Debates of Feb. 27th, 1997

This is page numbers 919 - 954 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
Supporting Diverse Conditions In Communities
Best Wishes To Crisis Intervention Workers
Official Opening Of Arviat Business Training Centre
Affirmative Action Policy
Legal Training In The Northwest Territories
People's Contribution Towards Deficit Reduction
Support For Small Business
Solutions Desired From Plan 2000
Acknowledging Community Diversity Through Government Policies
Amending Affirmative Action Policy
Rationale Of Designating Communities By Level
Community Empowerment Negotiations With Aklavik
Rewarding NWT Residents For Sacrifices Made
Canadian Federation Of Business' Assessment Of GNWT Budget
Infrastructure Requirements For Nunavut
Inuktitut School Curriculums
Incremental Infrastructure Costs Prior To Division
Formula Funding Negotiations
Practise Of Awarding Housing Contracts
Practise Of Awarding Housing Contracts
Committee Report 7-13(4): Standing Committee On Infrastructure's Review Of Bill 7, Municipal Statutes Amending Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Recommendation To Provide NWT Development Corporation Subsidiaries' Annual Financial Statements To The Resource Management Committee
Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 950

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Mr. Chairman, grants or loans, it is the same thing.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 950

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Henry. Mr. Kakfwi, do you want to respond?

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 950

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The grants are not repayable, but the loans of the status that the Member refers to are. I believe that there is a legislative obligation on our part to actively protect any outstanding loans that are out there. We have to take every reasonable measure we can to make sure that those are repaid. It is only when we can legislatively give up any possibility of retrieving those things that the status of them change. Thank you.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 950

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Henry.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 950

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My last question is on the northern accord contributions. I can appreciate where the aboriginal organizations have to be brought on site and can contribute to the initial work of what should be proposed and the negotiations for the northern accord. Has the Minister been approached by any municipalities or Chambers of Commerce for contributions from this fund so they can also participate from a financial or even a regional area, but mainly from a financial area of expertise to make suggestions or work up ideas to be presented to the department. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 950

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Henry. Mr. Kakfwi.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 950

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Chairman, I have never had the good fortune to be directly responsible for the devolution file. It is a rather challenging file, as you know, by the number of Ministers who have tried to reach a successful conclusion in this area. Again, the question would have to go to the Premier as to how he thinks he can best achieve some results and whether that would include having a partnership or working and funding organizations other than aboriginal organizations in pursuit of devolution.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 950

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Mr. Henry.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 950

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Mr. Chairman, just a comment. The group that is working on formula financing and related matters in the west is made up of Chambers of Commerce, municipalities, not to forget MLAs, and also aboriginal groups. I suggest they are working extremely well together, so it may be something for the Minister to keep in mind and also for the Premier to be aware of, that this type of group may be as good a vehicle to work on a northern accord. It is worth a try. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 950

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Do you wish to respond to the comment, Mr. Minister?

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 950

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

I will just thank the Member for his comment. Thank you.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 950

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. I recognize Mr. Ootes.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 950

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the Minister has stated the question should be directed at the

Premier, but there are perhaps some questions that the Minister may be able to answer with regard to the northern accord, since some officials in his department do work on this particular area.

Could the Minister tell us if a timeframe has been set for this whole northern accord program?

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 951

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 951

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

No, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 951

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Ootes.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 951

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess I am a bit frustrated with the fact that I can not find out what the program is about. I have to ask the Premier, but here I have to approve the funding. I find that rather conflicting because I have to make a decision as to whether I approve the funding. Could the Minister tell me, is he part of the Minister's committee on the northern accord?

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 951

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 951

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Premier does keep me informed of the current activities on this file and I should say that what we are requesting as a government is for the Legislature to approve the allocation of this file. It is generally intended as what we think we are willing to expend in the coming year on this file, provided we think there is reasonable opportunity to get agreement from the aboriginal organizations to proceed with this file. That is what that allocation is for, to contract individuals to help the government get beyond the stage where we can get an agreement, convene a meeting with aboriginal organizations, and cover the costs of reaching agreement with the aboriginal organizations to pursue a devolution agreement with the federal government. That is what the amount shown would be used for. Thank you.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 951

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you. Mr. Ootes.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 951

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Minister did not answer my question as to whether he is a member of the Premier's committee.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 951

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Mr. Kakfwi.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 951

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There is no committee on devolution. The Premier does keep us informed on his present activity on this file. What I know is what I have so far informed the Members about in regard to this piece of work. Thank you.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 951

The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Mr. Ootes.

Committee Motion 30-13(4): Recommendation To Reinstate Funding For Local Wildlife Committees To Levels Equivalent To The 1996/97 Fiscal Year
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 951

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess I am surprised that we have a department and we are funding it through that particular department. I am wondering why this particular funding was not in the Executive and why it is under this particular department when the Minister can not answer the questions? I need answers to these particular questions in order to deal with the funding and it is inappropriate to put the funding here, to put the individuals here, if the Minister cannot answer the questions to it. I think that is a very important element in my considerations as to what I am doing with this budget. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.