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

James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to look into the future. I would like to express my constituents' concern over the comments that my colleague, Mr. Henry, made yesterday during his Member's statement. Mr. Speaker, as you may recall, Mr. Henry was rather adamant about the fact that his road to resources would start from Yellowknife and basically follow the existing route. I, on the other hand, feel this is not the most prudent or feasible solution. I would also like to thank the Mayor of Hay River for his comment and his vision of the future.

Mr. Speaker, for years Rae-Edzo has been in the shadow of Yellowknife. We have never lobbied to take anything away from Yellowknife, we have always been very good, cooperative neighbours and have watched Yellowknife grow and prosper. Now we have an opportunity that could benefit my entire region. If this road were to start from Rae-Edzo, badly needed jobs would be the first benefit. Secondly, it would allow for further expansion of our airport facility by establishing docking yards and storage areas, which of course would also create employment for our residents. Thirdly, by ensuring a good route to the Lac-de-Gras area we could also ensure that our smaller communities of Wha Ti, Rae Lakes and Snare Lake would receive benefits from employment and possibly by the fact that these communities could be connected to this road, which of course would provide a better way of life than is currently available to these residents.

As one can see, Mr. Speaker, by using Rae-Edzo as a starting point, the benefits are considerable. Now I ask, who benefits from having this road start from Yellowknife? I would venture to say a few businesses at the most or nothing else. I feel it is time for the rest of the NWT to reap some of the benefits that are available and not just Yellowknife. Let us share the wealth to benefit the entire western Arctic and not just a few businesses in Yellowknife. I also hope that my other colleagues will give us the much needed support to ensure this very important project benefits as many people as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Member's Statement 128-13(6): Passing Of Tooma Netser
Item 3: Members' Statements

November 4th, 1998

Page 277

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to inform this House of the loss of a close friend and respected elder during the summer of this year in Coral Harbour.

Mr. Speaker, Tooma Netser of Coral Harbour was born in September 1928 and passed away on June 10, 1998. He is sadly missed and deeply remembered by his wife, Annie, and their 11 children and many grandchildren. His children are Ajownik, Amaujoak, Joe, Nellie, Patrick, Leona, Dorothy, Jackie, Jake, Leonie and Jason. Mr. Netser and his wife had one other son, Albert, who passed away as a young man.

Mr. Speaker, Tooma Netser put in more than 20 years of service with the Department of Public Works before he retired. He was actively involved with his community and worked hard to make it a better place. During his lifetime, Mr. Netser was a dedicated mayor, he served as an outspoken and determined member of the hamlet council, he was an active board member of the HTA and the DEA, and was deeply committed to serving on the Special Committee on Suicide Prevention.

Mr. Speaker, Tooma Netser was very vocal about the needs of his community. He was regularly heard on the local radio talking about life skills, youth politics and harvesting practises. Mr. Netser firmly believed in community empowerment and emphasized that the skills of the local people needed to be developed so that they can become employed in their community. Finally, Mr. Speaker, Tooma Netser encouraged us to believe that we, as aboriginal people, are able to live and help our communities to become better places. Mr. Speaker , Mr. Netser was a wise and respected elder. The community deeply misses him and we will always keep his memory alive in our hearts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you and many of my colleagues are aware, the Stanton Regional Hospital Foundation is holding a telethon later this month, on November 29, 1998 to be exact. The telethon is being held at the St. Patrick High School.

All money raised from this telethon will be used to purchase new equipment, in particular a CT Scanner, to improve the quality of health care services provided to the people of the Northwest Territories. It is up to all of us, as residents of the NWT, to support this very worthwhile cause as we all benefit from the provision of better health care services. Telethon organizers have been working extremely hard in recent months to pull this venture off and it is now the time for the people of the NWT to do their part. Already $1.2 million has been raised, most of that from governments and the corporate sector.

One approach that the telethon organizers are using in attempting to raise money for the telethon are challenges within the GNWT, business community, school groups and other organizations. I know the staff at the Legislative Assembly are working hard to raise donations and pledges for the telethon. They have also issued a challenge to all other GNWT departments to meet or beat their total, which I am told is climbing slowly. At this time, I would like to add my voice to the challenge and encourage all GNWT employees and their departments to try and match or beat the Assembly's total. Already MACA and the NWT Housing Corporation have expressed some interest in accepting this challenge. I urge all other departments to get involved and help the telethon organizers meet their goal of $2 million.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year I made a statement in this House regarding tourism. At that time, the NWT Arctic Tourism Association had just completed its business plan and announced a vision toward increasing its marketing and promotion efforts. Its funding of $540,000 is only half of what was previously spent on tourism marketing by this government. Yet the association reported that visitor numbers had remained steady at pre-budget cut days.

This clearly points to the increased efficiencies achieved by the association. There is no doubt that there is a direct relationship between the number of visitors coming here and the spending on marketing. Compared with other jurisdictions such as Yukon or Alberta, the NWT tourism sector still has tremendous growth potential, providing marketing dollars are spent on that initiative. The association has submitted to this government a proposal and request for increased funding. For next year, their budget request is $1.48 million and for the following year, based on a job well done in the previous year, they are asking for $2.2 million.

What needs to be done now is for RWED and the association to come to an agreement over specific roles and responsibilities. For example, RWED could maintain responsibilities for strategic planning, as well as tourism research and licensing functions. The association could assume primary responsibility in such areas as media relations, consumer and travel industry shows, and operator standards. I urge this government to meet the funding needs of the association and address the coordinating roles. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate two of my constituents, who were recently married in a civil ceremony in Yellowknife. Ms. Edith Girouz and Mr. Darryl Mack became husband and wife on November 4, 1998 in a small ceremony. I would like to extend my personal best wishes to Edith and Darryl.

Edith has been my most capable executive secretary since 1996 and Darryl is employed with the Department of Justice. I would like all residents and colleagues who know Edith and Darryl to join me in wishing them a lifetime of happiness together. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Member's Statement 132-13(6): Minimum Wage Rates
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 279

Edward Picco Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the past few weeks I have been doing some research on the national minimum wage rates. Mr. Speaker, the minimum wages across Canada run from $5.25 an hour in Newfoundland to $7.15 in British Columbia. The Yukon rate is $6.86 an hour.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories minimum wage is $6.50 and off road is $7.00 an hour. A large number of the Northwest Territories employees and students continue to be paid the minimum wage. If a person works 40 hours a week for 12 months a year, their gross yearly wage would be a little more than $13,000 a year. Mr. Speaker, that amount is well below the cost of living and indeed puts that person below the poverty line.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to suggest that this government review the current minimum wage amount both off and on road and look to increasing it at least to a point that reflects the higher cost of living in the north. To have jurisdictions like British Columbia further ahead of our minimum wage rate and having other jurisdictions within 40 or 50 cents of ours, is not acceptable. Later today, I will ask the appropriate Minister about this matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Member's Statement 132-13(6): Minimum Wage Rates
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 279

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask for Members to remember a long-term northerner in their prayers. I am speaking about Mike Kachkowski, a very long-term northerner who is seriously ill with cancer in the Stanton Hospital. Mike has been in the north for over 50 years and can be said to have been a true pioneer. He worked as a prospector, cat skinner and those types of things. He is probably best known for starting and running Mike's Trucking here in Yellowknife for many years with his wife, my aunt, Theresa Paul. They later sold this company, but it is still operating today in Yellowknife. As I said, Mike is seriously ill in the hospital and we ask that people remember him in their prayers. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Picco.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 279

Edward Picco Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the gallery today we have Ms. Judy Aniliaiak who is a former resident of Pangnirtung and a resident of Iqaluit. She is currently working here in Yellowknife at the Legislative Assembly. With her is Nancy Tupik, who will soon be moving to Iqaluit to work with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 279

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. O'Brien.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 279

Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a former resident of Baker Lake, Ms. Rhoda Perkison, who recently took on the responsibilities of deputy clerk for Nunavut. Thank you.

--Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 279

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is addressed to the Minister of Health and Social Services. He talked about the retention and recruitment plan which has been tabled for ten months, but was silent on exact figures and the amount of money that has been put to this program. Could the Minister indicate for this House the amounts of money being put towards this very essential program? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Return To Question 151-13(6): Recruitment And Retention Plan Funding
Question 151-13(6): Recruitment And Retention Plan Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 279

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker

the exact amount approved by the Financial Management Board this morning in a supplementary appropriation was $2.386 million, which works out to approximately $3.6 million on an annual basis, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Return To Question 151-13(6): Recruitment And Retention Plan Funding
Question 151-13(6): Recruitment And Retention Plan Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 279

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 151-13(6): Recruitment And Retention Plan Funding
Question 151-13(6): Recruitment And Retention Plan Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 279

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, as the Minister has indicated, this will be added to the base and there will be a yearly amount. This is not just a one-time injection of funds. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 151-13(6): Recruitment And Retention Plan Funding
Question 151-13(6): Recruitment And Retention Plan Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 279

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Ng

Further Return To Question 151-13(6): Recruitment And Retention Plan Funding
Question 151-13(6): Recruitment And Retention Plan Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 279

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

yes, the intent is that the approximately $2.4 million dollars is to carry us to the end of this 1998/1999 fiscal year and the plan is to have approximately $3.1 million dollars added to the bases for the 1999/2000 fiscal year, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.