This is page numbers 545 - 585 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 report.

Topics

Members Present

Honourable Jim Antoine, Honourable Goo Arlooktoo, Mr. Barnabas, Honourable Charles Dent, Mr. Enuaraq, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Honourable Sam Gargan, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Henry, Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Morin, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Ningark, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Picco, Mr. Rabesca, Mr. Roland, Mr. Steen, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Honourable John Todd.

Oh, God, may your spirit and guidance be in us as we work for the benefit of all our people, for peace and justice in our land and for the constant recognition of the dignity and aspirations of those whom we serve. Amen.

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 545

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. Good afternoon. Before we proceed today, I wish to inform the House that I have received a letter dated December 7, 1998, which is in accordance with section 76.05 of the Nunavut Act, from the Interim Commissioner of Nunavut. I would like to read the following letter received.

Dear Speaker:

Re: Nunavut Power Utilities Statutes Amendment Act

The formal creation of Nunavut is now less than four months away. As we continue our preparation for this historic event, it is necessary to amend certain statutes duplicated for Nunavut to render those statutes appropriate for Nunavut. This bill reflects the determination of all parties to ensure uninterrupted service for the people of Nunavut in the critical area of electrical power generation and delivery.

As required by Section 76.05 of the Nunavut Act, it is with pleasure that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of the bill entitled Nunavut Power Utilities Statutes Amendment Act, during the Sixth Session of the 13th Legislative Assembly.

Yours sincerely, Jack Anawak, Interim Commissioner.

--Applause

Order of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The western Arctic can expect significant petroleum exploration and development activity during this coming winter.

I recently visited Fort Liard and was very impressed by both the number of opportunities available from exploration activity and the energy vigour with which the community is pursuing them. Fort Liard is not only benefiting from drilling activity near the community, the band has also recently signed a contract with AEC West to provide camp services to the company's BC drilling program near Max Harnish Lake. This activity is providing jobs and business opportunities to residents of Fort Liard and to those of other Deh Cho communities.

The Sahtu also expect significant exploration activity this winter. Both AEC West and Grey Wolf Exploration will conduct seismic exploration in the area. This will generate about 500 weeks of work. Murphy Oil will continue drilling on its lands near Norman Wells and I am expecting further announcements of work in the very near future. In the Mackenzie Delta, the Inuvialuit Petroleum Corporation will continue work on the Ikhis Gas Project. This project, valued at $35 million, will generate 350 person years of employment over its term.

Mr. Speaker, the petroleum future of the western Arctic is very bright indeed. This industry continues to show promise as a major component in our economy. In order for Northwest Territories residents and businesses to rightfully take advantage of that potential, we will continue to insist that northerners have greater control of the benefits that result from oil, gas and mining development. Thank you.

--Applause

The Speaker

Ministers' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, later today I will be tabling two reports of the Municipal Legislation Review Committee, "Empowerment Through Community Government Legislation - Nunavut and the Western NWT".

Over the past three years, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has been working in partnership with the NWT Association of Municipalities on a review of municipal legislation. This review was undertaken to improve the legislation so that community governments can better serve their residents.

Since the review began, this Assembly has passed three bills which brought about much needed changes to the legislation. In addition to the amendments that were made last year, the Municipal Legislation Review Committee has recommended substantial rewrites of the Charter Communities Act; the Cities, Towns and Villages Act; the Hamlets Act; and the Settlements Act. The committee has recommended further amendments to the Local Authorities Elections Act and the Property Assessment and Taxation Act. A legislative proposal based on these recommendations was considered by Cabinet and the Standing Committee on Infrastructure earlier this year.

With only a few months remaining until the creation of two new territories, this Assembly would not have had enough time to give full and proper consideration to such important and complex legislation. As a result, the government decided not to proceed with the drafting of a bill.

However, to ensure that the recommendations and proposals of the review committee are available to be considered by the governments of the two new territories, the committee has produced a record of its work in the form of this report entitled, "Empowerment Through Community Government Legislation". This report includes detailed drafting instructions that will assist the governments of the two new territories to undertake further consultation, or to quickly prepare bills to implement the recommendations as they see fit.

Mr. Speaker, communities across the north have asked for more flexible legislation. Modern legislation should recognize that communities are unique, and should allow for differences in how they set their priorities and tackle issues of concern. New legislation is needed to make it easier for communities to make the best use of their human and financial resources. At the same time, there is a need to build in safeguards to ensure the territorial government can still identify and assist communities in difficulty. Where possible, the legislation should be made easier to use and understand. The review committee's recommendations and proposals are addressing exactly these things.

I would like to congratulate the review committee on an excellent job, and thank them for their dedication and commitment to this ambitious project. I would like to especially recognize the contributions of NWTAM President, George Roach, and former NWTAM President, Dennis Bevington. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased with the accomplishments we have made so far. I strongly believe the recommendations and proposals in the review committee's report can provide a solid foundation for the future of communities and their residents in both new territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker

Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. The Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Board met in Yellowknife last week. The board members are from across the Northwest Territories. They represent both employees and employers. They are all excellent advocates for education and training programs to support northerners in their work.

It is important that we recognize the role of trades people across the north. We need only to look around this Chamber at the woodwork, the glazing and the upholstery to understand the skill and value of the work done by trades persons. Our communities rely on the skills of, for example, carpenters, plumbers, line persons, heavy equipment operators and mechanics. Many of the businesses that supply our needs and employ our sons and daughters are owned and operated by northern trades people. We should reflect on the importance of trades and celebrate their significance.

The recent discussions by the members of the board echo many of the concerns I have heard from Members of this House. First, we must continue to improve our education system so that interested young women and men can access and participate in trades. Second, we need to better inform the public about the importance of trades in our communities. Third, we must continue to work with industry to ensure that our programs meet the changing needs in the workplace. Over the past few years, in close consultation with the board, we have made important strides in supporting increased participation in trades and certified occupations. The establishment of the Schools North Apprenticeship Program (SNAP), the increasing offerings of the Women in Trades and Technologies (WITT), expansion of career Counselling Services, and post-secondary diamond industry skills training all open up good opportunities for northerners.

I would like to publicly thank the members of the Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Board for their work and dedication. It is through a strong partnership between employers, labour communities and the government that we can most effectively establish the programs and services needed to support northern trades. Merci.

--Applause

The Speaker

Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mr. Speaker, Members of the Assembly, I wish to take a moment to report that a member of our staff at the Department of Transportation, Mr. Curtis Mercredi, took the award for second place at the National Airfield Maintenance Technician "Rodeo" held recently in Winnipeg. Curtis came first at the Territorial "Rodeo" held earlier this summer in Hay River. This qualified him to compete in the Nationals.

Curtis has been with the department and the Yellowknife airport since 1987; first as a trainee and then as a permanent employee in 1988. A father of two children, he was born and raised in the Northwest Territories and is a long-term resident of Yellowknife. He has represented the Yellowknife airport in a number of regional rodeos and competed nationally before in 1992.

The "Rodeo" requires competitors to run equipment through an obstacle course designed to resemble situations they would encounter during regular airfield maintenance. Once all operators have completed the course, the technician with the highest combined total points is named the overall winner.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation is proud to have employees like Mr. Mercredi on its staff. His success proves the quality of training the department provides in making sure that our public transportation system gives northerners the best service possible. I know the Assembly will join with me in congratulating Curtis on his award and a job well done in representing the Department of Transportation and the Northwest Territories. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker

Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My concern today is how to maintain, enhance and improve our professional workforce. Specifically in two of our front-line professions: teaching and nursing. Both professions continue to provide services to the public while facing employer-imposed hardships - inadequate wages, reduced benefits, substandard housing, and stressful working conditions.

These translate into challenges with retaining and recruiting teachers and health care workers in the north. For both teaching and nursing positions, the vacancy rates over the last few years have been in the neighbourhood of 20 - 25 percent. That is three to four times the expected vacancy rate of seven percent. That sort of vacancy and resultant turnover rate points to a crisis situation.

Both professions show the same three major causes for the high staff turnover: inadequate wages and benefits, substandard housing and stressful working conditions as I mentioned earlier. The stressful working conditions which nurses and teachers face every day are partly due to high staff turnover, but also relate to increased demands for services.

More and more of our nurses are taking on duties that normally would be a doctor's responsibility. Although they are to be commended for this, it is a tremendous workload that demands more skills and work experience. Whether our nurses can adequately handle this added stress is one question, but the other question is, are they being fairly compensated? Are we paying them nurses' wages for doing a physician's work?

Pat Thomas, President of the NWT Teacher's Association, in the association's fall newsletter, says that teachers are already feeling stressed and burnt out in September. Large class sizes, lack of teacher and student supports contribute to this situation, but also there are increasing incidents of student behaviour problems and harassment incidents.

--Applause

The Speaker

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during our last sitting, my colleague from Yellowknife North and I raised some concerns in this House about NorthwesTel's service. Today, we had the opportunity to have lunch with Mr. Boorman, the President of NorthwesTel, our northern telecommunications company, as he referred to it. He gave a compelling overview of the state of telecommunications in the north and some of the huge challenges facing us, if we want to, in fact, keep a northern telecommunications company.

He spoke of competition that is formally going to start in the year 2000, but in actual fact, has started already through the back door of an eroding revenue base, as a result of these kinds of activities, of the tremendous infrastructure that has been built up in the north that no other company would possibly be able to duplicate or maintain. He also recognizes the need to do some improvement of their image with the public and make them aware of the gravity of the situation, as we approach competition in the year 2000, on a formal basis.

The bottom line, he told us very clearly, was if NorthwesTel is not profitable, NorthwesTel will not remain in business. If NorthwesTel does not remain in business, then the services we have come to rely on will be in jeopardy.

Mr. Speaker, they are going to be taking advantage of some opportunities to, in fact, try to adjust that situation and make a more level playing field. They are going for a rate consolidation, and in about six to eight months, they are also going to be looking to CRTC for a telecommunications subsidy, I would assume, sponsored or paid for by the larger telecommunication companies across Canada.

Mr. Boorman also offered to meet with the MLAs to give them a full and detailed briefing of the situation and to solicit the support of this Assembly. Without our support, as the government of the day of one of the major users of that system, the job they will have will be even more difficult.

My colleague, Mr. Erasmus, is committed to, in fact, following up with a letter on behalf of the western MLAs sometime in the new year to arrange such a briefing. I would like to encourage my eastern colleagues, as well, to take advantage of that opportunity. Unless we work together, the system we have invested so much money in, the DCN, and the system NorthwesTel has invested so much money in, will be in jeopardy. It is something that we cannot afford. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker

Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about violence against women. Mr. Speaker, yesterday we witnessed a memorial for the 14 young women who were murdered in Montreal nine years ago. Every year since this tragic event took place, people across the country have taken part in the memorial service. It is good to remember all the tragic events that have taken place as a result of women being abused. The reason I say it is good to remember these events, those who are affected, this affects women every year across our country.

I see changes coming, in my community, young people are changing. They do see the wrong that some have done. Young adults, men and women, are also changing. They see that there is no need for any form of violence against other people. Support groups are helping both men and women to heal, however, change takes time.

By supporting memorial services like we saw yesterday, and by talking to the community, we can realize change. This is a very serious problem that affects all of our lives. We must keep striving to protect, and educate, so that, one day, we will cure this terrible problem. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker

Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today about a particular problem still occurring in a lot of our small communities. It is the right for communities to deliver programs and services on behalf of the residents they serve. Mr. Speaker, I am talking, in particular, about alcohol and drug programs and who has the right to refer clients to an alcohol and drug facility in Yellowknife or Hay River.

Mr. Speaker, the Tl'oondih Healing Society have been serving the people of Fort McPherson, the Mackenzie Delta and the Northwest Territories, for over six years. Just recently, they were told by an alcohol drug program specialist in Inuvik that they were not going to be allowed to do it any more. Mr. Speaker, in consultation with the Inuvik Health Board, they are unaware of such a decision.

We talk about community empowerment, healthy communities and healthy people, but this is one initiative that I feel is critical in our communities, especially the smaller communities, where we have a high alcohol and drug problem, problems in regard to violence, and also problems ensuring we have healthy people to take on the initiatives of empowering our communities. We have to ensure that we have healthy students and healthy children to attend our schools and universities.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today, saying there has to be a better effort made by this government to ensure that the communities' needs are met and that the communities do take on the initiative to take on programs and services, have the resources, and the ability to do it without being restricted by bureaucrats, either at the regional level or here, at headquarters in Yellowknife. I think it is essential, Mr. Speaker, that this be allowed to happen without the restriction of individuals or senior people in government telling the communities or agents who deliver these programs and services, what they can, and cannot, do. If it works, work with it. If it is broken, fix it. Mr. Speaker, please allow our communities to control programs and services in our communities. Thank you.

--Applause

The Speaker

Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to bring to the attention of the Members of this House, the territorial government, and the many talented citizens of the Northwest Territories, information which I believe may prove to be of some use.

Northern Encounters 1999, is a circumpolar fine arts festival that is to be held in Toronto, during July of 1999. This festival, which is held every two years, celebrates the arts and culture achievements of eight circumpolar nations. This festival helps to present and promote the Canadian public and the world. A group of geographically and culturally diverse Canadians, northerners whose talents and accomplishments in a number of disciplines have brought recognition and admiration from around the world.

As 1999 is the year of Nunavut, and the 50th anniversary of the first sale of modern Inuit art, Northern Encounters provides a tremendous opportunity to promote the Northwest Territories, its people and its artistic achievements, along with the Nunavut celebrations and the Inuit art anniversary. I would like to encourage the Government of the Northwest Territories, the people in positions to assist the selected artists and those interested in exploring and supporting Northern Encounters 1999, as fully as possible. Thank you.

--Applause

The Speaker

Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Edward Picco Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services released a document summary, Suicide in the Northwest Territories, a Descriptive Review. This document is a plain language summary and technical report entitled, Suicide in the Northwest Territories, a Descriptive Review. It was a joint project between Sandy Isaacs and Janie Hawkin of Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, or LCDC, in Wellington, Duff and Guelph Health Unit. Susan Keil, the Department of Health and Social Services, and Kathy Menard, office of the Chief Coroner, both of the Government of the Northwest Territories. The Department of Health and Social Services invited the LCDC to work together on reviewing data and identifying subgroups of the population who are at most risk of suicide and describing the circumstances surrounding the suicides. The study defines suicide as follows: when a person

takes his or her own life with the intent to do so. The report was submitted on March 31, 1998, to Health and Social Services.

Mr. Speaker, suicide has touched many of our families. I found the document to be quite thorough. It dispels some of myths around suicide, for example, that drugs or alcohol used prior to the suicide was not a major factor as some have felt. Mr. Speaker, I suggest that Members, and the public, review the report. I would like to thank Minister Ng and his department, for commissioning the review and, indeed, it is a good starting point to help us address this very serious concern. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker

Members' statements. Ms. Thompson.

Member's Statement 232-13(6): Recognition Of Legislative Pages From Aivilik
Item 3: Members' Statements

December 6th, 1998

Page 549

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to introduce in this Assembly, students from my riding who are acting as Pages, Ryan Netser, Trevor Thompson, Darrin Bruce and Kenny Saviakjuk. They are probably the last student Pages before we divide the territories from my riding. Thank you.

--Applause

The Speaker

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.