Debates of May 28th, 1998

This is page numbers 1457 - 1478 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 community.

Topics

Members Present

Item 1: Prayer

Cancer Registry

Arviat High School Graduation Ceremonies

Association Of Municipalities Annual General Meeting

Isuma Production Company

Arctic Bay High School Graduation Ceremonies

Clyde River Fishing Derby

NWT Power Corporation Post-division Structure

Extension Of The Sachs Harbour Airport Runway

Long Distance Telephone Services

NWT Power Corporation Post-division Structure

Rae Lakes Airport Concerns

Aklavik Highway Access

Resolution Of Civil Service Concerns

Western Arctic Tourism Association Initiatives

Initiatives To Combat Impaired Driving

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Kitikmeot Boarding Home

Sachs Harbour Runway Extension

Western Premiers' Conference Planning

Division Issues Re: Licensing And Taxation

Support For The NWT Tourism Association

Equitable Division Of Assets And Liabilities

Road Access To Aklavik

Concerns Re: Rae Lakes Airport

Funding For Isuma Production Company

Resolution Of Nwtpc Continuation Issues

Telecommunication Assistance Fund

Bill 17: An Act To Amend The Territorial Court Act And The Justices Of The Peace Act

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

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Territorial Court Act

Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Member's Statement 458-13(5): Aklavik Highway Access
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1461

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today is regarding the highway strategy presently underway by this government to look at new ways and new initiatives of building highways in the Northwest Territories. In regard to the communities I represent, two communities are connected by the Dempster Highway, Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic, I would like to ask the Minister, at the appropriate time, if there is a possibility of Aklavik with almost 1000 people having highway access because of the isolation of the community where a lot of their services have to be delivered by fly-in and fly-out operations. This is a costly endeavour to the community for buying goods, food, fuels and what not. The isolation of the community is basically limited by the opening of the winter road, which this year was only opened for just over two months in

which the time and adequacy of being allowed to get your goods and services in the community by road traffic are very limited. I would like to know if there is a possibility the community of Aklavik could be considered in this highway strategy and look at the possibility of constructing a highway access from the Dempster Highway to Aklavik within the next couple of years? The people of Aklavik have been talking about this initiative for several years, of looking at the possibility of having year-round access to their community. In regard to the number of communities in the Western Territory which are linked by highways, with the population of Aklavik at almost a 1000 people, it makes sense, especially in the cost to deliver goods and services and to live in the isolated community, is a very expensive way of maintaining a lifestyle if your food rates are high and your gas is selling for somewhere $0.90 a litre. There has to be an attempt made by this government to take into consideration Aklavik's wishes to be looked at having a highway through the NWT Highway Strategy which is presently underway. At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Transportation, questions on this matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Member's Statement 458-13(5): Aklavik Highway Access
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1462

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Member's Statement 459-13(5): Resolution Of Civil Service Concerns
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1462

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Prior to session ending in early March of this year, Premier Morin announced in this House that there would be no more layoffs during the term of this government. Premier Morin indicated that there would be no more layoffs either due to division or to department consolidations. This announcement is good news for my constituents and would obviously have relieved anxiety for some of the current staff of the GNWT. It would be fair to say that our public service has been greatly effected by the changes that have taken place during the rein of this government as we work toward division and the fight against the deficit. We have downsized, consolidated, eliminated and taken away from employees of the GNWT. It would also be fair to say that one of the greatest results of these changes has been the financial implications felt by employees and their pocket books. Employees have now been assured their jobs are secure. The union and the GNWT have been negotiating a new collective agreement. I have heard concerns of many employees about the Hay Plan Job Evaluation System recently adopted by this government. I have also heard the frustration from employees who have been waiting for a settlement to the pay equity issue.

Mr. Speaker, these are very serious issues which are still affecting our employees. You cannot reasonably expect employees to give 100 percent when such serious issues are outstanding. We cannot afford to risk losing anymore employees who are still looking for better security and more stability. More than ever, we need the knowledge and experience which are still here to carry us through division and beyond. I also have questions about the new collective agreement, especially as it affects our GNWT employees within Yellowknife. There are many questions coming my way on pay equity and the Hay Plan, as I mentioned. We must clear the air, Mr. Speaker, we must resolve these issues which are impacting our employees and the morale. Mr. Todd referred to them as our most valuable resource, which I agree with. Both this government and the UNW have to get back to the table with no preconditions to talk about our employees and their membership. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Member's Statement 459-13(5): Resolution Of Civil Service Concerns
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1462

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Member's Statement 460-13(5): Western Arctic Tourism Association Initiatives
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1462

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Tourism is big business in the north, in fact, it is the third biggest employer and revenue generator behind mining and government. In the western Arctic, several thousand people are employed either part-time or full-time in tourism. At present the NWT receive about 60,000 visitors each year who inject upwards of $55 million into the economy. I attended part of the AGM of Western Arctic Tourism Association's annual meeting held recently here in Yellowknife where the association unveiled its 1998-99 business plan and its tourism strategy document. The association has done a lot of valuable work in response to RWED Minister Kakfwi's direction to the association. The association strategy document has six key objectives:

- to create and build a new identity for the NWT;

- develop a representative, balanced membership base;

- provide support for member's marketing initiatives

- improve market access to community-based and members' products

- provide market research and analyses to keep northern companies abreast of trends;

- maintain a dynamic partnership

Western Arctic Tourism Association's President, Shaunet McNeil and its executive director, Eric Yaxley, have stated that underlying the six objectives identified in the strategy document are some fundamental concerns, which are:

That funding support for the GNWT be maintained.

- McNeil points out that this funding is a resource for communities to build on and that any deterioration in the financial support from the government will directly affect the economic base of many operators and as a result the employment levels of community people.

- The industry needs reassurance that, as we get closer to division, the government address the concerns of image for the western Arctic.

- The association wants the government to have a greater focus on tourism and reinvest in the industry and its marketing efforts.

- These, I think, are vital as far as the industry is concerned. Now that the association has its act together, it is apparent the industry needs government support to take the next steps. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Member's Statement 460-13(5): Western Arctic Tourism Association Initiatives
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1463

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Member's Statement 461-13(5): Initiatives To Combat Impaired Driving
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1463

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, recently the Department of Transportation committed to starting a highly publicized consultation process on drunk driving in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the department's efforts to deal with the drunk driving situation in the Northwest Territories. However, Mr. Speaker, it must be remembered that the only real power this government has is that it can change the licensing requirements for drivers in the NWT. This means that after a conviction on drunk driving, your licence could be revoked for a longer period of time and possibly permanently under the new proposals.

I fully support this government initiative, Mr. Speaker, however, I strongly believe that to change old habits and attitudes about drunk driving, there has to be an effective educational component to any program the department develops.

Increased penalties and consequences for drunk driving are important. However, Mr. Speaker, we cannot develop an effective anti-drunk driving campaign in isolation. We have to involve the community, we have to get to the kids in school and warn them of the dangers of drunk driving and we have to make it socially acceptable to take the keys away from friends, family or anyone should they wish to drive impaired.

Mr. Speaker, the police need to be supported in the fight against impaired driving. If you see someone driving drunk, you have a responsibility to your fellow residents in your community to report this person to the police. More and more people are now reporting drunk drivers and we need to encourage this through programs such as Crime Stoppers.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the day when drunk driving is a thing of the past, to when society's attitudes have changed and people who drive impaired would be viewed as socially inappropriate and legally put in the same category of people in public places wielding or pointing lethal loaded weapons at each other. Drunk drivers potentially use their vehicles as lethal weapons which do maim and kill people.

It looks, Mr. Speaker, like the Department of Transportation has made a good start. I commend the Minister and his staff for this initiative. I look forward to the legislative proposal that will come out of this consultation process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Member's Statement 461-13(5): Initiatives To Combat Impaired Driving
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1463

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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