This is page numbers 1479 - 1504 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

Honourable Jim Antoine, Honourable Goo Arlooktoo, Mr. Barnabas, Mr. Enuaraq, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Honourable Sam Gargan, Mrs. Groenewegen, Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Miltenberger, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Ningark, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Picco, Mr. Rabesca, Mr. Roland, Mr. Steen, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Honourable John Todd.

Oh, God, may your spirit and guidance be in us as we work for the benefit of all our people, for peace and justice in our land and for the constant recognition of the dignity and aspirations of those whom we serve. Amen.

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 1479

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. Good morning. (Translation) To begin with, I would like to thank the members representing the people of Nahendeh and the Sahtu for joining me in supplying Pages for the Assembly this week. I would also like to thank the Pages for the great job they did in assisting us in our duties. I hope they enjoyed their time in the capital, had a positive experience and learned something about how our territorial government is run.

On another topic, I would like to thank members and staff of the Legislature for joining me in yesterday afternoon's barbecue. Javaroma should also be thanked for doing a great job of catering this event. It was nice to take some time to get together away from our work environment and enjoy the beautiful weather, good food and excellent company. (Translation ends) Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Edward Picco Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in a front page article earlier this month in the Yellowknifer written by Mr. Jeff Colburne, a reporter for News North, the headline said, So long Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer. Hello Dave, Larry, Natalie and Ed. Mr. Speaker, a picture below the article showed a television set with Chris, Larry and Ed stating we could be stars in another universe. Mr. Speaker, sometimes I feel like I am in another universe, right here in the Legislative Assembly. The gist of the article was to find northerners who could match the characters on the hit TV show Seinfeld. Our own Member, Groenewegen, thought she had a perfect match for that very debonair, suave, intelligent and much loved character, Kramer. She said it was yours truly.

--Applause/Laughter

Mr. Speaker, it has been said that I resemble TV stars and movie actors before. I have been mistaken for Jack Tripper, also known as John Ritter. I have been compared to Frank Sinatra with my wonderful approach to vocal phrasing. This morning, Mr. Miltenberger saw me looking at the mirror and said, not to worry you look very handsome and movie star like. I thank him for that. Mr. Speaker, some of the comments in the article about me were questionable like having a steam cleaner following me around all day in the Ledge. Well, as I just explained, Mr. Speaker, it is not surprising that a steam cleaner would follow me around seeing how everyone and everything wants to be closer to me. Mr. Speaker, the article, of course, was in jest and that is the spirit I took it in. As a political figure, you have to take all compliments and disparaging remarks in stride. I, Mr. Speaker, will try to keep my sense of fair play and humour and will be available for autographs after the sitting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Member's Statement 463-13(5): Osteoporosis Run/walk
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is hard to follow Mr. Picco from time to time. Mr. Speaker, this weekend hundreds of Yellowknifers will be participating in the Third Annual Walk and Run to fight osteoporosis. Organizers hope to raise $10,000 with the event that will go toward education and awareness programs. Osteoporosis is a very serious and widespread disease; 1.4 million Canadians suffer from it including many northerners. Osteoporosis affects bone mass and over time, leads to low bone density leading to painful and debilitating fractures of hips, spine and other bones. People over 50 years of age are particularly vulnerable to this. Osteoporosis affects one in four women and one in eight men over 50. It is important to realize how prevalent this disease is. Although this is a painful and disabling condition, it is preventable if you start early enough with proper nutrition and regular exercise. I am getting involved this weekend by taking the time to MC the function for this Sunday's event.

Earlier this week, I sent around information to all MLAs explaining the merits of getting involved this weekend. I challenge all Members and the staff to take part in one of three events on Sunday. Either the team obstacle course, the five-kilometre walk or, for the more ambitious among you, the timed ten-kilometre run. It only takes a couple of hours of your time, and it benefits all of us as northerners. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Arctic Runners Club and the YWCA for sponsoring this event again this year and the Yellowknife Fire Department for providing the organization and central venue. It is volunteers like them who make this event possible. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. this Sunday at the fire station. I would urge all Yellowknifers to attend and even those visitors and MLAs. Thank you.

--Applause

Member's Statement 463-13(5): Osteoporosis Run/walk
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow I have the privilege to congratulate and participate in the graduating ceremonies for 11 students from Rae-Edzo. I would also like to congratulate all graduates from across the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, these young people have worked hard over the past 12 years to get to this point in their lives. Now they are prepared to go out into the world to secure a job or to go on to further their education. This is a great moment in their lives. They will have to make many decisions over the next while. What do I want to do for the rest of my life? Where will I go to college, who will help me get what I want?

Mr. Speaker, we have all gone this road before, but for these young people this will be their first time out. Today, Mr. Speaker, these young people have more opportunities available to them than any other graduating class has ever had. The diamond industry is now offering many new and interesting types of jobs. New technologies are also providing interesting career choices. The world is waiting. Make the right moves. Furthering your education can be your most important decision. I would now like to read the names of the eleven graduates for Rae-Edzo: Clayton Bishop, Joanne Champlain, Pam Lafferty, Jeffery Mantla, Lianne Mantla, Alice Naedzo, Tiffany Wedawin, Priscilla Wetrade, Leona Rabesca, Phoebe Ann Wetrade and Alice Zoe-Chocolate. These young people should be proud of their accomplishments, as I know their families, community, region and myself are. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Member's Statement 465-13(5): Adoption Act
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Adoption Act is finally before this House for passage and I would just like to commend the very many people who have worked on this particular piece of legislation in the last ten years. It is one of four pieces of the Family Law Act that has been brought before this House and it will finally be the final piece in terms of modernizing the Child Welfare Laws of the Northwest Territories. This has been worked on since 1989. This particular last piece of legislation will bring much needed changes to the whole area of adoption, both private and departmental. I hope the people of the Northwest Territories recognize that now they will have child welfare laws that are second to none in Canada. I look forward to this spirited debate, but this is a much overdue piece of legislation that will cap a ten-year effort to bring our child welfare laws into the 21st Century. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Member's Statement 465-13(5): Adoption Act
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1480

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. I have been requested to recognize some students in the gallery. The grade seven French immersion class from William MacDonald School and their teacher, Guy Paradis. Welcome to the Assembly. Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On April 1, 1999, two new territories will be created, the yet to be named western part of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. After April 1, 1999, the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories will be made up of the remaining 14 MLAs from the western NWT. Mr. Speaker, residents of the town of Inuvik and the Beaufort Delta leaders have expressed concern about continuing to operate a 14-Member Legislative Assembly after the next territorial election scheduled for the fall of 1999. Mr. Speaker, at the last two conferences, the Beaufort Delta leaders passed two motions directing their three Beaufort Delta MLAs to call for an Electoral Boundaries Commission to review the current allocation of constituencies of the western NWT as we proceed with the creation of two territories. At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be tabling these two motions of the Beaufort Delta leaders.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today is in regard to the water supply problem we have in Fort McPherson which was supposed to be a P3 initiative, but to date I have heard in the last week this project has been deferred until next year. The water problems still occur where we do have a lot of concerns, especially about the quality of the water in Fort McPherson and a number of chemicals which is being used to process that water at the present time. There are eight or nine different types of chemicals that are used in processing the water. Mr. Speaker, I feel it is pretty alarming that this issue was supposedly one of the emergency crisis which I brought up in this House several times. I was hoping that this would be resolved as soon as possible to improve the quality of water for the residents of Fort McPherson. Mr. Speaker, I was very much taken aback after a meeting with the Minister to see this project has been deferred. I believe that the quality of water improves the quality of life, especially with the high instance of cancer in my community of Fort McPherson.

There has to be a link between the water and the cancer rates that have skyrocketed in the last number of years where people in Fort McPherson do not trust their water supply. They are using all their alternatives to get water from elsewhere. Yet, we continue to talk about this issue and raise it. I would like to ask the Minister later on today, some questions in regard to the reasoning behind the deferral of this project and also what is being done to improve the quality of water in Fort McPherson at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last night, I attended a graduation ceremony at Ecole St. Joseph School Gym. It was for approximately 100 grade six students from Weledeh Catholic School and Ecole St. Joseph School who have been taking a Special Drug Awareness Program offered at their schools by the RCMP. Mr. Speaker, this was not just about saying no as we so often have heard. This program was actually 17 hours of lessons which focused on learning about the effects of drugs, the consequences of taking them, ways to say no, building self-esteem, saying yes to positive alternatives and how to take a stand. Mr. Speaker, the program has been financially sponsored by the RCMP, the local Elk's Lodge, First Air, the Royal Bank and the Yellowknife Catholic Schools. It is in response to challenges today when there are so much peer pressure and new challenges facing the youth and the fact that we need to provide them with alternatives and to provide them with support. Mr. Speaker, I ask all the Members here to join me in congratulating the students as they have successfully completed their program. Thank you.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Barnabas.

Levi Barnabas High Arctic

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last year, myself and my colleague, Mr. Enuaraq, had time to visit Rae and Rae-Edzo. Along the way we had to zig zag potholes on the road. My colleague had to hold onto the dashboard because it was so rough, and not because of my driving. He was sweating like hell. We had time to visit James Rabesca, MLA for Rae and Joe Rabesca, Mayor of Rae, after that we had to chat as to how to avoid the potholes along the way. We took our time going back to Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. This is just about our third year in office and we are still in trial and errors. I would like to caution the Members about unparliamentary words used in this Chamber. Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about the Pages who are here with us this week. I just want to say, first of all, I represent six communities, the most communities of all of the MLAs in the Legislative Assembly. I was allowed to bring only three, so I brought three Pages from my three communities. However, there will be opportunities in the future, I hope, to bring other Pages to this House. First of all, I want to say that along with the other Pages from the other communities, I have had the opportunity to have with us today, Caralee Jumbo from Trout Lake and Carla Norwegian from Jean Marie River, John Paul Tanka from Nahanni Butte. Mr. Speaker, along with the other Pages from other communities, they have had a good experience here, with us. At first, when they came here, they were very shy and not sure of what they were getting themselves into. Over the days, we all could see they have gained in self-confidence, and they have gained in experience. They have done a good job here for us this week. The other day, I asked three young people from my constituency what they think about this Legislative Assembly and if they could see themselves doing this kind of work. Easily, they said that sure, we could do this kind of work eventually. It is a good sign, Mr. Speaker, that there are going to be other people following us in this line of work and they have no problem in saying that they could do this kind of work. It is a good opportunity for young people to come in here from other communities. It is a good program. I would like to thank all the Pages, especially, the three from my constituency and the Legislative Assembly for allowing this opportunity. Thank you.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a recent article in the Hub announcing BHP's choice of Yellowknife for the diamond sorting and valuation facility had a little final paragraph that suggested that I had a testy working relationship with senior Members of this government. Mr. Speaker, this comment was not substantiated with a quote or reference of any kind. However, Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, I feel I have a good working relationship with our Ministers. Since the last sitting of this Legislature, I believe I have had the pleasure of hosting most of them in my community. I have had the pleasure of Mr. Kakfwi attending the Annual General Meeting of the Northwest Territories Fisherman's Federation, where Mr. Kakfwi expressed this government's continued concern and support for the commercial fishing industry on Great Slave Lake. Mr. Antoine attended as we held two meetings on the Constitutional Working Group, one in Enterprise and one in Hay River, which were well attended and a lot of interest was shown. Just this week, Minister Ng met with our hospital CEO and board chairman over lunch with myself, and we had a chance to discuss health related issues in Hay River. Minister Thompson and Premier Morin attended in my riding just this week to meet with the residents of Enterprise and, although, we would always wish to meet with our constituents under happy circumstances, there are challenging problems, but I do thank them very much for taking time from

their busy schedules to attend in my riding. Of course, Mr. Speaker, as one of my neighbouring MLAs drops by quite frequently when we take a few minutes and go for lunch or have a coffee. It was only earlier this spring, when Mr. Todd graced us with his presence at the NWT Chamber of Commerce banquet as our guest speaker. I believe Mr. Arlooktoo did pass through, although visiting Mr. Speaker's riding, he was through Hay River just recently. What I would like to say, Mr. Speaker, is that I do continue to enjoy good working relationship with our Cabinet. I do support the work they do and appreciate very much the attention, they pay to my riding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

Member's Statement 472-13(5): Baffin Leaders Summit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1482

Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not reading from written material, but I would just like to say today in my Member's statement that the Baffin leaders will be having a summit July 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th for all of the mayors and other leaders in the Baffin and Keewatin region. Perhaps, if the Ministers have been invited, maybe even the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs would like to attend the meeting. Any other Ministers who would like to attend the meeting to speak to the leadership could perhaps attend. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)

--Applause

Member's Statement 472-13(5): Baffin Leaders Summit
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1482

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Picco.