Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.
Debates of Nov. 5th, 1998
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
Further Return To Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 284
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Supplementary To Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 284
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Minister pointed out, it has its glitches and warts and I think they have found more than they thought they would. If he could further inform us, there was a time-line when the whole north would be connected. He says it is visionary, but when the 21st century comes around I think we will find we are still living in the past. Can he inform us if that end time-line will be met with all the communities connected? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 284
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 284
John Todd Keewatin Central
Perhaps only in Inuvik, Mr. Speaker. It appears that in the other communities that we certainly had no complaints. We had some complaints out of Fort Smith and Inuvik. We have had no complaints anywhere else. Well, I did say Fort Smith. I am saying to my honourable colleague, a concerted effort is being made to put the Northwest Territories into the 21st century when it comes to high tech digital communications. I am sure my honourable colleague will appreciate, when you move forward on something as creative and visionary as this it is not going to be without its warts and problems. It may end up that all the warts and problems are all sitting in Inuvik, but I certainly will make every effort to have them removed accordingly.
Further Return To Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 284
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.
Supplementary To Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 284
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am aware that there is more than just Inuvik who has these warts and problems, so if the Minister could give me information as to the specifics, I have raised them before with the Minister regarding concerns raised in Inuvik. If he could provide me with the information as to when those will be cleared up? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 284
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 285
John Todd Keewatin Central
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's concerns, and I think his concerns, relate to the local service provider. I believe it was a similar situation in Fort Smith. I am telling my honourable colleague in all sincerity, there are no other areas of problems right now, with respect to the ones he has in Inuvik. We are trying to make a concerted effort. We have not done as well as we should have in that community, make a concerted effort in that community and resolve the problems he alluded to earlier in his statement. I want to assure him, by April 1, 1999, one way or another, a territorial-wide digital communications system will be in place. As I have explained on a number of occasions, it is not going to be without its problems. Hopefully, we will be able to resolve as many of them as we can. I will be only too happy to provide my honourable colleague with a complete update as to the status of the digital communication system as it relates to all the communities in the Arctic. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Question 158-13(6): Digital Communications Network Delay
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 285
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Ningark.
Question 159-13(6): Pelly Bay Gymnasium
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 285
John Ningark Natilikmiot
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Madame Thompson. The Hamlet of Pelly Bay wrote to me and to the MACA department in one of the other communities in the central Arctic regarding a gymnasium in Pelly Bay. Mr. Speaker, at that time in 1999, we understood construction was to begin on this new gymnasium, but on a smaller scale. Now, the hamlet board has indicated their request for a bigger gymnasium to be built at a later date. My question to the Minister is, can the Hamlet of Pelly Bay receive further funding to expand on the current size of the gymnasium that is planned to be built in that community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)
Question 159-13(6): Pelly Bay Gymnasium
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 285
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Thompson.
Return To Question 159-13(6): Pelly Bay Gymnasium
Question 159-13(6): Pelly Bay Gymnasium
Item 6: Oral Questions
November 4th, 1998
Page 285
Manitok Thompson Aivilik
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In response to the Member for Natilikmiot. I understand the question as I have received correspondence to the same effect. Perhaps the mayor of the community, Mr. Angutingnugiq of Pelly Bay, is the person I have to apologize to, first of all. I was supposed to visit the community this spring, but because of my work schedule, I was unable to do so. I did not get a chance to speak with him myself. I did speak with Doug Crossley, who has been to the community, from Cambridge Bay.
I understand they had a meeting in which the request for an expansion of the gymnasium is clear. The school had been built without a gymnasium. They currently use the gymnasium that belongs to the community or recreation authority. We are trying to make plans to make an extension, costing $1.5 million, which would make an attachment to the school. The people of that community find that gymnasium would be too small. The education board had been advised about this concern and funding was provided to that effect, but it was short by $952,000. The education board was aware of this concern and they offered $350,000, but no explanation was provided when they took that funding back. This is a concern and I plan on handing it over to the new government. I know it is a concern to the people over there. I plan to work again closely with the education board to address this concern. The money that was scheduled for a building has been earmarked for that gymnasium. I know their request has been for a bigger building and I will be speaking with the Minister of Education regarding that concern. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)
Return To Question 159-13(6): Pelly Bay Gymnasium
Question 159-13(6): Pelly Bay Gymnasium
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 285
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.
Supplementary To Question 159-13(6): Pelly Bay Gymnasium
Question 159-13(6): Pelly Bay Gymnasium
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 285
John Ningark Natilikmiot
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to my question. I thank the Minister for her adequate response and for making her response clear to me. I understand that funding is a problem. Can the Minister indicate to me as to when she can expect to get back to me? Hopefully, it will be prior to my return to my community, before December 11th. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)
Supplementary To Question 159-13(6): Pelly Bay Gymnasium
Question 159-13(6): Pelly Bay Gymnasium
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 285
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Ms. Thompson.
Further Return To Question 159-13(6): Pelly Bay Gymnasium
Question 159-13(6): Pelly Bay Gymnasium
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 285
Manitok Thompson Aivilik
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Prior to December 11th, and hopefully during this session, I will be able get together with the Member for Natilikmiot and with the Minister of Education regarding this concern. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)
Further Return To Question 159-13(6): Pelly Bay Gymnasium
Question 159-13(6): Pelly Bay Gymnasium
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 285
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.
Question 160-13(6): Update On Post-division Power Corporation
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 285
Levi Barnabas High Arctic
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister for NTPC. Can the Minister update us with the status on the NTPC division issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 160-13(6): Update On Post-division Power Corporation
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 285
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, Mr. Dent.
Return To Question 160-13(6): Update On Post-division Power Corporation
Question 160-13(6): Update On Post-division Power Corporation
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 285
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at this point the parties are preparing to meet to discuss a transition document which would outline the process for the next two or three years. That agreement would most likely see the administration of the Power Corporation remaining in Hay River, under an operating arm of the
corporation, but clearly setting out the process for dividing the utility into two operating utilities at the end of that agreement. However, it is my hope in the meantime that the two governments will find some way to come to the table and conclude an agreement that would see one utility maintained. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 160-13(6): Update On Post-division Power Corporation
Question 160-13(6): Update On Post-division Power Corporation
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 286
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.
Supplementary To Question 160-13(6): Update On Post-division Power Corporation
Question 160-13(6): Update On Post-division Power Corporation
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 286
Levi Barnabas High Arctic
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If there is a division with NTPC, and I understand in Nunavut, our area, we would have to pay seven percent and then in the western Arctic it would be five percent. If I understand clearly, both territories would be out of deficit. Would there be any subsidies if there was a division within the Power Corporation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 160-13(6): Update On Post-division Power Corporation
Question 160-13(6): Update On Post-division Power Corporation
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 286
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 160-13(6): Update On Post-division Power Corporation
Question 160-13(6): Update On Post-division Power Corporation
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 286
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is approximately right the estimate would be an increase of about five percent for western power users and a minimum of seven percent for Nunavut power users. Probably ten percent or higher, over what they are paying now. That is just an ongoing power cost. The residents of Nunavut would also have to finance the cost of a new headquarters, like an office building, which would drive up their costs even farther, Mr. Speaker. Those would be one time costs.
As things stand right now, there is no provision for the transfers from Ottawa to make up that difference, so all of those costs would come out of the pockets of rate payers. If the Member is asking about the power subsidy program, that is a government program. It would still be up to the two governments to determine whether or not that program still exists. It is not something that is tied to the existence of one power corporation or two power corporations. That is a government program. The current government chooses to fund that program out of dividends that are paid by the Power Corporation. I think it is important the public recognize it would still be a government decision as to whether or not there is a power subsidy program. I am confident both governments will decide there must be such a program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 160-13(6): Update On Post-division Power Corporation
Question 160-13(6): Update On Post-division Power Corporation
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 286
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.