The Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Arlooktoo.
Debates of Feb. 27th, 1998
Topics
Question 471-13(5): Lowering The NWT Rent Scale
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1187
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Return To Question 471-13(5): Lowering The Nwt Rent Scale
Question 471-13(5): Lowering The NWT Rent Scale
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1187
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The rent scale moratorium that we introduced last year and have made the decision to continue over this coming year, will have the effect of the rent scale remaining the same. We have decided to do some more work on the research side because we have identified areas where we need to find more information. The result will be that the two new governments, both the east and the west, will have to grapple with the issue of the rent scale. Thank you.
Return To Question 471-13(5): Lowering The Nwt Rent Scale
Question 471-13(5): Lowering The NWT Rent Scale
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1187
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.
Question 472-13(5): Aboriginal Teachers In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1187
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education, Mr. Dent. In 1968, the aboriginal Teacher Education Program began in Yellowknife, it was the first one in North America. In 1961, the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi was the Minister of Education. The Minister suggested that a goal of 50 percent aboriginal teachers by the year 2000 would be an admirable position and stance to take. My question to the present Minister of Education, Mr. Dent is, what position and how much is the department on target to achieve this 50 percent of aboriginal teachers in the classroom? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 472-13(5): Aboriginal Teachers In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1187
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.
Return To Question 472-13(5): Aboriginal Teachers In The Nwt
Question 472-13(5): Aboriginal Teachers In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1187
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since 1969, there has been 363 graduates of the Teacher Education Program in the Northwest Territories who have received a teaching diploma. Ninety-three of those graduates have gone on to receive a bachelor's degree. There are two who have completed a Masters of Education degree. The program has demonstrated a significant amount of success. The Member has asked how close we are to achieving the 50
percent goal that was announced for the year 2000. There are a number of boards which are coming relatively close to that goal in terms of the number of teachers right now. Those boards in the Nunavut region tend to be much closer. The boards in the western region are not as close. In fact, we expect with reprofiling the Teacher Education Program and reinvesting in it over the course of the next few years, we are going to set a new goal of 2003 to achieve the original target that was set for the year 2000. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Question 472-13(5): Aboriginal Teachers In The Nwt
Question 472-13(5): Aboriginal Teachers In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1188
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Henry.
Supplementary To Question 472-13(5): Aboriginal Teachers In The Nwt
Question 472-13(5): Aboriginal Teachers In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1188
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you, Mr. Minister, for that concise information. Does the Minister have any breakdown? He mentioned Nunavut had a much better success rate. Does he have any numbers and if not, can he provide those numbers to the House? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 472-13(5): Aboriginal Teachers In The Nwt
Question 472-13(5): Aboriginal Teachers In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1188
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 472-13(5): Aboriginal Teachers In The Nwt
Question 472-13(5): Aboriginal Teachers In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1188
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do have numbers that are available by each of the divisional education councils in the territories. For instance, we know there are 62 full-time aboriginal teachers in the Baffin, two part-time, six on leave and four are with the board. It would take some time for me to list off the individual boards. It would probably be best for me to prepare a letter to the Member and forward the details to him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 472-13(5): Aboriginal Teachers In The Nwt
Question 472-13(5): Aboriginal Teachers In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1188
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Mr. Picco.
Motion 15-13(5): Reallocation Of Departmental Surpluses
Item 14: Notices Of Motion
Page 1188
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, March 2, 1998, I will move the following motion.
Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for High Arctic, this House recommends that the Cabinet reallocate any departmental surpluses that may exist after fiscal year-end 1997-98 to the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment, Health and Social Services and further that the Standing Committee on Social Programs be consulted and fully involved in discussions regarding the redeployment of surplus funds to educational, health and social service initiatives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Motion 15-13(5): Reallocation Of Departmental Surpluses
Item 14: Notices Of Motion
Page 1188
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Notices of motion. Mr. Ningark.
Motion 16-13(5): Extended Adjournment
Item 14: Notices Of Motion
Page 1188
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, March 2, 1998, I will move the following motion.
I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that notwithstanding Rule 4, that when this House adjourns on Tuesday, March 3, 1998, it will be adjourned until Wednesday, May 20, 1998; and further, anytime prior to May 20, 1998, if the Speaker is satisfied after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public requires the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated, in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time. Thank you.
Motion 16-13(5): Extended Adjournment
Item 14: Notices Of Motion
Page 1188
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. Motion 13-13(5), Mr. Erasmus.
Motion 13-13(5): Resolution Of Pay Equity Issue In The Nwt
Item 16: Motions
Page 1188
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This motion is on the resolution of the pay equity issue in the Northwest Territories:
WHEREAS there is a complaint outstanding for ten years that the rates of pay in the collective agreement that were negotiated by the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers remunerate male and female employees for performing work of equal value;
AND WHEREAS delays in resolving the pay equity complaint are unfair to affected employees who have been denied the right to be paid the same as other employees who are doing work of equal value;
AND WHEREAS delays in resolving the pay equity complaint are unfair to the interests of other groups as long as this long outstanding complaint creates uncertainty for those who rely on government services and programs for their social and economic well being;
AND WHEREAS delays in resolving the pay equity complaint create uncertainty in the clear division of assets and liabilities in the creation of two new territories on April 1, 1999;
AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers have both indicated a desire to resolve the pay equity complaint through negotiations;
AND WHEREAS the Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits employers from establishing or maintaining differences in wages between male and female employees who are performing work of equal values;
AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers are currently in negotiations for the revision and renewal of the Collective Agreement which expires on March 31, 1998;
AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers would be in contravention of the Canadian Human Rights Act if they signed a collective agreement that does not rectify the pay equity problem;
AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories has provided assurances that every reasonable effort will be made to minimize the impact a settlement would have on government employment and client service levels;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Iqaluit, that this Legislative Assembly supports the principle of equal pay for men and women doing work of equal value;
AND FURTHER that the Legislative Assembly strongly urges the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers to work together in collective bargaining to negotiate fair compensation to affected employees and rates of pay that treat men and women equally for performing work of equal value;
AND FURTHERMORE that the Government of the Northwest Territories makes every reasonable effort to achieve pay equity and resolve the pay equity complaint and other employee wage and benefit cost issues within the timeframe for inclusion in a new collective agreement and in a manner that minimizes the impact of the settlement on government employment and client service levels.
Motion 13-13(5): Resolution Of Pay Equity Issue In The Nwt
Item 16: Motions
Page 1189
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Let the record show that the seconder is changed from the printed version. The motion is in order. Mr. Erasmus, do you wish to speak to the motion?
Motion 13-13(5): Resolution Of Pay Equity Issue In The Nwt
Item 16: Motions
Page 1189
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Mr. Speaker, I do not believe there is any need to speak on this issue. We have all spoken several times on this and we wish to resolve this. We wish to indicate our support to resolving this fairly and equitably, and at this time I would like to request a recorded vote.
Motion 13-13(5): Resolution Of Pay Equity Issue In The Nwt
Item 16: Motions
Page 1189
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. The Member for Yellowknife North has requested a recorded vote. Mr. Clerk.
Motion 13-13(5): Resolution Of Pay Equity Issue In The Nwt
Item 16: Motions
Page 1189
Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton
Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Ng, Ms. Thompson, Mr. Antoine, Mr. Kakfwi, Mr. Todd, Mr. Arlooktoo, Mr. Dent, Mr. Steen, Mr. Ningark, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Mr. Barnabas, Mr. Picco, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Rabesca, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Ootes.
Motion 13-13(5): Resolution Of Pay Equity Issue In The Nwt
Item 16: Motions
Page 1189
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. All those opposed? Please stand. All those abstaining? The result of the motion is 17 for, zero against and zero abstentions. This motion is carried unanimously.
--Applause
Motion 13-13(5): Resolution Of Pay Equity Issue In The Nwt
Item 16: Motions
Page 1189
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. Mr. Ng.
Item 17: First Reading Of Bills
Item 17: First Reading Of Bills
Page 1189
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
BILL 15 Adoption Act
Item 17: First Reading Of Bills
Item 17: First Reading Of Bills
February 26th, 1998
Page 1189
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Aivilik that Bill 15, Adoption Act, be read for the first time. Thank you.
Item 17: First Reading Of Bills
Item 17: First Reading Of Bills
Page 1189
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Bill 15 has had first reading. First reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Mr. Arlooktoo.