Thank you, again, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, whenever there is competition, the competitors normally sharpen their pencils and try to become competitive in the area of providing programs and services, in this case telephone services to the residents of the Northwest Territories. Within our small communities, we have high cost operations and without having long distance competition in there as well as the local services, there might be a problem. NorthwesTel is here. It is already established. Depending on what happens, when this competition comes in, they are in a very good position having been here already. Knowing the system, they may be in a position to be competitive. Thank you.
Debates of May 27th, 1998
Topics
Further Return To Question 557-13(5): Telecommunication Services In The Nwt
Question 557-13(5): Telecommunication Services In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1442
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Further Return To Question 557-13(5): Telecommunication Services In The Nwt
Question 557-13(5): Telecommunication Services In The Nwt
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1442
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mr. Ningark.
Question 558-13(5): Addressing Education Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1442
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the leader of the Executive Council, the Premier. As I indicated in my Member's statement, earlier, the last two days we have discussed and debated the state of education in the NWT. I think the exercise, Mr. Speaker, was good which reflects the state and importance of education. Some Members speeches were, as I indicated, more compelling rather than aspiring, but the objective, Mr. Speaker, having heard the concern from Members, are the Premier and his Cabinet Ministers planning or in the process of planning to address the serious consideration of education in the NWT? Thank you.
Question 558-13(5): Addressing Education Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1442
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Premier.
Return To Question 558-13(5): Addressing Education Concerns
Question 558-13(5): Addressing Education Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1442
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As all Members know that, soon, we will be in the process of planning two new budgets for two territories. The Members are concerned about education, housing, economic development and many other issues. Members have raised concerns and made some very good comments these past few days. We will take those into consideration, and I hope the Members take those into consideration when they review those budgets as well. Thank you.
Return To Question 558-13(5): Addressing Education Concerns
Question 558-13(5): Addressing Education Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1442
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.
Supplementary To Question 558-13(5): Addressing Education Concerns
Question 558-13(5): Addressing Education Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1442
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have heard about the current state of education whereby teaching staff are resigning left, right and centre and whereby improvision, Mr. Speaker, has to be made because the resources are not there to deliver basic special education. Is the Minister willing to look at the current state and do something about it?
Supplementary To Question 558-13(5): Addressing Education Concerns
Question 558-13(5): Addressing Education Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1442
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Morin. Two questions.
Further Return To Question 558-13(5): Addressing Education Concerns
Question 558-13(5): Addressing Education Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1442
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member is aware, we spend approximately $300 million on education now, as a government. The Minister of Finance is in charge of staff housing in the Northwest Territories. They are selling off that housing. They said if it is needed, we would look at those cases, community by community, and we are willing to do that. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 558-13(5): Addressing Education Concerns
Question 558-13(5): Addressing Education Concerns
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1442
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Picco.
Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1442
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I had asked the Minister for the FMBS about a concern in Iqaluit of the potential major increase in market rents leased by the GNWT after division. Mr. Speaker, the Minister told me that he would have an answer for me today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1442
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The questions were asked yesterday. Today is a new day. Mr. Picco, do you wish to ask your question to the proper Minister?
Supplementary To Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1443
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a new day. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I had asked the Minister of FMBS, Mr. Todd, a concern I had with the potential major increase of market rates leased by the GNWT in Iqaluit and what the government is going to do about these leases after December 31, 1998. I wonder if the Minister could update us today on that situation?
Supplementary To Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1443
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board, Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Item 6: Oral Questions
May 26th, 1998
Page 1443
John Todd Keewatin Central
I believe that we are prepared to commit to extending the program we currently have until March 31, 1999.
Further Return To Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1443
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.
Supplementary To Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1443
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just for clarification purposes, the Minister is saying that in writing or somehow he is going to be informing the people who are maintaining those units and also the people who are leasing it to them that, indeed, the current program will be in place up until and including December 31, 1999; is that correct? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1443
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1443
John Todd Keewatin Central
My honourable colleague is so eloquent. Yes, he is correct.
Further Return To Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Question 559-13(5): Potential Increase In Market Rents
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1443
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mr. Roland.
Question 560-13(5): Possible Closure Of Turning Point Centre
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1443
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as in my Member's statement, the issue of Turning Point has come up in the community I represent, Inuvik, once again with concerns of possible closure and layoff of staff. I would like to thank the Minister for responding to my earlier concerns. I would like to know at this point from the Minister if the department is willing to work with the board of Turning Point to try to come to reasonable agreement on how clients would be assessed and referred to the facility? Thank you.
Question 560-13(5): Possible Closure Of Turning Point Centre
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1443
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Minister of Justice, Mr. Arlooktoo.
Return To Question 560-13(5): Possible Closure Of Turning Point Centre
Question 560-13(5): Possible Closure Of Turning Point Centre
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1443
Goo Arlooktoo Baffin South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do acknowledge the fact the MLA has been working closely with us in trying to deal with this issue. I want to assure the Member that I, as a Minister in the government, am very interested in keeping the facility open. We are working closely with the management staff of Turning Point, in particular with the executive director. We are in the process of sending our Director of Corrections, Mr. John Dillon, up to Inuvik next week to discuss what options they may have. The main issue here is the shortage of clients that fit the criteria in the correctional system. We are trying to work on the problem on two fronts. One is to ensure that as many potential clients know of the program as possible and also to try to look at the criteria itself and see if there are changes we can make to it to open it up to more offenders. Thank you.
Return To Question 560-13(5): Possible Closure Of Turning Point Centre
Question 560-13(5): Possible Closure Of Turning Point Centre
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1443
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Roland.
Supplementary To Question 560-13(5): Possible Closure Of Turning Point Centre
Question 560-13(5): Possible Closure Of Turning Point Centre
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1443
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for that response. As he mentioned, the director of corrections will be travelling to Inuvik next week. When can we expect to see some results? Would it be shortly afterward that we might be able to come to some formal agreement on the necessary changes, as you mentioned, to the programs? As the board had stated, they are willing to look at the necessary changes that they would have to make to make sure they fit the criteria that are put before them. Thank you.