Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in concluding my statement, I would like to point out to the RWED department, who are sponsoring this Protected Area Strategy, that we need to have flexible rules and governing that will govern our Inuvialuit region. Right now, we do not need any more rules from any other agencies that would, in fact, serve just to prevent us from developing our region and supplying economic opportunities and jobs for the people that are much needed. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, at the proper time today, I will be directing questions to the Minister of RWED in this regard. Thank you.
Debates of Nov. 6th, 1998
This is page numbers 293 - 307 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
Member's Statement 142-13(6): NWT Protected Areas Strategy
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 296
Member's Statement 142-13(6): NWT Protected Areas Strategy
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 296
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Steen. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Antoine.
Return To Oral Question 146-13(6): Transpolar Flights
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 296
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Ootes on November 4th, in regard to transpolar flights.
On Wednesday, November 4, 1998, the Member for Yellowknife Centre asked me about the implications for the Northwest Territories of Russia opening up its national airspace for transpolar commercial flights.
Geographically, transpolar air routes are often the most direct and efficient great circle routes to and from points on the earth's northern hemisphere. During the Cold War, potential routes across Russian airspace were closed to international traffic. Given the vast size of Russian airspace, this imposed tremendous distortions and inefficiencies on the routing of international traffic. The promised opening of Russian airspace will prove a great blessing for the air industry in time and fuel savings. In turn, literally everyone in the world stands to gain from the new shorter and less expensive transpolar routes.
For all that, the opening of a transpolar route across Russia, will have almost no effect on the Northwest Territories. Commercial air carriers have been flying transpolar routes over the Northwest Territories for many years now. Very few transpolar flights have occasion to land at our airports and when they do, it is most often for passenger-related reasons. The new Russian routes will certainly generate more transpolar traffic but this will have little or no direct impact on the Northwest Territories or our airport system. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Oral Question 146-13(6): Transpolar Flights
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Page 296
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Ms. Thompson.
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Page 296
Manitok Thompson Aivilik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize in the gallery, Geela Qaqqaaiq, my previous secretary, and her Mom who is visiting her here.
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Page 296
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.
Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 296
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when I made a Member's statement regarding alternative needs of communication, my mind was focused at the Minister of Health. In essence, I indicated I would ask a question. My question should more appropriately be directed to the Minister of Public Works and Safety instead of the Minister of Health. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, the Kitikmeot Leaders Forum talked about the communication system, a problem with the communication system in the Kitikmeot region. We have heard from our colleagues that they have similar problems in the west. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to emergency situations, having a problem with communication is very critical. My
question to the honourable Minister of Public Works and Services is will the Minister communicate the need to have an alternate means of communication in our region? In this case, perhaps we can provide MSAT to health centres in the Kitikmeot region in the event the communication system of the conventional type is out of order. Thank you.
Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 297
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Antoine.
Return To Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 297
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I think it is a very good idea. My colleague, the honourable Member, the Minister for MACA, had indicated that some of the hamlet councils do have MSATs in their offices. I could check with her and also with my colleague through Health and Social Services to see what kind of arrangements could be made. In the far Arctic communities, I think it is very essential for these communications to stay open. Once the telephone goes down, we could run into some serious problems so I think it is a very good point and I will look into it. Thank you.
Return To Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 297
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.
Supplementary To Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 297
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in order to ensure the Kitikmeot Leaders Forum is informed, I am wondering if the honourable Minister would direct his staff to communicate a request and a positive response from the Minister to the Kitikmeot Leaders Forum office in Cambridge Bay? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 297
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Antoine.
Further Return To Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 297
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you have the Minister from MACA who is also responsible for emergency measures and I think this is an item that I will raise with my colleague. I will deal with it in that manner. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 297
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.
Supplementary To Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 297
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister, since he indicated positively, ensure this House and the people in the Natilikmiot region that a dedicated line will be provided at no additional cost to health centres in the region? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 297
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Antoine.
Further Return To Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 297
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will look into it and get back to the Member. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Question 168-13(6): Communication Systems Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 297
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mr. Steen.
Question 169-13(6): Application Of Protected Area Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 297
Vince Steen Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I stated in my Member's statement I have a question for the honourable Mr. Kakfwi, Minister of RWED. I welcome him back. Mr. Speaker, at this point in time my constituents are concerned about the Protected Area Strategy and how it is going to be applied to the Inuvialuit settlement region. As I pointed out in my statement, we already have under the final agreement agencies in place to have controlled access to the land and access to the wildlife areas, and in particular, hunting areas. We also have land rules, which in many cases, exceed federal legislation. My question to the Minister is, what is the necessity for the Protected Area Strategy in the Inuvialuit settlement area? Thank you.
Question 169-13(6): Application Of Protected Area Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 297
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.
Return To Question 169-13(6): Application Of Protected Area Strategy
Question 169-13(6): Application Of Protected Area Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 297
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was in Ottawa earlier this week making a presentation to the Senate Committee that was reviewing the proposed park, the Tuktut Nogait National Park. I made a point to the federal government and the Senate, that the Inuvialuit have made tremendous contributions to providing protected areas within their settlement region already, and that we were currently drafting an overall Protected Area Strategy for the whole of the western part of the Northwest Territories at this time. I was concerned that unless the federal government showed some flexibility in regard to the concern that the Inuvialuit had about the proposed national park that it may affect the way in which we go about completing the Protected Area Strategy. At the end of the day, I think the Member knows that the Inuvialuit do not need a Protected Area Strategy. It is more for everyone else that would love the comfort of knowing what an overall strategy would be. Namely, the federal government and the Government of the Northwest Territories.
It is true that the Inuvialuit have already made substantially more than their contribution in comparison to everyone else in Canada. They have gone again as willing partners in the development of the Protected Area Strategy. When it comes to a point where the flexibility and the goodwill and the spirit that they went into the development of the strategy with, is not reflected by the federal government who make up a significant portion of the partnership and made up the strategy, it does cause concern. I will be speaking to the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation early next week to decide what should be done, if anything at all, in regard to these recent developments. Thank you.
Return To Question 169-13(6): Application Of Protected Area Strategy
Question 169-13(6): Application Of Protected Area Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 298
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Steen.
Supplementary To Question 169-13(6): Application Of Protected Area Strategy
Question 169-13(6): Application Of Protected Area Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 298
Vince Steen Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that response. I find it very favourable and I am glad to hear that the department recognizes the fact that the Inuvialuit have contributed far more than anyone else in allowing their lands to be used for parks, both federal and territorial, and for areas of protected wildlife. My concern, Mr. Speaker, is in the future are we going to have to address specific concerns drawn up by Friends of the Earth or Greenpeace through the Protected Area Strategy rather than simply dealing with it through the existing boards and agencies set up by the Inuvialuit under their agreement? That is my concern right now, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 169-13(6): Application Of Protected Area Strategy
Question 169-13(6): Application Of Protected Area Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 298
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Kakfwi.
Further Return To Question 169-13(6): Application Of Protected Area Strategy
Question 169-13(6): Application Of Protected Area Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 298
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The intent of the strategy was simply to take the aboriginal organizations like the Inuvialuit in partnership with the federal government and the territorial government to develop an overall strategy on how to go about identifying and putting in place protected areas, coordinating our efforts and priorizing our work together. There is no intention to undermine or circumvent the institutions and the processes that are in place in the respected regions. There is no intent to circumvent that whatsoever. Thank you.