Members Present
Honourable Jim Antoine, Honourable Goo Arlooktoo, Mr. Barnabas, Honourable Charles Dent, Mr. Enuaraq, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Honourable Samuel Gargan, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Henry, Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Miltenberger, Honourable Don Morin, Honourable Kelvin Ng, 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 constant recognition of the dignity and aspirations of those whom we serve. Amen.
Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer
Page 493
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.
Minister's Statement 44-13(4): Fire In Fort Mcpherson
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have an emergency statement.
Mr. Speaker, by now, most Members of the Assembly will have heard about the fire that destroyed four portable classrooms in Fort McPherson over the weekend. I would like to take this opportunity to bring Members up to date on the situation.
The fire started yesterday in the media resource centre, which was being used as temporary classroom space for students in Grades 7 to 9. I am happy to report that there were no injuries in the fire. However, the entire structure and all contents were lost. The Department of Finance will be sending an adjuster from the Risk Management Division into Fort McPherson to gather information.
Grade 7 to 9 students will not be attending class today. A representative of the Beaufort-Delta Divisional Education Council is travelling to the community today and a meeting will be held this afternoon to decide how to accommodate the students in the short term. The new school should be ready in about six weeks. The cause of the fire is unknown. The Department of Public Works and Services will issue a tender to remove the debris. The department anticipates the site will be cleaned up over the weekend.
I would like to express my regret that the students, school staff and people of Fort McPherson must deal with the loss of another school building, just a year after the Chief Julius School burned down. The members and staff of the Beaufort-Delta Divisional Education Council have handled the loss of the previous school, and the building of the new school, in a coordinated and professional manner. I have great confidence in the Council's ability to handle the current situation, in a way that causes the least possible disruption to the students and their teachers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister's Statement 44-13(4): Fire In Fort Mcpherson
Item 2: Ministers' Statements
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Evaloarjuk.
High Cost Of Living In Remote Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements
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Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to talk today, about a situation that has recently been brought to my attention. The problem, Mr. Speaker, is the extremely high prices that many northerners must pay for groceries. This problem is not new, Mr. Speaker, and it does not only affect constituents of Amittuq but residents of all remote communities throughout the Northwest Territories. Through its programs, Mr. Speaker, this government spends thousands and thousands of dollars every year to promote healthy lifestyles. Brochures, pamphlets and posters identify the importance of drinking milk, eating fresh fruits and vegetables. Although these products may be good for you, Mr. Speaker, the fact is that most people, living a traditional lifestyle, simply cannot afford them. This situation is of great concern to me, Mr. Speaker. I believe the government has an obligation to protect the consumer and ensure that the cost of such essential items is not excessive.
At the appropriate time today, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking questions to the Premier on this matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)
High Cost Of Living In Remote Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 493
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Evaloarjuk. Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.
Language Services
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 493
Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, Members. (Translation ends) The Department of Education, Culture and Employment has been talking about changes to the Language Bureau. There are two areas of change. One, is to give the language communities more funding to carry out the development and promotion of languages. The other change is the privatization of interpreter/translator services.
I am very concerned about the privatization. I know some of the work of the Language Bureau is translated now. However, there are a number of reasons why it is important to have a group of dedicated interpreter/translators. Being a good interpreter/translator is not an easy thing. As we get closer to Nunavut, it will be very important that we have good, professionally-trained interpreter/translators. It is important that the quality of service stays high. It will be more difficult to make sure the level of service is consistently good, if we use different private contractors all the time. We need good interpreters to help people who need medical attention. It is hard enough for people to travel from their communities for medical reasons. We need to make sure there are always interpreters around who can help them and who have some understanding of the medical terms. It would be too easy to have misunderstandings when someone from my area does not understand the instructions of the doctor in English.
The interpreter/translators in the Language Bureau have also played an important role in helping develop terminology. Forty years ago, most Inuit people were living in traditional lifestyles. We have seen many changes, Mr. Speaker. These changes have needed new words. The Language Bureau has helped in creating these new words and letting everyone know about them. I am worried about who will coordinate new developments in our language.
Mr. Speaker, I am seeking unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Language Services
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 494
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Member for Baffin Central is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? There are no nays, Mr. Enuaraq. You have unanimous consent.
Language Services
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 494
Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends) I cannot speak for the west, but I know it is important for my people, in my area, to have a corps of interpreters and translators working for the government. Later today, I will be asking the Minister some questions about language services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause
Language Services
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 494
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.
Passing Of Former Baker Lake Resident Neil Angoyauq
Item 3: Members' Statements
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Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unfortunately I am saddened to tell Members of this House of another tragic death in my constituency. Mr. Neil Angoyauq died during this past weekend. Although he was residing in Iqaluit at the time of his death, Neil was originally from Baker Lake where he is survived and mourned by his family. I am sure all Members of this House will join me in sending Neil's family our deepest sympathy regarding their loss. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Passing Of Former Baker Lake Resident Neil Angoyauq
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 494
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.
South Slave Leaders Meeting
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 494
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last weekend in Fort Smith, the leaders of the South Slave gathered for the first time in a number of years, to discuss what type of working relationship we should have, if any, as communities and as leaders and to try to focus on economic issues. Mr. Speaker, I would like to indicate to this House that the meetings were quite positive and some issues came out that are, I think, of interest to everybody. Totally unsolicited, as it was not part of the agenda, were the comments by the leaders around the table in regards to constitutional development. Mr. Speaker, the message was very clear to me as I sat in a chair listening to the comments. The direction was that the government should be focusing on: taking care of division, taking care of economic issues, working with the Metis and the First Nations people to resolve land claim issues and outstanding self-government issues and to put all our attention and energy into that area in the coming years, prior to division. So, when we go to do community consultation, we have a very clear indication in the South Slave, from the leadership, as to what they are thinking on this issue. The Mayor of Hay River indicated, in fact, that he would be going to his council to seek a motion indicating that very direction.
As well, Mr. Speaker, the other issue of critical importance, for the whole western Arctic, was the issue of the rivers and waters and how we are being impacted by other jurisdictions, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon, and the fact that there are some major jurisdictions that have not signed the Mackenzie River Basin Agreement, specifically Saskatchewan, British Columbia and the Yukon which, coincidentally, are all NDP governments and normally in the forefront on environmental issues. In this particular case, they are definitely at the back of the bus.
I will be asking the Minister for RWED, how we can further pursue trying to get these other parties to the table to sign this critical agreement, so we can protect the waterways that are so vital and fundamental for the people of the western Territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
South Slave Leaders Meeting
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 494
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Members' statements. Mr. Roland.
Proposed Closure Of Delta House
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 494
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, I returned to my home of Inuvik and held a public meeting. It was good that the Minister of Health and Social Services could accompany me to hear, first-hand from the people of Inuvik, of their displeasure with the announcement of Delta House being closed.
Mr. Speaker, for approximately three hours or a little longer -- three and a half hours as we heard the Minister mumble -- we faced questions and heard the concerns with the decision to close Delta House. I heard from the people of Inuvik of their concern with the way the information was flowing, the lack of consultation with the community itself and the concern with where people were going to get their help. Where do they go from here and what is the next step? On a number of occasions, members of the community asked the Minister if he would reconsider the decision to close the facility. Although he would not change the decision made, he did commit to giving the board and the staff a little extra time to look at alternatives. The community is thankful for that but there is still a lot of concern as to where these alternatives will come from. I would hope that as this budget goes through that there will be avenues opened up to the place we know as Delta House, to continue to help and serve the people of the Delta, as they have done for 20 years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Proposed Closure Of Delta House
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 494
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Roland. Members' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.
Aboriginal Achievement Awards
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 494
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to take a few minutes to thank the
Members of the Legislature and yourself for providing me with the opportunity to, I believe, in the latter part of last week, to attend the Aboriginal Achievement Awards in Calgary. I thank the Premier and the Cabinet for supporting me, as well as yourself, in being able to attend that event. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to draw the Members' attention to something that I found to be of great significance while attending it, not only in receiving the award this year, which I am very grateful for, but also to draw attention to a very important fact, which is this National Achievement Award is the only forum in this country that gives recognition to achievements to aboriginal people across all sectors of our lives, and it is done by a national jury of aboriginal people. So it is a national jury of aboriginal people that make the selection every year and it is aboriginal people that make the nominations.
What I found to be incredibly enriching is while attending it I have now become aware, where I was not before, of achievements that we have made as aboriginal people in other fields. For instance, we have met doctors, aboriginal doctors, judges, lawyers, and film makers, actresses, and actors, authors, and poets, as well as business people and artists and members of the clergy. These people are world class, nationally renowned, internationally acclaimed people in some cases. This forum provided to me, for the very first time, an opportunity where I could meet people from these other fields and to celebrate with them the achievements that they have attained and this has not been available, so it provides me with the opportunity, as well, to advance their achievements to young leaders that we have here in the north, in forums that will be available to me. Thank you very much.
-- Applause.
Aboriginal Achievement Awards
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 495
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. On behalf of the rest of the colleagues, I would like to congratulate you for your well-deserved award.
-- Applause.
Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.
Kids' Helpline Bowlathon
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 495
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today is about the kids' help phone, better known as the kids' help line, and a bowlathon that is held every year to raise money for the phone line. Mr. Speaker, in a perfect world every child would be loved and safe. Unfortunately, that is not the case. In fact, each year thousands of children run away from home, some from abuse, some in anger at their parents. Thousands of others are in desperate situations in their homes. Many years ago, a kids' help phone was created. Kids in trouble anywhere in the country can call this toll-free number. The number can be found wherever kids might be: in the schools, on mailboxes, on the bus depots, and drop-in centres. Every year the line gets calls from kids who need help to get out of a bad situation at home or on the street. Kids' help phone has been a life-line for many kids in trouble, but it needs money to operate. On Saturday, February the 22nd, the annual bowlathon for kids' help phone will be held in the Northwest Territories. Every year the NWT raises more money per capita than the other provinces and territory. This is done with the assistance of the Elks Lodge, who matches dollar-for-dollar money raised, up to $25,000. Once again, this year, there will be a number of people participating here in Yellowknife, including the Yellowknife MLAs and, hopefully, Mr. Todd, who will be filling in for an injured Premier Morin. I would like to add here that a few years ago, Mr. Morin was not the Premier at the time, but he raised the most money of any individual in the N.W.T.
-- Applause.
Mr. Speaker, if someone approaches you, anybody, to sponsor them for this bowlathon, I would ask them to please to do so to help the kids. This year, Debbie Euchner is co-ordinating the events in Yellowknife and I would like to thank her for her efforts. Thank you.
-- Applause.
Kids' Helpline Bowlathon
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 495
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Members' statements. Ms. Thompson.
Aboriginal Achievement Awards
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 495
Manitok Thompson Aivilik
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to thank the Members for giving me a chance to be a part of the achievement awards. Ethel Blondin and I were able to participate in giving an award, so I would like to thank the Premier and the Members for giving me a chance to participate in the Aboriginal Achievements Awards, and I am glad that we are able to recognize people today that have helped a lot in the north. Also, I am grateful that Stephen Kakfwi was a part of the award giving. Thank you. (Translation ends)
Aboriginal Achievement Awards
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 495
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Ms. Thompson. Members' statements. Mr. Picco.
Proposed Closure Of Nunavut Weather Station
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 495
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on April 1st, 1997, the manned Nunavut weather station in Iqaluit is to be closed down as a budgetary measure of the federal government. I wrote Minister Marchi in September about this development. In November I met with Mr. Marchi's people in Ottawa with a representative of the Baffin Chamber of Commerce to address the closure. It would seem, to no avail. The Nunavut weather station in Iqaluit helps produce a twice-a-day forecast for 94 communities serviced by TVNC. It also supports international collection of scientific data for AT&T laboratories, collection of data for the University of Maryland and the University of New Hampshire, as well as seismology information for Energy and Mines Canada.
a manned, fully staffed weather station. Federal officials have informed us that weather observers through FSS would be provided. The next step may be automation, and we all have heard of the problems in the north to-date with that service. Mr. Speaker, I will be asking our territorial Minister later today on our government's position with this closure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Proposed Closure Of Nunavut Weather Station
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 496
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Picco. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.
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