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

Members Present

Honourable Jim Antoine, Hounourable Charles Dent, Mr. Erasmus, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Henry, Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Krutko, Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Mr. Morin, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Rabesca, Honourable Floyd Roland, Honourable Vince Steen.

Oh, God, may your spirit and guidance be in us as we work for the benefit of all our people, for peace and justice in our land and for the constant recognition of the dignity and aspirations of those whom we serve. Amen.

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 551

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a number of questions have been asked in the Legislative Assembly this week with respect to the compensation and benefits that are available to Ministers of this government. Mr. Speaker, the Cabinet for the new Northwest Territories considered this matter at its first planning meeting at Cli Lake on April 7th and 8th, 1999. Since that time, Cabinet has begun a comprehensive review of all aspects of the ministerial compensation package, the Ministerial Policy Manual and the recommendations of the Commission on MLA Compensation.

As a result of our initial review of these matters, work has begun on the development of recommendations to rationalize the compensation and benefits available to Ministers. We expect to consider these recommendations within the next several weeks. Mr. Speaker, these recommendations will deal with all aspects of the ministerial compensation package including: ministerial salaries, expense reimbursements, annual and sick leave, furniture allowance, relocation assistance, furniture disposal, headquarters accommodation reimbursement and home travel. In addition, Mr. Speaker, we will be considering recommendations on the transition allowances available to outgoing Cabinet Ministers. This is to ensure consistency and transparency in the availability of these allowances.

Mr. Speaker, Cabinet is committed to the implementation of a fair, simple, easy to understand and transparent system of compensation and benefits for Cabinet Ministers. As I stated earlier, substantial progress has been made on the development of recommendations to change the current system of compensation for Ministers since the current Members of Cabinet first met in April. We will provide all relevant details of these changes to the Members of this House during the summer sitting of the Legislative Assembly. Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that our review and resulting changes will be limited to the compensation and benefits available to Ministers. Any changes with respect to MLA compensation are issues that can only be determined by all Members of the Legislative Assembly and must be left to another forum. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Ministers' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Minister's Statement: 63-13(7): Surviving Spouse Benefits
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

May 11th, 1999

Page 551

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to give an update today on the issue of surviving spouse benefits in the Workers' Compensation Act. At the present time, the surviving spouse of a worker killed in the course of his or her employment is entitled to workers' compensation benefits. However, these benefits are terminated if the surviving spouse remarries.

Similar provisions have existed, at one time or another, in all jurisdictions in Canada. Since the Charter of Rights and Freedoms was passed, questions have been raised about the constitutional validity of these provisions. Governments and workers' compensation boards across Canada, and here in the Northwest Territories, have been struggling with appropriate responses to these concerns.

Mr. Speaker, although there have been concerns, there has never been a decided court case on the issue of whether such provisions are constitutional. Since the question of surviving spouse benefits has been raised by a widow from the Northwest Territories, the Board of Directors of the WCB has decided to obtain a court ruling on the constitutional question. This will then help clarify the need for legislative amendments to deal with the issue. The WCB will be seeking a declaratory judgment on all issues related to the constitutionality of these provisions, Mr. Speaker. In order to get a full hearing of the issues, the WCB will fund all reasonable legal costs and disbursements for one party to argue in favour of the constitutionality of the provisions and another party to argue against their constitutionality.

Once the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories and the Nunavut Courts of Justice have ruled on the matter, the WCB Minister for Nunavut and I will be asking the WCB to provide recommendations on what, if any, legislative amendments are necessary. This appears to be the quickest route for resolving the question of surviving spouse benefits on remarriage. Mr. Speaker, it is the intention of the WCB to be fair to workers and their families. I look forward to the results of this court hearing and to a resolution of this issue, hopefully by the fall. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Mr.

Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise and announce that the Inupiat Development Corporation, of Alaska's North Slope, has agreed to buy six housing packages from the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. These six homes will contain elements manufactured in the Northwest Territories. Materials will be bought through NWT suppliers and shipped to Alaska down the Mackenzie River on the barges of the Northern Transportation Company Limited. All of these activities create jobs for our constituents. It is expected that contracts for these six housing packages will be signed in the near future following final design changes. The packages should hit the beach at Barrow this July with construction carried out by local labour.

The sale is the direct result of the Corporation's efforts to open new markets for NWT products, designs and services. This is work that has been ongoing for more than a year. Mr. Speaker, when I was an Ordinary Member, I accompanied representatives of the Housing Corporation on a trade mission to Alaska and the Russian Far East. This trade mission was followed by several visits to Alaska by representatives of the Housing Corporation. At that time they presented to the Alaskans, the high level of design and logistics expertise developed over the years by the corporation. To put it simply, Mr. Speaker, the Housing Corporation showed the Alaskans that it could provide homes for a lower cost than their suppliers in the lower 48 states.

--Applause

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ootes.

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in early February, this government released the much anticipated Economic Strategy Report. We know from discussions of last summer that the contract to develop the strategy had a hefty price tag, some half million dollar figure was bandied about. It was initiated and was to be directed by the former Finance Minister, Mr. Todd.

When the strategy was released, the document was handed over from the Finance Minister to the Minister of RWED, Mr. Kakfwi. Mr. Kakfwi has made it clear that after he had received the document, that as far as he was concerned the document was only a discussion paper. Although this economic strategy was to cover Nunavut as well, we found out that Nunavut was not waiting for the document and had in fact gone ahead with a process of developing its own economic strategy.

In March of this year, I asked a number of knowledgeable constituents and business people to provide me with feedback on the economic strategy document. They came back with comments that referenced what we started with and where we ended up. In the original request for proposal several specific terms of reference were outlined:

-that two strategies were to be developed, one for the east and one for the west;

-that specific priorities for investment be outlined;

-that measurable goals and ways for measuring performance be detailed;

-that roles for all stakeholders be clearly defined;

-that the strategy document be developed with and supported by key stakeholders;

-that a communications plan for each strategy be included.

These were just some of the key requirements the contractor was to deliver in the final product of the economic strategy. The report does not provide us with all of these things and it gives us a discussion paper rather than a strategy. The economic paper is full of economic policy declarations and much repetition. There seems to be no guidance in the paper on how to achieve the policy ideas, but this is exactly why an Economic strategy contract was awarded by this government, to provide us with directives that can be implemented and measured. The people that replied to me tell me the document is difficult to read. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

The Member for Yellowknife Centre is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do I have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Ootes, you have unanimous consent.

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The people that replied to me tell me that the document is difficult to read. They also stated that it is full of jargon, run-on sentences and convoluted ideals. Minister Kakfwi has said that the document will serve as a basis of discussion and he has emphasized that. He has also stated that he feels it is now essential that this document must go out and he must meet with aboriginal leaders, federal government representatives and business organizations to find out if they can buy into the idea of creating an Economic strategy and to get feedback on the report. It sounds to me like we are back to square one and asking, do we need an Economic strategy? Mr. Speaker, that should have been the first step last summer before the Economic strategy contract was even awarded. It was also in the terms of reference of the Economic strategy contract. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Members' statements. Mr. Rabesca.

James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A little over a week ago Yellowknife was host to the annual major soccer event of the year, Super Soccer. As has been the case over the past few years, many teams from across both our NWT and Nunavut were in attendance. From the people I have talked to, the event was a success and everyone had a very good time. Normally the teams from Rae-Edzo are the ones to beat and as always this was the case again this year. However, we did not have the full contingent we usually have, but the teams that did go did very well and were able to take the championship for the 14 and under boys' category. They played very hard and the community is very proud of the boys as well as all the other teams that represented Rae-Edzo. I would like to congratulate the teams from Rae-Edzo for the fine job they did as well as congratulate the organizers for the excellent work they did again this year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Members' statements. Mr. Henry.

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to inform the House of a new national television network. In February of this year the CRTC approved the application from the APTV, which is the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, to operate a national aboriginal television network. This network will come into effect in September of this year. The application for this new television network was made by TVNC, which is Television Northern Canada who, over the next few months, will transform itself into the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.

Mr. Speaker, what makes this so unique is that this network will offer aboriginal programming to all regions in Canada as well as offer international, indigenous programming to viewers. This is especially significant for Northerners to be proud of and will offer viewers in the North a television network free of charge. Southern viewers will be offered the same service at a cost of 15 cents per month. Unlike southern viewers, Northerners will have access to a special northern feed which means that viewers in the North will continue to be offered northern-specific programming such as the Legislative Assembly proceedings and distance-education programming. This will ensure viewers, particularly aboriginal people, a network with northern content.

The greatest benefit, Mr. Speaker, is that viewers in the North will now have access to other southern and international aboriginal-based programming that they would not otherwise be able to view. Like many residents of the North, I welcome this new addition to northern television, particularly on behalf of aboriginal people and look forward to viewing this network when it comes on-line in September. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have recently heard in the media that a former government employee within the Fort Simpson region has been charged with receiving some sort of remuneration in return for the award of service contracts in the Fort Simpson area. As a former engineer with Municipal and Community Affairs, I am going to be very curious to find out, Mr. Speaker, how the department was involved in this investigation. It would be interesting also to know whether these contracts were publicly tendered or negotiated contracts because it strikes at the whole issue of contracts in our government, which has always been a source of much debate and consideration. I will be curious to know what kind of values were involved with these contracts. These contracts apparently were awarded within a specific time frame so, I am also concerned about this because companies in my community rely on the ability to bid on and win the contracts in this area. This may be evidence to us of how widespread this practice may be within the government departments who are responsible for awarding contracts.

Mr. Speaker, it is not only unfair to other potential bidders, but it is also an irresponsible handling of public funds. One would think, Mr. Speaker, that if these are service contracts that are multi-year contracts, we need to know not only about the employee who received remunerations from the government, but also, we need to know about the companies that were offering this as an incentive to receive these contracts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. As a reminder to Members and the House, if any matter is before the court or judiciary system we are not allowed to debate it in this House. Please keep that in mind. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have said on a couple of occasions, I like to give acknowledgement when it is in order. Today, Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the local business community. The Yellowknife businesses, Mr. Speaker, provide a good service. Additionally, they often give, give and give again. By this I mean that they are behind the scenes making local events possible. They donate gifts, gift certificates, prizes, money, services and many of them sponsor community events and recreational and athletic teams such as baseball teams and that sort of thing. I am told that they get an amazing number and variety of requests. Some places get three to five requests per week and, in fact, some businesses get daily requests. Mr. Speaker, despite the doom and gloom about businesses closing in Yellowknife, many people, including myself, have been amazed at the generosity of the Yellowknife businesses.

--Applause

For example, the Youth Parliament here in May is partially made possible through the generosity of the airlines helping them to come from the communities to Yellowknife to participate in the Youth Assembly. Folk on the Rocks, Raven Mad Daze, you name it, whenever events like this occur, you always see lists of acknowledgement in the papers. Mr. Speaker, it is really true that there is a multiplier effect when you spend your dollars locally. The dollars stay in the North and there is also the hidden benefit of assisting the local business community to provide a little more to these local events. Mr. Speaker, this statement is made to recognize the businesses. On behalf of the public and especially the volunteers who are continually asking for donations for various projects, I would like to applaud and to thank the local business community. Thank you.

--Applause

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Members' statements. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to recognize one of Inuvik's most treasured elders, Mrs. Martha Harry. Miss Martha Simon was born on January 12, 1918. She met and fell in love with Mr. George Harry and they were married in Aklavik on March 17, 1939. The couple had 12 children. Five of their children are still alive. They are: Mr. Leonard Harry, Ms. Lillian Elias, Ms. Valerie Steffanson, Ms. Susan Peffer and Mr. Harold (Ebun) Harry.

Mrs. Harry is well known for her drum dancing. Her great aunt began teaching her to drum dance when she was about four years old. Her son, Mr. Leonard Harry, says that children were taught the dances as a part of their education. Mrs. Harry knows the dances of long ago. She was happy when she and her husband were approached in the late 1980s to see if they would be willing to teach drum dancing. That was when they began teaching drum dancing sessions in their own home on Co-op Hill in Inuvik.

When they first began, there were only a few people that came to their house for the sessions and they were: Mr. Wilbert Papik, Ms. Debbie Gordon-Ruben, Mr. Leonard Harry, Mr. George Harry and Mrs Harry. Mrs. Harry would drum on a piece of cardboard or a garbage can lid and Mr. George Harry would teach the dances. Ms. Gordon-Ruben knew some of the dances, Mr. Papik was very shy and Mr. Leonard Harry liked to yell out during the dances. Mr. Leonard Harry made about 40 phone calls asking if people were interested in learning to drum dance and invited them to come to his parents' home. Everyone he contacted said that they were interested, not one person said no. They began with about five people, soon their home would be filled with people and sometimes there would be no room in the living room because so many people wanted to learn.

Mrs. Harry has travelled to Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton, British Columbia, Rankin Inlet, Kugluktuk, Whitehorse and Point Barrow, Alaska for drum dancing. She has met many people in her travels because of her interest and desire for teaching drum dancing. Mrs. Harry is a permanent and honoured member of the Inuvik Elders Committee and was given an award from the ICC Elders Committee in 1997 during a workshop. She was named the Elder Role Model of the Year for 1997. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

The Member for Inuvik is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do I have any nays? I have no nays. Mr. Roland, you have unanimous consent.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. On one of the stamps that Canada Post has recently released, we have this wonderful opportunity to show this treasured elder, Mrs. Martha Harry. These stamps are a part of the 1998 Scenic Canada Highway Stamp Set. Mrs. Harry is shown drum dancing and behind her is the Dempster Highway. The stamps are now available and the people of Inuvik are very proud to have Mrs. Harry representing them.

Mrs. Harry and her children are well known throughout the Delta for their warm laughter, their friendly smiles and especially their kindness. When sitting with her and her family you will hear interesting stories, fond memories of her late husband, their grandparents, and always, always hear their laughter. Thank you, Mrs. Harry, for giving us so much to be proud of and for your willingness to share more knowledge of the Delta tradition and culture. We appreciate all that you continue to do and for being the wonderful person that you are. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Premier.