Debates of Feb. 27th, 1998

This is page numbers 1177 - 1204 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

Signing Of The Labour Market Development Agreement

Maca's Long Service Awards

Aurora College - Yellowknife Campus

Tribute To Elaine Dierk

Notice Of Absence From The House

Yellowknife Office Space Plan

Funding Allocated To The City Of Yellowknife

International Women's Day

Funding Allocated To The City Of Yellowknife

Peary Caribou Conference

Housing For Low-income Residents

Passing Of Frank Betsina

Support For Northern Hunters And Trappers

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Education Funding In The Baffin Region

Labour Market Agreement

Southern Perception Of Northern Hunting

Methods Of Subsistence Harvesting

Responding To Anti-harvesting Messages

Amendment To The Workers' Compensation Act

Apportioning Leasing Opportunities

Preservation Of The Peary Caribou

Federal Budget Reference To Division

Lowering The NWT Rent Scale

Aboriginal Teachers In The Nwt

Reallocation Of Departmental Surpluses

Extended Adjournment

Resolution Of Pay Equity Issue In The Nwt

Item 17: First Reading Of Bills

Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Territorial Court Act

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Tabled Document 69-13(5): Letters Of Support From Constituents

Item 21: Third Reading Of Bills

Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Member's Statement 346-13(5): Passing Of Frank Betsina
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1180

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about the passing of Frank Betsina, a respected grand counsellor of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I attended Mr. Betsina's funeral and I have to say, it was one of the largest funerals I have ever attended. The Catholic Church was filled to overflowing and some of the people had to stand outside during the whole service. Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of serving for one term on the Yellowknives Dene First Nation Council with Mr. Betsina and I considered him a friend and respected his advice. The passing of Frank also marks the passing of part of the Yellowknives Dene history. I say that, Mr. Speaker, because his grandfather, Suzie Drygeese signed Treaty 8 on behalf of the Yellowknives Dene in the year 1900 in Fort Resolution.

As we all know, the Yellowknives Dene have received many rights from the signing of that treaty, including the right to tax exemption and that right, which has still not been honoured by any level of government. Mr. Betsina followed in his grandfather's footsteps of service. He served three terms on the Yellowknives Dene Band Council and this legacy of service has also been passed on. Frank's son Ernest is currently serving his second term on council. Mr. Betsina was born on Latham Island 59 years ago. His parents were Alizette and Narcisse Betsina. He is survived by wife Murial as well as by two daughters, five sons and several grandchildren. Frank went to residential school for a time and finished his education at St. Pat's in Yellowknife. As a teenager, he started working for the local power company and continued working for the power company in its various forms for the past 41 years.

Yesterday, as a tribute to his long service, his co-workers brought Frank for one last ride through the city in the large truck that he used to drive. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Betsina was a good example for his family and the community in general. Council members have expressed respect for thoughtful contributions to council discussions and fittingly, council held a celebration to his life last night in a new building in Ndilo that was dedicated to his father this past fall. He will be missed by family, friends, fellow council members and neighbours. I am sure all Members of this House join me in offering condolences to the Betsina family and all the best in the future. Thank you.

Member's Statement 346-13(5): Passing Of Frank Betsina
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1180

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Members' statements. Mr. Morin.

Member's Statement 347-13(5): Support For Northern Hunters And Trappers
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1181

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to say that the Northwest Territories managed to get on the front page of the Globe and Mail. However, as normal, the Northwest Territories on the front page of the Globe and Mail, I believe it was yesterday's issue, Mr. Speaker, is not about what the Northwest Territories is about, it is about Greenpeace and animal rights movement's views of the Northwest Territories on how we harvest our wildlife.

For thousands and thousands of years, Mr. Speaker, the people I represent had harvested wildlife in the Northwest Territories and they did it properly and with the greatest of respect. Our fur industry in the Northwest Territories is working hard to come back. I have said many times before in this House how good Fort Resolution is doing, one of my communities, since we put in a revolving fur fund. My community came from 20 active trappers to more than 80. We are the highest fur producers in the Northwest Territories with the best quality of fur, and I am proud to say.

Also in conjunction with that, we see very clear that our social services rolls fell down from close to 300,000 a year being put into my community, down to about 60,000 or 70,000. This is a positive thing. We have all lived through Greenpeace and their meddling in Aboriginal Affairs before. We have all buried our young people because of Greenpeace's meddling in our business in the Northwest Territories. We have very little respect for these tree huggers from southern Canada who do not understand the reality of living in the Northwest Territories. They do not understand the reality of our young people in the Northwest Territories who go out and harvest to generate some dollars for the people in their community and for their family. When Greenpeace was successful in killing the sealing industry, our suicide rates doubled and tripled in some of our communities, that is what they did. They are so interested in protecting animals. They have no thinking at all for the aboriginal people of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, our government is one of the best governments in Canada and in the world in managing our resources, we know how to manage it. We do not need someone to tell us how to do that.

--Applause

With that, I would just like to hope all my wolf hunters in Lutselk'e the best of luck, so they can bring some dollars into their communities.

--Applause

Member's Statement 347-13(5): Support For Northern Hunters And Trappers
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1181

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Picco.

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

Page 1181

Edward Picco Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome to the gallery a well-known Iqaluit business person and secretary treasurer of NTI, Natsie Kalno. Thank you.

--Applause

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

Page 1181

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1181

Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I made a Member's statement and tabled two documents from the Baffin Divisional Board of Education. They wanted more funding to be used for teachers in the communities. The other document was from Pond Inlet district education authority about their concerns and the other document was to do with signatures. I know some Members have concerns dealing with education in the Northwest Territories. Can the Minister tell me if he would be able to provide me with answers about a petition that was coming from the Pond Inlet education authority? Thank you. (Translation ends)

Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1181

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1181

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, divisional education councils and district education authorities across the territories have expressed concern to me about the level of funding to deliver programs. There is no question in the Northwest Territories right now that we have a difficult situation with probably the highest pupil/teacher ratio in Canada. As all Members in this House know, we have no new sources of revenue and therefore, we do not see any way in which to increase funding for councils to deliver their programs. One spot of good news in this year's budget, Mr. Speaker, is that we have found a way to include enough money in the budget for schools, so that the pupil/teacher ratio will not be expected to rise next year. We will be able to carry on with approximately the same pupil/teacher ratio as before. The Member asked if I will be able to respond to the documents he tabled in the House, I certainly will have a look at those and respond directly to the Member. At this point, we do not have any extra money to put into the budget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1181

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Evaloarjuk.

Supplementary To Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1181

Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell me if he would be able to respond to the divisional board of education's request? Thank you. (Translation ends)

Supplementary To Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1181

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1182

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am always prepared to respond to requests from divisional education councils and will be happy to do so, if that appears to be the course of action I should follow after reviewing the documents that have been tabled. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1182

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Evaloarjuk.

Supplementary To Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1182

Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister provide me with a date as to when he will have this looked into? Thank you. (Translation ends)

Supplementary To Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1182

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1182

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, I would have a response ready within the next two weeks. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Question 462-13(5): Education Funding In The Baffin Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1182

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

Question 463-13(5): Labour Market Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

February 26th, 1998

Page 1182

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment in relation to his statement today on the signing of the labour market development agreement. I noticed on page two he makes reference to the communities where services will be available. I was wondering if he could speak to the issue of where Fort Smith fits into the mix? Does it have an HRDC office? However, there is no reference to that office or services in there. Thank you.

Question 463-13(5): Labour Market Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1182

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 463-13(5): Labour Market Agreement
Question 463-13(5): Labour Market Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1182

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is right. Fort Smith was not specifically mentioned in my statement but neither was Norman Wells nor Igloolik. There are a number of communities in the north in which we will make sure the services are provided. The statement referred to Canada/NWT centres whereby the centres will be moved together to make sure that there is one-stop shopping. I suspect it will take some time to accomplish those moves in all communities, but there is no question services will be available in Fort Smith. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 463-13(5): Labour Market Agreement
Question 463-13(5): Labour Market Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1182

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 463-13(5): Labour Market Agreement
Question 463-13(5): Labour Market Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1182

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is the Minister saying then, the April 1st deadline that this transfer will take place, is not applicable in Fort Smith? My understanding was, in fact, they are moving to co-locate with the ECE office and we are going to be delivering those kind of services tied into this particular statement. Could the Minister clarify this?

Supplementary To Question 463-13(5): Labour Market Agreement
Question 463-13(5): Labour Market Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1182

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 463-13(5): Labour Market Agreement
Question 463-13(5): Labour Market Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1182

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not exactly certain of the dates for each of the communities when co-location will take place. It is not so much a co-location as the provision of a joint presence because we will be taking over the functions of part of the Employment Insurance Act. It will be Canada and the NWT offices. We will take over administration programs on April 1st, although it will take some time for the transition. Again, I cannot speak to the exact date for when offices will be moved together as part of the plan is to develop a transition team to ensure that the transition is done as smoothly as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of Feb. 27th, 1998

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