This is page numbers 333 - 366 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 5th 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 fund.

Topics

Members Present

Honourable Jim Antoine, Honourable Goo Arlooktoo, Mr. Barnabas, Honourable Charles Dent, Mr. Enuaraq, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Henry, Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, 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

(Mr. Ningark): Thank you, Mr. Arlooktoo. The Speaker, Mr. Gargan is in his constituency today attending a funeral. Our condolences go the community of Kakisa. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak today about the new housing initiative raised by my colleague, the Honourable John Todd in his budget speech. The Accelerated Homeownership Program initiative is estimated to provide approximately 1,000 new homes. The initiative could inject an estimated $40 to $50 million of housing to meet the immediate demands of homeownership assistance over the next two years. This initiative builds upon the PLAN 2000 initiative announced last year.

The Accelerated Homeownership Program will be directed toward all northerners who can afford to be homeowners. This initiative will utilize the Housing Corporation's Expanded Downpayment Assistance and Independent Housing Programs to allow even more clients to be served in a shorter time period.

There are a number of benefits under this initiative:

The increased ability to serve even more clients under the corporation's Expanded Downpayment Assistance and Independent Housing Programs. These programs have been very popular, with the number of applications significantly exceeding what the Housing Corporation can provide; and

Low income families in the north will have the opportunity to move into social housing units made available by higher income tenants who become homeowners. Also, any GNWT staff housing units made available because the occupants choose to be homeowners will be transferred to social housing thus increasing the social housing stock.

The construction of the 1,000 homes will produce economic spinoffs, particularly jobs, in the communities. The most important benefit, however, will be the health and stability of families in need who receive housing units as former higher income tenants move into their own homes.

Mr. Speaker, the 1996 housing needs survey showed that there was a core housing need of over 4,300 households, many of these are aboriginal families. The Department of Indian Affairs, while commenting on the severe housing need, did not make any commitments to help solve the housing problems in the north in their response to the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Mr. Speaker, I have to say that I was very disappointed; this is an aboriginal housing problem. I plan to continue my efforts to make this point with the federal government, focusing on the fact that investments in housing in the North will play a large part in curbing the growing aboriginal health and social problems.

Mr. Speaker, we know that adequate, suitable and affordable housing is important to the north because overcrowding and inadequate housing conditions are the root cause of many of our health and social problems. The GNWT decided we cannot wait for the federal government to provide assistance to deal with our growing housing problem. Therefore, the GNWT has stepped in to provide innovative solutions now before we have a problem that goes beyond a crisis.

The Speaker

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

Minister's Statement 25-13(5): Aurora Fund
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to provide Members with an update on the status of the GNWT's two Immigrant Investor Funds.

Aurora Fund (1996) is fully subscribed. One hundred and thirty nine investors have signed subscription agreements and made deposits to the fund ranging between $10,000 and the full subscription price of $250,000. Fifty-six investors have provided the full subscription price. Of those, the Aurora Fund has issued notes to 47 investors, which means that a total of $11.75 million has been received by the fund.

Of that amount, approximately $7.8 million has been loaned to the following northern companies:

- 3370755 Canada Inc, operating as West Air, in Hay River for the purchase of an aircraft;

- AADRII Limited in Fort McPherson for the construction of a waste heat distribution system;

- GDC Air Leasing Ltd. in Inuvik for the purchase of an aircraft;

- The NWT Cooperative Business Development Fund for the upgrade of digital telecommunications equipment throughout the NWT;

- The Shoe Store Limited in Yellowknife for the purchase of an aircraft;

- 943637 NWT Limited/Beaver Enterprises (Const.) Ltd. in Fort Laird for the purchase of remote camp equipment;

- 2755084 Canada Inc. in Yellowknife for the purchase of helicopters.

This is excellent news, since the companies who have received funding from the Aurora Fund have provided new jobs for northerners.

Out of the balance of the funds received, approximately $3.95 million, $2.45 million has been temporarily invested in bonds and other liquid assets and approximately $1.5 million has been expended in marketing, sales fees and initial start-up costs.

Aurora Fund (1996) should shortly be in a position to issue notes to an additional nine investors, providing $2.25 million to the fund, of which $1.6 million will be available for lending to northern companies

Aurora Fund II has also been very successful to date. So far, the fund has received signed subscription agreements from 136 investors who have made deposits ranging from $10,000 to the full subscription price of $250,000. Of the 42 investors who have now transferred the full subscription price, 17 have received Aurora Fund II notes. Three point nine million dollars has been transferred to the Aurora Fund II investment account as well $260,000 has been expended in marketing, sales fees and initial start-up costs. Of the $3.9 million in the investments account, $2.8 million is available to provide loans to northern business. Aurora Fund II should shortly be in position to issue notes to an additional 25 investors, providing $4.25 million to the fund, of which $3 million will be available for lending to northern companies.

Recently, Citizenship and Immigration Canada announced an extension to the current Immigrant Investor Program. The Aurora Fund II has applied for and received permission to extend the marketing period of Aurora Fund II to June 30, 1998 from December 31, 1997. This extension should allow the fund ample time to sell out the fund, and the majority of the subscription proceeds should be received from both funds by that time.

The two Aurora Funds are government-administered venture capital funds. Therefore, the federal government requires a certain amount of supervision of these funds by our government. To this end, the board of directors of the two funds include: two Ministers of the government, myself and the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and three senior government officials, the Comptroller General and the deputy ministers for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and the Department of Justice. In addition, three individuals from the private sector are also board members, a commercial banking representative and two independent business persons residing in southern Canada. Each of the three has vast experience in the banking sector of the Canadian economy.

Since the Aurora Funds have no full-time employees, firms under contract with the funds are responsible for the administration of the fund. Roland C. Bailey and Associates is the NWT investment manager for both funds and also manages the day-to-day activities of both funds.

The funds also contract, on a fee for service basis, for the legal services from Gullberg, Weist and MacPherson and auditing services from Avery, Cooper and Associates.

I am pleased with the success to date of these two funds. I am confident that they will continue to be successful and that the benefits provided by these funds will be felt for many years to come. Thank you.

Minister's Statement 25-13(5): Aurora Fund
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to announce progress on plans for 1999, the International Year of Older Persons.

In 1992, the United Nations General Assembly decided to observe the year 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons. The theme it chose was Toward a Society for all Ages with the overall objective to promote the UN Principles for Older Persons: independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity.

In June, 1996, federal, provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for Seniors agreed they would work cooperatively to develop partnerships with the private sector and seniors to market 1999 as the International Year for Older Persons. The Ministers proposed that a Canada Coordinating Committee, comprised of representatives from each jurisdiction be established to stimulate and coordinate national projects and activities.

A territorial coordinating committee has been spearheaded by the NWT Seniors' Society to assist in the planning and coordinating of activities for celebration of the International Year of Older Persons.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to encourage my colleagues to support the activities that will be forthcoming to celebrate the seniors of the Northwest Territories in 1999. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would my colleagues, to think about a person that is presently being buried in Igloolik. This person committed suicide and has lost a lot of relatives in the past. I just want to tell the Members to think about the family in Igloolik. (Translation ends)

The Speaker

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

Levi Barnabas High Arctic

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be speaking in Inuktitut. Just recently I spoke with people in my constituency, and people approached me with concerns about billeting procedures in Iqaluit. Mr. Speaker, there is a boarding home for students going to college. Mr. Speaker, recently people travelling in the Baffin to go to the hospital had to find their own billets or had to find their own boarding homes, and if a person was going to Iqaluit to have a child, they would have to make their own arrangements or billets. We are glad that there is a boarding home now available to these patients. Mr. Picco is aware of the concerns and he is aware of those people who opened their homes to the people who travelled to Iqaluit. I would also visit Mr. Picco. He also had people from Clyde River and from other communities stay with him. There is a boarding home available now in the Baffin, and we are very happy with this. When I talk to the people who travel to Iqaluit for health reasons, they are very happy with the boarding home. They are able to eat traditional food in the home. They are being very well taken care of. I just wanted to speak today to say that we are very happy that the Department of Health was able to put in a boarding home in Iqaluit. I would also like to recognize the people that took in patients before the boarding home was open. Thank you. (Translation ends)

The Speaker

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

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the next few days, I will be talking about the state of the northern mining industry and the need for us to have DIAND accept its responsibility to maximize northern development. The northern gold mining industry is in a devastating tail spin. In the past, when major regional industries have struggled, the federal government has jumped in to help keep the local economy alive. I use, as an example, mining in southern Canada. I understand in the 1980's some $150 million was poured into companies like Inco and Noranda to help them modernize and remain viable. Another example is the Atlantic fishery. In the early 1990's, Ottawa contributed a half billion dollars to Newfoundland and the Atlantic region when fish stocks dwindled. The money was used as short-term aid for communities affected by the closures and to help workers to adjust to the new circumstances. Such regional aid is provided because of section 36 of the Canadian Constitution, which contains an amelioration clause whereby the Government of Canada is committed to furthering economic development to reduce disparity of opportunity. In a recent publication by the federal government, called Gathering Strength on page 35, Ottawa commits itself to build a stronger economic base for the north. Let us take the federal government up on the obligation under section 36 of the constitution and their commitment in Gathering Strength. For starters, they can provide exploration incentives to the northern mining industry, at least until the price of gold reaches a profitable level. It would be good if Minister Kakfwi and DIAND Minister Jane Stewart pursued this proposal. Without exploration, there will be no sustainability for existing mines, nor expansion or development of new sites. That will leave the northern economy without any suitable base from which to build. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Members' statements. The Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Picco.

Edward Picco Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in this House and accumulating with the removal of ERS airport response in Iqaluit and other communities, I continue to oppose the elimination of ERS or emergency response at those airports. ERS was removed because the Department of Transportation followed federal guidelines which indicated

did not have the money to continue to offer the services. Through cooperation with Minister Antoine and Minister Thompson, our fire department received training and some equipment to respond to airport emergencies. After our Department of Transport commissioned a study on ERS in Iqaluit, and after I also commissioned a report to review the government's report, all indicators pointed to the redundancy of ERS in our community, based on those current federal regulations. Mr. Speaker, a couple of months ago in New Brunswick, the question of ERS again was raised when there was an accident in that province. I now understand that a meeting was held in Ottawa last week with the federal Department of Transportation that may impact on readdressing the ER services and it may have a impact here in the north, and in particular at the Iqaluit airport. Mr. Speaker, the GNWT was represented at these meetings in Ottawa and later today I will be asking the Minister about the Ottawa meetings and the emergency response at the Iqaluit airport and the navigation system in place there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker

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

Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as all Members of this House realize, the Keewatin people are experiencing the collapse of the health care system and are basically living under third world conditions. Mr. Speaker, most Ministers and Ordinary Members have publicly acknowledged the horrendous state and the need for immediate and drastic changes to the system. Mr. Speaker, I have numerous calls from residents of Arviat and the president of KIA, the Keewatin Inuit Association, referring to statements that were made in this House yesterday by the Premier. Mr. Speaker, I sincerely hope these comments are not indicative of how serious the Premier takes the health care concerns of the people of the Keewatin.

Mr. Speaker, in an exchange with Mr. Steen, the Premier stated and I quote, "I believe health care in the Keewatin is quite adequate. I believe the Minister handled it well, and once again, he has my full support and that of his Cabinet colleagues." Mr. Speaker, I realize that the Premier has been away in Latin America on a trade mission for the past ten days, but he certainly has not been away for the past ten months. Mr. Speaker, the very critical issue has been raised by the majority of the residents of the Keewatin, medical staff, nurses, hamlet councils, the president of the KIA, president of NTI, the NWT Association of Nurses and the NWT Medical Association, and finally Mr. Speaker, approximately six months ago I requested a full public inquiry into the activities and operation of the Keewatin Health Board. Unfortunately, it was refused by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories after consulting with the Premier. Mr. Speaker, in view of the health care crises in the Keewatin, I would suggest that all is not hunky dory and well in the Keewatin. Thank you.

--Applause

The Speaker

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

James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise in this House in total frustration. The reason for this, Mr. Speaker, is really quite simple. Over the past many months, my community of Rae-Edzo has identified many short comings within the current municipal funding formula which has had detrimental effects on the way the hamlet operates. Months ago, the hamlet produced a report that in summary states the current formula does not give my community its fair and equitable share of the available funding and, in fact, proves that Rae-Edzo is one of the lowest funded non tax-based municipalities in the NWT. In reviewing this document, I could not believe the injustice that has been on going.

I give an example, under the general Government's Services Department the Hamlet of Rae-Edzo received $143,306 a year in a community of 1,615 residents. In comparison, the community of Sachs Harbour with 137 residence receives $148,593 for the same department. Is this fair and equitable?

Over the past months the mayor of Rae-Edzo and myself met with Ms. Thompson during the community tours prior to Christmas. Ms. Thompson came to Rae-Edzo and was given a tour of our community by the mayor. The meeting that took place at that time I was told went very well. We thought things were moving in the right direction. The Department of MACA does realize there are problems with the funding formula in Rae-Edzo and are committed to doing something about it, which is fine. However, we have been told that this work will not be completed until possibly September or October which is too late and will not fulfil the commitment that Ms. Thompson has made to my mayor. We need action now, and not eight months from now. I would, at this time, like to remind the Minister that over the course of our term, I, along with my constituents, have supported her and have never been negative towards her initiatives. It is now time for her to come forward and assist my community in solving the problems that have been put upon them by this and previous governments over the years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause/Hear! Hear!

The Speaker

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

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by sending greetings back to my wife and all my children. I have so many. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I could make reference to the Bible on that but I will not. It says, those who are plentiful are blessed. Mr. Speaker, I would like to in my Member's statement discuss the issue of the high

temperature system in Inuvik. This utilidor system, for quite some time, has been a concern to the residents of Inuvik, with the cost of the system and the bills we have to pay. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to say and I am almost shocked to say that I have good news for the community of Inuvik, and contractors that would benefit from this.

The Financial Management Board has seen fit to see that this system does need repair and work. I am glad that some funding will be sent this way, so I am thankful to the government. I will be following this up with a letter to the mayor of my community, as well as other representatives for the community of Inuvik, and inform them of the positive situation we may find ourselves in and that we will finally be able to take care of the high temperature situation in Inuvik that we can provide for residents and, hopefully, reduce the cost of the facility and the delivery of services in the community. Once again, I would like to thank the government for favourably looking at this proposal and I am sure that this money committed for 1998 will go a long way in repairing the system.

--Applause

The Speaker

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

Member's Statement 98-13(5): Pay Equity Dispute
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 337

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to rise today to speak briefly on the issue of pay equity which is a very critical issue and one, I hope that can be resolved in an affordable way. The reason I rise today, Mr. Speaker, is just to make a point on behalf of my constituents.

We all know in the last two years the government has had to cut almost $200 million out of its budget and it cost us almost 1,000 jobs eliminated, program and service reductions across the board for all residents.

The issue of pay equity, of course, is of great concern to many northerners. From what I have heard from sources outside of this Assembly, what is being asked for exceeds the magnitude of the cuts we had to endure for two years in order to balance our budgets. Very clearly, Mr. Speaker, I want to make the point on behalf of the residents of Thebacha that we cannot afford or sustain another round of cuts of that magnitude. What we have done has cost us and all northerners, what only can be described as blood, sweat and tears.

I would hope and encourage this government and the union, in fact, to come to a common agreement that all northerners can afford, so that we can move on to other more pressing issues and finally, after ten years, put this issue behind us in an affordable way. Thank you.

--Applause

Member's Statement 98-13(5): Pay Equity Dispute
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River, Madam Groenewegen.