Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, it is on a first-come first-served basis, but you still have to qualify under the criteria and there are some principles or goals that I had talked generally about and I will just repeat three of them. The program is targeted towards encouraging present NWT residents who lack the savings required to make a down payment to buy a home, also encouraging businesses to relocate their employees and their families to the north permanently by making housing more affordable to them and towards encouraging individual's families who might live elsewhere in the NWT to move to communities for employment or training opportunities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Debates of Dec. 4th, 1998
This is page numbers 509 - 545 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 conflict.
Topics
Further Return To Question 261-13(6): New Down Payment Pilot Program
Question 261-13(6): New Down Payment Pilot Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 524
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Further Return To Question 261-13(6): New Down Payment Pilot Program
Question 261-13(6): New Down Payment Pilot Program
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 524
The Speaker
Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.
Question 262-13(6): Contracting With Former Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 524
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the
Minister of FMBS and it is regarding Minister's statement 77-13(6), contracting of former employees. I would like to ask the Minister in light of the report that he tabled and in regard to the possibility of striking a committee within the government to look at that report. Is there any possible way that he will consider looking at some sort of independent....
Question 262-13(6): Contracting With Former Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 525
The Speaker
I am sorry, Mr. Krutko, I have to rule the question out of order. This is an item that is going to be discussed in committee of the whole regarding the conflict of interest. The question is out of order. Oral questions. Mr. Picco.
Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 525
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am wondering if the Minister of Health, Mr. Ng, could update the House at this time on the negotiations and progress to date on the construction of the new Baffin Regional Hospital? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 525
The Speaker
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.
Return To Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions
December 3rd, 1998
Page 525
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, about two weeks ago, myself and the assistant deputy minister of Health and the director of the financial management services were in Iqaluit meeting with the board chair and the trustees through a teleconference. After that time, since I arrived back, the staff stayed in Iqaluit and they have come to an agreement on the functional program which outlines what services are going to be available and how those services will be delivered within the space of the hospital. The projection is that the functional program that was agreed to is going to amount approximately to $31 million. So, that was agreed upon. Right now, the functional program is being designed based on that agreement so that it can go out for proposal for preliminary design. So that work is ongoing now in finalizing the details of the functional program as agreed upon. Thank you.
Return To Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 525
The Speaker
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 525
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am wondering if through the negotiations and the meetings in Iqaluit two weeks ago, if there is indeed, an agreement with the Nunavut deputy minister for Health and if, indeed, Mr. Anawak's office, on the dollar value and the process for construction of the hospital? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 525
The Speaker
Thank you. Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 525
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the senior staff in the department have been fully advising Mr. MacRury, the Nunavut deputy minister of health, of ongoing discussions and negotiations in respect to this issue. It is my understanding that there is a comfort level with the monetary figure that has been reached to date. I would like to caution and remind all Members that the final approval will be either through the Interim Commissioner himself, if it is prior to March 31, 1999, or failing that, April 1st and post April 1st, with the new Nunavut Legislature for final approval from any financial commitments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 525
The Speaker
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 525
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there was a concern with the construction of the hospital and the financing of the project with the Auditor General for Canada. I am wondering if that concern has been alleviated or rectified? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 525
The Speaker
Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 525
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am advised, my colleague, the Minister of Finance, Chair of the Financial Management Board, it is our understanding that that issue has been resolved in respect to the treatment of P3 projects and how they are treated on the balance sheet of governments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Question 263-13(6): Status Of Iqaluit Health Facility
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 525
The Speaker
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.
Question 264-13(6): Reducing The Student/teacher Ratio
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 525
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent. I believe Mr. Dent is in receipt of a letter sent to him and also to Mr. Todd and Mr. Arlooktoo from Range Lake school parent advisory group. They raise a number of interesting comments and requests in that regard to education funding. The main request from this parent advisory group could be applied to all classrooms and teachers in the NWT. Their main request is looking for additional funding to reduce the student/teacher numbers in the classroom. My question to the Minister is, what hope can the Minister of Education provide to the parents of children in the Northwest Territories that indeed, something can and will be done about reducing the student/teacher ratio in the classroom? Thank you.
Question 264-13(6): Reducing The Student/teacher Ratio
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 525
The Speaker
The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.
Return To Question 264-13(6): Reducing The Student/teacher Ratio
Question 264-13(6): Reducing The Student/teacher Ratio
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 525
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have not yet seen the letter to which the Member refers, but I can certainly respond to the question. I would say that I have informed my Cabinet colleagues that as a first priority, we need to try to find increased funding to deal with special needs in the classroom and, secondly with the pupil/teacher ratio. At this point, we have not been able to identify any additional funds to
put into those programs, but Cabinet is very aware of the need and will continue to look for sources of funding that could be applied to those needs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 264-13(6): Reducing The Student/teacher Ratio
Question 264-13(6): Reducing The Student/teacher Ratio
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 526
The Speaker
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.
Supplementary To Question 264-13(6): Reducing The Student/teacher Ratio
Question 264-13(6): Reducing The Student/teacher Ratio
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 526
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that. I am encouraged that there is at least some work carrying on. The Minister's department also has a component of culture and while I would publicly recognize that as an important aspect of the department and for the whole mosaic of the Northwest Territories, I am wondering if the Minister has given any thought to reallocating some of the funds attributed to that portion of it. I am talking particularly about items such as the production of CD's or department funded projects such as this until such a time as we get education levels in the territories raised to what I think everybody would accept as a higher standard. Would the Minister consider reallocating some of those funds on a temporary basis to provide assistance to the teachers in the classroom? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 264-13(6): Reducing The Student/teacher Ratio
Question 264-13(6): Reducing The Student/teacher Ratio
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 526
The Speaker
Thank you. Question period is over. Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 264-13(6): Reducing The Student/teacher Ratio
Question 264-13(6): Reducing The Student/teacher Ratio
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 526
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when the department's allocation was reduced in the deficit reduction program, all of the areas of the department were looked at to determine what level of reduction they could withstand. In fact, the reductions were not applied equally across the board. The reductions were applied ranging anywhere from 25 percent to zero percent. In the area of special needs in the formula, funding was increased in spite of the fact that the department's total allocation had been reduced. I must say, we are talking about a significant need here. It is not one that can be met by moving the amount of money that we have, from the programs that the Member has referred to.
We have heard from people across the north that we cannot let the arts programs be totally cut as this government goes through reduced funding allocations. I have not heard from any other Members of this House that they would like to see that happen. I do know that when we appeared in front of the standing committees to present our business plan, there has been a recognition that we have had to cut in the areas like culture, more than in areas like special needs and that has been supported by the Members. There has been no support for complete elimination of cultural programs.
It is important to point out that culture has to be reflected, not only as a separate part of the department, but in the work in the school. Schooling is only effective if it reflects the cultures of the people who are being schooled. Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that suggestion is workable. I am certainly prepared to raise this issue with the standing committee when we next discuss our business plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 264-13(6): Reducing The Student/teacher Ratio
Question 264-13(6): Reducing The Student/teacher Ratio
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 526
The Speaker
Thank you. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Mr. Krutko.
Item 12: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
Item 12: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
Page 526
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Legislative Assembly that the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development has reviewed Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Public Highways Act, and the Motor Vehicles Act, and I wish to report that Bill 19 is ready for committee of the whole. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive rule 70(5), and have Bill 19 ordered into committee of the whole for today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.