This is page numbers 721 - 753 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 housing.

Topics

Motion 44-13(7): Termination Of Planning For New Yellowknife Correctional Centre
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 751

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. The public has been telling us for some time, including every Member of this Legislature, that the Yellowknife Correctional Facility is in a sorry state. Every Member has said that. I think even the good Member that just asked the question has said that on a number of occasions, that it needs to be replaced, so we are going to do that. The public is very loud and clear about that. The inmates are very loud and clear about it. The officials who look at the provisions that government makes in carrying out the responsibilities are clear about it. That institution is inadequate and in a very sorry state.

The fire marshal has basically ordered us to provide new young offenders facilities by a certain date. The public, over and over, has said they would like northern inmates to stay in the north, not go south, stay in the north. The public has said over and over the families and the relatives of these inmates want easy access to them. They want easy access to them. The public has said we want you to provide programming so that you are not housing, warehousing these inmates but actually providing programs and that program space should be provided. It is required of us to give the best possible care to these inmates, whatever you think of them. Some of you have called them hard core criminals. We are bound, we are responsible for providing adequate care, the best care possible, for these inmates. It means that we should locate them in a place where there are programs and services available to them. We have taken all these into account.

consultation at all, we locate a facility in Inuvik and Yellowknife for young offenders. Those decisions were made by Cabinet. To say and to suggest that there should be consultation now when we have literally run out of time, I believe, is actually irresponsible. Thank you.

Motion 44-13(7): Termination Of Planning For New Yellowknife Correctional Centre
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 752

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Mr. Erasmus, I believe the clock has run out again. I have Mr. Krutko.

Motion 44-13(7): Termination Of Planning For New Yellowknife Correctional Centre
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 752

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

I would like to make a motion to report progress.

Motion 44-13(7): Termination Of Planning For New Yellowknife Correctional Centre
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 752

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you. The motion is in order. The motion is not debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. I will now rise and report progress.

Motion 44-13(7): Termination Of Planning For New Yellowknife Correctional Centre
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 752

The Speaker

The House will come back to order. Good afternoon. We are on item 20, report of committee of the whole. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

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Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 23, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1999-2000, and would like to report progress. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I move that the report of the committee be concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

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The Speaker

Seconded by Mr. Dent. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

This morning the Premier, Mr. Antoine, rose on a point of order. Mr. Antoine indicated that he took offence to the comments made on July 29, 1999, by the Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Erasmus, and specifically, his reference to "proverbial wooden Indian" made on page 1170 of the unedited Hansard. He noted that he found the comments to be offensive. I allowed debate on the point of order as to assist me in my ruling. Mr. Erasmus was the first to speak on the point of order. He stated that he did not believe the comments were offensive. Mr. Erasmus later explained that the phrase was used to denote not listening and that there was no further intended meaning. The Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi, in debate, noted that he found that the comment perpetuated stereotyping with racial overtones.

Issues revolving unparliamentary language are always difficult. As Speaker, it is always my hope and desire that all honourable Members respect each other and conduct themselves in a fashion consistent to the dignity of this Assembly. Most of the time, this occurs and debate is productive and vigorous, yet respectful of Members and of the institution. The few cases where I had to rule on issues of unparliamentary language are troubling because regardless of the outcome of the ruling, there is impairment to the respect and harmony of this institution.

Rule 22(k) provides that a Member will be called to order if he uses "abusive or insulting language". Of course, what is abusive or insulting is a highly subjective matter. However, all Members must be careful in listening to debate, it is clear that some Members of this House found those words to be insulting. However, equally important, is the Member's right to speak freely in the House so long as it does not impinge upon the rights of other Members.

I note Beauchesne's, citation 69, states:

"It is important to indicate that something can be inflammatory, can be disagreeable, can even be offensive, but it may not be a question of privilege unless the comment actually impinges upon the ability to Members of parliament to do their job properly."

Giving full consideration to the explanation for his use of the words provided by the Member, Mr. Erasmus, and bearing in mind every Member's right of freedom of speech, I do not believe that his words "cross the line" and are unparliamentary. I do, however, note that the Member has withdrawn his words. Therefore, I rule that there is no point of order.

Item 21, third reading of bills. Mr. Morin.

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to item 6. Thank you.

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

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The Speaker

The Member for Tu Nedhe is seeking unanimous consent to go back to item 6, oral questions. Do we have any nays?

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

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Some Hon. Members

Nay.

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

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The Speaker

Mr. Morin you do not have unanimous consent. Mr. Erasmus.

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

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Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Although the Speaker did not find a point of order in what I had said, if the Member to whom I was referring to was insulted or took it the wrong way, I am sorry and I probably should have used different terminology. I would like to reiterate again that phrase can be taken out of my statement from yesterday. Thank you.

--Applause

Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Page 752

The Speaker

Third reading of bills. Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, that Bill 15, an Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, be read for the third time. Mahsi cho.

The Speaker

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Morin.

Bill 15: An Act To Amend The Legislative Assembly And Executive Council Act
Item 21: Third Reading Of Bills

July 30th, 1999

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request a recorded vote on this motion. Thank you.

The Speaker

Thank you. The Member for Tu Nedhe is

requesting a recorded vote. All those in favour of the bill, please stand.

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Mr. Antoine, Mr. Dent, Mr. Roland, Mr. Steen, Mr. Erasmus, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Kakfwi.

The Speaker

All those opposed, please stand.

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Mr. Krutko, Mr. Rabesca, Mr. Morin.

The Speaker

All those abstaining? Thank you. The result of the vote is nine for, three against, no abstentions. The motion is passed. Bill 15 has had third reading. Third reading of bills. Mr. Kakfwi.

Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 19, an Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act, be read for the third time.

The Speaker

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Bill 19 has had third reading. Third reading of bills. Mr. Steen.

Bill 20, Municipal Statutes Amendment Act

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik, that Bill 20, Municipal Statutes Amendment Act, be read for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Bill 20 has had third reading. Third reading of bills. Mr. Dent.

Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act