This is page numbers 801 - 846 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 5th 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 chairman.

Topics

Members Present

Honourable Jim Antoine, Honourable Goo Arlooktoo, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Honourable Charles Dent, Mr. Enuaraq, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Honourable Sam Gargan, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Henry, Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Miltenberger, Honourable Don Morin, Mr. Ningark, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Rabesca, Mr. Roland, Mr. Steen, Honourable Manitok Thompson.

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 801

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Good morning. Before we proceed with Ministers' statements, I would like to advise the Legislative Assembly that I have received the following message from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories.

Dear Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of the Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3 1997-98 during the Fifth Session of the 13th Legislative Assembly. Yours truly, Helen Maksagak, Commissioner.

Orders of the day. Mr. Roland, your point of order.

Point Of Order
Point Of Order

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Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order in relation to comments made by the honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi, who is also a Minister of this government, in his Member's statement made on Friday, February 13th.

Mr. Speaker, my point of order is that it would appear that the Member for Sahtu made reference and quoted from a Cabinet document, a document, Mr. Speaker, that he would have access to as a Minister but not if he was an Ordinary Member. If this is the case, Mr. Speaker, I refer to citation 495(1) from Beauchesne's Parliamentary Rules and Forms, 6th edition:

A Minister is not at liberty to read or quote from a dispatch or other state paper not before the House without being prepared to lay it on the Table

Mr. Speaker, the Member for Sahtu did say and I quote from page 1261 of an unedited Hansard:

"The Inuvik Health Board recently overturned a Cabinet directive which was effective April 1, 1995."

The Member, Mr. Kakfwi, did say that the then Minister of Health and Social Services communicated this directive in writing. Mr. Speaker, it is my contention that the letter only mentioned two cabinet approved changes and as an Ordinary Member not having access to Cabinet documents, I am not sure that there were not other decisions contained in the same Cabinet decision. Mr. Speaker, if you rule that I have a point of order, I would then ask the Premier to consider tabling the entire Cabinet decision quoted from by the Member for Sahtu. Thank you.

Point Of Order
Point Of Order

Page 801

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Roland. I will allow for debate on this so that I am satisfied what I hear from the Members would then allow me to base my decision on. Mr. Morin.

Point Of Order
Point Of Order

Page 801

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the Minister quoted from a directive of Cabinet that was sent. It is in the files of all the Sahtu leadership offices. It was a letter sent by the Minister of the day to the Sahtu leadership. My understanding is that is the document he was quoting from. Thank you.

Point Of Order
Point Of Order

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Are there any further comments? Mr. Roland.

Point Of Order
Point Of Order

Page 801

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, although he made reference to a letter that contained two approved changes from Cabinet, he also made reference to a Cabinet directive which became effective April 1, 1995. As an Ordinary Member, I do not have that document which I can refer to, if that document includes any other decisions that would affect what the Inuvik Regional Health Board can do. So that is the reason I raise this point, as an Ordinary Member, I am not able to reference any of those materials, Therefore, limiting the way I can effectively represent the constituents in my community. Thank you.

Point Of Order
Point Of Order

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Roland your point of order is well noted and I reserve my decision until we review Hansard. Thank you. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have an emergency statement. Mr. Speaker, it is my sad duty today to rise and inform Members that a 15-year employee of the Department of Transportation in the Baffin region was killed in a tragic accident yesterday while working on the job near Nanisivik. While we do not have all of the details at this time,

Mr. Aiyow Qavavauq was killed yesterday evening while he and another worker were working to open the highway between Nanisivik and Arctic Bay.

The accident is under investigation, and we are doing all we can to assist the family in this tragic time. On behalf of the government and the Members of this House, I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends and co-workers. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Kelvin Ng will be absent from the House for today and tomorrow to attend the Ministers of Health Conference in Toronto, Ontario. As well, the Honourable John Todd will be absent from the House for today and tomorrow to attend the Manitoba Trade Mission in Rankin Inlet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. Mr. Speaker, today is Heritage Day. Every year the Heritage Canada Foundation proclaims the third Monday of February as Heritage Day and coordinates activities across Canada. The foundation has chosen as its theme this year the 100th anniversary of the Yukon Territory's entry into Confederation. In the NWT, cultural organizations have selected themes and activities which are appropriate to their communities. I would like to inform the Members of this Assembly of some of the activities that will be carried out across the NWT. In Iqaluit, the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum is planning a week-long demonstration of Inuit games and will exhibit a heritage-careers display prepared by Education, Culture and Employment staff. In Baker Lake, the Inuit Heritage Centre is assisting community elders in recording traditional songs, which will be put on a compact disc for use by the community.

The Norman Wells Historical Centre will present films from the National Film Board to local school groups today. The Northern Life Museum in Fort Smith has planned a week-long series of traditional craft demonstrations, organized by the Youth Environmental Corps project. Yesterday, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre held an Amazing Sundays event, which focused on the Arctic explorer, Vilhjalmur Stefansson. Activities included a live history performance by well-known author and actor, Jamie Bastedo, a showing of the Nation Film Board movie Stefansson, the Arctic Prophet, a tour of the Stefansson artifacts in the north gallery and dog sled rides on Frame Lake. Although the Northern Heritage Centre is normally closed to the public on Mondays, the doors will be open today to encourage participation in Heritage Day events. Special activities include a heritage film festival, as well as Heritage Day crafts and quizzes.

Our ties to culture and heritage are strong here in the north. These ties give us a sense of identity and community, and help to give us confidence in our future. Heritage Day is an excellent opportunity to celebrate our vast and beautiful land, to reaffirm values, ideals and aspirations that are important to our identity. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, last week I had the honour of attending the opening of the first Canadian Indigenous Arts Festival in Scottsdale, Arizona. Over 20 territorial artists participated in the festival, which featured the art and culture of Canada's First Nations, Inuit and Metis. As a showcase for indigenous arts and crafts, the festival was a prime opportunity for individual artists and artisans, as well as businesses, to develop contacts and knowledge in marketing and sales. We were pleased to see a strong delegation of individuals and businesses from the Northwest Territories. In particular, 12 Dene woman representing seven western Arctic communities, took advantage of this opportunity to further economic development of the traditional arts and crafts industry in their communities.

The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development was pleased to provide support for this venture. The Northwest Company, a co-organizer of the festival, received assistance, as did the Dene Cultural Institute. The NWT Development Corporation was also in attendance representing many of its community-based subsidiaries, along with Arctic Canada Trading.

Artists in attendance included carver Sonny McDonald of Fort Smith, who I would like to commend for his personal initiative in travelling to this festival. The NWT Development Corporation sponsored four artists: Antoine Mountain, Bill Nasogaloak, Dolphus Cadieux and Dawn Oman. The Dene Cultural Institute assisted 12 Dene women to attend: Marie Louise Norwegian and Sara Hardisty from Fort Simpson, Judy Lafferty and Mary Barnaby from Fort Good Hope, Margaret Nazon from Tsiigehtchic, Lucienne Yakaleya and Georgia Jacobsen-Masazumi from Yellowknife, Theresa Wah-Shee and Pamela Zoe from Rae, Doreen Westrum from Ndilo and Carolyne and Nancy Bonnetrouge from Fort Providence. The Northwest Company featured Inuit art with Kenoujuak, Jimmy Manning and Gyta Maniapik in attendance.

Mr. Speaker, my department will continue to support these activities as an effective way to expand markets for northern arts and crafts. Arts and crafts are a viable economic option for many communities, and I believe by increasing the profile of these products many of our young people will be inspired to consider occupations which maintain the traditional culture and richness of the north. Thank you.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Ministers' statements. Mr. Arlooktoo.

Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when I took the position of Minister of Justice, one of my first areas of interest and concern was alternatives to jail. I believe that it is important that our justice system attempt to provide a more culturally appropriate alternative to incarceration, an approach that focuses on healing the offender and leaves them with a foundation to improve their lives. Keeping in mind, Mr. Speaker, the need to strike a balance between ensuring public safety and maximizing opportunities for offenders to return to being productive members of society.

I am pleased to report that progress has been made in developing alternatives to incarceration for offenders in the north. For a number of years, camps have been a viable option for the placement of some young offenders. To this end, the department has extended this model to adults. Over the past year, community members have established eight camps for adult male offenders across the NWT, in cooperation with Correctional Services. Camps are located near Rae Lakes, Pellet Lake, near Lupin Mine, Hay River, Fort Smith, Pond Inlet, Aklavik, Fort McPherson and most recently, Fort Providence. The department is following up on these positive developments and we are now in discussions with community leaders in Pangnirtung and Arviat. It is hoped that the program will expand to these communities soon. Currently, there are 27 adult offenders in camps.

These camps allow lower risk offenders, who would otherwise have to serve their sentence in a correctional institution, to be kept out of the institution and closer to their home communities for at least part of their sentence. In addition, some camps provide opportunities for offenders to develop traditional land-based skills such as hunting, fishing and trapping. I look forward to working with interested parties and to continue to move forward on this important initiative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

Levi Barnabas High Arctic

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be speaking in Inuktitut. Good morning. Today, I would like to send my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the late Aiyow Qavavauq, who unfortunately passed away this weekend in Nanasivik. He will be sadly missed by the communities of Arctic Bay and Nanisivik. Aiyow was very well known by many in Arctic Bay and Nanisivik. He was born in another community in Nunavut in 1943 on December 25th. (Translation ends)

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. We will continue with Mr. Barnabas at a later time. Members' statements. Mr. Enuaraq.

Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good Morning. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about Cape Christian. Cape Christian is a former American coast guard station located 12 miles northeast of Clyde River. The Americans established the station in 1952. It is currently abandoned. In 1975, ownership of the station was transferred to the Canadian government. The federal government in turn sold the entire infrastructure to the Government of the NWT. The Government of the NWT is the current owner of the site. PCB cleanup of the site is almost completed but, Mr. Speaker, there are still garbage and abandoned buildings on the site. More cleanup is needed to get rid of the garbage and abandoned buildings. The site is a threat to the safety and environment of Clyde River. Mr. Speaker, the community of Clyde River would like the site cleared of abandoned buildings and the garbage cleaned up. Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with a concern that all of my colleagues have commented on at one time or another, that being the lack of challenges for our young people. The younger generations are always bored They never have enough to do. Mr. Speaker, when you and I grew up, we were always doing something. Our parents had us do chores around the camp or house. It was a family working together to conquer the elements. Our traditional ways to a degree have been lost. Today our children do not have to work as hard as we did. Children today do not have to cut wood, go hunting and fishing for their food and clothing and many of the other daily events that we did.

When we grew up, not only did we have to work hard but it also challenged us. We had to go out in 40 or 50 below weather to get wood, food and everything else that we needed to ensure our survival. Today our children are not challenged. They do not have the physical challenges or the mental challenges it takes to create a good life for themselves. Young children today are getting involved in alcohol and drugs because they think it is cool and mainly because they do not have anything else to do.

There are many things we, as parents, want for our children. We want them to grow up with all the things we did not have. We want them to live a full and rewarding life but if we, as parents and as a community, cannot provide guidance and challenges for our youth, they will walk down a dead-end path to oblivion. In my community, the parish council recognizes these problems with our youth and tonight is having a meeting to form a committee to address many of the concerns these children have. I hope the committee does address these concerns and wish them all the best in their efforts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.