This is page numbers 623 - 650 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 today.

Topics

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to speak today again on the highway between Yellowknife and Rae which has been the subject of much discussion and many comments in this Legislature. Under the current strategy, the highway between these two communities, will not be completed for another ten years, although we have started a good program this year to commence part of the construction.

We simply need this road completed as soon as possible. There have been more than 14 deaths on this highway in its history. It is a narrow, winding road, one that is slippery and extremely dangerous at certain times. For a road that carries 62 percent of all vehicle traffic in the north, 62 percent, Mr. Speaker, such road conditions are a tremendous hazard.

We need to press by whatever means we can to complete this road, be it that we look at the federal government to re-institute a program such as the Highways or Roads to Resources, which at one time existed. After all, what we have got to look at is that the federal government does get a tremendous amount of royalties from the resources of the Northwest Territories and specifically from our diamond mines now. The road is the access route for much of the traffic to these particular mines, so I think the federal government should have a responsibility in dealing with this issue.

Possibly, our government's current economic strategy may identify money for this particular thrust and the road infrastructure that we need, but we need to be able to concentrate on this fairly quickly. Public safety, including residential, industrial and tourism traffic is all at stake in this. I want to, again, emphasize that we, as a Legislative Assembly, should address this question, Mr. Speaker, and push wherever we can to get this completed. Thank you.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Edward Picco Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest, great interest, to the statements made by the

honourable Member for Thebacha over the past couple of days about NorthwesTel. NorthwesTel is a monopoly. NorthwesTel delivers a service in a protected market. NorthwesTel is a subsidiary of the multinational Bell Corporation.

Mr. Speaker, residents will happily accept to subsidize a high-cost telecommunications system, including the higher-cost communities, only when they know for certain what the detailed cost structure is. Let me put it another way. No subsidization without detailed disclosure on costs, lists of salaries of executives, list of contracts, and failing these, you can be sure, Mr. Speaker, that our resident consumers in any kind of a market will want to drop the use of dead dog, inefficient suppliers at the first opportunity.

How? By moving to alternate suppliers such as AT&T, Sprint, London Telecommunications or Westcom. Why are not these alternate suppliers allowed to operate here, Mr. Speaker? Residents will no longer accept the compulsive anti-market interference in our marketplace. Why do we not have market phone services here, Mr. Speaker? If we are going to have a subsidization system working in the territories, then we must simply have full accountability for the monies that are spent. For instance, what is the return that NorthwesTel makes on its Northwest Territories operations? Have they shared those numbers with us? Perhaps the honourable Member who gave such an impassioned speech over the last couple of days could provide those to the House.

Another instance, Mr. Speaker, why is it that NorthwesTel has a fleet of late model trucks in their yard on the old airport road here in Yellowknife when many citizens of this territory are driving vehicles that are ten years old if they have one. All the while, these same citizens struggle to pay the phone long distance rates, Mr. Speaker, that are sometimes between four and six times higher than in the mainstream. There is something very wrong here, Mr. Speaker. Does all of this sound familiar, Mr. Speaker? It should because this is the same theme that we have been talking about in this House for some days and years now. When NorthwesTel finally releases and makes public the aforementioned, then and only then can or should we look at a subsidy or other government help. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are elections happening all over the north all the time and there are people at the community level who make commitments to help their own people in their communities by putting their name to stand for different positions.

Mr. Speaker, in the case of some of the communities I represent in the Nahendeh constituency, I want to go over some of the communities and chiefs who were elected recently. Going back to July 6th, in Nahanni Butte, I would like to congratulate Peter Marcellais who became chief there along with councillors Jane Konisenta, Lena Marcellais, Isadore Ekotla, William Konisenta and Raymond Vital with elders Jonas and Elsie Marcellais. Jean Marie River, September 12th, election for the band council, Chief Yvonne Norwegian was re-elected there along with councillors Margaret Ireland, Jonas Sanguez, Isadore Simon, Melvin Sake, Earnest Hardisty and elder Sarah Hardisty. On November 10th, Trout Lake had an election for chief and Tom Kotchea, I would like to congratulate him as the new elected chief in Trout Lake along with councillors Maggie Jumbo, Dolphus Jumbo, Violet Sanguez, Bertha Deneron and Phoebe Punch.

On December 4th, Mr. Speaker, in the community of Wrigley there was an election for the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation, I would like you to congratulate Mary-Alise Christopher as the elected chief there along with Michael Neyelle, Elsie Hardisty, Raymond Pellissey, Ruby Ekenole-Watt, Archie Williams and Adele Hardisty. Finally, Mr. Speaker, yesterday there was an election in Fort Liard for the Acho Dene First Nation Chief. I would like to congratulate the re-election of Chief Harry Deneron to the position for two years, along with councillors Stephen Kotchea and Stanley Bertrand. New councillors are Dan Lomen, Floyd Diamond C and Judy Kotchea. I would like to congratulate all of these people in the communities for letting their names stand for representing the people in the community. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Members' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I met Nancy Karetak-Lindell years ago as the Minister of Education. I was very sad to hear this morning that her husband has passed away. I am particularly sad because of the children. She is serving the people of Nunavut as their Member of Parliament so it will have an impact on the people of Nunavut. She is serving in public life and so this tragedy has a different dimension from all the other ones that face each of us every day. It reminds me that the difficulties and the worries and little issues that I have myself are not so great as those facing Nancy and her children today. I wanted to express my condolences and my prayers to Nancy and her family. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest last Thursday to the Minister of Health and Social Services speak of the International Day of Disabled Persons. I would have spoken to that issue that day, Mr. Speaker, but as you know other events were crowding our agenda. Mr. Speaker, this support for the International Day of Disabled Persons by the government perhaps paints a slightly rosier picture than disabled persons actually live under in the Northwest Territories. This government has income support programs and subsidies for seniors so that they can maintain their independence in their own homes, but has no similar programs for people of working age who cannot work because of disability.

I am aware of one case in Hay River where a disabled homeowner is having trouble making ends meet on his federal disability pension. This person has a shortfall in income of approximately $200 per month. When he tried to access income support he was made to feel that there should be no need for him to do so, considering he received a disability pension. In any event, he was denied. Mr. Speaker, I have seen this person's monthly budget and it is not extravagant. It is barely enough for him to live in dignity and maintain his independence in his own home. Mr. Speaker, where does this leave us? We have a disabled person under great stress and in fear of losing his home. For what, Mr. Speaker, $200 a month or $2,400 a year? The logic of government policies escapes me sometimes. If this disabled person loses his home, he will probably end up in social housing at a significantly higher cost to this government.

Mr. Speaker, this government talks the talk when it comes to supporting disabled persons. It is time to take action and develop streamlined policies and programs between ECE and Health and Social services that deal with the needs of disabled persons in the Northwest Territories instead of foisting the problem off on volunteer agencies. I will be following up on this important matter in question period. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a couple of very significant and noteworthy events took place in the Great Hall this past Sunday. The first was a rally to commemorate the memory of the 14 women who died in Montreal, commonly known as the Montreal massacre. The second was the Fifth Annual night of Christmas music at the Legislature. Both events, Mr. Speaker were very well attended, especially when one considers the number of events that happen in my community on any day or evening. The public rally to commemorate the Montreal massacre should continue to keep the individual and collective disgust of the act of violence against women forefront in the minds of all in our homes, our community and our territory.

On a brighter note, Mr. Speaker, many people gathered in the evening for the Night of Christmas music at the Legislature and were entertained by many fine voices in the following groups: Koinonia Christian School Choir, Dave and Sherry, St. Patrick's High School Choral Society, Ceilidh and Friends, Zion and Harmony. It was followed by refreshments which were provided compliments of Javaroma. There were food donations collected at the door and that was donated to the Yellowknife Women's Centre. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I made a statement indicating that perhaps there should be a public inquiry into the residential schools and the people who had gone to them. I wanted to indicate today some of the research that I have had done indicates some of the abuses which occurred include sexual assault; performing private inspections of genitals of girls and boys; arranging or inducing abortions in female children impregnated by men in authority; burning, scalding and beating children into unconsciousness; using electric shock devices on physically restrained children. Mr. Speaker, those are just a few. There are about 20 other items people indicated that were done to them and you can imagine the repercussions to a child's brain and how that would effect them for the rest of their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I have also received from members of the Grollier Hall Residential School a couple of other ideas. Perhaps other than an inquiry, there could be a special commission on residential schools which could include a whole panel of people and they could go around and hold hearings or interviews for people who did not want to be in a hearing or they could have one special commissioner going around doing this. Another thing they have indicated is that perhaps there could be a residential schools aftermath advisor to the Premier who would provide the Premier with support and advice on a wide range of residential school issues as well as government policies, legislation, programs and activities relating to residential schools.

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this is to indicate that perhaps an inquiry may not be the answer, but we have to do something. Mr. Speaker, we have to do something to help people to heal and take advantage of the federal healing fund that the federal government has made available. Thank you.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 282-13(6): Number Of Nwt Teachers
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a reply to a question asked by Mr. Ootes on December 8, 1998. Mr. Speaker, teachers are defined by the Education Act as persons who are professionally certified as teachers and who are also members of the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association. As of December 1, 1998, there are 1,271 teachers working in schools throughout the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, this includes 616 teachers in the western Northwest Territories and 655 in Nunavut. There are an additional 40 teachers on leave. Mr. Speaker, this number does not include qualified teachers who may be working in colleges, in non-teaching positions in the Department of Education, Culture and Employment or in positions that do not require teaching qualifications. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 282-13(6): Number Of Nwt Teachers
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ng.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a constituent of Cambridge Bay, Mr. Tom Brown. Thank you.

--Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.

Question 285-13(6): Full-time Kitikmeot Fire Chiefs
Item 6: Oral Questions

December 8th, 1998

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John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you. Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of MACA, my honourable friend, Ms. Thompson. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I recognized the excellent work the volunteer fire department in small and large communities across the board have done in the past years. I am sure every Member of this House recognizes their unique help in a community. I indicated in my Member's statement when I attended the Kitikmeot Leaders Forum, we have indicated that they wanted to see the funding of the full-time fire fighters in the Kitikmeot region in every community, that is recognized and have major infrastructure in that community, like school, health centres and so on.

My question to the honourable Minister, Mr. Speaker, is will the Minister look seriously at the possibility of funding the full-time Fire Chief Program in communities in the Kitikmeot region? I think we have about six communities in that region. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Thompson.

Return To Question 285-13(6): Full-time Kitikmeot Fire Chiefs
Question 285-13(6): Full-time Kitikmeot Fire Chiefs
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will seriously look at the request by the Member for the Kitikmeot leaders. Thank you.

Return To Question 285-13(6): Full-time Kitikmeot Fire Chiefs
Question 285-13(6): Full-time Kitikmeot Fire Chiefs
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Supplementary To Question 285-13(6): Full-time Kitikmeot Fire Chiefs
Question 285-13(6): Full-time Kitikmeot Fire Chiefs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 629

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Having learned from the past that having a time frame for requesting funding and so on, will the Minister respond to the Kitikmeot Leaders Forum by January 1, 1999? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 285-13(6): Full-time Kitikmeot Fire Chiefs
Question 285-13(6): Full-time Kitikmeot Fire Chiefs
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Ms. Thompson.

Further Return To Question 285-13(6): Full-time Kitikmeot Fire Chiefs
Question 285-13(6): Full-time Kitikmeot Fire Chiefs
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 629

Manitok Thompson Aivilik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will answer as quickly as possible to the Kitikmeot leadership in which forum, I do not know. I will be communicating with them. Thank you.