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

Supplementary To Question 259-13(6): Collective Bargaining And Pay Equity
Question 259-13(6): Collective Bargaining And Pay Equity
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 523

The Speaker

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 259-13(6): Collective Bargaining And Pay Equity
Question 259-13(6): Collective Bargaining And Pay Equity
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 523

John Todd Keewatin Central

Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times if you ask two lawyers for one opinion, you get two. The opinion of our lawyers and our legal people is that if pay equity is not a collective bargaining issue, then we have the right and are obligated to, and I feel very strong about that, go out directly to our employees and show them and demonstrate to them what the pay equity proposal is and ask them if they agree or disagree with it.

Further Return To Question 259-13(6): Collective Bargaining And Pay Equity
Question 259-13(6): Collective Bargaining And Pay Equity
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 523

The Speaker

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 259-13(6): Collective Bargaining And Pay Equity
Question 259-13(6): Collective Bargaining And Pay Equity
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 523

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister indicate potential timelines for this particular issue just dealing with union, not actually carrying out the advance of information to the individual members, but is it anticipated that trying to resolve the issue with the union so that we could proceed or not is going to take any great lengths of time, given our shortening mandate as a Legislature? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 259-13(6): Collective Bargaining And Pay Equity
Question 259-13(6): Collective Bargaining And Pay Equity
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 523

The Speaker

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 259-13(6): Collective Bargaining And Pay Equity
Question 259-13(6): Collective Bargaining And Pay Equity
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 523

John Todd Keewatin Central

Well, if I was to take an optimistic view and if there was an agreement reached that we do have the right and the mandate, as we believe we now do, then we could move very quickly to go out there and advise our people that is what we are doing. However, the less optimistic view is going to be that the UNW will actually want to examine the letter sent by our lead negotiator. I would imagine they will seek legal counsel and we are going to bring it forward, I believe, next week. From my personal preference as a Finance Minister, we will be able to move quickly, as I have said many times here. Given the track record and the history of discussion and debate on this very sensitive pay equity issue, we will just have to see how events unfold. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 259-13(6): Collective Bargaining And Pay Equity
Question 259-13(6): Collective Bargaining And Pay Equity
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 523

The Speaker

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.

Levi Barnabas High Arctic

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last year I made a statement on the condition of an office building in Grise Fiord and, to date, I still have not received any response from the Department of MACA whether it is going to be renovated or if there is any funding available to it. Could the Minister of MACA update me as to what is happening with this building? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Thompson.

Return To Question 260-13(6): Status Of Grise Fiord Office Building
Question 260-13(6): Status Of Grise Fiord Office Building
Item 6: Oral Questions

December 3rd, 1998

Page 524

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can say that there has been a lot of responses in regard to the question that was asked by the Member. Last year, the department was working with the community and as I stated before when he asked me the question, when there is a community transfer to the hamlet, there is a negotiation process that goes with the transfer and, if the hamlet does not want the building, it is up to them. I do not know the details up-to-date, but I do know that the regional office in Iqaluit was dealing with the issue and I will have to take the question as notice. I do not have the details in front of me, but I do know that the department responded to the community for that particular building the Member is talking about. Thank you.

Return To Question 260-13(6): Status Of Grise Fiord Office Building
Question 260-13(6): Status Of Grise Fiord Office Building
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 524

The Speaker

The question is taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for Mr. Arlooktoo, Minister of the Housing Corporation. I wonder if the Minster could tell us if the grant program, the Down Payment Assistance Pilot Program, that he has announced, if that program is available in all communities including the community such as Yellowknife? Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, Mr. Arlooktoo.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The answer is yes, the program is available in Yellowknife, and in fact, in the survey of homes that sit empty, the City of Yellowknife had the highest number. In discussion with realtors and bankers, the response was very positive that for a place like Yellowknife, this would be a program that would work well. In short, yes, it is available here. Thank you.

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

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary 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

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is there a limitation on the number of down payment assistance that will be provided other than the time limit of March, 1999?

Supplementary 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

Mr. Arlooktoo.

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

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. The limitation will be the total number of dollars that are available, but I would suggest that for the initial period right now that all applications from all communities will be given the same consideration, but as the program winds down and as the money is used up, I think there will have to be some consideration as to where the greatest need is, but at this point in time, all applications are being considered limited by the total amount of money in the program. Thank you.

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

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary 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

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if the Minister could tell us what the total amount of money there is in this particular program? Thank you.

Supplementary 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

Mr. Arlooktoo.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The total amount of money is allocated by estimating the approximate number of homes that would be sold and those that are suitable for selling through this program. For the western Arctic, it is in the total of $1.9 million, that is, 190 homes estimated, and 73 for Nunavut for a total of $1.095 million for Nunavut for a total MDAPP program of $2.995 million. As I indicated earlier, subtracted from that existing resources which is being used immediately, additional funding that would be requested through this House of $1.695 million. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary 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

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if there is a flood of applications, are individuals or families considered on a first-come first-served basis or are there other criteria which determine who gets access to this program? Thank you.

Supplementary 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

Mr. Arlooktoo.