Thank you. Mr. Dent.
Debates of Sept. 22nd, 1998
This is page numbers 125 - 155 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 6th 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 highway.
Topics
Supplementary To Question 76-13(6): Inadequate Gymnasium In Pond Inlet
Question 76-13(6): Inadequate Gymnasium In Pond Inlet
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 141
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Further Return To Question 76-13(6): Inadequate Gymnasium In Pond Inlet
Question 76-13(6): Inadequate Gymnasium In Pond Inlet
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 141
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is correct that the same plans are being used for the schools in the two communities. The plans for the school in Pangnirtung were modified to increase the size of the gym when the community came to the department and said, we have the extra money to pay for a bigger gym. This government will only pay for a gym of a certain size, so the community itself came up with the extra funds to increase the size of the gym.
Further Return To Question 76-13(6): Inadequate Gymnasium In Pond Inlet
Question 76-13(6): Inadequate Gymnasium In Pond Inlet
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 141
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
(Translation) Oral question. Supplementary, Mr. Evaloarjuk. (Translation ends)
Supplementary To Question 76-13(6): Inadequate Gymnasium In Pond Inlet
Question 76-13(6): Inadequate Gymnasium In Pond Inlet
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 141
Mark Evaloarjuk Amittuq
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister please, or if the Minister will respond to the people of Pond Inlet by written correspondence on this matter that they take very seriously. Can he give me a copy of his response to the people of Pond Inlet? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Translation ends)
Supplementary To Question 76-13(6): Inadequate Gymnasium In Pond Inlet
Question 76-13(6): Inadequate Gymnasium In Pond Inlet
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 141
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 76-13(6): Inadequate Gymnasium In Pond Inlet
Question 76-13(6): Inadequate Gymnasium In Pond Inlet
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 141
Further Return To Question 76-13(6): Inadequate Gymnasium In Pond Inlet
Question 76-13(6): Inadequate Gymnasium In Pond Inlet
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 141
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.
Question 77-13(6): Proposed Burial Of Pcbs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 141
Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister for RWED, the Honourable Stephen Kakfwi. I understand, Mr. Speaker, that sometime last week my honourable colleague from Iqaluit, Ed Picco, was asking about PCBs, so I will make these follow up questions. The federal government proposes to change the toxic waste laws to allow PCBs to be buried in the Arctic. The proposal may result in cost savings to the federal government in DEW Line cleanup, however, environmental consultants have concluded that the plan is not safe. If animals burrow into the landfill containing the waste, there will be room for water to run through and carry the PCB material into the Arctic environment. Is the government aware of the federal government's proposal to change the toxic waste proposed laws? Thank you.
Question 77-13(6): Proposed Burial Of Pcbs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 141
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Minister for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.
Return To Question 77-13(6): Proposed Burial Of Pcbs
Question 77-13(6): Proposed Burial Of Pcbs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 141
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was aware that the Department of Defence had suggested a couple of years ago that they wanted to be exempt from the
requirement by Environment Canada regarding the requirements limitations on the burying of PCBs in the Arctic, using of landfill sites. I am not aware at this time whether or not there is, in fact, a request by a federal department to Environment Canada asking for a change in that environmental requirement at this time. I know that Christine Stewart, the Minister of Environment, in a meeting we had recently in Inuvik said, categorically there was no suggestion by her department or herself at this time to comply with any such request if it was received. Thank you.
Return To Question 77-13(6): Proposed Burial Of Pcbs
Question 77-13(6): Proposed Burial Of Pcbs
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 142
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.
Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
September 21st, 1998
Page 142
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Transportation. It is regarding the highway maintenance foreman position on the Dempster Highway, which has been vacant for almost a year. The position did go out for a public process where individuals submitted names and there was an individual from Fort McPherson who was picked for the job. Later there was an appeal process that took place in which the individual was declined the position after the appeal. Mr. Speaker, I feel that through that process, there was no regional or community involvement in the interview process where the individuals who did do the interview through the appeal process came from the Fort Simpson region.
Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is, are there any guidelines regarding how these interviews are done and at what time do they consider the Affirmative Action Policy and the involvement of the local regional public through the aboriginal organizations or involving the construction association within a region? I would like to ask the Minister, have these steps that should have been followed and if not, why not?
Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 142
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. The honourable Minister, Mr. Antoine.
Return To Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 142
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am told that the department followed the government's policy with respect to the competition and that there was a subsequent appeal procedure that was followed. The only thing I can say at this point in time is, as far as I am told by the department, the proper procedures were followed. Thank you.
Return To Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 142
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 142
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Regarding the role I see this government playing in allowing aboriginal people to get themselves into senior management positions within this government. We have to keep in mind that there is affirmative policy in place and that we do have local individuals, in the case of the Dempster Highway, who have over 20 years experience working on that highway system. I think it is critical that this government seriously consider when they do these interviews that they do consider the policies we have in place. Such as the Affirmative Action Policy, the highway work experiences the individuals have and also consideration of disabilities. I would like to ask the Minister, have they looked at the history of a lot of these individuals who, the Dempster Highway as I know from my experience living there, is probably one of the most hazardous routes, especially in the winter time because of the hazardous conditions that road runs through, especially through the Richardson mountains. I would like to ask the Minister again, will he consider a process to allow the interviews to take place with the consideration of all these elements as part of the interview qualifications to be classified so that there be certain credits given in certain sectors for hiring.
Supplementary To Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 142
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Mr. Antoine.
Further Return To Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 142
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as far as I know in the Department of Transportation, they follow the government policies and the guidelines and Affirmative Action Policy and so forth. As far as I know, they do a professional job and the people who do the interview, like all interviews that this government and this department does, they do it in a very professional and systematic manner. I think all the things the honourable Member is saying is taken into consideration. However, there was an appeal by another aboriginal person. As far as I can say, we have to honour that appeal and go through that process as well.
Once again, I am told by the department that all proper procedures were followed in trying to deal with this situation. This situation is not concluded yet. It is in an ongoing process. I think it is inappropriate to discuss any specific personal issues in this Legislative Assembly because the parties concerned do not have the speaking privilege on their behalf. I just wanted to say again, my instructions to the department said that we have to follow all the policies that are there and I think they have followed the proper procedures to date. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 142
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Second supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 142
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier on in the week, I raised a question regarding the poor condition of the Dempster Highway and I believe that one of the main purpose to have a highway maintenance foreman is to ensure that the safety of the highway is maintained and for him to report back to the superintendent in the region to ensure that work is
carried out. There has not been a foreman in place for almost a year, I feel it is critical that position be filled as soon as possible. I would like to ask the Minister, how soon does he see this position being filled?
Supplementary To Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 143
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Antoine.
Further Return To Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 143
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the case of the foreman and looking after the Dempster Highway, I did indicate the other day that there was an individual who was hired on a contract basis by the Fort McPherson Band to do this on a contract basis. We did have somebody there that was monitoring the highway in the Dempster Highway system. As for getting somebody in place here, it is important to follow the proper procedures and these things take some time. I would like to assure the Member that we are working on it and I think we are going to have some solution to the situation fairly soon. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 143
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 143
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister be more specific on this question regarding how soon he can have this position? Are we talking another six months? Are we talking two weeks? Are we talking a year? I would like to get a more specific answer on exactly the date and how long are we really talking here because I would like this position filled as soon as possible.
Supplementary To Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Question 78-13(6): Highway Maintenance Foreman Position
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 143
The Deputy Speaker John Ningark
Thank you. Mr. Antoine.