Mr. Speaker, in keeping with community empowerment and the philosophical approach of this government of joining our partners in seeking solutions to difficult problems, I am sure that once we have some framework for what we think some of the solutions are, we will join with our partners in Inuvik in trying to reach a satisfactory conclusion to this very difficult situation. Thank you.
Debates of Feb. 19th, 1997
Topics
Further Return To Question 346-13(4): Utilidor System In Inuvik
Question 346-13(4): Utilidor System In Inuvik
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 701
John Todd Keewatin Central
Further Return To Question 346-13(4): Utilidor System In Inuvik
Question 346-13(4): Utilidor System In Inuvik
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 701
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mr. Picco.
Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 701
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment. Mr. Speaker, over the past several weeks, there have been petitions filed in this House and statements made, advertisements in newspapers, concerning the restructuring of library services. Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister, is there a plan underway by this government, to restructure libraries for the '97/98 fiscal year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 701
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment, Mr. Dent.
Return To Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 701
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the only restructuring that is proposed in the library system for '97/98 is the elimination of the two regional librarian positions, one in Iqaluit, and the other in Rankin. There is no proposal for any change to the contributions to community libraries from what they have received in '96/97. Those are proposed to be kept exactly the same in the next fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 701
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 701
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it seems that the controversy, or the misinformation that is going around, concerns the contributions that the Minister just mentioned. My question to the Minister then is, before these contributions may be changed, propose to be changed, will the Minister be doing a consultation with the library groups, the NWT Library Association and the communities that have libraries? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 701
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 701
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said last week, Mr. Speaker, we need to take a look at redressing the inequity that is found in our system right now. Some communities get money for libraries, others get none. It is felt that it is important we provide some equity across the Northwest Territories, and we must look for some way to do that. As I said last week, before instituting any changes, we will commit to consulting with Members of this House, interested people, including hamlets and library operators, and the standing committees. We will undertake a fairly broad, public consultation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 701
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 701
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on this issue again, one of the problems seems to be the misinformation that occurred because of a document that was being sent around. Can the Minister confirm that this document is just a consultative first kick-at-the-can, as it were, that it in no way reflects the policy or strategies of this government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 701
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 701
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I have said previously in this House, the document which has led to much of the concern among the public, does not represent the position of this government, nor the plans of this government. It was an initial document to be sent around to staff, asking for their suggestions for changes to a discussion document, that could then go out for public discussion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Question 347-13(4): Restructuring Of Library Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 701
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.
Question 348-13(4): Preventing Infant Mortality
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 701
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for Health, Mr. Ng. Today, the Minister responded to a question I had raised in the House regarding infant mortality rates in the north. I was appalled to find out that second hand smoke was determined as the most significant factor in infant mortality in the north. My question to the Minister is, what measures are being taken by the Department of Health to deal with this preventative factor? Mr. Speaker, thank you.
Question 348-13(4): Preventing Infant Mortality
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 701
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.
Return To Question 348-13(4): Preventing Infant Mortality
Question 348-13(4): Preventing Infant Mortality
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 702
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, measures are taken in continuing to develop preventative programs to try to address the issues. Particularly some of the anti-smoking campaigns that have been taking place, in respect to that issue. In respect to the overall improvement of health for live births, there are some of the early intervention initiatives that we continue to be working on. That will be where, hopefully, a lot of the initiative will be undertaken, in trying to develop those programs to allow the preventative end aspect of things to take place, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Return To Question 348-13(4): Preventing Infant Mortality
Question 348-13(4): Preventing Infant Mortality
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 702
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.
Supplementary To Question 348-13(4): Preventing Infant Mortality
Question 348-13(4): Preventing Infant Mortality
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 702
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if we have laws in place prohibiting the sale of tobacco to persons under 18 years, is there any legislation that could be enacted that would prohibit minors from smoking in public places? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 348-13(4): Preventing Infant Mortality
Question 348-13(4): Preventing Infant Mortality
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 702
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 349-13(4): Law Preventing Minors From Smoking In Public
Question 348-13(4): Preventing Infant Mortality
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 702
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware there is federal legislation prohibiting sales of tobacco products to minors. I am not exactly sure about what legislative authorities are in place for actually dealing with minors smoking in public. I will check into that matter and advise the honourable Member. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 349-13(4): Law Preventing Minors From Smoking In Public
Question 348-13(4): Preventing Infant Mortality
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 702
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Question period is over. Mr. Ningark.
Further Return To Question 349-13(4): Law Preventing Minors From Smoking In Public
Question 348-13(4): Preventing Infant Mortality
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 702
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to go back to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 349-13(4): Law Preventing Minors From Smoking In Public
Question 348-13(4): Preventing Infant Mortality
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 702
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
I have to get unanimous consent. Mr. Ningark.
Further Return To Question 349-13(4): Law Preventing Minors From Smoking In Public
Question 348-13(4): Preventing Infant Mortality
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 702
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to go back to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Thank you.