Debates of June 1st, 1998

This is page numbers 1505 - 1542 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 premier.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
Ministers Absent From The House
Statement Of Conflict Of Interest Commissioner's Decision
GNWT Participation At The Recent Quebec City Meeting Of The Federal/provincial/territorial Ministers Responsible For Aboriginal Affairs And Leaders Of The Five National Aboriginal Organizations
Recruitment And Retention Plan For Health And Social Services
Rcmp - 125 Years Of Service
Community Policing
New Young Offenders Act
Outstanding Volunteer Service Award Recipient
Fatal Hunting Accident In Tuktoyaktuk
Recognition Of The Achievements Of Fort Smith Athletes
Medical Leave Escort Program
Iqaluit Recipient Of The Prime Minister's Award For Teaching Excellence
First Nations Land Claims And The New North Professional Seminars
Inuvik Recipients Of The Ross Charles Award And NWT Literacy Award
Conflict Of Interest Commissioner's Decision To Conduct A Public Inquiry
Yellowknife Women's Centre
Passing Of Mary Adele Bishop
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Contract Nursing Arrangements
Travel Expenses Assumed By Quebec Government
Access To Criminal Records
Increase To Employees' Salary
Professional Development Fund For Nurses
Labour Standards Act Amendments
Kitikmeot Boarding Home Condition
Support For Land Claim Seminars
Commissioner's Award For Tuktoyaktuk Youth
Update On Public/private Partnership Projects
Collective Bargaining Final Offer Update
Pay Equity And Collective Bargaining Process
Mou On Hay Evaluation System Examination
Status Of GNWT Warehouse Offer
Written Question 19-13(5): Mackenzie Valley Land And Water Working Group
Return To Written Question 15-13(5): Discussions Regarding Nunavut Civil Servants
Return To Written Question 16-13(5): Baffin Driver Examiner
Item 12: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
Tabled Document 103-13(5): Communique On The Meeting Of Federal/provincial/territorial Ministers Of Aboriginal Affairs And Leaders Of National Aboriginal Organizations
Tabled Document 104-13(5): Information Package On Federal Proposal For Reform Of Young Offenders System
Tabled Document 105-13(5): Letter From Constituents Regarding Pay Equity/collective Bargaining
Tabled Document 106-13(5): Package Of Letters From Unw Members Regarding Pay Equity/collective Bargaining
Tabled Document 107-13(5): Package Of Letters From Dogrib Residents Regarding Adequate Funding For Education
Tabled Document 108-13(5): Report On The Payment Of Indemnities, Allowances And Expenses To Members Of The 13th Legislative Assembly
Request For Premier To Relinquish His Responsibilities
Item 16: Motions
Support For Additional Funding For Education
Request For Premier To Relinquish His Responsibilities
Item 17: First Reading Of Bills
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
To Amend Clause 62 Of Bill 15
To Amend Clause 76 Of Bill 15
To Amend Clause 79 Of Bill 15
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Bill 18-13(5): Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1998-99
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

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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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The concern I have is because the onus is put on the director to consider this one section of the act, but it is up to the individual to decide if they want to use that section or not. Yet, there are a couple of sections regarding the requirement for consent which the director has to take into account, regarding the consent of the child and the parent of the child, allowing them to deal with aboriginal organizations. Again, it is left to the individual. It should be mandatory where they have to consult with aboriginal organizations when they are dealing with aboriginal children. This is something that has to be added to this bill and it has to be clearly identified through regulations. It is great to have them, but when you leave the onus on an individual, it is up to that individual to be notified of such a section or subsection at any time. Can they find somewhere here to strengthen that consultation process with the different organizations?

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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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Minister Ng.

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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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, an individual worker cannot disregard or interpret the manuals or the regulations. The law is the law and it will be outlined in there that in situations where the parent consents, the director shall, they must, consult with the aboriginal organization in those kinds of circumstances. It will be quite explicit, Mr. Chairman. 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

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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Mr. Krutko.

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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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Has the department met with the different claims organizations to see what is in the different sections of their agreement, either a comprehensive claim agreement regarding the involvement or consultation clause which is in the Gwich'in agreement? I believe it is section 3.22 of the General Provision where it makes reference that the Gwich'in be involved in any political process which affects the Gwich'in. There are also eligibility criteria which talk about adoption. Have you looked at the different sections of the land claim agreements when you dealt with this bill?

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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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Ng.

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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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, we have not looked at the land claims agreements themselves, but we have had extensive discussions with the aboriginal groups on their memberships. 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

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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Mr. Ningark.

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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John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, some of the concerns I have were addressed in the Standing Committee for Social Programs. My question to the honourable Minister is, Mr. Chairman, is this particular bill catered to meet the needs of the Nunavut government that is coming into force after April 1, 1999 or is this bill being adopted by this government to meet the change in demand in the system and to meet the need of the public at the present time? 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

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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Mr. Ng.

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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Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this bill is to replace an antiquated, existing Adoption Act and the major differences as I have outlined is some of the more openness in the adoption process, more involvement of aboriginal groups, recognition of cultural values and traditions and trying to determine the child's best interests. No, it is not specific to Nunavut, but it is more specific to have a greater involvement in the process for adoptions, Mr. Chairman. 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

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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Mr. Ningark. General comments. Are we prepared to move clause by clause? Agreed?

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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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

We will proceed clause by clause on the review of Bill 15. On the first page, Bill 15, Adoption Act. Agreed?

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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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Adoption Act. Agreed?

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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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Page 1, Bill 15, clause 1. Agreed?

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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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Page 4, Bill 15, clause 2. Agreed?

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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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Clause 3. Agreed?

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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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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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The Chair

The Chair Vince Steen

Page 5, clause 4. Agreed?

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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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.