Debates of Feb. 23rd, 1998

This is page numbers 989 - 1040 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
Item 1: Prayer
Minister Absent From The House
Minister Absent From The House
NWT Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Program
Fort Smith Highway To Southern Canada
Legal Drinking Age
Results Of The Pas, Manitoba Dog Sled Race
The Need For A Social Worker In Broughton Island
Achievements Of Kivalliq Partners In Development
Nunavut Community Economic Development Conference
Employment For Persons With Disabilities Research Project
The Need To Focus On Long-term Job Strategies
Presentation Of The Commissioner's Award For Bravery To Alayna Krutko And The Passing Of Clifford Francis
Return To Oral Question 343-13(5): GNWT Role Re: Telephone Rates
Return To Oral Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
The Need For A Social Worker In Broughton Island
GNWT Job Evaluation System
Long-term Employment Strategies
Legal Drinking Age
Disposition Of Surplus Funding In Municipalities
Surplus Funding In Broughton Island
Property Management Pilot Project Update
Alcohol And Drug Treatment Centre Accreditation
Update On Keewatin Pilot Project
Diamond Valuation In Eastern Arctic
Hay Job Evaluation Details
Report On Hay Job Evaluation
Status Of Environmental Audit
Human Resource Guidelines For Senior Managers
Keewatin Health Board Ceo Transfer
Privatization Of Property Management
Review Of Human Resource Guidelines
Concerns Re: Keewatin Pilot Project
Item 8: Returns To Written Questions
Return To Written Question 5-13(5): Operating Guidelines For Senior Management Personnel
Committee Report 6-13(5): Report On The Review Of The Report Of The Auditor General To The NWT Legislative Assembly For The Year Ended March 31, 1996
Item 17: First Reading Of Bills
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
To Amend Subclause 8(5) Of Bill 10 Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 1998
To Amend Clause 19 Of Bill 10: Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 1998
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Member's Statement 311-13(5): The Need To Focus On Long-term Job Strategies
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 992

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the 13th Assembly, I have seen many things change. The biggest change I have seen is us going from spending to reductions. We have also seen the continuation of control being shifted from headquarters to the regions.

We have spoken about improving the lives of all northerners and this, Mr. Speaker, is where I believe we need to focus, or should I say refocus. Past governments have tried to help northerners by providing a level of social programs comparable to our southern counterparts. Mr. Speaker, healthy communities start with healthy families. Healthy families need parents to be positive role models. Part of being a positive role model is to instill in our children good work habits. This, Mr. Speaker, cannot be done without employment.

Mr. Speaker, jobs are what the people of the Northwest Territories need. This is where we need to start focusing or refocusing. If we are to reduce the dependency on government social programs, we, as a government, need job strategies, not just year-to-year strategies, but long-term job strategies. Mr. Speaker, if we are going to set these examples, we need to start focusing long term. We need to put people into jobs that they can show their children they can be positive role models. Instead of going to the income support office, they will be going to their work office and picking up a real pay cheque. If we are going to make a difference, we need to start focusing on long-term commitments of this government.

Mr. Speaker, we have heard many a time how we can do this and I will bring it up one more time, roads, Mr. Speaker. We need to focus on roads, not just the one community or one area, but the whole of the Western Territory and the eastern if they would like to consider that. Long-term job strategies, Mr. Speaker, we need to start focusing on that. Thank you.

--Applause.

Member's Statement 311-13(5): The Need To Focus On Long-term Job Strategies
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 992

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

Member's Statement 312-13(5): Presentation Of The Commissioner's Award For Bravery To Alayna Krutko And The Passing Of Clifford Francis
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 992

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a good news, bad news, statement. First the good news, Mr. Speaker. I would like to congratulate my niece, Alayna Krutko of Fort Providence, who received the Commissioner's Award for bravery which was presented to her on Saturday.

--Applause.

This is an award which is given to an individual who shows acts of bravery. Alayna saved another young person from downing in the Mackenzie River.

My other statement, Mr. Speaker, is in regard to a close friend of mine, Clifford Francis, who lost his life tragically yesterday in Fort McPherson. Mr. Francis was in the prime of his life. He was trying to take steps to represent his community by serving time on the hamlet and band councils. He was a CARS operator in Fort McPherson.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to send my condolences out to the Francis family of Fort McPherson, and especially his common-law wife, Karen Collet, and his brothers and sisters. Thank you.

Member's Statement 312-13(5): Presentation Of The Commissioner's Award For Bravery To Alayna Krutko And The Passing Of Clifford Francis
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 992

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. I have allowed Mr. Krutko to go ahead with his second one due to the circumstances, but the rule is quite clear on Members' statements. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Return To Oral Question 343-13(5): GNWT Role Re: Telephone Rates
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 992

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Ootes, on February 17th, asked a question in regard to the Government of the Northwest Territories' role on telephone rates.

The CRTC will hold regional hearings on the High Cost Area Fund in Iqaluit on June 25, 1998. The CRTC has been asked to establish a video link from Yellowknife to the hearing and to have audio conference links from Cambridge Bay, Hay River, Inuvik and Rankin Inlet.

Other one-day regional hearings will be held in: Whitehorse, Yukon; Prince Rupert, British Columbia; Grand Prairie, Alberta; Timmins, Ontario; Thompson, Manitoba; Val d'Or, Quebec and Deer Lake, Newfoundland. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Oral Question 343-13(5): GNWT Role Re: Telephone Rates
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 993

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Return To Oral Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

February 22nd, 1998

Page 993

John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In return to an oral question asked by Mr. Picco on January 29th with respect to employment generated through the Aurora Fund.

In making lending decisions, the Aurora Fund board of directors considers applicants whose projects will, one, create and/or maintain jobs; two, provide for economic diversification and/or three, attract new capital

To date, there have been 44 full and part-time jobs created or maintained as a result of loans made by the Aurora Fund. In addition, some temporary jobs were created during the installations or construction of certain projects. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Oral Question 151-13(5): Employment Generated Through Aurora Fund
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. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.

Question 401-13(5): The Need For A Social Worker In Broughton Island
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 993

Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As indicated in my Member's statement, Broughton Island needs a social worker. Will the Minister advise me when the community of Broughton Island will get a social worker? My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services, the honourable Mr. Ng. Thank you.

Question 401-13(5): The Need For A Social Worker In Broughton Island
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 993

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Return To Question 401-13(5): The Need For A Social Worker In Broughton Island
Question 401-13(5): The Need For A Social Worker In Broughton Island
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 993

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I cannot speak of a date when a social worker will be placed in Broughton Island. I can say that I will check with the Iqaluit Regional Health and Social Services Board to find out what the status is of recruitment for that position and find out what steps are being taken in the interim to provide services for the community of Broughton Island for social services. Thank you.

Return To Question 401-13(5): The Need For A Social Worker In Broughton Island
Question 401-13(5): The Need For A Social Worker In Broughton Island
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 993

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be addressed to the Premier though it relates more to a labour issue. It is in regard to the job evaluation system that the government is working toward implementing. I am concerned based on what I hear the union saying that they see this prograding job evaluation system as meaningless. How does the government anticipate or plan to bridge what appears to be a significant gap between themselves and the UNW given the tight timeframes if they want to negotiate something before April, 1998? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Premier.

Return To Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 993

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Finance and the FMBS is involved in negotiations with the union. We hope to bridge the gap by negotiating with the union to come to a good settlement for all people of the north. Thank you.

Return To Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 993

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 993

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the UNW indicates that they were not involved or consulted as this whole system was developed and that now, they are faced with responding to something after the fact, as opposed to having had a proactive role at the front end. Could the Premier indicate how this system was developed and was there consultation along the way or is that just now taking place? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 993

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 993

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The UNW, if I heard the Member's question correctly, is saying that they were not involved but, in fact, Mr. Speaker, the UNW was provided training on the Hay Job Evaluation System in 1997, prior to it being used to evaluate jobs. At that time, there were no objections to the Hay Job Evaluation System or the process for evaluating the jobs. The UNW appeared supportive of the initiative to develop a bias-free job evaluation system for implementation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 993

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 993

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is the Premier confident in spite of the apparent initial negative

response from the UNW that, in fact, over the next six weeks that an agreement will be able to be negotiated and that there will be sufficient room to give and take to reach a satisfactory negotiated settlement? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 994

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 994

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We, as a government, have put our position on the table. We have made it very public, but we feel it is fair to all northern people in these negotiations. No matter what you do from one portion of government, whether it is in our envelope of pay and benefits, it reflects on other portions, for example, program delivery and our ability to carry those things out and do them affordably. We are hopeful. We go into it very positively that we are working with people who are very committed to the Northwest Territories and they want to see the best for the union membership they represent, as well as for northern people whom we all represent. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Question 402-13(5): GNWT Job Evaluation System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 994

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Mr. Roland.

Question 403-13(5): Long-term Employment Strategies
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 994

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question at this time will be directed to the Premier. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I talked about jobs and the need for long-term strategies. I would like to know if the Premier has directed any of his Ministers to look at the long term strategies or any long-term job strategy initiatives. Thank you.