Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regards to my earlier question, I clearly stated one particular department I would like to see there, especially in regards to cuts to programs and services. There is a real concern from the aboriginal bands and the tribal councils in relation to their negotiations for self-government and the cuts that have taken place in the Inuvik region, especially in regards to the area of alcohol and drug programs and to mental health workers. At that particular assembly, I would like the Premier to make a commitment that the Minister of Social Services would definitely be there.
Debates of June 4th, 1997
Topics
Supplementary To Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1316
Supplementary To Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1316
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Morin.
Further Return To Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1316
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated earlier in my response, once I have the opportunity, I will look at the meeting schedule of all the assemblies. Last year Mr. Antoine and Mr. Kakfwi had the honour of attending the Gwich'in Assembly. This year, we will try to pick a Minister to go to the Gwich'in Assembly. It has to balance with the Ministers' time schedules, other assemblies, as well as Ministers' personal commitments to their families. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1316
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1316
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Premier make a commitment to ensure that there will be someone there from the Department of Social Services at the Gwich'in Annual Assembly?
Supplementary To Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1316
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Morin.
Further Return To Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1316
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will instruct the Minister of Social Services to make sure that we have someone from his department at the Gwich'in Annual Assembly in July. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1316
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Final supplementary. Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1316
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regards to ensuring that someone will be there, I would like to thank the Premier for making that commitment. But I would like someone who is there who has some senior authority, who can take some direction and hopefully do something about it, not just a social worker. Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1316
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Morin.
Further Return To Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1316
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The social workers are front line workers of this government, we value their service very much. We understand how hard of a job they have. I would never say just a social worker. But let me reassure the Member that they will send someone to the Gwich'in Annual Assembly in July from the Department of Health. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Question 539-13(4): Summer Availability Of Ministers
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1316
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Rabesca.
Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1316
James Rabesca North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier, during my Member's statement, I mentioned my concern about a power outage that had occurred in Rae-Edzo last weekend, as well as on various other occasions. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for NWT Power Corporation, Mr. Dent, I would like to know why there was this extremely long outage on Saturday, May 31, 1997.
Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1317
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation. Mr. Dent.
Return To Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1317
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Member noted earlier, the power was off from about four in the morning until nearly noon. The reason for the long outage, was that the control station in Yellowknife was not aware that there was a problem with the power until about 7:30 a.m. The Corporation was never able to determine the cause of the outage, but it may have been related to the high winds that night. Mr. Speaker, the Power Corporation takes full responsibility for the power outage and apologizes to the community for any problems that may have resulted. Changes to the 24-hour trouble reporting line between the community and Yellowknife meant that the phone system was disconnected for a period of time. That is the reason the staff on duty were not aware there was a problem in the community for three and a half hours. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1317
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral question. Supplementary. Mr. Rabesca.
Supplementary To Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1317
James Rabesca North Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Why has there been a number of outages, particularly when it is raining, even though there does not seem to be any lightning activity within that region?
Supplementary To Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1317
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Perhaps the Minister would like to respond to the Member as to why there are so many power outages in the Member's area. Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1317
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have to say that I do not know why there are a number of outages. I am not sure if there are a disproportionate number of outages in Rae-Edzo or not. We do know that the outage on Saturday was not the result of equipment failure, but the corporation has not been able to determine whether or not there is any relation between the rain and the power outage. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1317
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral question. Supplementary. Mr. Rabesca.
Supplementary To Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1317
James Rabesca North Slave
What is the Power Corporation doing to prevent/reduce the number of outages that keep occurring within our region? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1317
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1317
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the lack of a good indication at the control centre about whether or not there is a power problem has been clearly recognized by the Power Corporation. This problem is being addressed. The Power Corporation is in the process of spending about $500,000 on a major upgrade to the power system in Rae-Edzo. Once a new computerized control system is installed, the control centre in Yellowknife will automatically be notified of any major power fluctuations in the area. That would mean that there would not be a requirement for somebody in the community to call the control centre. So, Mr. Speaker, there has been a recognition of a problem in the area and the corporation is moving to solve it in the next few months. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1317
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary. Mr. Rabesca.
Supplementary To Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Question 540-13(4): Cause Of Rae-edzo Power Outage
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1317
James Rabesca North Slave
In the future, can the Minister try to consult myself or the community? There has to be more information regarding the cause of the re-occurring power outages. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.