This is page numbers 273 - 292 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 community.

Topics

Members Present

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

Page 273

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Good afternoon. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Ng.

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to announce that this morning, my Financial Management Board colleagues approved significant increased funding to support full implementation of the Recruitment and Retention Plan for Health and Social Services. This investment allows us to further our work with boards and other partners to address, in a sustainable way, recruitment and retention of nurses, social workers, physicians and other health and social service providers. Significant work has already begun to support recruitment and retention initiatives.

A recruitment and retention specialist began work in June. This individual has more than ten years experience with northern health and social services as a frontline worker. The Recruitment and Retention Support Specialist takes a very proactive approach to identifying and encouraging potential employees. I believe her experience and network of contacts is very helpful to the boards.

Mr. Speaker, there are many northern students currently in health and social service programs. Statistics from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment indicate that 187 students are enrolled in these programs. The financial support approved today will assist us in recruiting these students and encouraging them to return to the north. Financial support has been provided to boards to ensure on-going access to professional development and interaction. Professional development funds, administered by the boards, have many direct and indirect benefits, including:

- increasing skills in a particular area;

- creating opportunities for interaction with peers;

- creating opportunities to refresh a professional dealing with daily stress;

- highlighting the importance of self-development and self motivation; and

- acquiring new skills.

Access to professional development will be reviewed on an ongoing basis at the board level to ensure the needs of staff are being met.

Mr. Speaker, one of the biggest drawbacks in recruiting and retaining health and social service professionals in most communities is the isolation from colleagues and the on-call expectations. Therefore, some means of providing relief is necessary. Extensive efforts have gone into developing a pool of nurses, doctors and social workers who can provide relief and locum services for boards. The pool is small at this point, but is growing.

Mr. Speaker, we know that if frontline workers are going to give care to community residents, they must be healthy themselves. Our plan stresses the need for support of health and social service workers. Boards are encouraged to make a conscious effort to develop and monitor structured employee support. These efforts will help to ensure that employees feel valued and want to remain in the organization. I believe that we are addressing recruitment and retention issues. The funding approved today will allow us to continue this work. In view of the serious nature of the problems that we are addressing with these initiatives we will need to be very proactive in implementing our plan. We will also need to remain flexible and open to new and creative ideas for dealing with recruitment and retention of health and social service workers.

We are not alone in facing these difficulties. In fact, recruitment and retention issues have been central in recent federal/provincial/territorial Ministers meetings. These are issues that my counterparts are dealing with as well. These meetings provide opportunities to share ideas and strategies that have worked for others. I have taken the opportunity in those meetings to discuss the difficulties we face in our jurisdiction and to learn from others facing similar problems.

Mr. Speaker, our plan does not contain all the answers to the difficulties that we have to deal with, but we believe that it provides a solid foundation for incorporating good ideas and creative thinking that will allow us to tackle these issues head on. I invite Members to provide us with the benefit of their knowledge of their own communities and put forward ideas, strategies and initiatives that they believe would work for them in serving their communities. We also plan to talk with, and more importantly listen to, frontline workers and managers in their communities to determine what they see as possible solutions to their problems. I believe that community perspective is absolutely necessary in finding and developing

the most satisfactory answers.

Mr. Speaker, the problems that we face today are not problems that will be solved overnight. In fact, it will take time, hard work and dedication to develop and sustain a strong health and social service workforce. I ask Members to join me in recognizing and thanking the nurses, social workers, physicians and other frontline workers who are providing important services to NWT residents.

To all health and social service workers, I would like to say, "We know you are coping with difficult situations. I ask for your patience while we work with you to develop solutions. Your dedication and professionalism are greatly appreciated. Thank you."

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Minister's Statement 51-13(6): Plan 2000 Update
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 274

Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take a few moments to provide the House with an update on the NWT Housing Corporation's Plan 2000. In 1997 the corporation launched Plan 2000 with the objective of improving the living conditions of 2,000 NWT families by the year 2000. Mr. Speaker, considering the remoteness of most of our communities this is an ambitious task, to say the least. Under this strategy the corporation streamlined its programs so that more families could take advantage of them, to either get a new home or to improve the one they already live in. Plan 2000 was widely promoted across the NWT, not just through the media, but by presentations in every community. At the end of the second season of construction since the start of Plan 2000, I am pleased to say that the NWT Housing Corporation is steadily closing in on its goals.

Mr. Speaker, it is hard to tell someone they will have to wait for assistance. I hope that those who question the corporation for not giving them a home as soon as they apply for it realize that we have to be fair to everyone. That means we have to set priorities. As we enter the final year of Plan 2000 I call on all Members of this House to support this initiative to assist the maximum number of people possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Minister's Statement 51-13(6): Plan 2000 Update
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Todd.

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories dismissed the bad faith bargaining allegation made by the UNW and granted the government's application for the appointment of a mediator. Mr. Speaker, collective bargaining has since been scheduled to resume from November 10 to 12, 1998, with the assistance of a mediator.

Mr. Speaker, we believe that we are now in a good position to conclude a collective agreement for ratification by employees. We now have clear direction that we must negotiate a gender-neutral job evaluation system and gender-neutral rates of pay at collective bargaining. However, we do not believe, in view of the position taken by the UNW, that we can conclude an agreement on retroactive payments for the settlement of the equal pay complaint at collective bargaining.

Mr. Speaker, before I set out the government's overall approach to the mediation talks and to resolving the pay equity complaint, I will list the principles that continue to guide the government in these negotiations:

- The government pays its employees a fair and equitable wage and benefit package designed to attract and retain a northern workforce.

- The government is totally supportive of the requirement for no discrimination in the workplace and for equal pay for work of equal value.

- The government is totally supportive of the Collective Bargaining process and believes that agreements freely entered into in good faith are preferred over settlements that are imposed on the parties.

- The government believes that a negotiated settlement of the equal pay complaint is preferred over the cumbersome, time-consuming and expensive federal Commission, Tribunal and Court processes.

- The government believes that it is in the interests of all the people of the NWT, including past and current employees, to settle the pay equity equal pay complaint and conclude a collective agreement before the division of the NWT on April 1, 1999.

- The government believes that employees should have the right to decide for themselves whether to accept the equal pay settlement offer for the past and a new collective agreement for the future.

Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court made it very clear that the parties must negotiate a gender-neutral job evaluation system and gender-neutral rates of pay at collective bargaining. The Supreme Court agreed with the government that the obligation to negotiate a gender-neutral job evaluation system is the result of the union's allegation that past collective agreements do not contain a gender-neutral job evaluation system and gender-neutral rates of pay.

Mr. Speaker, a considerable commitment of time and resources went into the selection of the Hay Job Evaluation System and the evaluation of all jobs against that system. We must implement this system. We do not have the time or resources to start over with another system. Mr. Speaker, we are fully satisfied that the Hay Job Evaluation System, as implemented for our non-unionized employees, is gender-neutral and that the results are gender-neutral. The challenge we face is how best to demonstrate this fact to the satisfaction of the UNW so that we can agree on the implementation of the system for our unionized employees.

At mediation, we will table a revised offer that we believe will address all possible concerns that the UNW may have regarding the Hay Job Evaluation System. If we can address these concerns, we should be in a position to conclude a collective agreement that the UNW can recommend to its members for ratification. Hopefully, this can be done in time to get the increases that we are offering into the hands of employees as quickly as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Minister's Statement 53-13(6): Keewatin Search And Rescue Conference
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

November 4th, 1998

Page 275

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Mr. Speaker, every year we suffer the loss of loved ones because of tragic events and accidents. The recent deaths in Pangnirtung make it clear that lives can be lost, even when coordinated search and rescue attempts are made. Mr. Speaker, search and rescue and emergency preparedness is a collective responsibility. Individuals, community and government organizations, and the RCMP all work very hard to save lives through coordinated and planned efforts. It is critical to have trained, community/volunteer search teams to help RCMP members carry out search and rescue operations.

I am pleased to report that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the RCMP have designed a search and rescue training program for the regions. These training sessions help communities and residents respond to these emergencies. Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to report that the next search and rescue conference will be held in the Keewatin Region. MACA, the RCMP and the Kivalliq Inuit Association, are sponsoring the conference. It will be held in Rankin Inlet from December 15 to 17, 1998. Search and rescue personnel from Keewatin communities, RCMP officers, and representatives from federal and territorial agencies will discuss all aspects of search and rescue.

Mr. Speaker, this conference will allow participants to discuss ways to improve the general organization and management of local searches. They will also consider developing a strategy for the Keewatin region. We recognize that our efforts to help communities improve their local search and rescue operations could save lives. This is well worth the investment. It is an initiative the department will continue to promote. Through other promotions, such as public awareness and prevention initiatives, we also hope to save lives by reducing the number of search and rescue incidents required throughout the north. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Minister's Statement 54-13(6): Canada Career Week
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 275

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, this is Career Week across Canada. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment, in partnership with the Canada Career Consortium, encourages everyone to get involved. Career planning programs and services are available through ten career centres across the Northwest Territories. Staff at these centres work with schools, colleges, employers, other government departments and community organizations to ensure programs and services meet needs in every community. These centres have a wealth of information to help people plan and pursue a career. I encourage everyone to drop into their local career centre and check it out. School and college counsellors and adult educators can also help with career planning. On the Internet you can visit the career development website. The address, siksik.learnnet.nt.ca, is on the career development bookmarks placed at each Member's desk today.

Events across the Northwest Territories this week will promote career awareness and the importance of career planning. For example, winning entries in the department's My Dream Job contest will be on display in the Great Hall next week. Prizes include job shadowing opportunities, t-shirts, mugs, mouse pads and other prizes donated by northern employers. As many of you are aware, yesterday was Take a Child to Work Day across the Northwest Territories and Canada. Resource kits were sent to all schools, colleges, career centres and community learning centres to help plan local career week activities. The resource kits include suggested career week activities, a list of career development resources, a list of community partners and other contacts, promotional items, posters and copies of the career planning tabloids NWT Career Scopes and Canada Prospects. Mr. Speaker, I encourage northerners to get involved in Career Week activities and to get more information on career planning and the opportunities that are out there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Minister's Statement 54-13(6): Canada Career Week
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 275

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the most important things any person can have is a safe place to call home. Sadly, in the Northwest Territories there are people who do not have a home. They sleep wherever they can find some shelter. Often, this shelter does not meet basic needs. This problem is particularly severe in Yellowknife and Iqaluit. I am proud to say that the NWT Housing Corporation

is working with partners in Yellowknife and Iqaluit to provide homeless people with basic shelter.

In Iqaluit, the corporation worked with the Emergency Shelter Society, the Iqaluit Housing Authority, Iqaluit Health and Social Services, the Baffin Regional Health and Social Services Board and the Illitit Society to replace the town's shelter. The old shelter was closed because it did not meet the standards necessary for healthy living conditions. The corporation provided the Iqaluit Housing Authority with $57,000 to renovate a one-bedroom public housing duplex for a new shelter.

In Yellowknife, the corporation is working with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment on a ten-bed shelter. This pilot project should be opening soon. I would like to thank the many people who supported this project, especially the Honourable Charles Dent and the Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Roy Erasmus.

Mr. Speaker, these two projects are examples of what can be accomplished when government and community organizations work together. Through cooperative efforts like these, we can all make the north a better place to live. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be speaking Inuktitut today. On Sunday morning, November 1st, the bodies of two hunters and a ten-year old boy from Pangnirtung were found washed ashore about four hours away from their home community. The hunters were first reported missing October 23rd. Their bodies were found by members of the community who had volunteered for the intensive six day search. This effort included the RCMP, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Coast Guard. Coast Guard vessels, as well as small private craft from Pangnirtung, also participated in the search and rescue effort.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and thank the local volunteers and members of the RCMP, the Department of National Defence, and the Coast Guard who took part in the search and rescue. Mr. Speaker, the list of volunteers is long and I will be tabling a document containing all their names. They number close to 61. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government initiated the digital communication network, or DCN as we call it, back in May of 1996. This was to be the backbone of our communications system in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, the DCN has been plagued with delays from the start. Everyone agrees that our communications systems needs to be updated. There was also a lot of support for this work to begin. There were concerns, however, raised on many occasions in this Assembly regarding the process used to have the north connected. Mr. Speaker, I bring to this House another concern. This one is added to the list of concerns raised already on the issue of the DCN.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Inuvik TV for stepping in and providing free Internet access when this government through this DCN was unable to come through. Once again, this showed that local Internet providers are better equipped to handle the new technological challenges that face us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I made a statement in regard to the unresolved collective bargaining issues. I raised some legitimate issues brought to me by employees from my constituency after being invited to their meeting and tabled a petition in this House. When the House rose and I returned to my office, there was an anonymous phone call on my voice mail by someone who identified themselves only as a UNW member from Yellowknife telling me to mind my own business and stay out of union business.

Some Hon. Members

Nay.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I consider the concerns brought to me by employees of the GNWT as my business and I think it is the business of every Member in this House that there be a resolution to the collective bargaining situation currently before us. I would encourage the government and the union to resolve this and I will not be deterred from bringing these concerns forward by anonymous phone calls. Thank

you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today is about the education funding policy regarding the programs that we deliver to the students. My statement is more in regard to the student financial assistance and the programs and services this government offers. I would like to bring to the attention of the Minister and this government that these programs in no way should put individuals and students in a financial burden with Revenue Canada and all the taxes that a lot of our students end up paying after returning home. Mr. Speaker, I will use an individual for an example who went for her bachelor degree of education, an area that this government is striving for to ensure that our teachers have their certification in the classrooms. She attended school for three years in Saskatoon and received her bachelors degree in education, then returned home to Aklavik. In the meantime, she received a bill from Revenue Canada in the area of, I believe, $20,000 for taxes that she had to pay back because of loans that she received from this government.

Mr. Speaker, I do not think it is appropriate for our students, who we entice to go off and get their education, get their degrees, come home and fill those positions for the long-term residents of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, I think it is critical that when we do implement funding policies, programs and services, that we also consider the financial implications that may come with those different programs and services. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be asking the Minister of Education questions on this matter.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.