, hopefully, we will be able to make it through the three periods of hockey. At the same time, it will give us an opportunity to raise money for minor hockey and youth in the community and a chance to enjoy the new Midnight Sun Recreational Centre, as this will be the first mini-tournament to be held in that facility. I would like to thank in advance the Members who are going to be attending the Beaufort Delta leaders conference in Inuvik and sharing a game as well for taking the time out of their busy schedules. There are a number of Ministers as well as Members who will take part in the activities in the Beaufort Delta. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause
Member's Statement 25-13(5): Beaufort Delta Leaders Conference
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 176
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Roland. Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.
Member's Statement 26-13(5): Apology For Comments Regarding Ministerial Performance
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 176
Jane Groenewegen Hay River
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, October 23 yesterday, will go down in history as the longest sitting of this Legislature and Mr. Speaker, we went very late into the night last night, into the wee hours of the morning. I have to say in a moment of frustration, regarding a specific issue, I made a comment in the privacy of a Member's office regarding Minister Arlooktoo. It was unfortunate because in fact, I believe Mr. Arlooktoo has handled his portfolios admirably over the past two years. The timing of a specific issue and the lateness of the hour caused me to say something which I hope the Minister will accept my apology for and for any offence it may have caused him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause
Member's Statement 26-13(5): Apology For Comments Regarding Ministerial Performance
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 176
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.
Member's Statement 27-13(5): Family Wedding Nuptials
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 176
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to inform this House of a joyous occasion. On November 1, next weekend, there will be a marriage in my family. My first begotten son, Roy Junior, will be married to Lyla Fraser, the youngest daughter of Peter Fraser who is a former Member of this House. Pete is a former Member of this House. Mr. Speaker, the ceremony will occur in the Great Hall here which is available to anyone who wants to use it for such occasions. Lyla, is a bright, cheerful and hard working young lady and she has been a welcome addition to our family. Roy Junior, of course, takes after his dad and he is also bright, cheerful and hard working. I am sure he makes a welcome addition to the Fraser family.
Mr. Speaker, I mentioned that Lyla made a welcome addition to our family and I would like to give an example of that. The young couple met in Yellowknife while my wife and I were in school in Saskatoon, not too long after that, they decided to get a post-secondary education. They both attained certificates in management and Roy Junior also has a Bachelor of Management. In a few months, Lyla will be finished her Bachelor of Arts with majors in both political science and native studies. She is doing work experience in Yellowknife to finish her final course requirements. We are very proud of these two young people. Mr. Speaker, nobody in this House is a spring chicken. In fact, I am glad nobody had the big one after that marathon yesterday. We all know there can be trying times in a marriage. There are trials and tribulations, good time and bad times and people need to work hard to maintain a good working marriage. These young people have shown level-headedness, perseverance and foresight. One of the first things they did together was to get a university education. I am sure the same level-headedness, perseverance and foresight will prevail. They will have a long and happy marriage and bring us many bright, cheerful and hard working grandchildren, like their grandfather. I am sure all the honourable Members of this House join my wife and I and Pete and Ellen in wishing our children well in their years ahead. Thank you.
--Applause
Member's Statement 27-13(5): Family Wedding Nuptials
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 176
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.
Member's Statement 28-13(5): Mid-term Review Process
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 176
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make some comments for the record about our Mid-Term Review yesterday. I will reference this as to why I would like to make those comments for the record. For some, if not many, the Mid-Term Review process was a worthwhile undertaking, and I was somewhat disappointed that the main headline in the news this morning was a quote by my honourable colleague from Thebacha whereby he said, I can only hope this has been a once in a lifetime experience. At first I thought he was making fatuous statement, Mr. Speaker, but he was deadly
serious with his comment in my opinion. I just want to comment today that for me that process was very worthwhile and I hope it was for others.
--Applause
Thank you. There are many reasons for that, Mr. Speaker. Why it was worthwhile. You know, we have to remember that the public out there needs to know the answers to questions. They need to be informed of what is going on in tie government. One of the methods by which we have the ability to do that is to speak here in the House and just because we have to sit here for seventeen hours, which frankly, Mr. Speaker, to me, was not that big of an undertaking. I have done that many, many times in my life, many more hours than that. So while, yes, it is straining and very stressful at times, I understand that. I do not think we should pat ourselves on the back, just because we sat here for seventeen hours. That is our job to bring forward, we had all agreed it would be done over two days. We could not change it.
The other point is, that Cabinet was elected by us, by us, as Members here. Not as an overall general public election. Therefore, it is important that we demonstrate to the public and Cabinet had the opportunity to respond in a way where we are going from here. I think it served that purpose. For me, a future Legislature should undertake this at all times as long as the Members here elect the Members of Cabinet. A Mid-Term Review, as we have proven, is beneficial. It is productive and it can lead us from here. It is, to me, very worthwhile. We are going tabulate a beneficial report that we can take from here for our next...
Member's Statement 28-13(5): Mid-term Review Process
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 177
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ootes.
Member's Statement 28-13(5): Mid-term Review Process
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 177
Member's Statement 28-13(5): Mid-term Review Process
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 177
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Member for Yellowknife Centre is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Ootes, you have unanimous consent.
Member's Statement 28-13(5): Mid-term Review Process
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 177
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will close my comments with a comment I think the Cabinet is well aware of the comment. Do not rest on your laurels. Thank you.
--Applause
Member's Statement 28-13(5): Mid-term Review Process
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 177
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.
Member's Statement 29-13(5): Canada - Greenland Relations
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 177
Levi Barnabas High Arctic
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will speak in Inuktitut. (Translation). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The communities that I represent have people that come from other communities such as people from Greenland and when they have to get medical attention, people from Kanak will have to pay their own medical treatment and travel. There is a problem with this. My purpose for speaking up on this is because if a person from Greenland is moving to Canada, then they have to wait a long time to get citizenship. If they meet somebody from Canada, then they have to get their paper work done or they would have to find a job and work in Canada. I think we have to look at the legislation that comes from other countries to deal with these problems. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends.)
Member's Statement 29-13(5): Canada - Greenland Relations
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 177
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.
Member's Statement 30-13(5): Keewatin Resupply Initiative
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 177
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are times in our Assembly when issues are dealt with and debated by Members to the particular Ministers. As Members, we return to issues and ask questions. Sometimes the questions we ask and the issues that we raise may be redundant. Mr. Speaker, we return to those issues time and time again and repeat the questions because we are not satisfied with the answers we receive, and we are not satisfied that our issues and concerns are being heard. For that reason, I must return to an item that is facing this House, the Keewatin resupply.
For many years, fuel has been barged to eastern Arctic communities and delivered cargo and fuel. The barges delivering fuel and cargo to each community each year were able to meet the demands knowing there was another barge that would take supplies during the summer season. Although the communities are satisfied with the barging service in the eastern Arctic and the Keewatin communities, it seems the government is not. The government is pursuing another alternative which involves the use of tankers. For this alternative to be implemented, money must be spent to construct pipelines and facilities to deliver fuel from the tankers. Fuel delivery is linked to cargo delivery for the docks, barges and tankers used for hauling cargo. Communities that receive fuel by tankers may only have barge service once a year.
In regard to the items that are needed in order to complete a construction season, they may not be able to bring these items by barge. The other alternative is air freight . The cost of air freight. to the communities and the cost of building is a lot in these communities.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.