This is page numbers 407 - 438 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 6th 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 nunavut.

Topics

Members Present

Honourable Jim Antoine, Honourable Goo Arlooktoo, Mr. Barnabas, Honourable Charles Dent, Mr. Erasmus, Honourable Sam Gargan, Mrs. Groenewegen, 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 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

Page 407

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. Good morning. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

John Todd Keewatin Central

Mr. Speaker, I have an emergency statement.

Mr. Speaker, mediation concluded yesterday without an agreement. The UNW wanted additional time to examine the effects of current evaluations on the rates of pay that were tabled on May 8, 1998. Mediation is scheduled to resume on December 12 and 13, 1998.

Mr. Speaker, a revised offer to settle the equal pay complaint was tabled as part of the collective agreement. The revised offer described how payments were calculated for each affected employee. Payments are calculated the same way for both current and former employees and include interest.

Mr. Speaker, the offer to settle the equal pay complaint was taken off the table when it became evident that an agreement would not be achieved at the bargaining table. We will be approaching the union within the next two weeks to discuss how we may be able to settle the complaint outside the collective agreement and collective bargaining process. We will share with the union the payments we are offering to each employee and ask the union to put the offer to employees for their consideration. Mr. Speaker, we believe that employees have the right to decide for themselves whether to accept the offer to settle the complaint.

Mr. Speaker, a revised offer was also tabled which should have addressed all the union's concerns with the gender-neutral Hay Job Evaluation System. The offer provided a fully independent and binding review process to resolve any disputes that employees may have with their job evaluations. We had hoped, Mr. Speaker, that the UNW would have seized this opportunity to conclude a collective agreement; and begin to work with managers and employees to make sure that any concerns with evaluations are resolved as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, the PSAC spokesperson continued the rhetoric of criticizing the Hay Job Evaluation System as not being gender-neutral. The union's refusal to recognize that the Hay Job Evaluation System is gender-neutral appears to be the single issue that is holding up a collective agreement.

Mr. Speaker, this government will only conclude a collective agreement if both parties can agree that equal pay for work of equal value for the present and future is achieved. This government will not sign a collective agreement with this union if there is a potential for another equal pay complaint by the union that is a party to the collective agreement.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to make it equally clear that this government will not impose terms and conditions of employment if there is no collective agreement; imposing the Hay Job Evaluation System would simply invite another equal pay complaint. That would put the government in a worse position than it is now.

Mr. Speaker, this government has done everything it can reasonably do to achieve a fair collective agreement and get money in the hands of employees. The accountability now rests solely with the UNW to either conclude an agreement for ratification by employees or go without a collective agreement for the remainder of this fiscal year. Mr. Speaker, the mandate of this government for concluding a collective agreement expires in a few months. If there is no collective agreement, collective bargaining will start all over again sometime after April 1, 1999, with completely new mandates from the two respective territorial governments.

Mr. Speaker, mediation on December 12 and 13, 1998, will be our last opportunity to conclude a negotiated collective agreement in time to get money in the hands of employees before March 31, 1999. Mr. Speaker, employees must look to the UNW for their opportunity to decide for themselves whether to accept the offer for a collective agreement.

Mr. Speaker, mediation has been very helpful. We remain hopeful that the UNW will decide to conclude a collective agreement for employee ratification at the next round of mediation in December.

--Applause

The Speaker

Thank you. Ministers' statement. Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform this Assembly that the Northern Employment Strategy has made a significant contribution to the creation of jobs for northerners and to the development of the Northwest Territories economy.

This two-year program was established in 1997/98. It was designed to support northern businesses and communities in employing summer students, youth, social assistance recipients and unemployed northerners. The NES also assists communities and regions to lead their own economic development initiatives and provides support to the private sector, which is the primary vehicle for economic development.

The $8.5 million provided to Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development in 1998/99 was used to increase the budgets of four existing programs to $15.3 million. These programs are the Business Development Fund (BDF), the Grants to Small Business Program, the Community Initiatives Program and the Community Futures Program. For the first quarter of 1998-1999, program funding, along with client equity and other sources of financing, totalled $9 million.

Of the four programs just mentioned, the BDF is the principle source of job creation. As a result of the NES enhancement, BDF contributions during the first quarter of 1998/1999 totalled $1,364,000, resulting in 57 full-time and 157 part-time jobs. During the same quarter, $397,000 from the Grants to Small Business Program created 18 full-time and 85 part-time jobs in our NWT communities.

At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take a few moments to acknowledge two key groups:

-First and foremost, all individuals in the private sector that have partnered with us to create jobs for northerners.

-Secondly, all employees of the Government of the Northwest Territories who have provided assistance and support with the NES and job creation in the north.

Mahsi Cho.

The Speaker

Thank you. Ministers' statements, Mr. Arlooktoo.

Minister's Statement 74-13(6): NWT Court Facility
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 408

Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our Canadian system of government is made up of three branches of government. These branches are; the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary. Each of these branches is equally important. Each branch must be independent of the other to provide the checks and balances our system depends on. Each branch fulfils a critical role in protecting our rights and freedoms. The roles and responsibilities of these three branches of government can only be effectively carried out if they have the basic tools to get the job done. These basic tools include adequate and appropriate facilities in which to function.

For the judiciary, adequate and appropriate facilities mean facilities that are secure, easily accessible to the public, appropriate for the business to be done and visibly independent of the other branches of government. The value of independent or stand alone court facilities has been recognized across Canada as essential to public confidence in the independence of judges. Right now, our courts and judges work in inadequate space in an office building also occupied by the Department of Justice and the Chief Executive Officer of the NWT, the Commissioner. The NWT is the only jurisdiction in Canada and probably North America and the British Commonwealth where the capital city does not have a stand alone courthouse.

Beyond the need to establish publicly the independence of the judiciary, is the simple fact that the current court facilities are woefully inadequate to meet the needs of the judicial process, the legal profession, the court clients and the public. A recent study prepared for the department of Public Works and Services, which I will be tabling later on this afternoon, makes it clear that no amount of renovations is going to deal with the problems. The time has come to seriously look at a new facility.

Mr. Speaker, with all of the other needs that government must meet, some may say that now is not the time to consider a new courthouse. I suggest that now is the time to address this requirement as our legislators are considering the direction and priorities of the new Western Territory. To enable the judicial branch of government to meet the needs of the public we must provide it with the basic tools.

Mr. Speaker, I will be including the requirement for a new courthouse in the Department of Justice Business Plan. The money has not yet been found to finance it, but as the business plan gets reviewed and debated through our budget approval process, I am sure it will receive serious consideration as our scarce resources get allocated. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister's Statement 74-13(6): NWT Court Facility
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker

Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table "The Government of the Northwest Territories Report on Affirmative Action Policy Review." This government is committed to creating and

maintaining a public service that is representative of the people it serves. Our Affirmative Action Policy supports that objective.

The present policy was put in place in 1989 and a review of its effectiveness has been done. The review included broad consultation with the public and with the public service. A number of recommendations were made and they are addressed in this report. Progress has been made toward the objective of a representative public service. At the same time, more work is needed in this area, including a revision of the policy itself. This work is ongoing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

Ministers' statements. Item 3, members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to know why there is there such disparity between the mining industry and the oil and gas industry in the Northwest Territories? Mr. Speaker, the oil and gas industry for the region I represent was a lucrative business for some thirty years until the downturn of the oil and gas industry. In the three years that we have been here, a lot of attention and resources have been spent in one particular sector. The diamond sector, and the amount of resources that have been spent in that sector in regards to developing programs and services, building infrastructure and trying to offset the costs for the gold mines around Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, I would like to know why it is that there is such a disparity between the mining sector and the oil and gas sector when it comes to distributing resources and developing infrastructure in these industries?

Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of regions in the Northwest Territories, besides the North Slave, that have potential. We have to strive for all the areas of the Northwest Territories to develop that potential. Especially when we are importing oil and gas from southern Canada to heat our homes. It is not a way to develop our economy.

Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of potential happening in the Northwest Territories, but we also have to show the oil and gas industry that we do support it and that we will put resources, people and infrastructure into that industry. In the region I represent, there is talk about the gas pipeline from Parsons Lake to Inuvik to run the generating facility there. There is also talk in the Deh Cho region of oil and gas development around Fort Liard. There is the Norman Wells pipeline, there is a lot of land that has been opened up for development, yet this government does not seem to show its support for that industry. It is time that this government ensured that it was equitable in the way it distributed wealth in all industries. Thank you.

The Speaker

Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Member's Statement 169-13(6): Charity Hockey Game
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 409

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by sending greetings to my wife and children.

--Applause

Following up on my statement from yesterday, as a side event to the Beaufort Delta Leaders Conference I enlisted the help of the Inuvik Minor Hockey Association, as well as the Inuvik Old-timers League, to host a charity hockey game with proceeds going to Inuvik Minor Hockey. Mr. Speaker, this was the second time this has been done. This year the MLA Sharks were supported by players Merrick Arey and Ben Wright from the Minor Hockey League, as well as Darryl English, Peter Clarkson, Robert Lamb and our mystery goal tender.

The Members of this Assembly that donned the blades this year included Minister Kelvin Ng, who was in the face of our opponents. Well, at least in the shoulder pads. Needless to say, he broke up many of the plays of the Inuvik Old-timers. This year, Mr. Speaker, a new addition to the MLA team was Minister Charles Dent. It has been said that it has been thirty years since he last wore hockey equipment, so he had to be re-educated on what piece of equipment went where. Once on the ice it did not take him long to want to come off the ice. I must say that he did a remarkable job for someone who had not played the game in thirty years. He even had the opportunity to put the puck in the net on a couple of occasions, he just could not get the puck to stay on his stick long enough to get a shot off.

For the second time, Mr. Miltenberger strapped the blades on. I must say that he once again proved himself a valuable asset to the Sharks. This year he played the role of a stay-at-home defence. I think he did this just so he would not have to skate too much. I must say that he did a good job as a defensive defence man and I might add that he even scored a goal for us. It was not quite the sizzling shot we would expect from as brawny a defence man as himself, but it did have enough momentum to roll over the goal line.

Once again this year, I strapped on the blades for the MLA Sharks. This year, Mr. Speaker, I was determined to remove any of the doubt that I was not playing up to standard. I am sure both Mr. Ng and Mr. Miltenberger were questioning my commitment.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Member's Statement 169-13(6): Charity Hockey Game
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 409

The Speaker

The Member for Inuvik is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do I have any nays? Mr. Roland, you have unanimous consent.

Member's Statement 169-13(6): Charity Hockey Game
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 409

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues. I am sure both Mr. Ng and Mr. Miltenberger were questioning my commitment to the MLA Sharks when I coughed up the puck in the first minute of the game and the Inuvik Old-timers scored as a result. However, I did recover to score a couple

of goals later in the game.

I must say that if it was not for our goaltender we would surely have lost. As the game went on some were questioning out loud, who is this guy, as save after save kept us in the game. I think I overheard someone ask, is that the dominator? Well, as the final buzzer sounded he removed his mask to reveal that it was none other than Pete Smith, long time resident of Inuvik, who on short notice came out of retirement to once again don the pads.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all the Inuvik Old-timers, especially Louis Bryant and Denis Savoie, for making this an enjoyable event and the Inuvik Minor Hockey Association for organizing and for supplying the much needed youthful energy that helped us to victory. I would also like to thank the town recreation staff and the Town of Inuvik's mayor and council. As well, I would like to thank Northern Stores, Eskimo Inn and Originals on Mackenzie for supplying the prizes for the draws that took place. This year, Mr. Speaker, I am told that the charity game raised $280 for minor hockey in Inuvik. Once again, I would like to thank the organizers and the players for making this an enjoyable event.

Member's Statement 169-13(6): Charity Hockey Game
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

Thank you. Members' statements, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when we first gathered as the 13th Assembly we spent the first few days together and out of that gathering came the document, Agenda for Change, which was the basic framework and foundation that we moved forward with as an Assembly. With division upon us, and both east and west caucuses going their separate ways in the very near future, we will be setting our own path.

Mr. Speaker, the Western Caucus will be putting out a document called, 1999 and Beyond, which will, in fact, reflect and look back on the Agenda for Change, what we were able to accomplish, what we were not, issues still to be dealt with and basically, what direction we are going to recommend that the ship of state be left pointing in. That document has been many months in the works. There has been a lot of input from all the western MLAs and we hope that the people of new Western Territory will take it as a clear sign that planning for division and the new Western Territory is at hand. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker

Thank you. Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is good to be making a statement again today. My colleagues have just shared that they were missing me. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak on the importance of religious education. When the new Education Act was introduced in 1995, the section on spirituality and religion was one of the most controversial sections under the former act, there was a provision for religious instruction as part of the school program. This provision was removed in response to concerns that it violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

There was an overwhelming response from communities all across the north. They felt the new act would take away the opportunity to provide doctrine-based religious instruction through the schools. The legality of the issue prevailed and references to religion were removed and references to instruction in spiritual values and beliefs was put in place.

Concerned residents across the north addressed the Standing Committee on Legislation during the public hearings on the development of the new Education Act. The presentation by Reverend Robertson, the representative of the Anglican/Roman Catholic Christian Assemblies, Community Baptist and Lutheran churches in Inuvik, May 8, 1995, discussed the importance of religious education. The concern of the church members was not so much with what is included in the new act, but what has been left out. I quote:

"From the beginning, the Government of the NWT has always been concerned with the developing of the whole person; the mind, the body and the soul. This is evident in three ways: the rising academic standards; the inclusion of cultural programs; and the written provision for religious instruction in all schools, not just denominational schools. It is our concern that the written provision for religious instruction is not provided for in the new act and could lead to elimination of religious instruction in public schools."

Mr. Speaker, my constituency in Hay River is particularly concerned about the elimination of religious instruction in the public schools, specifically the Princess Alexandra and Harry Camsell schools. There is unwavering support from the Town of Hay River, the Hay River District Education Authority, the Hay River Ministerial Association and the parents of Hay River for the continuance of spiritual classes.

Mr. Speaker, I am only talking about one-half hour to forty-five minutes a week of spiritual education. No child would be required to attend or would have their beliefs offended in any way. The instruction will be in either the Catholic or Protestant faith, depending on what the parents want.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Speaker

The Member for Hay River is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Do I have any nays? Mrs. Groenewegen, you have unanimous consent.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The spiritual education program in Hay River has been a very successful program and is well accepted and desired by the

majority of the parents of the children in these two schools.

The old act was clear that religious education was allowed, but that no student would be forced to learn a religion contrary to his or her own beliefs. This intent remains clear in the new act, unfortunately the specific direction is lost and the decision for each community is left up to the Minister instead.

Mr. Speaker, the Hay River community is extremely concerned. The community needs to know, if indeed the spiritual education classes will be reinstated and if not, what recourse the community has. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today Mr. Speaker, I would like to comment on the reaction that our vote last evening has produced. For years, Yellowknife has had the opportunity of being the capital of the NWT, as well as the centre for many mining companies. They have positioned themselves to the point that now it is difficult for any community to gain any economic benefits for their own residents.

Last evening we had a vote that passed by a slim margin, saying Yellowknife does not need any more seats in this House. The people in the gallery at that time felt betrayed and the MLAs in this House were very frustrated. I think the realization and perception is that Yellowknife is always getting everything, why do they need more representation in this House?

Currently, Yellowknife has four seats, unlike the rest of the ridings in the NWT these four seats really represent the whole of Yellowknife not just the single riding, as is the case in all the rest of the ridings. Why does this city need more?

Recently, my community and myself started lobbying for this road to resources to be built out of Rae-Edzo. Yellowknife came to the meeting saying we all needed to compromise to see this project through. I agree with this, however, for Yellowknife to compromise it means Yellowknife would end up with this road. The mayor of Hay River supported this road to start in Rae-Edzo and was shot down by a MLA in Yellowknife wondering how the mayor could even consider this idea.

In reality Yellowknife is a fine city and we are privileged in having this city represent us as the capital of the NWT and the new western Arctic. However, I feel that if the new western Arctic is to succeed and prosper, Yellowknife must realize there are many other communities and residents in the western Arctic and they must be heard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Picco.