Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier regarding affirmative action and his comments that the affirmative action policy is not working and that they are going to rewrite the policy. I would like to know, he indicated that they were concerned that the policy is not working. Does Cabinet's concern include the concern that the current affirmative action policy is not being properly implemented?
Debates of Feb. 7th, 1997
This is page numbers 467 - 491 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 aboriginal.
Topics
Question 273-13(4): Affirmative Action Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 480
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Question 273-13(4): Affirmative Action Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 480
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Premier.
Return To Question 273-13(4): Affirmative Action Policy
Question 273-13(4): Affirmative Action Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 480
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not exactly sure when the existing affirmative action policy came into effect. I could find that information out for Members as well. But, when that policy came into effect, we had a very, very low level of aboriginal and long term northerners in the employment of this government. So, previous governments have developed an affirmative action policy with the goal of increasing long term northerners and aboriginal peoples employment in the government to 51 percent, I believe it was. Right now as a government we sit approximately 31 to 34 percent of affirmative action employees in government. As you get into senior management, those percentages drop more. So, we acknowledge that the affirmative action policy is not working to the extent that it needs to meet the goal that was set at the very offset. So, it has to be reworked and we have committed to the Legislative Assembly already that we would rework that affirmative action policy with the Members of this Legislative Assembly. Mr. Todd is the lead Minister on that affirmative action issue and reworking that paper. I believe that he has made a commitment already for June of this year to bring a paper forward on the affirmative action. Sorry, Mr. Speaker, that is for this session.
-- Applause
Return To Question 273-13(4): Affirmative Action Policy
Question 273-13(4): Affirmative Action Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 480
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
So, at that time, the Members will all have an opportunity to make suggestions and recommendations of how we can redevelop that policy for it to work better today, 1997. No, it is about the affirmative action policy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 273-13(4): Affirmative Action Policy
Question 273-13(4): Affirmative Action Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 480
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Question period is over. Mr. Krutko.
Return To Question 273-13(4): Affirmative Action Policy
Question 273-13(4): Affirmative Action Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 480
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to go back to item 5.
Return To Question 273-13(4): Affirmative Action Policy
Question 273-13(4): Affirmative Action Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 480
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Member for Mackenzie Delta is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 5. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. You have unanimous consent. Mr. Krutko.
Return To Question 273-13(4): Affirmative Action Policy
Question 273-13(4): Affirmative Action Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 480
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the Chief from Tsiigehtchic, Morris Blake; the Chief from Fort McPherson, William Koe; and also the Chief from Inuvik, James Firth.
-- Applause
Return To Question 273-13(4): Affirmative Action Policy
Question 273-13(4): Affirmative Action Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 480
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Welcome to the Assembly. Item 7, written questions. Mr. Erasmus.
Item 7: Written Questions
Item 7: Written Questions
Page 480
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like unanimous consent to return to item 6.
Item 7: Written Questions
Item 7: Written Questions
Page 480
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Member for Yellowknife North is seeking unanimous consent to return to Item 6. Do we have any nays? You do not have unanimous consent. Written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Mr. Dent.
Written Question 3-13(4): Chief Julius School Gymnasium
Item 8: Returns To Written Questions
Page 480
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a reply to a written question asked by Mr. Krutko on January 28, 1997 regarding Chief Julius School gymnasium. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Finance is currently working on our behalf with the insurance company on a final settlement amount. Once we have settled the claim I will inform the Member as to the amount to be recovered. However, Finance advises that the claim is not likely to be settled for a number of months.
The department agreed to fund a standard gymnasium for the new school in Fort McPherson through a contribution agreement to the Beaufort-Delta Divisional Education Council. In turn, the Council signed a contract with the Gwich'in Development Corporation. After the community indicated it wanted a gymnasium to be built with the new school that was larger than would be permitted by departmental capital standards, the Gwich'in Development Corporation agreed to fund the additional costs of building the larger gymnasium within the amount of money being proposed by the department. Tetlit Zheh Construction is the construction arm of the Gwich'in Development Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, it was understood by all parties that the funds allocated for the building of the school were based on the department's capital standards and those items in excess of standards and the agreed amount would be covered by the Gwich'in Development Corporation. Tetlit Zheh Construction was aware of this understanding when it signed the contract. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Written Question 3-13(4): Chief Julius School Gymnasium
Item 8: Returns To Written Questions
Page 480
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Mr. Ningark.
Item 10: Petitions
Item 10: Petitions
Page 481
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition, Petition No. 10-13(4), dealing with the matter of the 10 percent budget cut for the women's program. Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 21 signatures and, Mr. Speaker, the petitioners request, we the undersigned do not want the 10 percent budget cut to the women's program, from the Inuktitut Women's group in Taloyoak. Thank you.
Item 10: Petitions
Item 10: Petitions
Page 481
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Petitions. We will take a 15 minute break.
-- Break
Item 10: Petitions
Item 10: Petitions
Page 481
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
We are on item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Mr. Krutko.
Committee Report 4-13(4): Report On The Review Of The 1997-98 Main Estimates
Item 11: Reports Of Standing And Special Committees
February 6th, 1997
Page 481
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to present the report of the Resource Management Committee on our main estimate review. The Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development would like to compliment the departments in its envelope for identifying such significant reductions while meeting, what may best be described, as difficult budget targets.
During the 1996/97 budget review, the standing committee approved total reductions to the departments in this envelope, of more than $17 million. For the upcoming 1997/98 fiscal year, proposed reductions are in excess of $30 million. The net effect on this envelope, over the two year period, will be base reductions totalling over $47 million and the elimination of more than 245 positions.
Mr. Speaker, that concludes the introductory comments of the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development in our review of the 1997/98 main estimates. I would therefore move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kivallivik, that the report be received and moved into committee of the whole for consideration.
Committee Report 4-13(4): Report On The Review Of The 1997-98 Main Estimates
Item 11: Reports Of Standing And Special Committees
Page 481
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. You will need another seconder. Your seconder is not here, Mr. Krutko, but we still do not have a quorum. Mr. Clerk. The chair recognizes a quorum. Mr. Krutko, your motion.
Committee Report 4-13(4): Report On The Review Of The 1997-98 Main Estimates
Item 11: Reports Of Standing And Special Committees
Page 481
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
I therefore move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kivallivik, that the report be received and moved into committee of the whole for consideration. Thank you.
Committee Report 4-13(4): Report On The Review Of The 1997-98 Main Estimates
Item 11: Reports Of Standing And Special Committees
Page 481
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Your motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried. Thank you. Reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mrs. Groenewegen.
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Page 481
Jane Groenewegen Hay River
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For the benefit of the Honourable Charles Dent, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, today I would like to table a picture, Tabled Document No. 41-13(4), depicting the gross inconsistencies in this government's support in programs for seniors living in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Page 481
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Tabling of documents. Mr. Arlooktoo.
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Page 481
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a letter addressed to Edward Picco, Tabled Document No. 42-13(4), chairman, Standing Committee on Infrastructure from myself, explaining the role of Ministers in privatization, dated August 6, 1996. Thank you.
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Page 481
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Tabling of documents. Mr. Todd. Tabling of documents.
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Page 481
John Todd Keewatin Central
No. Sorry.