This is page numbers 1435 - 1455 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 4th 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.

Members Present

Honourable Jim Antoine, Honourable Goo Arlooktoo, Mr. Barnabas, Honourable Charles Dent, Mr. Enuaraq, Mr. Erasmus, Honourable Sam Gargan, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Henry, Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Miltenberger, Honourable Don Morin, Mr. Ningark, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Picco, Mr. Rabesca, Mr. Roland, Mr. Steen, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Honourable John Todd.

Oh, God, may your spirit and guidance be in us as we work for the benefit of all our people, for peace and justice in our land and for the constant recognition of the dignity and aspirations of those whom we serve. Amen.

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 1435

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statement. Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, good communication between the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and Divisional Education Councils, schools, colleges and career centres is essential in providing quality services to northerners. One way the department is working to improve information to educational institutions is by making better use of technology. I would like to advise the Members of this Assembly of a recent initiative in this area. Education, Culture and Employment has just produced InfoDisc, a CD-ROM that contains program and administration information, including:

- the department's strategic plan;

- legislation such as The Education Act and The Public Colleges Act;

- curriculum documents for a variety of subjects, including 900 study modules for Career and Technology Studies;

- information on teacher certification;

- information on adult basic education and literacy;

- student support documents;

- career development resources;

- and information on Aurora College, Nunavut Arctic College and their respective science institutes.

In all, more than 60 documents appear on the CD-ROM. In the past, these documents would be printed on paper and distributed to the educational institutions that had a direct need for them. The CD-ROBM is also less expensive to mail than bulky paper documents, and is easy to update as information changes or new information is added. The documents on the CD-ROM will also be available through the department's site on the World Wide Web. Since many communities do not yet have the high-speed phone lines needed to log on to the Web, having the department's information on CD-ROM ensures more people have access to the same information.

The disc has already been distributed to Divisional Education Councils, schools, colleges, adult education centres and career centres. The department plans to periodically update and expand the information on the disc. Thank you.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to inform the House that Ms. Joanne Deneron of Fort Liard has been appointed as Chairperson of the Workers' Compensation Board, effective January 1, 1998.

--Applause

In the past, Ms. Deneron served as a Band Councillor and Chair of Arctic College. Ms. Deneron now serves as a school librarian and as president of the NWT Literacy Council in a volunteer capacity. Ms. Deneron is also the vice-chair of Aurora College, the vice-chair of the Canadian Polar Commission and the Deputy Mayor of Fort Liard. As well, Ms. Deneron is an entrepreneur with business interests in Fort Liard. Understandably, this busy lady will require some time to fulfil current commitments. Therefore, as an interim measure, Ms. Deneron will serve as a Member of the Workers' Compensation Board until she assumes the Chair on January 1, 1998. In the meantime, the duties of the Chairperson will continue to be performed by the vice-chair in an acting capacity. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Ministers' Statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the Members of this Assembly who supported the motion I put forward on Thursday regarding the electoral boundary for Sanikiluaq proposed in the Report of the Nunavut Electoral Boundaries Commission. With all things considered, including my discussions with the Mayors of Whale Cover, Arviat, and Sanikiluaq, I believe that this support was based on a recognition of the unique circumstances of Sanikiluaq, a desire by Whale Cove to remain within the Keewatin, and is an acknowledgement of the close ties between Whale Cove and Arviat. Once again, thank you for your support. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends).

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Members' statements, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe that the people of the Northwest Territories would like to know what is up with Ardicom and the digital network. There has been, to my mind, inadequate information and resulting high anxiety especially on the local service providers. I understand the project is late and that key deadlines have been missed. I am also concerned that the technology will be outmoded before it is installed. Local service providers like the business in Fort Smith have invested up to $60,000 in upgrades with CanCom that will give them capacity that far exceeds the digital network being proposed yet it seems that local service providers in the larger communities especially are going to be bypassed. We seem to have a contradictory situation, Mr. Speaker, where the GNWT with its policy to avoid market disruption seems to be promoting a project that will in fact disrupt the market for local service providers who have spent years and many dollars developing their systems. There has to be a serious meeting of the Government of the Northwest Territories and Internet providers to clear the air. We do not need a white elephant. We have to work with local Internet suppliers to provide the best, most up to date system possible, within budget to the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq

Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about a clean up about an abandoned American naval base at Padloping Island. The site was used as a weather station from 1943 until 1956. When the United States government abandoned the site they left behind everything. Today there are no buildings or equipment at the site except for remanding foundation and debris. Mr. Speaker, my constituents are awful concerned about chemical contamination at the site. An environmental assessment was done last year by the Royal Roads Military College environmental science group. It was recommended in this assessment that clean up will restore at the abandoned site to environmental safe conditions. The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs started the clean up on this site but never finished. It is critical that this site be cleaned up in order to restore the environment and protect health and welfare of people close to the site. Mr. Speaker, here in question period, I will be asking the Minister responsible for environment, with regards to the clean up and Padloping Island. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Members' statements. Mr. Henry

Member's Statement 438-13(4): Diamond Industry Control
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1436

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am concerned that we will lose control of opportunities from the diamond development like we did with the fur industry. All residents of Canada and particularly the Northwest Territories should be concerned. I am concerned that again, as with the fur industry, our lives will become dominated by people who live on the other side of the earth from us because it will be in Europe, Mr. Speaker, that NWT diamonds will be sorted for sale unless we can convince Minister Stewart for the north's need to have those processes performed in the Northwest Territories. There is a worry that the federal government will make decisions on behalf of the people of the north without our full input and concurrence. My concern grows into fear, Mr. Speaker, that we will lose control and have to watch valuable resources that come from the NWT leave and take with them the hopes and aspirations for a better future for our residents. Over the past years of this government we have expended a great deal of time and effort and dollars to try to resolve the crisis that occurred when the bottom dropped out of the fur market. Extensive lobbying was done in Europe by numerous groups from the north. We had to react to the stress placed upon the livelihoods of many people.

Mr. Speaker, when we review the fur lobby in Europe, we see the cost to the people of the Northwest Territories, the cost of reacting to change introduced by a foreign government. Despite all the NWT and the federal government's efforts we never gained back what we had before the lobby was introduced. When we approach agreements for the development of our diamonds it is the time to be pro-active and not reactive. By being pro-active, the cost to the people and the government will be less. We must have control of our destinies. We must start now to convince Ottawa and industry before it is too late. We have learned from our experience with the ban of furs in Europe, now it is time to gain control for our futures in the diamond industry. Our government should continue doing extensive strategic planning and lobbying to ensure that we have a role in the decision making process in the diamond industry. In negotiations with the federal government we must be an equal partner. Mr. Speaker, the time is now, not later to plan for the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Member's Statement 438-13(4): Diamond Industry Control
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1437

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Henry. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last Thursday you may recall my honourable colleague Jane Groenewegen made an appeal regarding speech languages services. Today I would also like to speak on this very important service. In my region the school staff has requested these services for the past five years, and have been told that the only responsibility the speech language pathologist is to assess the students not to provide treatment plans or therapy in the schools. Which means Rae-Edzo has a visit twice a year, they assess children, write the assessment reports and mail back to the community. In many cases the report states that intensive speech language therapy is required and only if the parents bring their child to Yellowknife if time is available.

This, of course, costs money and time, which the Community Service Board pays. Recently, the Community Service Board requested the job descriptions of these pathologists which indicated that these language pathologists are to provide on-site assessments. Therapeutic or consultative service for pre-school and school-aged children as well as some service to the adults. These service are to be available at clinics in Rae Edzo, Wha Ti and Yellowknife for the residents of Rae Lakes and Snare Lakes. This is not happening in all cases the come for treatment to Yellowknife at considerable expense to the community service board. However, Yellowknife, the schools are privileged to get these services free for every six school days.

In one recent case from Rae Lakes a father brought his child to Yellowknife for a week of therapy. One half-hour session for five days. The cost of this service was approximately $2,000 in time, accommodation, travel, plus stress with the family being away from home. This is only once incident. Now with this in mind the fact of community empowerment, the Dogrib community service board request the immediate transfer of one position or a portion of one speech language pathologist funding. So we can at least provide this valuable service to our people. This position should be transferred no later than January 1, 1998. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. Member's statement, Mr. Roland.

Member's Statement 440-13(4): Government Policy
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1437

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, before I start my Member's statement I would like to send greetings to my wife and children back home in Inuvik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I had to do that because I was being pressured by the rest of my colleagues. In reality though, I do miss my family. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring up the same concern as my colleague from Thebacha. Mr. Speaker, as a government, we set our direction and policy which puts that direction into action. If we cannot follow our own policies, then what message are we sending the people of the territories?

If we are going to say we are going to stand up for something or we put something forward in a certain direction, then we should stick to it. You talk about the respect we like to see in this forum. If we set things into action and we say things and put them down on paper and say this is the direction the government shall take, and in our actions we turn around and turn against those, what message are we sending the people? They sent us here to lead the territories and do a good job for them. They trust in us to make the best decision. Well Mr. Speaker, I fear as many people in Inuvik fear, that the government says one thing, while good intentions are meant, the final outcome is far from what was said.

I think we need to address this in some of the work that is going on, on behalf of the government. Mr. Speaker, we have heard in this House Mr. Todd say that the government can no longer be the engine of the economy. That is true. We say we need to get private businesses to take a more active role in the economy. We say that but on the other hand, the government is directing things the other way.

Where private companies have spent a lot of money, their own money in communities, employing people in the smaller communities, they seem to be being turned against by this government or those that contract for this government. I think it is time to put our words into action. If we are going to say something and put it on paper, let us stick to it and prove to the people of the territories that we are responsible. Thank you.

Member's Statement 440-13(4): Government Policy
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 1437

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Member's statements, Mr. Picco.

Edward Picco Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the past few days, I have been asking about the policies of this government. Policies that allow the widest interpretation and policies that can be circumvented it seems without repercussions. Mr. Speaker, as an elected official I have tried to ask questions in this forum to bring out publicly what privately many people in the Northwest Territories are asking. The problem with policy is that it can be followed and interpreted seemingly at the discretion of the user. That is not right. Legislation; however, like the Financial Administration Act has the penalties incorporated within the act.

The ethics policy has table outlines, guidelines and prohibiting work after a senior employee leaves the employ of the government. Mr. Speaker, that sounds good, but under the procedures, #18, states that an employee may apply to the chairman of the FMB to be exempted from any or all provisions of that section of the policy. Yes, Mr. Speaker, exempted. Than the question is, why have a policy if it is not enforceable or can be circumvented by writing the chairman of the FMB. Mr. Speaker, the policy is designed to prohibit, halt, nullify, negate and prevent an employee using information and contacts gathered at and one the job site and profiting from that information. However, the GNWT's policy has no teeth. It has no hammer, basically Mr. Speaker. It is a policy that has never been fully followed and interpreted very freely.

You may ask why this is a concern. Mr. Speaker, by questioning this government, we want to show that the public money spent for the public good, can be accountable. It has to be transparent and if there is a policy and it has been circumvented or very liberally interpreted than there should be a penalty or mechanism to make offender accountable and disciplined. That includes Ministers of this government and do I dare say, Mr. Speaker, the Premier himself.

Mr. Speaker, some Members seem perturbed by questions of accountability, transparency and responsibility. They would like these questions and the questioner to go away. Mr. Speaker, I am not Harry Houdini. I will continue to raise these public questions, publicly and hopefully, honourably. Thank you , Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker in the reference to the debate that took place yesterday in committee of the whole, and further to Mr. Arlooktoo's comments today. I firmly believe that the critical issue where or point was missed in the debate. The issue I believe was consultation. I stated that yesterday on a number of occasions. The people of Arviat, Whale Cove, simply ask to be consulted that a vote be delayed until they had the opportunity to be openly, honestly, consulted on the issue before the vote on the amendment to electoral boundaries study went forward. Mr. Speaker, this seems to be, there seems to be an ongoing trend here in this Assembly when it comes to consultation. And the trend being lack of.

Mr. Speaker, some evidence to support this was the lack of consultation regarding the Keewatin Tank Farm study and fiscal. The recent frustration, criticism, fear regarding what has happened with the Keewatin Health Board, the Dental Therapy Program, Medical Service being discontinued and replace with other services without the full and proper consultation of the communities involved. Mr. Speaker, it signals that the government is not listening, they are not providing the opportunity for the residents, the people that they were elected to represent. They are not listening and they are not providing proper consultation in time for these people to be heard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Member's statements, Mr. Barnabas.

Levi Barnabas High Arctic

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) I will be speaking in Inuktitut. I stand up today to speak on two news releases. I know that these two mining companies have a lot of people that are employed in that mine, and they have really helped out the communities that are surrounding this particular mine. However, there has been some concern about this mining and the environment surrounding the mine. I just wanted to indicate that if they are going to be closing down such mines that have created employment within the communities, I am very much in support of creating employment opportunities as a government. I will be asking some questions in regard to this Nanisivik Mines when it comes to oral question period and I will be asking about how we can improve the conditions of mines particularly in Baffin Region. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. Member's statement, Mr. Erasmus.