This is page numbers 471 - 489 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 education.

Topics

Question 168-13(7): Special Needs Students
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 168-13(7): Special Needs Students
Question 168-13(7): Special Needs Students
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are looking at the area of training for special needs. A lot will be dependent, of course, on when the money becomes available once the budget is passed, but yes, it is an area we are looking at. If the Member would care to talk further about this in more detail with the officials of the department it may add to our deliberations. Thank you.

Return To Question 168-13(7): Special Needs Students
Question 168-13(7): Special Needs Students
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Resource, Wildlife and Economic Development. The questions are in relation to the Diavik diamond project. Mr. Speaker, the Diavik project is a large undertaking and due to the location of the deposits and the mining method proposed, a large horizontal and vertical footprint will be left. Although the basic mining concepts proposed are well established, the location of the deposits under water requires some innovative engineering solutions to allow conventional mining methods to be executed. These innovations introduce a significant construction water management component to the project. The most substantial environmental impacts may well be during the construction period, and once the decision to proceed is granted and construction is commenced, the process will essentially be irreversible.

The mining options are: mining without a dike; mining with a dike; and, underground mining with open pit crown pillar. Mr. Speaker, both the public and DIAND have expressed concern about the impact of Diavik's proposed mining process will have. DIAND hired an independent contractor to assess alternative mining technologies to address two main concerns. First, are there alternative ways to mine deposits such as these which could reduce surface disturbance and potential environmental impact, and secondly, is there some way that the currently proposed footprint could be reduced. The contractor came back and said that there should be a way to minimize this footprint and, in fact, indicated ,that perhaps, mining partly underground would be acceptable. Mr. Speaker, what I am wondering is, what is the government's position on the use of alternative mining technology to carry out this project? Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

The Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi

Return To Question 169-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology
Question 169-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member has taken to being very critical of the way I phrase my statements and how long they are. Because it was very long-winded on his part, the preamble anyway is extensive and I would not want to miss anything so I will take the question as notice. Thank you.

Return To Question 169-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology
Question 169-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is in relation to how the government evaluates diamond mining. In the Diavik diamond project, Diavik stated they would consider five factors in the evaluation of mining alternative. First, applicability; secondly, technical uncertainty; third, risk to work, health and safety; fourth, environmental effects; and five, economics. Could the Minister indicate what criteria does the government use when evaluating proposals?

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

The Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 170-13(7): Evaluation Of Diamond Mining Proposals
Question 170-13(7): Evaluation Of Diamond Mining Proposals
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that was an elaboration on the same question that I took as notice. I will take the question as notice, thank you.

Return To Question 170-13(7): Evaluation Of Diamond Mining Proposals
Question 170-13(7): Evaluation Of Diamond Mining Proposals
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 479

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

I believe that was a new question, he was talking about the evaluation process. The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Steen. Mr. Speaker, in September of 1998, I wrote to the former Minister to bring to her attention the fact that there is no legislation in the NWT to deal with trespassing on private property. Property owners have been telling me they are having problems with trespassers and they can get no help when they call the RCMP or city by-law because the RCMP and by-law have no legal power to remove trespassers. I am wondering if the Minister can tell me, at what stage legislation, if any, is being worked on by his department? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

The Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Steen.

Return To Question 171-13(7): Trespassing Legislation
Question 171-13(7): Trespassing Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 480

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Member raised this matter last fall with the former Minister and that a commitment was made to consider the suggestion for a change in the legislation. The appropriate change for different municipal legislation to give authority to the communities to pass by-laws to remove trespassers from private property was not included in the municipal legislation review. This proposed legislation was tabled in January of this year, and it did not include any suggested changes to allow for municipalities to pass by-laws to control trespassing. However, this legislation is coming to the committee of the Assembly. At that point in time, I will respond to the Member and we will include the suggestion in the legislation at that time. Thank you.

Return To Question 171-13(7): Trespassing Legislation
Question 171-13(7): Trespassing Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 480

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 171-13(7): Trespassing Legislation
Question 171-13(7): Trespassing Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 480

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I would like to rise on a point of privilege on a personal matter.

Return To Question 171-13(7): Trespassing Legislation
Question 171-13(7): Trespassing Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 480

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Proceed.

Point of Privilege

Return To Question 171-13(7): Trespassing Legislation
Question 171-13(7): Trespassing Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today during question period, I have been reflecting on my comments to the honourable Member from Hay River when she asked whether I had heard the voices and the concerns raised by the people about education. I used the phrase that I would have had to be blind, deaf and dumb not to. On reflection I think that was an inappropriate choice of words. I would like to clarify for the record my intent was not to denigrate or cast any negative connotations on those disabilities. Having a sister myself who is hearing impaired, I know full well the burden that those disabilities may be. While I cannot rewrite Hansard, I would like it noted that I am aware that I should have used better terms to describe how acutely aware I am of that particular issue. Thank you.

--Applause

Return To Question 171-13(7): Trespassing Legislation
Question 171-13(7): Trespassing Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 480

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. I recognize your comments and it will be noted. Item 7, written questions. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my written question is for the Premier. Could the Premier please provide to this House an approximation of the dollars spent in the areas of: paper products, printing, photocopying, binding, disposing, storing documents, related to the operation of this Legislative Assembly? Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

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. Dent.

Tabled Document 37-13(7): Year 2000 Status Report
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled, Year 2000 Status Report. Thank you.

Tabled Document 37-13(7): Year 2000 Status Report
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

Page 480

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Tabling of documents. Mr. Roland.

Tabled Document 38-13(7): Minister's Forum Letter
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

Page 480

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am tabling the letter I sent to Members requesting names for the Minister's Forum on Health and Social Services in responding to a question earlier today I inadvertently gave the wrong date. The date for names to be returned to my office is 5:00 p.m., May 14th. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Tabled Document 38-13(7): Minister's Forum Letter
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

Page 480

The Deputy Speaker

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. Motion, 20-13(7): Extended Adjournment, Mr. Dent.