This is page numbers 1067 - 1096 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

Honourable Jim Antoine, Honourable Goo Arlooktoo, Mr. Barnabas, Honourable Charles Dent, Mr. Enuaraq, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Honourable Samuel Gargan, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Miltenberger, Honourable Don Morin, Honourable Kelvin Ng, 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 the 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. Ningark. Good afternoon. Orders of the day, Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Gender Parity
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about gender parity. Political astuteness would tell me to stay away from this subject. However, I would not be myself if I did not wade in where angels fear to tread. First of all, I want to state categorically, for the record, that I would like to see more women in politics. For one thing, it would make our government more representative of the people it serves. I have a little statistic here. It says that Canada may be ranked as the number one country in the world by other measures but, when it comes to representation of women according to the inter-parliamentary union, we are ranked 21st, just between Uganda and another country which I could not catch the name of, probably Uzbekistan or some place. Men and women are different. They bring profoundly different perspectives and approaches to people, processes and problems. I know that no matter how many male-dominated organizations I associate with, I still think, speak and act like a woman.

Over the past few weeks, I have been asked for my opinion on gender parity in territorial ridings. I want to see more women in political office because I know it would affect, as we say, the way we do government. But would I be willing to give up my right to compete with men to get there? I would have to say no. I have been blessed with parents who encouraged and told me I could do anything I put my mind to. I have been blessed with a supportive husband who is willing to do more than his share to allow me to pursue my goals, but I have also worked very hard my whole life to prove that I am equal to any male. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Gender Parity
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Members' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Tribute To Cape Dorset Mace Designers
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure and pride to inform Members that a long overdue issue will be finally dealt with this month in Cape Dorset. On March 14, 1997, I will be travelling to Cape Dorset along with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Sam Gargan, and the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, Her Honour Helen Maksagak, to pay special tribute to the great artists from Cape Dorset who designed and build the Mace.

Mr. Speaker, the project began in Cape Dorset on July 15, 1955, under the supervision of the well-known artist, Mr. James Houston. There were a total of nine Inuit artists involved in the project and they completed the task in just 21 days. The Governor General then presented it in Ottawa to the Legislative Assembly in 1956.

Mr. Speaker, four of the original artists are still living today. Oshawetuk Ipeelie, Lutka Qiatsuk, Kovianaktuliak Parr, Ashevak Ezekiel. Unfortunately, the remaining artists have passed away. They were: Peter Pitseolak, Nungoshuitok, Qavaroak Tunnillie, Moses Tauki and Kovianatuliak Ottokie.

At a special community gathering on Saturday, March 15th, we will be making special presentations to the carvers themselves or a direct descendant who has been chosen by the family to receive the presentation.

In addition, we will also pay a special tribute to Mrs. Oodlooreak Manning, who donated her prized copper kettle to be modified into the crown when the native copper originally planned for use proved too brittle. Her kettle was eventually replaced by the Governor General.

Mr. Speaker, the original Mace is too valuable a treasure to risk in a journey over 1,000 kilometres to Cape Dorset. However, we will bring the exact replica, which is the one brought into this House each time we start sitting. I am sure that the carvers, their families, and the people of Cape Dorset will get great pleasure from seeing this exact replica of their artistry.

I would ask all Members to join me in congratulating and thanking the people of Cape Dorset for this outstanding contribution to the legacy of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

-- Applause

Tribute To Cape Dorset Mace Designers
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Arlooktoo. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Concerns With Trail Cross Facility Privatization
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk briefly about Trail Cross. Trail Cross is a child care facility in Fort Smith that has been in operation since the '60s. It has evolved over those years, up to last year, to a fairly well-run, sophisticated facility that delivers the high quality of care for children, mainly girls, across the Northwest Territories. It had mainly aboriginal staff who had been trained over the years to provide good service in conjunction with professional support services from Yellowknife and other jurisdictions.

The first year of this Assembly it was decided, as a cost-cutting measure, that there would be a privatization of that facility. That was done and it was turned over to a private contractor last year. There have been some concerns raised since that time but, as of late, there have been a number of incidents in that facility which cause me significant concern. Incidents involving children in care. Incidents and concerns raised by many people from my constituency about the programming that is currently underway. The fact that aboriginal staff seem to be quietly no longer employed there.

I am very concerned about the state of affairs and the well-being of the children. It is a very important program for the Northwest Territories, otherwise children that require that service would have to be sent south. I am sure the Minister shares my concern about the well-being of children in care and the need to have that kind of service effectively run. There do seem to be problems that have arisen since this institution and program was privatized. I think it is going to require a second look. I will be asking the Minister of Health and Social Services, at the appropriate time, questions about this particular facility and the incidents occurring there at present. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Concerns With Trail Cross Facility Privatization
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Members' statements. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have some sad news to share with you. Last night, in Igloolik, a person had passed away. This person is a 50 year old person and she has done a lot as a community leader. As well, she has been a member of the Anglican Church. She passed away last night. I would like to send my condolences to the family and we will be with you in our prayers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Evaloarjuk. Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

Contracting In Nunavut Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, Members. Today I want to talk about contracting within the Nunavut communities. In the Nunavut communities, under Article 24 of the Nunavut Final Agreement, it states that anyone who is an aboriginal person can apply to have a contract under certain companies or under a certain contract or bid for a contract. In this case, the people of Nunavut can bid for contracts. Today I want to talk about Inuit from my riding, how a construction company in one of my communities has been requesting to do a contract to build an adult education unit in Clyde River. They have been given help from the hamlet of Clyde River and, as well, I have given my assistance as their Member of the Legislative Assembly. I have given them my support. During question period, I will be asking a question to the Minister responsible for Public Works and Services, the honourable Minister Goo Arlooktoo. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends.)

Contracting In Nunavut Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Support For Tl'oondih Healing Society
Item 3: Members' Statements

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great honour to read the press release yesterday in relation to students from Fort McPherson who will be spending time at the Tl'oondih Healing Camp so that they can deal with the many issues that affect our students these days in relation to community concerns; also the thing that has affected the community the most in the last year, the arsons of the two fires; also to deal with the question of consultation and working along with children, parents, to make them aware of issues that effect them in regards to alcoholism and drug abuse, the question about suicides and what they are trying to do in relation to the community politics, and also what the healing camp consists of.

Mr. Speaker, in the last year since I arrived here, I have raised several questions and passed motions. There have been petitions passed in this House in relation to this issue. There was also a committee struck between the Minister, the Premier, the Minister of Finance, myself and members of the Gwich'in Tribal Council and the Tl'oondih Healing Society. Yet today after all consultation, the Minister still leaves a grey cloud over the community on exactly where we are going to go in relation to an investment that was made by the community for the people of Mackenzie Delta and the Northwest Territories to deal with healing and a program to deal with family programs that we have established.

Mr. Speaker, in relation to the attempts by the community to allow themselves to heal and to deal with the problems that affect a lot of our communities day in and day out, this initiative has been endorsed by the federal government. It has been endorsed by band councils, committee councils and also a lot of people in the north who have benefited from this program. Yet until today, I still do not see the support that I was hoping would be there from this government. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be asking the Minister questions on this matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Support For Tl'oondih Healing Society
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

Hunter Traffic On The Colomac Road
Item 3: Members' Statements

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James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you may recall, last week during our sitting I asked the honourable Minister responsible for the Department of RWED why there was increased hunting traffic on the winter road that goes to Colomac mines. I believe the Minister did not truly understand what I was asking. My reasoning behind this statement is the fact that today in the morning news, I heard our Grand Chief, Joe Rabesca, talking about the amount of caribou meat that has been left behind by various hunters. Mr. Speaker, as I stated previously, my region was hoping to work closely with the department to ensure there was adequate monitoring taking place. If hunters left meat behind, these individuals should be charged. Unfortunately, it seems that this has not happened.

Mr. Speaker, as I stated previously, the Dogrib Rae Band hired one of its own members to provide monitoring, as the Department of RWED is short staff in Rae-Edzo and could not perform an adequate job. There was also mention that the department's office in Yellowknife would occasionally assist the Rae Band Councils in monitoring. Mr. Speaker, it seems to me the department is not living up to the mandate by not enforcing their rules on hunting wildlife. I do not see why a hunter would go out to hunt caribou and take only a small portion of the animal. This is a total waste of a valuable resource and people should respect the resources. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Hunter Traffic On The Colomac Road
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Rabesca. Members' statements. Mr. Roland

GNWT Staffing Policies
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon on the issue of affirmative action. Mr. Speaker, I have said to the people of my community, I represent everybody equally. However, they grow concerned when jobs in the community are saved for someone else or when it is kept on casual and they continue to roll over these positions without handing them out to long-term residents of the north or people who fall under the affirmative action, P1.

Mr. Speaker, I have received a number of letters from my community raising this concern, especially in regards to the NWT Power Corporation. I have forwarded those concerns on to the Minister and I will be questioning him on this issue at the appropriate time. I have done so in the past, but the concern seems to keep coming around. I believe it is time to address this and deal with this once and for all, so people will know exactly what is happening and what the policies of this government and departments or corporations under this government are. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

GNWT Staffing Policies
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Flexibility In Medical Travel
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, an incident came to my attention during the latter part of February, concerning a couple from Arviat who lost their first born baby during the RSV outbreak last year. This couple is looking forward to the birth of their second child. However, the baby will have to be born in Winnipeg as it has potential medical problems. Due to the recent cutbacks for non-medical escorts, the father wrote me, worried that he would not be able or allowed to escort his wife to the hospital and be there to support her during the child's surgery that will be required at a later date. Mr. Speaker, I wrote to the Keewatin Health Board and a copy of my letter went to Minister Ng. I am pleased to report that the health board did agree to allow the father to travel with the wife and stay there for the birth of the child. Mr. Speaker, we certainly appreciate the efforts of the Minister and his department and also the board in allowing this escort. Unfortunately, there are other situations that we are faced with other people in the community, elders where they are not allowed or do not meet the criteria in order to travel with their family members. Mr. Speaker, I will be addressing this issue further with the Minister during question period.

Flexibility In Medical Travel
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Expedient Appointment Of Interim Commissioner
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Edward Picco Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have a little calendar in the lobby of the Assembly counting down the days before division. Mr. Speaker, every Member of this House wants division to proceed smoothly and on course. When the agreement was signed finally giving a date for division, it seemed like a long time off. Now as the days quickly go by, Nunavut and the new western territory are becoming closer to reality. Mr. Speaker, there will and have been bumps on the road proceeding to and after division. The fiscal framework, infrastructure, jobs and the actual makeup of the new governments themselves are causing much concern and debate. Constitution issues, as well as the appointment of the interim commissioner, are high on this agenda. In Nunavut, the appointment of the interim commissioner will be part of the final piece of the puzzle. The federal delay of this

appointment has caused much concern as the timeline towards Nunavut gets shorter. Mr. Speaker, every day we hear that the appointment is imminent. I would again ask this government in very strong language to communicate again with our partner, the federal government, to press on them to have the appointment made as expediently and expeditiously as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Expedient Appointment Of Interim Commissioner
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

New Headlight Legislation
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today is about daytime headlights. Mr. Speaker, last year this Assembly passed a headlights bill, which made it mandatory to have headlights on at all times on our highways. During the winter, not much was said because we have so much darkness. Now that we are getting more light every day and some police officials are starting to enforce the law, there are some people starting to complain. I just wanted to remind everyone why it is important to have headlights on during the day. Studies show that having headlights on reduces accidents. A Saskatchewan study showed 24 percent less accidents concerning pedestrians where daytime running lights were made mandatory. This means that one out of four accidents with pedestrians were averted. Similarly in Saskatchewan from 1982 to 1989, two vehicle crashes in the daytime were reduced by 28 percent after they introduced daytime running lights. In Finland, the use of daytime running lights in rural areas reduced daytime collisions by 27 percent. In Sweden, the use of daytime running lights reduced daytime collisions by 11 percent.

Mr. Speaker, if a vehicle has its lights on, it is easier to notice that vehicle in your side vision. It is particularly helpful for children and elderly people when they are trying to cross the streets. Currently, they have problems discerning how far away vehicles are and having headlights on helps them to tell if it is safe to cross or not. At this time of the year, cool temperatures bring blinding sunlight and increases your chances of seeing a vehicle coming at you in the sunlight if that vehicle has its lights on. Mr. Speaker, I know that it can be an effort for those who do not have automatic lights, but I also believe that it is worth it if it helps even one person from having an accident. Thank you.

-- Applause

New Headlight Legislation
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.