This is page numbers 551 - 577 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

Supplementary To Question 199-13(7): Ministerial Compensation And Benefits
Question 199-13(7): Ministerial Compensation And Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 199-13(7): Ministerial Compensation And Benefits
Question 199-13(7): Ministerial Compensation And Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the policy itself was approved by Cabinet. The severance payout was administered according to the policies. I think you had two questions there. I think the second question was that to the Nunavut Ministers, they resigned, two of them resigned on a Friday, two resigned on a Monday and, yes, the four of them are eligible for the severance benefits. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 199-13(7): Ministerial Compensation And Benefits
Question 199-13(7): Ministerial Compensation And Benefits
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 563

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Oral questions. Mr. Ootes.

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is again for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. It seems that our economic life revolves around the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and my question relates somewhat to that department again. It is to do with the proposed Diavik project which came out with a draft of the environmental report in the past week, I believe. Of concern, of course, to us here are the added benefits of diamond mining, the spinoff benefits such as the valuation plants, the cutting plants, the manufacturing industries. DIAND is not interested in addressing this issue so we have to take up that gauntlet and say we are going to do it. Now, I wonder if the Minister, in considering this environmental report, have we had satisfaction in the socio-economic report for Diavik that this issue has been addressed adequately? Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

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

Return To Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The company, Diavik, is applying to the federal government for a licence to begin mining diamonds within the year. It is my expectation that the federal government will decide within a month or two on whether they will issue the licence and what terms and conditions will be attached to the licence. It is my view that Diavik will be expected to provide for some value-added activity by ensuring that valuation of their diamonds by government will be done off-site in one of our communities, off the mine site.

--Applause

That they will be required or will be expected to ensure that some of the diamonds that would be considered economical to cut and polish in the North will be provided to northern businesses for cutting and polishing here in the Northwest Territories.

--Applause

I expect that the federal government and our government will find a way to make that clear to Diavik, and that Diavik will realize that it is essential to good business for them to provide for that and indicate that as soon as possible. Thank you.

Return To Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 563

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 563

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell us if the federal government does not take and ensure these steps, for example, that we get access to 10 percent of the rough so that we could build our industries here in the Northwest Territories, as a start, that should be conditional, we should have a minimum 10 percent as a start. What steps, can the Minister tell us, we can take in the event that the federal government does not address this very, very important issue? The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs is responsible for northern development, that says to me, the economic development. Therefore, why are they not concerned about this? Can the Minister tell me what steps we will take in the event that the federal government does not take appropriate steps to protect our northern interests? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 563

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Mr. Minister.

Further Return To Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There used to be a symbol, and I think it is still there, for the National Indian Brotherhood of Canada. I believe the symbol might be still there under the Assembly of First Nations. It is has a huge peace pipe that is sitting alongside a war club and it denotes the policy of chiefs of Canada, that always in the first instance when you are intending to do business with anybody, you take down the pipe, with the expectation that is all you need to do to make sure that common sense prevails and that there is a good relationship established and an understanding that flows from that. It has always been said by the elders of that organization that never once have they ever had to take down the war club. It is my view that common sense will prevail and that there is no need to flex our muscles and do the other things that we may need to consider. I believe we should take a positive attitude so that groups like Rio Tinto, partners in Diavik, Aber Resources, the federal government and ourselves will in the end come to an agreement that will be of benefit to everyone so that we can get on with the business of developing the resources of the North that will have profound benefits for aboriginal communities as well as this government and the business community of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Question period is over, but I will allow Mr. Ootes to conclude his supplementaries. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is appreciated. This is an important subject. I wonder if the Minister can tell us if some identification has been made in the socio-economic agreement with regard to the value-added industry, if a percentage of the rough has been identified. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 564

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Mr. Minister.

Further Return To Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are discussing with Diavik a socio-economic agreement and we hope to conclude that by the end of this month. We are proposing to include sections or clauses in there that would provide for value-added activity, that is specifically ensuring that some of the production that comes from the mine that is economical to cut and polish in the North be provided for the North for our businesses and for cutting and polishing here in the Northwest Territories. Exactly what the provisions will be are not specific, but they will be intended to give us assurance that, yes, we will try to get some portion of the diamond productions for value-added activity here in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 564

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 564

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister tell us when the socio-economic agreement may come to a conclusion? I missed that particular part of his answer. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 564

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Mr. Minister.

Further Return To Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 564

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We hope to conclude the socio-economic agreement with Diavik within the next two to three weeks. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Mrs. Groenewegen.

Further Return To Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to return to recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Further Return To Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Question 200-13(7): Value - Added Industry For Diavik
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

The Member from Hay River is seeking unanimous consent to return to recognition of visitors in the gallery. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mrs. Groenewegen, you have unanimous consent.

Revert To Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Revert To Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker I would like to recognize Mr. Cameron Clement, President of Northern Transportation Company, a large corporate constituent in my riding. Thank you.

--Applause

Revert To Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Revert To Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Welcome to the Assembly. 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. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Minister's statement yesterday, I would like to table the following document entitled A National Children's Agenda: - Measuring Childs Well-Being and Monitoring Progress, Supplementary Discussion Paper. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Mr. Erasmus.