The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.
Debates of Sept. 24th, 1998
Topics
Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 204
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Return To Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 204
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, all services are important and I would anticipate that the support for individuals who require boarding when they are out for medical care is equally as important as supporting them during their time out. Thank you.
Return To Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 204
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.
Supplementary To Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 204
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, perhaps the Minister will recall that a ladies' group in Taloyoak wrote a letter to me and the Minister asking that if there was a plan to build a hospital in Cambridge Bay. If yes, one of their concerns was providing an adequate boarding home for patients from other communities in the region. Will the Minister ensure people of the Kitikmeot region that once the hospital is there, there will be a boarding home provided to the patients from other communities in that region? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 204
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 204
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would love to be able to make that commitment at this time, but I am not able to. First of all, we have to make sure that the regional health facility is, hopefully, signed off by the Interim Commissioner, to allow it to go ahead, certainly be taken on by the new Nunavut government. The onus certainly would be on us to provide adequate accommodations for any individual, no matter where they might be, when the go out for treatment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 204
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.
Supplementary To Question 117-13(6): Services To Transient Patients
Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 204
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, perhaps it was an oversight when the plan to build a hospital was taken into consideration to allow the government to build a boarding home for patients at the same time when the hospital would be built in the community of Cambridge Bay, for the people of the Kitikmeot Region. Will the Minister commit to include a boarding home for people when the hospital is being planned to be built? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 117-13(6): Services To Transient Patients
Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 204
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Mr. Ng.
Further Return To Question 117-13(6): Services To Transient Patients
Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 204
Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, certainly I could commit to trying to address that issue of boarding for patients. I would like to say, it might not necessarily be in the form of a distinct separate boarding home, provided there is home boarding opportunities and, if that is not able to be accomplished using that, then obviously other support services for accommodations would have to be looked at. As I indicated earlier, the first priority is trying to get the facility up and established off the ground so we will be able to provide those expanded services, hopefully, to allow individuals the opportunity to go to regional centres for their medical. Mr. Speaker, thank you.
Further Return To Question 117-13(6): Services To Transient Patients
Question 117-13(6): Service To Transient Patients
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 204
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mr. Henry.
Question 118-13(6): Expenditures Not Budgeted For
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 204
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Finance regarding initiatives that have been created in this present fiscal year. I believe in February this House had passed a balanced budget and, since that time, we have had a $2 million initiative started in grading roads, all good economic initiatives, we have had half a million dollars awarded to an economic framework, we have had an additional $9 million in fire fighting that we have to deal with. Could the Minister maybe take a couple of moments and explain to the House and the public, I believe there is some misunderstanding there. Where does this excess money come from? I know it is not excess money, but these particular items that have been not budgeted for in the particular document we did approve here in the House? If the Minister could explain to the House and the people of the territories how these other initiatives come about? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 118-13(6): Expenditures Not Budgeted For
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 204
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Question period is over. Mr. Todd.
Return To Question 118-13(6): Expenditures Not Budgeted For
Question 118-13(6): Expenditures Not Budgeted For
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 204
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the question asked by my honourable colleague. I think any government, when it has to develop its balance sheet and its income statement, has to make provision and contingents for spending that is unforeseen or additional spending that is necessary. What we have done consistently was develop what
we call a reserve, and in the balance sheet, as I have said to many of you, and I have demonstrated to you, we have put aside, if my memory serves me correctly, $25 million in reserve, but show it as anticipated expenditures when you put it to the balance sheet so we can ultimately develop a deficit strategy, which we did accomplish. You show the expenditures of government and the revenue of government and, in simple language, in showing the expenditures of government we show what we anticipate historically we have had to spend over and above the budget. So what we do is we bank, a $25-million reserve and that is where that money has come from. Thank you.
Return To Question 118-13(6): Expenditures Not Budgeted For
Question 118-13(6): Expenditures Not Budgeted For
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 205
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Question period is over. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. We will take a 15-minute break.
--Break
Return To Question 118-13(6): Expenditures Not Budgeted For
Question 118-13(6): Expenditures Not Budgeted For
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 205
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
I would like to call the House back to order. We are on item 9, replies to opening address. Mr. Roland.
Reply 1-13(6): Roland
Item 9: Replies To Opening Address
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Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories as we know it will be changed forever come April 1999. Nunavut and the west will end a chapter in the book of northern Canada. We will go forward into a new era with much history between us and a future yet untold. We look out to a new horizon, with a new day before us. In the west, we begin a new chapter with a history yet to be written. Much work and many challenges lie ahead and the people are waiting to see what path we choose. Many question, what will we look like after the dust settles, once division is complete.
Mr. Speaker, in Nunavut, they have a picture of what their government will look like. They have set their boundaries and they know how many will be elected to their first Assembly. In the west, we have much yet to be decided. The constitution of the north is undergoing review. Many changes are being looked at and have been considered. The Premier announced, the work being done on western government is in the statement on a new agenda for the new Western Territory.
Mr. Speaker, I have often looked at the map of the Western Territory and compared it to a quilt. I draw this comparison because a quilt has many colours sewn together carefully by those who have shown the patience to put piece-to-piece and used a common thread to pull it together. I often ask myself, what will the common thread be in the new Western Territory? Is it the people or is it the needs of the people? Could it be the need to be successful as a new territory, to be self-sufficient, to care for our own, so to speak? Whatever it is, we need to show stability in the upcoming months. We need to show the people of the west that opportunity is still abundant for those who show the initiative to try and make a contribution to the north.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is time to move ahead. Let us not stand still and let the world leave us in its wake. We must be prepared to take advantage of the changes that come our way. The people of the west need to know that with all the changes that will come there will be stability, that standards will be maintained. For example, Mr. Speaker, elders throughout the territories who qualify should be eligible for the fuel supply subsidy. A student should be able to transfer to another school without concern of losing a grade. A driver's licence should be good throughout the territory. A health care card must be recognized, no matter what region you are in. A plumber's or mechanic's ticket should be recognized in any region of the territory. A social worker, a nurse, a teacher should be able to apply and qualify in any part of the territory.
Mr. Speaker, in a recent Member's statement, I spoke of change and I used the example of my father. It has been through watching the people of the Delta, like Sam Lennie, Edward Lennie, Billy Day, Hugh Rogers, Danny Sidney, Joe Teddy, Victor Allen and many others, including my dad, David, that I gained an insight of how people handled the change. Mr. Speaker, the change that these people endured, in my eyes, was much more difficult than what we face today. I have often listened to the stories of their days growing up in the north, before the days of power boats and snow machines or, as they would say, ski-doos. When their livelihood depended totally on the resources that the land and animals provided. When the accepted level of education was between grade two and four. Mr. Speaker, this was before the days of income support or social housing. In those days, if you needed a house, you built it with what you had available.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, they had hands on experience with a changing lifestyle. They witnessed, along with their parents and grandparents, the change from a subsistence lifestyle to a lifestyle that was driven by a wage economy. Along with this came new rules and regulations and new people with new tools and technology and a new set of values. It meant they had to learn a new way of providing for their families. In many cases, making a living was made easier. After all, not many would argue going from a schooner to an 18-foot Lund and 80 horsepower motor was a bad thing. Yes, in many cases, life was made better or at least easier. This change, however, did not come without problems and new pressures. Much cultural history and knowledge was put aside and with that many of the values one based life on.
Mr. Speaker, it is these people that faced the most difficult changes. They faced an uncertain future, but they met the challenge head on. They adapted and moved forward, many carrying with them the values taught by their parents and today still teach those values to another generation. It is unfortunate that the changes they faced came at such a pace and with a new set of values attached that it was difficult to carry forward the values of, some would say, a past generation.
Mr. Speaker, they faced the changing times in their homes on a daily basis. The people I speak of were involved with many different organizations, like the hunters and trappers, northern games organizations, traditional knowledge studies and most importantly they used, and continue to use, their skills when it comes to the land and animals.
Mr. Speaker, the winds of change are once again coming our way. As we heard in the Premier's statement on September the 23rd, this time the change is being driven by groups and government much closer to home. My hope is that we will take the time to listen to those who have dealt with past change. We might find that we are not too far from where they want to be.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to leave you something to think on. Like the big river at spring thaw, as the ice carves a new path in the ground and river bottom, change is inevitable. Thank you, mahsi cho.
--APPLAUSE
Reply 1-13(6): Roland
Item 9: Replies To Opening Address
Page 206
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you, Mr. Roland. Replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Mr. Erasmus.
Item 12: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
Item 12: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
Page 206
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Legislative Assembly that the Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Education Act and the Property Assessment and Taxation Act. We wish to report that Bill 7 is now ready for committee of the whole. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive rule 70(5) and have the bill ordered into committee of the whole for today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Item 12: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
Item 12: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
Page 206
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. The Member for Yellowknife North is seeking unanimous consent to waiver rule 70(5). Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Erasmus, you have unanimous consent. Bill 7 will be ordered into committee of the whole for today. Report of committees on the review of bills. Mr. Picco.
Item 12: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
Item 12: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
Page 206
Edward Picco Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Infrastructure Committee reported that Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act was ready for committee of the whole. I would like to now seek unanimous consent to waive rule 70(5) and have Bill 8 ordered into committee of the whole consideration for today.
Item 12: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
Item 12: Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills
Page 206
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. The Member for Iqaluit is seeking unanimous consent to waiver rule 70(5). Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Picco, you have unanimous consent. Bill 8 will be put in committee of the whole for today. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Todd.
Tabled Document 16-13(6): Government Of The Northwest Territories Interim Financial Report For The Year Ended March 31, 1998
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Page 206
John Todd Keewatin Central
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled, Government of the Northwest Territories Interim Financial Report of the Year Ending March 31, 1998. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 16-13(6): Government Of The Northwest Territories Interim Financial Report For The Year Ended March 31, 1998
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Page 206
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Tabling of documents. Mr. Dent.
Tabled Document 17-13(6): Report On Crime And Corrections In The Northwest Territories
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Page 206
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of Mr. Arlooktoo, I wish to table the following document entitled, Crime and Corrections in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.