This is page numbers 491 - 519 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

Supplementary To Question 174-13(7): Working Together Program
Question 174-13(7): Working Together Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 498

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It still does not answer my question. Was it a Cabinet decision not to put this item in the budget or was that a committee decision not to put it in the budget? Since I am not part of the social envelope committee, I think it is a fair question for me to ask here. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 174-13(7): Working Together Program
Question 174-13(7): Working Together Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 498

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 174-13(7): Working Together Program
Question 174-13(7): Working Together Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 499

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The decision was made two years ago to fund the program until March 31, 1999. That was a decision that, as part of the regular business planning process, came from the government, was presented to the committees, and was voted on by this Legislature in terms of the allocation of funds. In early April, when we were considering the budget as a new Cabinet, we looked at initiatives that we could undertake given our fiscal situation and felt that the Working Together Program had proved very worthwhile and one that should be continued for one more year. Therefore, this initiative was announced in the budget speech. It is now up to this Legislature to determine whether or not those funds are approved. Thank you, Mr. Speaker

Further Return To Question 174-13(7): Working Together Program
Question 174-13(7): Working Together Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 499

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 174-13(7): Working Together Program
Question 174-13(7): Working Together Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 499

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since we are only dealing with $1 million and since we, no doubt, in the next two to three months, will pass this budget because we did provide, I believe, a $40 million or $50 million interim appropriation, could the Minister not see fit to apply the $1 million dollars to this particular program? Surely they have that right within the department to juggle money between programs. I am wondering why that cannot be done in this particular instance instead of suggesting that this Legislature is holding up this particular program because we asked questions beyond last Friday. I do not think that is fair. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 174-13(7): Working Together Program
Question 174-13(7): Working Together Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 499

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 174-13(7): Working Together Program
Question 174-13(7): Working Together Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 499

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am advised that the Financial Administration Act does not allow funding transfer for programs not included in the Interim Supply Bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 174-13(7): Working Together Program
Question 174-13(7): Working Together Program
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 499

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Minister had made a reply to an oral question that I had asked him on April 30th concerning the alternative mining technology in relation to the Diavik diamond project. I had asked the Minister what was the government's position on the use of alternative mining technology to carry out this project. The Minister, in his reply, had indicated that, as required by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, proponents are required to consider any alternative means for carrying out the project which are technically and economically feasible, et cetera. However, he neglected to answer my question. I was just wondering, if the Minister did not answer my question, what is the government's position on the use of alternative mining technology, does that mean that the department does not have a position on Diavik using alternative mining technology to carry out their project? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Resource, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 499

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the Cabinet does not take positions on issues like this. We are involved in a process where Diavik is proposing to open a second diamond mine. The authority to decide that is federal. It is federal legislation that governs this process. The Minister of DIAND will decide the terms and conditions under which a license will be issued. As a government, we suggest that any technology should be considered that is feasible, that does well for the environment as well as for the people and wildlife involved. Every technology that can advance development, as well as protect wildlife and the environment, as well as benefit people should be advanced. Thank you.

Return To Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 499

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Supplementary To Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 499

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister had indicated that the government does not develop positions on this type of stuff, or mining technology. Could the Minister indicate why they do not develop positions on these things?

Supplementary To Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 499

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 499

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, as we have said, it is not for us to take a position and to make a decision on these. These are being advanced by the proponents of the mine that is being discussed with the aboriginal leaders and aboriginal communities to a federal process. There are a variety of interests here, and at the end of the day it is not the Government of the Northwest Territories that is going to make that type of decision. We do look at the different suggestions that are made and we do evaluate the merits, the pros and cons of them, but we do not take a final decision on these types of issues while they are still being discussed. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 499

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Supplementary To Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 499

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister had indicated that it is not up to the GNWT to make a final decision. That is obvious, Mr. Speaker. However, it is up to the GNWT to look after the best interests of the residents of the Northwest Territories and looking after the environment and the wildlife, I would expect is included in looking after the best interests of our residents. What I would like to know is has the GNWT expressed a preference of how the mining projects are

developed, whether they should be more actively pursuing different alternative mining technology to carry out the project? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 500

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 500

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The aboriginal communities and aboriginal groups are also involved in this process, as I have said. It would be premature and presumptuous of us to take positions in advance of their having an opportunity to give due consideration to some of the suggestions that are being made by the proponents. We try to make it a habit to hear out communities as well as the environmental groups, the aboriginal communities affected, to ensure that their concerns, economically, from a business standpoint, their concerns and interests regarding wildlife, the land, and the environment are all properly weighed and considered by themselves as well as by the process and that we take an active part in that. That is generally how we carry out our part of the exercise in a process like this. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 500

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Supplementary To Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 500

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister had indicated that I did not want to move prior to the aboriginal organizations reviewing and making some type of statement, I believe. I cannot remember the exact wording. However, does this mean that if the aboriginal organizations, governments, are basically in agreement that this project should proceed using alternative mining technology such as more underground mining, that this government will go hand in hand with that agreement and also indicate that this is the way things proceed? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 500

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 500

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, it does not mean that we will take a position simply to be in agreement with any party involved in the process. What it means is we enter into the process with the best of intentions to work as best we can to make sure all factors are considered, so the process in everyone's interests are taken into account and given due consideration before the process concludes. That is really what it means and that we hope that the process will give due regard to the interests of everyone and that somehow we will all end up happy with the decision and the results of the work and deliberations we enter into. That is what it means. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Question 175-13(7): Alternative Mining Technology Policy
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 500

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Mr. Morin.

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be for the Minister of Education. Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity last fall because of the initiative of our local education society in Fort Resolution. Fort Resolution Local Education Society had the vision to bring in a Mr. Tom Hartman, a leading expert in attention deficit disorder into the community. They also had an opportunity to bring over to join in the workshop, a local education society from Lutselk'e, as well as many teachers and people from the South Slave district. To date, Mr. Speaker, I have never heard any negative response to that workshop that we held in Fort Resolution. I have only heard positive things about that workshop that was held in Fort Resolution. Also, at that same time, Mr. Speaker, we had an opportunity to have Mr. Hartman put on a small type workshop here at the Legislative Assembly and at that time there were also many teachers from Yellowknife that were able to attend as well as many of the Members. Mr. Hartman's theories are quite different than other peoples' theories. He is known as one of the leading experts in attention deficit disorder. He is renowned around the world. I do not know if Mr. Miltenberger had the opportunity at that time to attend the workshop. I cannot remember. But is Mr. Miltenberger, as Minister of Education, aware of Mr. Tom Hartman and his theories on attention deficit disorder? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.