Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I note today the Minister of Health, Mr. Ng, in his statement, he talked about our children are our future, so it is critical that our children be healthy. I think that is really important. I would also say it is extremely important too that if we do have healthy children, we provide them with an education to get them through. Will the Minister look at, with the limited resources he does have, the opportunities to maybe contribute more funds to the K to 12 years, to look at contributing more funds to that or rebasing, so we can continue the work the Department of Health is doing so we can have educated northerners? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Debates of Feb. 12th, 1998
Topics
Supplementary To Question 303-13(5): Additional Funding For Education
Question 303-13(5): Additional Funding For Education
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 753
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Supplementary To Question 303-13(5): Additional Funding For Education
Question 303-13(5): Additional Funding For Education
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 753
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 303-13(5): Additional Funding For Education
Question 303-13(5): Additional Funding For Education
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 753
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am hoping it is not too long now before we get into the detailed consideration of my budget in committee of the whole. At that time, Members will have the opportunity to question where money could be shifted in the budget and make changes. The balance that we have in the budget reflects the priorities of this House to the best of our ability. Unless we have more money coming into the department, there is no where we can move money around. As I heard the Member's question, he was only referring within my department. If it is within my department, I think the mix is right, Mr. Speaker, but we will have an opportunity to go through that in some detail shortly.
Further Return To Question 303-13(5): Additional Funding For Education
Question 303-13(5): Additional Funding For Education
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 753
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.
Question 304-13(5): Responses To Previous Questions
Item 6: Oral Questions
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Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for Mr. Antoine. I asked several questions earlier in the week regarding the Lahm Ridge Tower and yesterday the Minister stated he would get an answer for me to two questions. I will read from unedited Hansard, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Antoine said it was Mr. Marceau who had contacted the department to initiate renegotiations of the lease extension. That, of course, eventually led to the eventual sale of the building. My question on Friday, February 6, 1998 was, is this the first contact Mr. Marceau had with the department? Mr. Antoine in his reply stated it was in July that Mr. Marceau contacted the department and he was not aware of any contact for the months before that, but he said he would check into that and get back to me. Then, my question was, has the Minister checked that? He said, he did not have the answer and he would check it out.
My second question yesterday on the same issue was, were departmental officials engaged in discussions in the lease extension and/or the Lahm Ridge Tower with individuals outside of the department other than Mr. Marceau prior to August 3rd of last year? Mr. Antoine stated he would have the department check on those. Does the Minister have an answer for us today, Mr. Speaker?
Question 304-13(5): Responses To Previous Questions
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 753
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Antoine. Two questions.
Return To Question 304-13(5): Responses To Previous Questions
Question 304-13(5): Responses To Previous Questions
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 753
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I thought I took those questions as notice. I did not actually say it but that was what the intention was because I do not know the details of who talked to whom and when last spring, like in July and August. I would like to take it as notice now and get back to the Member. Thank you.
Return To Question 304-13(5): Responses To Previous Questions
Question 304-13(5): Responses To Previous Questions
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 753
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. The question has been taken as notice, Mr. Ootes. Oral questions. Mr. Evaloarjuk.
Question 305-13(5): Radio Communications In Hall Beach
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 753
Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Radio communication is an important medium in any community. It provides news, weather and entertainment to residents. However, Hall Beach has been without radio communication and has been for sometime now. Can the Minster tell me if this problem can be rectified in the near future? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)
Question 305-13(5): Radio Communications In Hall Beach
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 753
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.
Return To Question 305-13(5): Radio Communications In Hall Beach
Question 305-13(5): Radio Communications In Hall Beach
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 753
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand CBC plans to have someone fly into Hall Beach February 28, 1998, and we hope that the problem will be corrected within a day or two. Education, Culture and Employment is prepared to work with the community and CBC to discuss the situation to see if we can address how these issues should be handled in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 305-13(5): Radio Communications In Hall Beach
Question 305-13(5): Radio Communications In Hall Beach
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 753
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.
Question 306-13(5): Nunavut Decentralized Government Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 754
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for Division Planning. Mr. Speaker, I have asked a number of questions regarding the decentralized model over the last week or so and unfortunately, I was not able to get information or answers to some of the questions. I understand and believe what the Minister is telling me is that he does not have that information. That in itself, Mr. Speaker, concerns me. My question is regarding the formula financing arrangements which are ongoing. Can the Minister tell me whether or not the decentralized model we are looking at is incorporated in the planning? Are these costs incorporated in what we are arranging right now? What would the total package be in the end and if it will include that? Thank you.
Question 306-13(5): Nunavut Decentralized Government Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 754
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister responsible for the Division Secretariat, Mr. Todd.
Return To Question 306-13(5): Nunavut Decentralized Government Costs
Question 306-13(5): Nunavut Decentralized Government Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 754
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With respect to the incremental costs required to fund a decentralized model, the incremental side of things will be included in the formula arrangements. Yes.
Return To Question 306-13(5): Nunavut Decentralized Government Costs
Question 306-13(5): Nunavut Decentralized Government Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 754
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.
Supplementary To Question 306-13(5): Nunavut Decentralized Government Costs
Question 306-13(5): Nunavut Decentralized Government Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 754
Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For clarification, is the Minister saying, the costs that will be required to pay for the various individuals who will be transferring into other communities and so on, these costs are being built into the formula that is being negotiated now? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 306-13(5): Nunavut Decentralized Government Costs
Question 306-13(5): Nunavut Decentralized Government Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 754
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 306-13(5): Nunavut Decentralized Government Costs
Question 306-13(5): Nunavut Decentralized Government Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 754
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to have to spend sometime, and I hope my colleague will take this properly with him, to try to explain how the process works. I want to step back a little bit and try to answer the question this way. There is clearly a requirement by the Interim Commissioner to present to all parties a Pre-implementation Strategy to have the new Nunavut government in place for April 1, 1999.
We do not have that information right now, although we are working with the Interim Commissioner on it. That information will be provided to us at the end of March, I think that is what the working committee has indicated. It will, perhaps, clear up a lot of questions my colleague has, and understandably so, in relationship to decentralization for his communities. Whether we all like it or not, we are going to have to wait until then. I am just as anxious as my colleague from Arviat is to see that document and to see how we are going to move in an orderly way and how a new government will be put in place. Our position being a decentralized model, we support it. Therefore, the ultimate costs for the decentralized model should be reflected in the financial arrangements we make with the federal government. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 306-13(5): Nunavut Decentralized Government Costs
Question 306-13(5): Nunavut Decentralized Government Costs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 754
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Roland.
Question 307-13(5): Construction Of Seniors' Housing
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 754
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question at this time will be directed to the Minister responsible for Housing. Mr. Speaker, as we heard, I believe it was yesterday or the day before in this House, seniors' housing and the location is determined by the Department of Health and Social Services. I would like to know from the Minister, in the area of seniors' housing, are there plans or seniors' housing criteria where units are built more for seniors and not just like the average standard home? Thank you.
Question 307-13(5): Construction Of Seniors' Housing
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 754
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister responsible for Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, Mr. Arlooktoo.
Return To Question 307-13(5): Construction Of Seniors' Housing
Question 307-13(5): Construction Of Seniors' Housing
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 754
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I should clarify the Housing Corporation's role in the area of seniors' housing is in the funding for the building of the facilities. There was a decision made by the Government of the NWT that we would put $3 million aside per year to build seniors' facilities. This is to try to deal with, in a small way, the real need we have across the Northwest Territories for low cost housing for seniors. There is a criterion that the Department of Health and Social Services follows, which I do not have in front of me. As I understand, there is a fairly long waiting list of communities waiting for these facilities. Thank you.
Return To Question 307-13(5): Construction Of Seniors' Housing
Question 307-13(5): Construction Of Seniors' Housing
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 754
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.
Supplementary To Question 307-13(5): Construction Of Seniors' Housing
Question 307-13(5): Construction Of Seniors' Housing
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 754
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister inform me more in the area of structural criteria, for example, height of counter tops and cupboards? Is there a criterion for seniors' housing? Thank you.