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.

Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1441

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, the people of Pelly Bay appreciate that we are able to give yearly supply by the Canadian Coast Guard. Mr. Speaker, there is a significant saving realized by this government in supplying the community with housing materials, bulk fuel, and heating fuel in this case. I believe that the local consumer is losing money.

A mother goes shopping to buy milk for the baby and the elder goes to the Co-op store to buy flour to make bread and the hunter goes to Co-op to buy ammunition, snow machine parts, outboard motor and so on. The local consumer does not realize any saving. In fact, we are losing about $80,000 a year. Mr. Speaker, we were told that it would be cheaper to bring in barge as opposed to air carrier to the community and that there would be savings realized by the local Co-op. There is no saving. We have had a meeting with the Minister. The hamlet council mayor this year has met with the Minister on many occasions on this issue. My question is, will the honourable Minister revisit the community, at the request of the Hamlet of Pelly Bay to look into ways and means to reduce the cost of freight rate to Pelly Bay? Thank you.

Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1442

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Return To Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1442

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I will revisit this request by the Honourable Member. I just wanted to add that a lot of the communities in the north, their only link, in many cases, are through the airlines and in this case, this government had supported the community of Pelly Bay with the yearly re-supply to the Canadian Coast Guard in conjunction with them, we provide re-supply. If that is not adequate, then certainly we should take another look at the situation. Thank you.

Return To Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1442

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Supplementary To Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1442

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the same honourable Minister. How soon will the Honourable Minister revisit the request? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1442

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Antoine.

Further Return To Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1442

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, whenever we have question periods and different information like this comes forward, the department is listening. I am sure that the work has already begun to see what information is there and what we could do about it. As soon as I have some information, I will let the honourable Member be aware of what we have come up with. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1442

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral question. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Supplementary To Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1442

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the same honourable Minister. Will the honourable Minister direct his officials to communicate with the Hamlet of Pelly Bay on the process?

Supplementary To Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1442

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Antoine.

Further Return To Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1442

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you. Yes.

Further Return To Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Question 609-13(4): Reduction Of Resupply Costs In Pelly Bay
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1442

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Question 610-13(4): Departmental Efforts In Diamond Industry
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1442

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct a question to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Could the Minister provide details to this House and to the people of the Northwest Territories of what his department is doing to ensure the diamond industry in the north will not suffer the same annihilation as the fur industry did? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 610-13(4): Departmental Efforts In Diamond Industry
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1442

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 610-13(4): Departmental Efforts In Diamond Industry
Question 610-13(4): Departmental Efforts In Diamond Industry
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1442

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, for one thing we are not trying to create any enemies in this fight to get some economic benefits from development. There is really virtually no comparison with the scenario that the Member draws. In the fur industry, we had a very real enemy that was diametrically opposed to the harvesting of wild life. The Greenpeace initially lead the charge as well as the international group for animal welfare and other more ultra right wing animal rights activists. These people who had a budget in the millions of dollars were internationally organized and successfully got on side the majority of governments in the European countries. We have had the concerted effort on our part with the Canadian government, Government of the Northwest Territories, national Aboriginal groups, people in support of the fur industry, manufacturers working on our side as well as, support groups in Europe in order to change the trend that was set back in the '80s. In the case of the diamond industry, Mr. Speaker I believe we are not trying to create enemies. We are trying to bridge a gap in the different perception between the federal government and ourselves and BHP in a co-economical way beneficially for Canada and the north to maximize every opportunity we can to substantiate and deliver benefits to Canada and to the Northwest Territories in the first instance. There is a very categorical difference between the two and I would say that this government has tried to take a systematic approach in our lobby to ensure that BHP is on side, that Diavik is on side, and that the federal government the respective Ministers are also on side to agree that Canada should recognize that it is now part of an elite club globally. That is, Canada is now one of the few diamond producing countries in the world and as other producing countries have done, Canada has an obligation and a duty to all Canadians

and in particular to northerners to insist that maximum economic benefits should flow to the people most affected and certainly at least to the people of Canada. Thank you.,

Return To Question 610-13(4): Departmental Efforts In Diamond Industry
Question 610-13(4): Departmental Efforts In Diamond Industry
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1443

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral question. Supplementary. Mr. Henry.

Supplementary To Question 610-13(4): Departmental Efforts In Diamond Industry
Question 610-13(4): Departmental Efforts In Diamond Industry
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1443

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that the federal Minister, Ms. Stewart, is presently working on changes to the current mining regulations. My question to the Minister is, does he have any of his departmental staff assisting the Minister in this process? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 610-13(4): Departmental Efforts In Diamond Industry
Question 610-13(4): Departmental Efforts In Diamond Industry
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1443

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 610-13(4): Departmental Efforts In Diamond Industry
Question 610-13(4): Departmental Efforts In Diamond Industry
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1443

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of different changes being proposed to the Canada mining regulations. We have had some input into some of the changes that were circulated by the Department of Indian Affairs earlier in the spring. We are now waiting for draft amendments that will be proposed by Indian Affairs in regard to regulations that would have impact on the diamond industry. Since I believe we have assurance from the Minister's office that no announcements or changes will be made until meetings have happened between myself and the Minister of Finance with our respective counterparts. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 610-13(4): Departmental Efforts In Diamond Industry
Question 610-13(4): Departmental Efforts In Diamond Industry
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1443

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

Question 611-13(4): Ardicom Digital Communication Network
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1443

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of FMBS and it is in regards to the Ardicom Project. I thought I had one more subject last time so I was left with one question yet to ask. The Minister indicated that this is a cutting edge technology that is going to put us on the information highway. I think that is once again a concept we can all support. As long as that cutting edge is not used to take the legs out of some under local businesses. Could the Minister indicate in this meeting that he said he is going to have with local Internet providers, how soon will it be? Thank you.

Question 611-13(4): Ardicom Digital Communication Network
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1443

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 611-13(4): Ardicom Digital Communication Network
Question 611-13(4): Ardicom Digital Communication Network
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1443

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am looking at my notes. It was the intention for the department to meet with the local Internet providers earlier in the year. For one reason or another, it does not appear to have taken place. I will instruct my staff then later on this afternoon to communicate with the appropriate people to get a meeting together so that we can try to seek results and some compromise to this issue so that we can all get on with real positive aspects of trying to put this country and hold this country together through a digital communication system that puts us on the information highway. Thank you.

Return To Question 611-13(4): Ardicom Digital Communication Network
Question 611-13(4): Ardicom Digital Communication Network
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1443

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral question. Supplementary. Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 611-13(4): Ardicom Digital Communication Network
Question 611-13(4): Ardicom Digital Communication Network
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1443

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad the Minister and I share the same view for the future. My question to the Minister is related to this meeting he will have into this Arctic Com Project and that is the fact that in communities like Fort Smith, the Government of the Northwest Territories is currently, as we speak, installing its own systems for the Internet once again bypassing local Internet providers. Will the Minister put that on the agenda as well when he gets Internet providers to the table with his officials? Thank you.