Debates of Feb. 4th, 1997

This is page numbers 371 - 400 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 federal.

Topics

Members Present

Item 1: Prayer

Speaker's Ruling

Decorum And Behaviour During Question Period

Clyde River Housing Shortage

Dust And Air Contaminants In Arctic Bay

"bridges" School Program To Aid Transition To The Labour Market

Public Works Contracting System

Industrious, Hard-working Northerners

Acknowledgement Of Minister's Efforts

NWT Senior's Society Letter To Social Programs Committee

Return To Oral Question 150-13(4): Municipal Liabilities Through Empowerment

Return To Oral Question 143-13(4): Monitoring Colomac Mines

Return To Oral Question 137-13(4): List Of Deputy Ministers In The GNWT

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Sale Of GNWT Staff Housing

Winter Road Openings

H&ss Strategic Planning Initiative

Funding The Western Constitutional Process

Environmental Concerns At Nanasivik Mine

Sale Of Dew Line Sites

Benefits Owing To Seniors

Timeframe For A Western Constitution

Tax-based And Non-tax-based Municipalities

Results Of Student Achievement Tests

Written Question 11-13(4): Community Libraries

Item 10: Replies To Budget Address

Item 11: Petitions

Item 14: Tabling Of Documents

Bill 9: Forgiveness Of Debts Act, 1996-97

Bill 10: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1996-97

Bill 11: Loan Authorization Act 1997-98

Referral Of Td 20-13(4) To Committee Of The Whole

Appointment Of Conflict Of Interest Commissioner

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Reconsider Elimination Of Funding For Metis Nation Community Resource Director

Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Item 23: Orders Of The Day

NWT Senior's Society Letter To Social Programs Committee
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 376

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Social Programs Committee recently had lunch with the NWT Seniors Advisory Council, and I just wanted to read a brief note that they sent us following that meeting.

The NWT Seniors Advisory Council would like to thank you for the luncheon and the opportunity to meet you and the committee. We appreciated the open and candid discussions. As promised, I am enclosing a copy of a letter the Advisory Council addressed to Minister Dent, regarding the fossil fuel program. The Advisory Council agree that the fuel program is very valuable and still much needed and wanted. We passed a motion to recommend to Minister Dent that no further reductions be made to the 1997/98 fuel program. The Advisory Council also passed a motion supporting Minister Ng to have the social envelope review all programs available to seniors and elders. The Advisory Council would want to have representation in this process from the beginning, and not consulted after the draft. The Advisory Council also recommended to Minister Ng to look at the feasibility of having one department responsible for all seniors programs and benefits. We hope that you will support us with your recommendations.

This is dated February 3, 1997, and it came from the NWT Seniors Advisory Council. Thank you.

NWT Senior's Society Letter To Social Programs Committee
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 376

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mrs. Thompson.

Return To Oral Question 150-13(4): Municipal Liabilities Through Empowerment
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 376

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Picco on January 28, 1997, on ability contingencies community empowerment.

As our major partner, it is essential that the NWTAM's concerns be heard by MACA, and this government. I have directed my staff to investigate the liability issue raised by the Member from Iqaluit, and further detailed in correspondence from Mr. Bevington. If our review indicates that any liabilities have been inappropriately transferred to communities, I will ensure that steps are taken to rectify the situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Oral Question 150-13(4): Municipal Liabilities Through Empowerment
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 376

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Oral Question 143-13(4): Monitoring Colomac Mines
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 376

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, this is a response to a question asked by Mr. Rabesca on the 28th of January regarding the monitoring of Colomac Mines. As the honourable Member correctly noted in this Assembly on January 28, when work is finally completed next summer at the Rae Rock Mine, it will have taken over three decades to clean up wastes left over from the mine's operation. Times have changed however, and so have the means by which governments regulate mines, including the Colomac Mine.

The land upon which Colomac Mine operates is controlled by land leases administered by the Land Resources Branch of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Operation of the waste treatment and disposal facilities are licensed by the federal NWT Water Board. In the case of Colomac and other mines operating on federal land, the Government of the Northwest Territories does not have a direct regulatory role over their land and water use activities. The role we take is one of advisor to the appropriate federal regulatory agency and, just recently with BHP, partner to the Environmental Agreement.

With respect to eventual closure and abandonment of the Colomac Mine, when Royal Oak Mines received approval from the federal Water Board to operate a mine, a condition was placed in their water licence which required the company to submit an abandonment and restoration plan. The plan presents the scope of activities that Royal Oak Mines will undertake at the time of final mine closure. At the same time, the Water Board also required Royal Oak Mines to post and maintain a security deposit in the amount of $1.5 million to ensure the necessary work was undertaken upon closure.

Mr. Speaker, all governments must continue to learn from the mistakes of the past. When it comes to the closure and abandonment of mines, it is hoped that we have learned enough so that the mistakes made at Rae Rock are not repeated. For our part, we remain committed to ensuring closure and abandonment of mines occur in a timely and safe manner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Oral Question 143-13(4): Monitoring Colomac Mines
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 376

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Returns to oral questions. Mr. Morin.

Return To Oral Question 137-13(4): List Of Deputy Ministers In The GNWT
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 376

Don Morin

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Krutko on January 27, 1997. He asked for a list of the deputy ministers. Mr. Krutko asked for the number of deputy ministers and how many of those deputy ministers were hired from southern Canada.

The 11 departments and the NWT Housing Corporation are managed by 12 deputy ministers. With one exception, all the incumbents have been staffed through northern appointments. The one incumbent hired from southern Canada was a former resident of the Northwest Territories recruited for his extensive experience in the area of aboriginal education. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Oral Question 137-13(4): List Of Deputy Ministers In The GNWT
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 376

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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