This is page numbers 693 - 720 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 aboriginal.

Topics

Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday we discussed Bill 15 and our recommendations in this House. Today I had the opportunity to speak to a person who watched those deliberations on television. That person lives in Yellowknife and has done so for a long time. What he had indicated to me is, what do you think it will take to get across to Cabinet the fears of the people, do you have to hit them over the head with a hammer?

Mr. Speaker, I do not know, but it is obvious that this Cabinet did not read our report. It is obvious that the Ministers present at the community hearings did not listen to their constituents' presentations. We must have sat there like the proverbial wooden Indian, because they did not hear a word. They did not hear the constituents saying we are afraid of the next Assembly, we are afraid of the next Assembly. Put these things in place to protect us. What is this government doing to allay those fears. What are they doing to the words of the Premier on March 24th? Nothing. They are telling their constituents, trust the next Assembly. We will not put one concrete thing in place, but do not worry, we will make recommendations to the next Assembly. We know they will listen.

Mr. Speaker, I do not know what it will take to lead our colleagues out of the wilderness, but I implore this Cabinet, do not close your minds. Those of you who still live in your constituencies, consult with your constituents. Consult with the Aboriginal Summit about our recommendations, and maybe, just maybe in September, we will greet you as come stumbling out of the wilderness. Thank you.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Member's statement. Mr. Rabesca.

James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past Sunday, I was privileged to attend the opening ceremony of the first Aboriginal International Youth Conference which was being held in Rae-Edzo. Myself, the mayor, and the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories presented comments to the delegation of approximately 60 youth from across Canada and the Philippines. The focus of the conference was to bring youth together in a forum to discuss the common concerns that youth face today. I see this as an excellent forum that I am sure this is providing some direction to these participants to return to their home communities and hopefully start implementing them.

The youth of today face many different challenges than we did when we were growing up. It is very difficult for the youth to retain their language and culture, as a result they are lost between their culture and that of the non-aboriginal population. They also find it frustrating because few will listen to them. In all communities, we hear the youth are bored, there is nothing for them to do. How can the youth balance their heritage and tradition with that of this modern world?

Over the week-long conference, many discussions and workshops took place with a list of concerns and recommendations that would be presented to the community leaders which I hope will include this government. It is important that we hear what their concerns are, how we can help them develop and prosper. The youth need your support for they are our future leaders. Today, youth need to be strong like two people, retain their culture and language but also able to adapt to this modern lifestyle. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Member's statement. Mr. Ootes.

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My comments today are on the transfer of federal positions to the North which we are still awaiting word on when a decision will be made, how many, if any, positions from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development may be moved North. For the last three years, the government has been pursuing this, and I have been asking questions and making statements on this quest arguing that the North will be better served if those people were to live here in the North.

Several studies have been completed to address this matter, Mr. Speaker, and I was on the understanding that Indian Affairs Minister Jane Stewart was to make an announcement on this matter several weeks ago. All sorts of studies can be done, but the reality is that DIAND staffers cannot effectively carry out their duties half a continent away. When we see how they fooled around with the diamond issue, the value-added industry, if it had not have been for this government, these Members, the communities, and members of the public here in the Northwest Territories, with the support from our communities, Canada would have lost a whole industry. Mr. Speaker, it is time that DIAND got on with the job of addressing the issue of transferring those positions North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Member's statements. Mr. Steen.

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just over a year ago, I reported to this House on a fatal accident in the community of Tuktoyaktuk. On May 29, 1998, 14-year-old Darryl James Gruben and two-year-old brother Patrick were returning from a hunting trip with their father. Their snowmobile went through the ice in Tuktoyaktuk Harbour. Darryl Gruben managed to hold his little brother's head above water until help arrived. Tragically, Darryl did not survive the freezing water.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to report today that Darryl Gruben has been awarded one of this country's highest honours for bravery. I have been informed by Rideau Hall that the Governor General, His Excellency, the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc, has awarded Darryl the Medal of Bravery. The Medal of Bravery is given only for acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances. Very few people are ever considered for this honour, and so it is a testament to Darryl Gruben's courage and the strength of his character that he has been awarded this medal. A ceremony to present Darryl's family with this award will be announced soon. I hope that today other Members of this House will join me in remembering this brave young man. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Member's statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Steen.

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a question asked by Mr. Erasmus on July 26, 1999, in regard to seniors' municipal tax obligations.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is continuing to work on the issues related to senior citizens' and disabled persons' property tax relief raised in this House. Next week, I will forward to the Member from Yellowknife North a letter previously sent to the NWT Association of Municipalities describing the department's proposal on co-ownership.

The department has consulted with the NWT Association of Municipalities and the tax-based communities on changes to the program. Tax-based municipalities have the authority to make changes to their tax programs to implement a means test through their municipal by-law making power. The broad application of a means test is difficult, as there is not always a clear link between property value and household income. The department will continue to look for a suitable means test. The municipalities are willing to support changes to the program, but are not readily willing to absorb any additional costs. The department will continue to gather information and carefully consider other models for the program.

Members were also concerned about simplifying the application process. I am committed to continue to work with the Minister of Finance to see what can be streamlined. The department is also working with the Social Envelope Committee to examine the implications of harmonizing seniors' programs and the effect it would have on the property tax rebate for seniors. Some of the issues with this approach are; establishing a common age for seniors among all departments, developing a more simplified and coordinated process for accessing these programs and, whether to operate the programs as a rebate or as a subsidy.

Mr. Speaker, I have asked the department to report back to me by the end of September with their recommendations based on costing analysis, and estimates of benefits. I expect to include recommendations for change in the upcoming business plan for the department. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Roland.

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

Page 700

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mrs. Glenna Hansen, co-chair of the forum, as well as Mr. Duncan MacNeil, co-chair of the health forum.

--Applause

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

Page 700

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Recognition of visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Krutko.

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

Page 700

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Glenna Hansen of Aklavik. That is where she is originally from. That is my constituency. I would like to welcome Glenna to the House. Enjoy your visit.

--Applause

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

Page 700

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Recognition of visitors in the Gallery. Mrs. Groenewegen.

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

Page 700

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize my constituent, Mr. Duncan MacNeil, who is a co-chair on the Minister's Forum on Health. If we had to have a forum, we could not have had better co-chairs. Mr. MacNeil is a former chair of the Community Health Board in Hay River. He has been involved in many activities locally and is a very competent candidate for this position. Thank you.

--Applause

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

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Recognition of visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Henry.

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

Page 700

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me please to recognize three gentlemen from Burlington, Ontario, presently working in Yellowknife, Mr. Michael Lieber, Steven Dzivy, and Adam Korber. Hopefully we will convince them maybe to move North and live in the great constituency of Yellowknife South. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

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

Page 700

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the Gallery. I would like to recognize the rest of the people that have not been recognized. Perhaps it is the cold weather out there. Maybe it is your reluctance not to drive back south, but welcome to the Assembly. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Morin.

--Applause

Question 250-13(7): Government Response To Aboriginal Request
Item 6: Oral Questions

July 28th, 1999

Page 700

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am going to quote something here.

Mr. Speaker, we, as elected representatives, have a responsibility to find a solution to this very difficult, diverse issue. I appeal to you, my honourable colleagues and to all parties in this debate, to reach out for a solution that will bring us together, reach out for a solution that will bring us together.

That is a quote from Hansard, March 24, 1999, by the Premier of the Government of the Northwest Territories. He goes on to say;

"My Cabinet colleagues and I are committed to using the time to work with aboriginal and community leaders to find a solution that can be supported in the west. In our view, building understanding of the issue and reaching a political resolution is critical if we are to move beyond this issue as a unified new territory."

Speaking to the Western Boundaries issue. That is what this government said on March 24, 1999. Our committee went out and tried to work not only with this government but the people in the western Arctic to come up with a political solution. I had the opportunity today, Mr. Speaker, to stand outside this Legislative Assembly with one of the leaders of the Aboriginal Summit while he spoke to the Premier of the Government of the Northwest Territories. What I would like to know now, Mr. Speaker, is what is the Government of the Northwest Territories going to do with the Aboriginal Summit's request, and what was that request to your government? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

I would like to ask the Member for Tu Nedhe to try and clarify his question because I have not heard him make any reference to Bill 15, but that is what is in front of the committee. If it is making reference relating to that, you cannot ask it in question period. So I would like to ask the Member to clarify his question.

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is the reason I did not say Bill 15. I asked the Premier if he met with the leader of the Aboriginal Summit right outside of this building today. That leader, on behalf of the Aboriginal Summit, that is in full support of his request, requested the Premier, on behalf of the government to do something. What I would like to know is if he will consider it and what the request was? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. The Premier, I have heard two questions.

Return To Question 250-13(7): Government Response To Aboriginal Request
Question 250-13(7): Government Response To Aboriginal Request
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 701

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, shortly before this session coming to the building, I ran into Mr. Gary Bohnet. He is the president of the Metis Nation. He is one of the co-chairs of the Aboriginal Summit. He did indicate to me that he got off a conference call with the Aboriginal Summit but not including Bill Erasmus, who is the co-chair, so I would not really call him the leader of the Aboriginal Summit. He did say to me that the other bare minimum that the Aboriginal Summit that he had on the conference call would accept from this Cabinet is that we, the Cabinet, accept the recommendations that we have been debating yesterday in this House in committee of the whole. That is the bare minimum. He did make reference to Bill 15, I believe. I tried to keep it out of there, but the debate in the House was recommendation. This is what he told me very briefly before coming in the House.

I did talk very briefly to my colleagues in the hallway coming into the House about it. It is not the adequate time for us to really grasp what the message was. We take very seriously these different requests that come from a representative of the Aboriginal Summit, and we have to take that into consideration. But we in this House, we in this government, we are considering his request, and he is going to have to give us some time to do that. Thank you.

Return To Question 250-13(7): Government Response To Aboriginal Request
Question 250-13(7): Government Response To Aboriginal Request
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 701

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. I would like to caution the Ministers too about responding to the bill that is in committee of the whole. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Morin.

Supplementary To Question 250-13(7): Government Response To Aboriginal Request
Question 250-13(7): Government Response To Aboriginal Request
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 701

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On quoting out of Hansard, March 24, 1999, Minister's statements, that statement on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Premier then says, "We as elected representatives, have a responsibility, we have a responsibility to find a solution to this very difficult, diverse issue." Does the Premier and his government, do you still have a responsibility? Is this statement still true today?