This is page numbers 535 - 571 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

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

Page 553

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. I would like to call the committee back to order. We are dealing with the 1998-99 Main Estimates. The activity summary is the Office of the Clerk. When we left off last night, we were dealing with total operations and maintenance, $7.472 million. I would like to recognize the Speaker and ask him for the record, to introduce the witnesses.

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

February 3rd, 1998

Page 553

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good evening. I have with me the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Hamilton. Thank you.

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

Page 553

The Chair John Ningark

My apologies, Mr. Speaker. Operations and maintenance on page 1-6, total operations and maintenance, $7.472 million. Agreed? Mr. Evaloarjuk.

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

Page 553

Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq

(Translation) Mr. Chairman, being on page 1-6, can we make general comments or just to this item at this time? What is the procedure? (Translation ends)

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

Page 553

The Chair John Ningark

(Translation) We are in the item of Office of the Clerk, so your general comments must relate to this item. We are in detail of budget. If you make a mistake and make a comment you will be so notified or you will be asked to rephrase your general comments. (Translation ends)

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

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Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq

(Translation) Thank you. I should at least express my gratitude for this opportunity. At this time I

would also like to thank Bryan Pearson. I think he was the first man to introduce the use of simultaneous interpreters within the Legislative Assembly. I believe it was him who put forward a motion to that effect. The people in my riding and my constituency who are unable to speak in English are able to keep up with the business of the House through the use of interpreters and for me especially I am able to keep up with the activities through the use of the interpreters. I understand that the current House interpreters are hired on a contract basis. I do appreciate the services that are provided. Being a unilingual Member in the House, I do not want to focus on myself or my personal difference here in the House, but everyone knows that I am the only unilingual Member. I am in a unique position whereby I do have a constituency assistant in Igloolik. I can say at this time that the funding for my travel within my constituency under my constituency budget is currently almost all used up. I need the use of the interpreters and I had to have a part-time constituency assistant because of my unilingualism. I had to pay for this person's services from my operating and maintenance budget. I believe because of this unique position I have to have additional assistants because of my unique unilingual position. I should be able to access funding that would enable me to hire an assistant during my stay here. Of course we are accountable for the use of our funding. Back in the days around 1975 and 1976, we had much more freedom. I do not really understand why we are not given that flexibility to access certain funding that is considered necessary. That is my question. I thank you, Mr. Chairman. (Translation ends)

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

Page 554

The Chair John Ningark

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Evaloarjuk. Mr. Evaloarjuk has work to do and I believe you might want to respond to that, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

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

Page 554

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We did not realize because of the unique situation of Mr. Evaloarjuk that he required those professional services. I am glad Mr. Evaloarjuk has brought it to our attention. We will look at what we can do to assist. If you are using most of your constituency money for interpreter services, then I agree we should be providing some of that service ourselves to the Member. We will look at it.

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

Page 554

The Chair John Ningark

(Translation) Do you understand, Mr. Evaloarjuk? Do you have any further comments? (Translation ends)

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

Page 554

Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq

(Translation) No. (Translation ends).

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

Page 554

The Chair John Ningark

Total operations and maintenance, $7.472 million. Agreed? Mr. Roland.

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

Page 554

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a quick question. Yesterday there were a number of questions brought up on constituency assistants. I would like clarification from the Speaker that constituency assistants are not government employees and that they fall under the employee of the Member of the riding.

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

Page 554

The Chair John Ningark

Mr. Speaker.

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

Page 554

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member is correct.

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

Page 554

The Chair John Ningark

Mr. Roland.

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

Page 554

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. By being not included in the Government of the NWT employees, they do not qualify for many of the different, for example, the northern allowance, they do not qualify for those items.

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

Page 554

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Speaker.

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

Page 554

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Yes. The Member is again correct.

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

Page 554

The Chair John Ningark

Mr. Roland.

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

Page 554

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Maybe the Minister of FMBS would be paying attention to this and include this into his pay equity efforts. Thank you.

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

Page 554

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Page 1-6, total operations and maintenance. The Chair recognizes Mr. Picco.

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

Page 554

Edward Picco Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon. Mr. Chairman, my question concerns the facilities management under the Office of the Clerk on page 1-6. I note last year there were some concerns with contracts surrounding security. I also note now that there have been new security procedures put in place or items for security including video cameras and other security issues. I am wondering has the building been checked out by any other security agency for security or for public safety concerns if they are visiting the Legislative Assembly or for the Members themselves? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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

Page 554

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Gargan.

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

Page 554

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Mr. Chairman, the security system in our building is checked out twice a year by the RCMP surveillance unit.

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

Page 554

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Picco.