Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to Members' Statements.
Debates of April 28th, 1999
This is page numbers 397 - 430 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
Further Return To Question 152-13(7): Pupil/teacher Ratio
Question 152-13(7): Pupil/teacher Ratio
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 410
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Further Return To Question 152-13(7): Pupil/teacher Ratio
Question 152-13(7): Pupil/teacher Ratio
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 410
The Deputy Speaker David Krutko
Mr. Morin is seeking unanimous consent to go back to Members' Statements. Are there any nays? Mr. Morin.
Member's Statement 139-13(7): Absence From The House
Revert To Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 410
Don Morin Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will not be in the House tomorrow or the next day, in the Legislative Assembly. I do have a seriously ill patient in Edmonton that is in critical condition, one of my constituents. I will be leaving in the morning for down there, so I would just like to thank all the Ministers for their fine answers and see you guys when I get back. Thank you.
Member's Statement 139-13(7): Absence From The House
Revert To Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 410
Member's Statement 140-13(7): Dynamics Of A Small Sized Legislature
Revert To Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 410
Jane Groenewegen Hay River
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I did not make a Members' statement earlier, but there was something that was going through my mind but I had not had a chance to prepare it and put it on paper. Mr. Speaker, an interesting observation now comes to light with the event of division and ten Members gone from this House. What we are left with is 14 Members in the west, and there has been very much debate and discussion on the issue of the number of Members that it would take to effectively run this Legislature after division. It was something that was talked about at the time of the electoral boundaries and has been talked about several times since. So now we have had an opportunity to see how the operations of this government works with 14 Members. Mr. Speaker, I think that it has probably become obvious to some
people that certain scenarios can occur when you only have 14 Members, a scenario whereby unforeseen circumstances will take Ministers and Ordinary Members out of the House, a situation which can actually result in, for something as important as budget consideration in the committee of the whole where you could have as few as three or four Members on this side of the House and we would have what they have in other jurisdictions in Canada which would be a majority government and a minority opposition.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to draw this to the attention to Members of this House and to the members of the public that it can have a significant impact and change very much the way that this government does business when that situation arises. It is not something that has ever happened in the past. It is a significant change in the way that the consensus government, as we have known it in the past, has worked with a majority of Ordinary Members and a minority of Cabinet, which we refer to as the government. I just wanted to bring that observation to light today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member's Statement 140-13(7): Dynamics Of A Small Sized Legislature
Revert To Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 411
The Deputy Speaker David Krutko
Members statements. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. Mr. Steen.
Tabled Document 34-13(7): Government Of The Northwest Territories, Office Of The Fire Marshal, 1998 Annual Report
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Page 411
Vince Steen Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Government of the Northwest Territories Office of the Fire Marshal, 1998 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 34-13(7): Government Of The Northwest Territories, Office Of The Fire Marshal, 1998 Annual Report
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Page 411
Tabled Document 35-13(7): Terms Of Reference - Minister's Forum On Health And Social Services
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Page 411
Floyd Roland Inuvik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled Terms of Reference, Minister's Forum on Health and Social Services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 35-13(7): Terms Of Reference - Minister's Forum On Health And Social Services
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
Page 411
The Deputy Speaker David Krutko
Tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. Mr. Erasmus.
Motion 19-13(7): Tabled Document 31-13(7) To Committee Of The Whole
Item 16: Motions
Page 411
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River, that Tabled Document 31-13(7) entitled Report to the Minister of Public Works and Services, April 15th, 1999, regarding issues raised in the Report of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, be moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration. Thank you.
Motion 19-13(7): Tabled Document 31-13(7) To Committee Of The Whole
Item 16: Motions
Page 411
The Deputy Speaker David Krutko
Thank you. Mr. Erasmus, I notice a change in your motion. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? Motion is carried. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in the committee of the whole of bills and other matters, Mrs. Groenewegen in the chair.
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
April 27th, 1999
Page 411
The Chair Jane Groenewegen
I call the committee of the whole to order. Before the committee today, for consideration, we have Bill 17 and Committee Report 1-13(7). What is the wish of the committee for today? Mr. Erasmus.
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
Page 411
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Madam Chairperson. In continuation of consideration of the Main Estimates, we would like to proceed with the Legislative Assembly followed by Health and Social Services following a short break.
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
Page 411
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
Page 411
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
Page 411
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
Page 411
The Chair Jake Ootes
I would like to call the committee to order. We are dealing with the Main Estimates for 1999-2000. The budget for the Legislative Assembly. I would like to ask on behalf of the Speaker, if the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Krutko, has any opening comments.
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
Page 411
The Deputy Speaker David Krutko
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and honourable Members, I am pleased to present the 1999-2000 Main Estimates for the Legislative Assembly that will take us into the new millennium. It has been a long time getting to where we are today, as we have been working though the difficult task of division for years. This historic moment has passed and we can, as an Assembly, focus on our planning for the future. It is time to focus on the Northwest Territories as we know it now. We might be smaller in land and water mass and a smaller Legislature, but we still have many of the same problems to deal with. As elected leaders, we must have the individual and collective resources to help us do our jobs.
Mr. Chairman, the Main Estimates before committee today are for $11.618 million in operations and maintenance and $450,000 in capital for a total appropriation of $12.068 million. We have endeavored to ensure our Main Estimates more accurately reflect our financial needs. At the time our estimates were prepared the direction and best approach was to reduce the estimates to reflect a 14 Member Assembly for the next fiscal year. Any resulting changes to the number of Members will have to be reflected in supplementary funding during the next fiscal year.
This size of the Legislature dictates the resources, financial and human, required to serve the House, committees, Members' services and to operate the Legislative Assembly Building. Again, at this stage, without knowing the structure of committees and Cabinet, it would still be difficult to deal with the human resources required. Some certainty as to the operational structures will be required so that we can bring some stability to the staffing of the Office of the Clerk. Mr. Chairman, I have asked the Clerk to initiate a renewed focus on the management of the human resources at the Legislative Assembly. To that end, a number of elements to arrange human resources are being put into the plan for the Legislative Assembly. The elements of the plan will include a performance development system, succession planning, affirmative action, pay for performance and other accountability and performance measurements.
Mr. Chairman, two Youth Parliaments are planned for this year. Youth from across the Northwest Territories will be able to take advantage of this exciting educational vehicle. Our leaders of the future will have the opportunity to participate and gain a greater knowledge of our Assembly and legislative process. In addition, we are also planning an Elders Assembly for later this year as the Member for Hay River referred to in her Member's statement yesterday. We will also be developing an Art Acquisition Program for the Legislative Assembly building to reflect the rich heritage in the west.
Mr. Chairman, the interim political structure for the first half of the budget year, modernization of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, a general election in the fall of 1999, and to top it off, establishing and celebrating our identity as a new Territory will all impact on our operations over the next year. The modernization of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act will include the recommendations of the Conflict of Interest Review Panel and the establishment of a global constituency operating budget and salary for MLAs elected to the 14th Assembly. This concludes my opening remarks and I will be pleased to answer any questions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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
Page 412
The Chair Jake Ootes
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Are there any comments on behalf of the committee? Mr. Henry.
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
Page 412
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With your indulgence, I would be pleased to give the report of the standing committee on the 1999-2002 business plans and the main estimates for the Legislative Assembly.
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
Page 412
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
Page 412
Seamus Henry Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The activity structure of the Legislative Assembly establishes the accountability framework for the Office of the Legislative Assembly. The program delivered by the Office of the Legislative Assembly is divided into five ongoing activities: Office of the Speaker, Office of the Clerk, expenditures on behalf of Members, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer and Commissioner of Official Languages. The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Commissioner and Conflict of Interest Commissioner are included in the Office of the Clerk.
At the time the 1999-2002 business plans and the 1999-2000 main estimates for the Legislative Assembly were being developed, the number of Members in the 14th Assembly was undetermined. The business plan utilized a 17 Member Assembly for its projections and the main estimates were developed on the basis of a 14 seat Assembly. With the formation of two new Territories, there will be a reduction in the overall operations and maintenance. The amount of this decrease is difficult to forecast, as the number of seats in the Assembly has not been finalized. The recent Conflict of Interest Inquiry has been concluded. All parties had until December 15, 1998 to submit their invoices. The financial details of the Conflict of Interest Inquiry have been covered in the Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 5, 1998-99.
A review of the Legislative Assembly in regard to Year 2000 compliance has been completed. The review concluded that neither performance nor functionality would be affected by dates before, during and after the year 2000. The review further indicated that the telephone system must be replaced; the cost of which is $56,000. Recabling will result in one outlet handling all electronic linkages and allow for video-conferencing. The total funding for this project is $230,000 which will be spent over the years 1998-1999 and 1999-2000.
The Assembly is following the government policy of no more layoffs until further notice. It is difficult to predict precise staffing requirements as the number of Members in the Assembly has not been finalized. The eventual committee structure and the workload of Members are also undetermined. This may result in either an increase or a decrease in the number of staff. In the review of the main estimates, committee Members requested that the Legislative Assembly try to hire aboriginal individuals to fill summer student positions.
Members noted that there was a lack of measurable indicators in the presentation of the business plans. In order to have a fair and consistent evaluation there must be discernible performance measures for Assembly goals and strategies. Without these measurements, it may be difficult for future Assemblies to evaluate progress. However, staff noted that it is difficult to establish measures as the political landscape changes frequently and the Legislative Assembly must be flexible to accommodate this.
During the review of the Main Estimates, the Members were informed that the Speaker has plans for an arts policy to be developed for the Legislative Assembly. This would enable outstanding works of art from the new Northwest Territories to be exhibited in the building. The committee expressed support for the policy but suggested cultural activities, such as drumming, should also be included.
A Youth Parliament Program has been started at the Legislative Assembly. The first program, with Yellowknife students, will be held in April. The second program, with students from throughout the Northwest Territories, will be held in May. The staff are also working on an Elders Parliament. This will be the first program of its kind in Canada.
Not included in the Main Estimates are amounts for the purchase of video-conferencing units. The Assembly will be requesting money to purchase one portable and one stationary unit. This initiative will be a joint venture with the Departments of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Health and Social Services, and the Financial Management Board Secretariat. The stationary unit will be located in the Assembly building.
The Official Languages Act of the Northwest Territories has provisions for mandatory review every ten years. According to the Act, the Legislative Assembly or a committee designated or established by the Legislative Assembly, shall review the provisions and operations of the Official Languages Act. This review is to be done at the next session following December 31, 2000. Presently the Languages Commissioner presents her business plans and Main Estimates directly to the committee. The budget for this office falls under that of the Speaker. The committee questions the rationale as to why the Languages Commissioner presents her business plans and Main Estimates to the committee and not to the Speaker. The committee felt that this protocol should be reviewed in the near future. Mr. Chairman, that concludes the report of the Standing Committee of Government Operations on the Legislative Assembly. 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
Page 413
The Chair Jake Ootes
Thank you, Mr. Henry. I would like to recognize Mr. Erasmus to present the report of the Languages Commissioner which is part of the Assembly's main estimates and part of the committee report for the Legislative Assembly. Mr. Erasmus.
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
Page 413
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the mandate of the Languages Commissioner is to ensure the recognition of the rights, status and privileges of each of the official languages. The Languages Commissioner ensures compliance with the spirit and intent of the Official Languages Act in the administration of government institutions, including any of their activities relating to the advancement of the aboriginal languages in the territories. The Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, under the Official Languages Act, appoints the Languages Commissioner. The four-year term of the current Languages Commissioner will end on May 31, 2000.
The preservation, promotion and development of aboriginal languages in the Northwest Territories are fundamental to the retention of aboriginal cultures. The committee noted that there are a number of northern aboriginal languages that are on the verge of extinction and felt that the government must assume a more proactive approach. With the dissolution of the Language Bureau, there has been a lack of organization and direction in the promotion, development, and preservation of aboriginal languages. The committee Members noted that the disbanding of this unit may have been premature and it may be necessary to revive it. The committee expressed discontent with the lack of consultation between language communities, language services of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and the Languages Commissioner's Office. This lack of consultation leads to the inefficient use of funds, duplication of roles, and the absence of a cohesive approach for aboriginal languages. The Languages Commissioner presented three initiatives in her 1999-2000 business plan.
The first initiative was the development of a media strategy to link communities with the Office of the Languages Commissioner. The second initiative was to host a languages conference to prepare for the upcoming review of the Official Languages Act. The third initiative was to establish an advisory council to the Office of the Languages Commissioner. In her presentation to the committee during the review of the Main Estimates, the Languages Commissioner reported that she has dropped the first initiative from her agenda but wishes to proceed with the remaining two. Further, in the review of the Main Estimates, the Languages Commissioner readjusted the cost estimates for the conference from $95,000 to $150,000.
The committee acknowledges the value of the remaining two initiatives, however, further planning, intergovernmental consultations, and a more realistic budget must be developed to ensure the success of these initiatives. The committee recommends that the Languages Commissioner and the language services unit of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment meet to collaborate and coordinate efforts in the development of an aboriginal languages advisory council and a conference to prepare by review of the Northwest Territories Official Languages Act. The meeting should occur without delay and a progress report should be presented to the committee.
Mr. Chairman, under financial planning, the committee Members noted incongruities between expenditures and budget allocations of the Office of the Languages Commissioner. The committee acknowledges that financial reporting guidelines are sometimes difficult to fulfil without qualified staff and suggest that the commission better utilize the financial services supplied by the Legislative Assembly. The committee requested the Languages Commissioner to re-examine and further substantiate her office's proposed budget. Under review of the Northwest Territories Official Languages Act, Mr. Chairman, presently the Department of Executive is responsible for the Official Languages Act. Under these auspices, a minister of the Executive Council is assigned the responsibility for overseeing the act. However, the budget of the Languages Commissioner is allocated to the Legislative Assembly. Further, the Legislative Assembly is responsible for review of the act after December 31, 2000.
Currently, one department executive oversees the act. Another department, mainly the Legislative Assembly, is responsible for the delivery of support services to the office. A third department, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is responsible for the promotion of official languages and the employment of language programs. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, in the role as a Member of the Executive Council, has been assigned the responsibility of overseeing the act. As a result, responsibilities are blurred.
One of the responsibilities of the Office of the Languages Commissioner is to ensure compliance of government with the spirit and intent of the act including any activities relating to the advancement of the aboriginal languages in the Territories. This means that the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, in his role as Minister responsible for Official Languages, is also responsible for ensuring that his department complies with the spirit of the act. The Northwest Territories Official Languages Act is due to be reviewed in the first session after December 31st, 2000. As part of the review, the committee recommends that the role and mandate of the Languages Commissioner be examined and that the relationship between the Languages Commissioner and the various government departments be clarified.