Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The ratification process which has been mentioned today is going to be a very important one. One part of the ratification process that has not been talked about much lately, but will no doubt come up because it struck a cord very early on in this process, is the naming of the new western territory and whether we will in fact keep the same old name or move on to something brave and bold that will reflect the progressive change we are trying to make as we move into the 21st century. Will the process that is going to be taken to the communities and the consultation be able to address any questions that may arise in that particular regard? Even though it is not within the clear mandate of the Constitutional Working Group, it is bound to come up.
Debates of March 4th, 1997
Topics
Supplementary To Question 452-13(4): Federal Involvement In Constitutional Process
Question 452-13(4): Federal Involvement In Constitutional Process
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1079
Supplementary To Question 452-13(4): Federal Involvement In Constitutional Process
Question 452-13(4): Federal Involvement In Constitutional Process
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1079
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Antoine.
Further Return To Question 452-13(4): Federal Involvement In Constitutional Process
Question 452-13(4): Federal Involvement In Constitutional Process
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1079
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the name of a territory is going to come up for sure. At this stage of the whole development process, it is difficult for me to tell the honourable Member if the name of the territories should be in the ratification process. I think it is subject to some more discussion. There is some concern out there that a lot of discussion has taken place over the name and if we put the name into part of the ratification process, the intention of the package might be very good. However, if somebody is very supportive of one name, they may vote against a good package in support of a name. Some things have to be ironed out yet. I think we should be discussing this during the consultation process. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 452-13(4): Federal Involvement In Constitutional Process
Question 452-13(4): Federal Involvement In Constitutional Process
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1079
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.
Supplementary To Question 452-13(4): Federal Involvement In Constitutional Process
Question 452-13(4): Federal Involvement In Constitutional Process
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1079
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, I agree with the Minister that clearly those are two very separate questions that have to be able to stand alone on their individual merit, on any type of ballot that may be brought out. Could the Minister confirm, in spite of the personal preferences that may be demonstrated by MLAs such as myself in terms of a name, that when this issue is discussed and addressed it will be from the same objective point of view as getting feedback for the constitutional package? That we are not going to be trying to sell a particular point of view, but listen to what the people have to say in regards to a name? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 452-13(4): Federal Involvement In Constitutional Process
Question 452-13(4): Federal Involvement In Constitutional Process
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1079
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Antoine.
Further Return To Question 452-13(4): Federal Involvement In Constitutional Process
Question 452-13(4): Federal Involvement In Constitutional Process
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1079
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the north I have been told many times that everybody has their own opinion. Some of them are very strong opinions and yes, during the consultation process we will remain as objective as we could be. However, if the opportunity arises, I am sure that different people and different participants in this whole process will be expressing their view. It is a free country after all and there is freedom of speech. Therefore, I can say that it would be not objective, but I think I understand what the honourable Member is saying. We have to be very objective in our approach, both in delivering the moving forward and putting this whole discussion forward and then getting feedback from the people in the communities. On the package itself and if the name comes up, then we have to be objective there as well. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 452-13(4): Federal Involvement In Constitutional Process
Question 452-13(4): Federal Involvement In Constitutional Process
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1079
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Roland.
Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1079
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister responsible for FMBS. It has to do with the summer student hiring program we have. Not the new one that the government has been looking at, but a practice that I am very concerned about has been raised when we have students coming back to the territories to work within the government. The casual positions are left open and people that are in them as that casual position comes to an end, are not continued on for the sake of students being put into that place. In the time of reductions, when some people
out there in our communities are counting quite heavily on these casual jobs, is it a policy of this government to keep casual positions open or to empty them out, so that when students come back north or when the school season is done they have employment? Thank you.
Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1080
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board, Mr. Todd.
Return To Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1080
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. While we have an obligation and a responsibility to our students, we also have an obligation and responsibility to northerners who have to feed their families and have to work and contribute to society as a whole. It is not a policy of this government to leave positions vacant so that students can get them in the summer. Thank you.
Return To Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1080
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.
Supplementary To Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1080
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is there a policy for casual positions? Do we have any numbers that would show that a lot of casual positions are not purposely left empty when the spring season comes? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1080
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1080
John Todd Keewatin Central
I want to assure my honourable colleague that it is not the policy of the government for this to take place. If in fact there is some indication that this is happening, I will look into it and report back to him. The policy of this government is to try to get as many people with families and responsibilities hired as we can and casual employment is one component of it. I would hope that it is not being abused. I will certainly look into it and if it is, I will report to my colleague and this House. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1080
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Roland.
Supplementary To Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1080
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister inform me as to how long a casual position is allowed to continue before it is considered a full-time position? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1080
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1080
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A casual position is exactly that, it is a casual position. It is the difference between an indeterminate one and a permanent one. I believe, it is four months, but I would have to double check on it. There is a clause or a condition within there that an employee would have to be laid off and may in fact be rehired if there is a requirement later on, but casual positions are casual.
-- Laughter
Further Return To Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Question 453-13(4): Summer Student Hiring Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1080
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Question period is over. I would like to recognize in the gallery, the Deputy Commissioner, Dan Marion. Welcome to the Assembly. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.
Return To Written Question 14-13(4): Staffing Appeals
Item 8: Returns To Written Questions
Page 1080
Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton
Mr. Speaker, return to written question 14-13(4) asked by Mr. Erasmus to the chairman of the Financial Management Board concerning information of staffing appeals.
During the 1995 calendar year, 69 employment offers with the government were appealed. Nineteen staffing appeals were upheld due to competition irregularities and 50 were denied as no irregularities in the competition process were found.
In 1996, 44 staffing appeals were filed. Sixteen of these were upheld due to competition irregularities and 28 were denied as no irregularities in the competition process were found.
Irregularities identified in a competition process may originate from any of the following processes: staffing requisition, advertising, acknowledgements, screening, interviews, ranking, selection and communication with applicants.
The Staffing Appeals Committee determines whether the impact of an identified irregularity has prejudicially affected the appellant's opportunity for appointment, transfer or promotion and either upholds or denies the appeal. Participants in the appeals process are given assurance that information details presented to the committee will be treated in a confidential manner.
I have provided Members with a departmental breakdown of each staffing appeal.
Return To Written Question 14-13(4): Staffing Appeals
Item 8: Returns To Written Questions
Page 1080
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports on standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Mr. Ootes.
Motion 14-13(4): Policy On Non-competitive Contracts
Item 14: Notices Of Motion
March 3rd, 1997
Page 1080
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, March 6, I will move the following motion:
I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik, that this Legislative Assembly request the Premier to clarify the government's position on government-wide non-competitive contracts by providing a draft policy on non-competitive contracts to the standing committees of this Assembly by March 15, 1997. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Motion 14-13(4): Policy On Non-competitive Contracts
Item 14: Notices Of Motion
Page 1081
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Notices of motion. Mr. Roland.
Motion 15-13(4): Appointment Of An Information And Privacy Commissioner
Item 14: Notices Of Motion
Page 1081
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, March 6, I will move the following motion:
I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput that, pursuant to section 61 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Legislative Assembly recommend to the Commissioner that Elaine Keenan-Bengts be appointed as Information and Privacy Commissioner
AND FURTHER, that pursuant to section 60 of the Act, the Management and Services Board be designated as the committee to carry out the duties and functions of the committee under part 4 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with my motion today. Thank you.