Thank you. Tabling of documents. Mr. Kakfwi.
Debates of June 2nd, 1997
Topics
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document, Tabled Document 84-13(4), Working Together Towards a Protected Areas Strategy for the Northwest Territories. This is a summary report of the meetings held in Inuvik, March 4th to the 6th, 1997. Thank you.
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Ms. Thompson.
Item 15: Notices Of Motions For First Reading Of Bills
Item 15: Notices Of Motions For First Reading Of Bills
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Bill 19, Municipal Statutes Amending Act No. 2
Item 15: Notices Of Motions For First Reading Of Bills
Item 15: Notices Of Motions For First Reading Of Bills
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Manitok Thompson Aivilik
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, June 4, 1997, I will move that Bill 19, Municipal Statutes Amending Act No. 2, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Item 15: Notices Of Motions For First Reading Of Bills
Item 15: Notices Of Motions For First Reading Of Bills
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Notices of motion for first reading of bills. Ms. Thompson.
Bill 20, An Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act
Item 15: Notices Of Motions For First Reading Of Bills
Item 15: Notices Of Motions For First Reading Of Bills
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Manitok Thompson Aivilik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, June 4, 1997, I will move that Bill 20, An Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Item 15: Notices Of Motions For First Reading Of Bills
Item 15: Notices Of Motions For First Reading Of Bills
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. Mr. Kakfwi.
Motion 17-13(4): Establishment Of Parks
Item 16: Motions
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Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, I would like to read the following motion. It is an establishment of a natural environment recreation park and certain outdoor recreation parks.
WHEREAS, the Minister may pursuant to subsection 5(1) of the Territorial Parks Act on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly by order establish a natural environment recreation park and an outdoor recreation park,
AND WHEREAS, the Minister wishes to establish a natural environment recreation park and certain outdoor recreation parks in the Northwest Territories,
AND WHEREAS, the Minister has consulted with the representatives of those persons or groups who reside in or near the location of the proposed parks and who may be effected by the establishment of the proposed parks,
NOW THEREFORE, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that the Legislative Assembly recommend that the Minister, by order, establish the following parks as a natural environment recreation park and outdoor recreation park respectively:
a) Natural Environment Recreation Park.
Hidden Lake Territorial Park situated in the North Slave Region approximately 40 kilometres from Yellowknife on the Ingraham Trail on the shore of Hidden Lake and bisected by Cameron River and more particular, described in tabled document 79-13(4);
b) Outdoor Recreation Parks
1) Blackstone Territorial Park situated in the Deh Cho region along Highway No. 7, midway between Fort Simpson and Fort Liard at the junction of the Liard and Blackstone Rivers and more particular, described in tabled document 80-13(4);
2) Gwich'in Territorial Park situated in the Inuvik region on the Dempster Highway approximately 25 kilometres south of Inuvik on the east and south shores of Campbell Lake and more particular described in tabled document 80-13(4).
Thank you.
Motion 17-13(4): Establishment Of Parks
Item 16: Motions
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The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question is being called. All those in favour. All those opposed. The motion is carried. Motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters. Minister's Statement 77-13(4), Bills 16, 17, and 18, and Committee Report 7-13(4), with Mr. Ningark in the chair.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. I would like to call the committee to order. We have a number of items here. Minister's Statement 77-13(4), the Northern Employment Strategy, Committee Report 7, Bills 16, 17, and 18. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Ootes.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Do we agree then, we consider Bills 16, 17, and 18? Thank you. The bills that we referred to are in your green binders on your desk. Mr. Arlooktoo.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I propose that we start off with Bill 17 and 18.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. Does the committee agree we deal with Bills 17 and 18 first and Bill 16 subsequently? Agreed. Mr. Arlooktoo.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you. Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng, I would like to introduce Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Territorial Hospital Insurance Services Act.
The Territorial Hospital Insurance Services Act is legislation that ensures that all residents of the NWT are eligible for insured services. It authorizes the Minister of Health and Social Services to establish boards of management for health facilities and programs. It makes employees of hospitals and health facilities members of the public service. Schedules A and B of the Public Service Act also make boards of management employees part of the public service. The proposed amendments would exempt doctors from the public service. Because the physicians on staff with boards has increased significantly as a result of the 1997 increase in the employee contribution rates under the federal super-annuation plan for employees earning over an excess of $98,600. The increased cost to boards has adversely effected their ability to employ physicians.
As well, the Federal Special Retirement Arrangements Act provides for a retirement compensation arrangement where the 1997 contribution rate for employers is 15 times that of the employee. The net result is the annual contribution will cost boards an average of an additional $65,000 for each general practitioner and $145,000 for each specialist working for a board. With these amendments, the boards and physician staff will be able to enter into another compensation arrangement that would significantly reduce the cost for the boards and address the unique needs of physicians who hold staff positions and operate a private practice at different stages in their careers. The NWT boards of management and the NWT Health Care Association are supportive of these amendments.
In closing, I want to emphasize that these are necessary amendments that will allow boards that employ physicians to reallocate significant amounts of money. The physician will have adequate benefit packages outside the federal systems. The public will also benefit as more money will be available for health care. I will be pleased to answer any questions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. Arlooktoo. Deputy chairman of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, Mr. Miltenberger, are you prepared to make a committee's comment? Mr. Miltenberger.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, I would like to report on our review of Bill 17, An Act To Amend the Territorial Hospital Insurance Services Act.
This bill should increase the ability of health boards to retain physician services within their budgets without impacting on the individual physicians. On June 2, 1997, we held a public hearing on the bill with Minister Arlooktoo filling in for Minister Ng. No public stakeholders expressed concerns with the bill. During the review, the Members received reassurance from the Minister that these changes will not negatively effect the boards ability to recruit physicians. The Minister also indicated that the boards will continue to follow the government's hiring policy. The Standing Committee on Social Programs has completed its review and has no major concerns with the proposed Bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Before we get into the general comments I would like to ask the Minister to bring in the witnesses if he chooses to. Mr. Arlooktoo.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Mr. Chairman, if the witnesses are here, I will ask them in.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. I would like to call the Members attention to the time we have left before we call it a day. Mr. Arlooktoo.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to go ahead with the Bill at this time.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Thank you. General comments from the floor? We are considering Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Territorial Hospital Insurance Services Act. Clause 1.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair John Ningark
Clause 2.