This is page numbers 321 - 355 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 7th 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

Committee Motion 13-13(7): Study Of Viable Options On The Need For A New Courthouse (justice)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 352

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried. Committee motions. Mr. Erasmus.

Committee Motion 14-13(7): Adaptation Of Computer Systems To Assist The Maintenance Enforcement Unit (justice)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

April 26th, 1999

Page 352

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee recommends that government computer systems be adapted to assist the maintenance enforcement unit in tracking persons in default under maintenance orders.

Committee Motion 14-13(7): Adaptation Of Computer Systems To Assist The Maintenance Enforcement Unit (justice)
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 352

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Mr. Erasmus.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 352

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee recommends that the Premier appoint a special advisor on residential school abuse to help the Premier and departments develop approaches to deal with these important issues affecting the lives of many northerners and to demonstrate to members of the general public that this government is serious in its strategies to deal with residential school abuse.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 352

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Your motion is in order, but we need a copy of the motion. We will take a short break while we get a copy of the motion.

--Break

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 352

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you. I will call the committee back to order. We are dealing with Motion 15-13(7). Mr. Erasmus.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 352

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee recommends that the Premier appoint a special advisor in residential school abuse to help the Premier and departments develop approaches to deal with these important issues affecting the lives of many northerners and to demonstrate to members of the general public that this government is serious in its strategy to deal with residential school abuse.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 352

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. At this time, I would like to ask the Minister if he would like to call his witnesses. Mr. Kakfwi, would you like to call your witnesses?

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 352

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Yes, Mr. Chairman. I would like to call witnesses.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 352

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Does the committee agreed?

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 352

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Can the Minister introduce his witnesses.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 352

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On my left, the Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr. Don Cooper. On my right, the director of finance and administration for the Department of Justice, Ms. Louise Dundas-Matthews.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 352

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Minister. General comments dealing with the Department of Justice. Mr. Erasmus.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 352

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I wanted to comment on the stand alone courthouse. Mr. Chairman, while the committee has recommended that other viable options should also be looked at, I wanted to note that the committee was not fouling out a stand alone courthouse, just that there were other options that came forward or at least one that we knew of. We felt that other options should not be ruled out in the course of determining whether a stand alone courthouse should proceed because the department had come forward with a proposal of a stand alone courthouse and definitely, there is a well demonstrated need to improve the current courthouse in terms of security, office space and all the rest of that. I just wanted to indicate that this recommendation does not rule out a stand alone courthouse. Thank you.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 353

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. It was more of a comment than a question. General comments. Mr. Ootes.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 353

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have some question in the area of the gun legislation and particularly with regard to safety programs for the communities. I understand that the Canadian Firearms Safety Program has not been instituted in the communities that this government was at one time looking more at having the Hunters and Trappers Associations' delivery of safety programs. I wonder if the Minister could update us on that particular area?

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 353

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 353

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Cooper will answer that question.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 353

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Mr. Cooper.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Cooper

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The responsibility for firearms testing and the issuing of certificates now has gone to the federal government and it is attempting to put the program in place. I do not have all the details as to exactly what is transpiring with the program right now. I know that the RCMP are involved, they are looking at some cost-effective models and hybrids of how to put the program into effect.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 353

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Cooper. Mr. Ootes.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is naturally obvious to have the RCMP be involved perhaps in safety training and so forth, but the moment that we introduce the RCMP into this program, we would have to look at a bill back situation. In essence the territorial government pays for the operation of the policing throughout the territory and because we do not agree with the federal gun legislation, therefore we should not be entering into any areas that cost this government money to institute. The area I am concerned about is whether a safety training program, I am dealing with two issues, I guess. One is the cost factor, if there is a cost factor with the RCMP. Second, is the issue of a safety training program in communities. Who will be delivering that?

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 353

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Mr. Minister.

Committee Motion 15-13(7): Appointment Of Special Advisor On Residential School Abuse
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 353

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The federal government, I believe is going to contract the RCMP directly to carry out work to implement the new gun legislation, so they will pay for all costs to introduce and implement this legislation to put it in place. As far as gun safety is concerned, our government provides basic safety training programs. This does not constitute what is required by the federal government to meet the requirements of that new legislation. For instance, to acquire a licence, to own, possess or purchase a firearm, you need to pass a test. That would be all provided for by the federal government and not by our government. We will continue to provide basic training where possible in the public interest in order for people to meet the demands of the legislation in acquiring guns. Thank you.