Debates of Feb. 25th, 1997

This is page numbers 849 - 877 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.

Topics

Members Present

Item 1: Prayer

Minister Absent From House

Division Meetings In Holman Island

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Extension Of Canadian Infrastructure Works Program

Return To Written Question 11-13(4): Community Libraries

Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Recommendation To Retain Baffin And Keewatin Regional Librarians In The 1997-98 Budget

Recommendation That Funding Be Allocated To An Fas/fae Education/training Module

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Item 22: Orders Of The Day

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, Mr. Krutko, 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 constant recognition of the dignity and aspirations of those whom we serve. Amen.

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Minister's Statement 61-13(4): Minister Absent From House
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi will be absent from the House today to attend meetings with the president of the Canadian Energy Research Institute and the chairman of the National Energy Board at the Canadian Energy Research Institute North American Gas and Oil in Calgary. As well, Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Kelvin Ng will be absent from the House for the remainder of this week to attend the meeting of Provincial/Territorial Ministers of Justice in Fredericton. Thank you.

Minister's Statement 61-13(4): Minister Absent From House
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Steen.

Division Meetings In Holman Island
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Premier on behalf of the community of Holman Island for allowing his staff including Mr. Gilmour, secretary to the Cabinet, to proceed to Holman Island on February 12, 1997 to discuss issues and concerns deriving from division 1999. Mr. Speaker, this community waited a long time for this important meeting to happen. I am told that some very fundamental issues in regards to future education and health and social service programs were discussed with further discussions to follow at a later date. Consequently, the community is expecting the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and the Minister of Health and Social Services and their respective departmental officials to visit the community of Holman in the near future and address these concerns directly.

Mr. Speaker, as MLA for Nunakput, I plan to travel to Holman Island on March 12 and I am inviting the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent, to accompany me on this constituency visit and perhaps ease some of the concerns of the community. We would be visiting the communities of Paulatuk, Tuktoyaktuk and Sachs Harbour as well. With that, Mr. Speaker, once again I would like to extend my appreciation to the Premier, Honourable Mr. Morin. Thank you.

-- Applause

Division Meetings In Holman Island
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Return To Question 256-13(4): Drivers' Licence Photographs
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Erasmus on February 6th regarding drivers' licence photographs. On Thursday, February 6th, the Member for Yellowknife North asked about the Department of Transportation practice of retaining a duplicate of the photograph used in photo ID drivers' licenses. The Department of Transportation introduced photo ID drivers' licenses in April of 1991. For the first few years, the second photograph was not retained. The practice was changed in 1994 for better security in replacing lost or stolen drivers' licenses. The department found that people could too easily obtain false photo ID drivers' licenses or age-of-majority cards by claiming to have lost their license and then presenting someone else's birth certificate or health care card as proof of their identity. Retaining the second photograph on file makes it possible to establish a positive identification of the person who comes to the motor vehicle office asking for a new document. This is especially important for these documents which, because of the photograph, are widely used as proof of identity. False identity documents can be used for fraudulent and criminal purposes. The motor vehicles division retains the photograph solely for identification purposes and strictly within the motor vehicles division. As with any documents issued or received by the motor vehicles division, its files are confidential and subject to the privacy provision of the Motor Vehicles Act and the Access to Information and Protection and Privacy Act. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 256-13(4): Drivers' Licence Photographs
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Miltenberger.