This is page numbers 41 - 72 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 8th 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 information.

Topics

James Rabesca North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We now have been working together for close to four years, and during that time, we collectively have had many issues to deal with. Some have been a pleasure, while others have tried our form of government to the limits. We have worked together to make the best decisions possible for our residents and believe that we have succeeded. We have accomplished a great deal over the life if this Assembly, and I feel proud to have participated in it all.

We worked very hard to ensure our constituencies have a say and our communities are treated equally and fairly. However, if it was not for the staff of this building and a good working relationship that is present here, we could not do nearly as much. To this, I would like to thank all the Assembly staff and the hard work and the perseverance. They are the people that really do most of the work.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank the Government of Canada for their cooperation over the last four years. Without their support, many of the issues we have dealt with could not have been completed. As I stated previously over the last four years, we have taken this government from a deficit position to one of a surplus. We have successfully witnessed and took part in the creation of two new Territories. This one item is a very historic event, and we should be proud that we were able to put together and work towards a successful division as we saw in April.

There are still many issues that must be dealt with, however, our time is up and we must move on. The next Assembly will take up where we left off, and eventually we will have a territory we can be proud of. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Member's statements. Mr. Henry.

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, after much consideration and encouragement from the people in this community, I feel that I must respond on the manner in which the staff of the Yellowknifer has reported on my involvement with the extension of a commercial grant from the City of Yellowknife to a local business of which I am a part owner. Since July 10, 1998 there had been no few than five editorial comments and numerous articles, some with a decided personal slant published on the subject. While I supposed I should be honoured to be Yellowknife's biggest news, I feel that the Yellowknifer's coverage of this story has gone far beyond objective, fact-finding and has steadily degenerated into a scathing, personal attack on my credibility and reputation as an MLA and a business person.

As a public figure, I expect a reasonable amount of criticism. After all, no one is perfect. I have come to realize that accountability plays a big part in the life of the public servant. Furthermore, freedom of speech and freedom of the press are guaranteed rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The freedom to speak and write freely about public administration is one of the many benefits of living in a democratic society. Without these freedoms, our government cannot function properly, so we all understand that the Yellowknifer has a duty to report on the way in which government officials, myself included, do their jobs. However, the editors of the Yellowknifer need to be reminded that freedom always comes with responsibility. Since when does objective reporting necessitate the kind of damming, brutal remarks published about me by the Yellowknifer again and again over the past several months? I ask why has the Yellowknifer set out to so damage my perception in this community that the well-being of my family has been affected?

I suppose one answer is that by sinking to the levels of a tabloid smear campaign, the publishers of the Yellowknifer hope to sell more newspapers and take home a bigger profit. Perhaps the editors think the people of Yellowknife would rather read light-heart satire and silly cartoons than actual news stories. I personally do not think they do. I also think that the issue of responsible journalism is too important to lend itself to simple answers. The reality is that we live in a community which has only one English-speaking newspaper, a newspaper with a captive audience and a great deal of influence. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Seamus Henry Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. For this reason, the people of Yellowknife deserve to know that what they read in the newspaper is reported on fairly, objectively, and accurately. They also deserve to know that the paper cannot be used as an indiscriminate weapon.

Nick Russell, in a leading textbook on morals and the media in Canada, points out that freedom of the press continues to be earned or lost, depending on performance, and it brings with it clear responsibilities of stewardship. What does this mean in practical terms for the editorial staff at the Yellowknifer? Mr. Russell thinks it means that newspaper publishers who are, after all, only in the business to make money, do not own freedom of the press, the people do. Despite what the editors may think, the Yellowknifer does not have some kind of license allowing it to systematically and vindictively destroy someone's perception in the community. Our own Legislative Assembly agrees with Mr. Russell and has seen fit to protect members of the public from this type of behaviour by passing the Defamation Act. Under the act, a newspaper can be sued for publishing statements about a person, which are designed to harm their reputation, rather than simply reporting on the facts.

For example, a few years ago, a Hay River businessman successfully sued the local newspaper for publishing a defamatory cartoon about him. The court said that the suggestions were made by the paper about the businessman's character that were not fair comments and were intended to make people in the community ridicule him.

Judging from the conveniently anonymous editorial comment published in the Yellowknifer on Friday, July 17, 1998, July 31, 1998, August 7, 1998, May 7, 1999, and finally August 27, 1999, the editors seem to have embarked on a self-appointed mission to portray me as a shameless profiteer in the eyes of the people of Yellowknife.

The fact is that the business of which I am a part owner strengthens the economic well-being of this community and of the Territories and employs upward of 100 people in entry level positions and is a viable part of the Yellowknife business community, and I contribute to the tax base of this city.

In the editorial comment published on Friday, August 27, 1997, the editorial suggested that all MLAs who own their own business should place them in blind trusts. As an ordinary MLA, this requirement is duly unrestrictive and will discourage some business people from entering the public arena. In my view, a Legislative Assembly that does not have the opportunity to hear from and benefit from the expertise of the North's business people will suffer a loss. Along with the rights to speak freely, citizens of this country also enjoy the right of free enterprise. This is one of the reasons Canadians enjoy such a high standard of living.

Mr. Speaker, in 1981, the Kent Commission on newspapers realized the kind of impact a newspaper such as the Yellowknifer can have on individuals who fall out of its good graces when it said, "In a one-newspaper town, it means nothing except the right of a proprietor to do what he will with his own...freedom of the press." The commission concluded that sometimes the practical reality in a one-newspaper town is that because "enormous influence without responsibility is conferred on a handful of people...(its) over-riding responsibility is to the society which protects and provides its freedom." Is the Yellowknifer living up to its responsibility to the people of Yellowknife by writing with a poisoned pen, shrouded in the anonymity of an editorial?

I am out and about in this community as an MLA, as a business person, a volunteer, a church member, and a parent. I, too, see and hear what people in this community have to say. What I do not understand is why Mr. Valpy, and I wonder how he can say that you are reflecting the views of the community. I went and visited this gentleman in his office regarding one of the editorials and was very surprised to see that I had never seen the gentleman before, and I have lived here for 23 years. I had thought I would surely recognize him considering his position in the community which apparently represents the views. I have never seem him at public meetings, I have never seen him within the business community, I have never seem him in my children's school, I have never seen him anywhere. So then I ask, where do you get your worldly perspective from? Where are you that you hear all these opinions and have all these people, why not have them put their views in writing or bring them to me directly?

Another author, J.L. Hulteng, warns newspapers against abusing their right to freedom of the press in his book, "Playing it Straight: A Practical Discussion of the Ethical Principles of the American Society of Newspaper Editors". In it he wrote, "To prevent further erosion, editors and reporters should refrain from excessive or unjustified appeals to public opinion . A knee-jerk invocation of press freedom every time some public official or special interest representative criticizes the performance of the press will only harm the cause. Cry "Wolf" only when a genuine predator is on the prowl." This is something which the lampoonists at the Yellowknife should keep in mind.

In closing, I wish to remind the editorial staff of the Yellowknifer to heed the ethics of their own profession. Like public officials, they too owe a duty of fairness and stewardship to the public they sever, lest they offend the very principles for which freedom of the press was enshrined in the Charter in the first place. And before calling anyone a profiteer, they should take a good, long look in the mirror.

Mr. Speaker, I have not yet come to a decision as to whether I will allow my name to stand as a candidate in the December election. I will reserve that judgement for the next couple of week. I would like to sincerely thank my fellow colleagues for allowing me to continue with my statement, and I thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Again, to remind the Members that Member's statements is up to two and a half minutes and, Mr. Henry, you have made a statement equivalent to three Member's statements, but I do appreciate you consulting with me and requesting that extension. Member's statement. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Krutko.

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

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Pat Thomas with the NWTTA. There is only one more day to go Ms. Thomas, so see you tomorrow.

--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. Mrs. Groenewegen.

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

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Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize, this might be the last chance to recognize Pat Thomas, president of the NWTTA. She was running for president of that organization about the time I was running for MLA and if I would have known she was going to be here everyday I could have stayed home. 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. Antoine.

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

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Ray Sonfrere, Band Councillor from Hay River Reserve. 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. Item 6, oral questions.

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we are all aware, there are concerns with regard to the Giant Mine situation and I have a number of questions I would like to ask today. I will start with the first one for Mr. Kakfwi regarding the 15 day period here in which the union can formulate a possible proposal and work with other parties that might be an alternative to the current proposal that is before the receiver. I wonder if Mr. Kakfwi could tell me what the government's position is in regard to or in relationship to providing assistance to the union itself in developing a community-based proposal to take over the Giant Mine?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

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

Return To Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the government has advised the union this morning that should they wish to undertake developing a proposal to forward to the receiver that they will receive assistance as would be provided to any other type of initiative from a business community, but that the government will not be party to the development of the proposal itself, we will not be actively helping to develop such a proposal, but we will also not be entertaining any suggestion that we would become owners of any type in a proposal. Thank you.

Return To Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Can the Minister tell me what form of assistance can be provided by this government to the union?

Supplementary To Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, there is assistance provided to individuals or groups that wish to develop proposals such as financing, in part feasibility aspects of proposals. Once a proposal, if it is developed, on the part of the union and other parties in partnership with the union, we will respond if we are requested to provide some sort of assistance financially for the development of a proposal.

Further Return To Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Item 6: Oral Questions

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Can the Minister tell me if they can provide any

assistance beyond just financial assistance?

Supplementary To Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the conditions that the Government of the Northwest Territories accepted in dealing with this issue of Giant Mine being put into receivership and subsequently the receiver seeking to accept proposals for potential buyers was that once proposals were received, the government had undertaken to keep confidential all and any information that was received by us through the actions of the receiver sharing the information of the proposals with us and also with the parties themselves. We will not allow ourselves to be put in the position where we may be alleged to have used information that we received in that undertaking to advance alternate proposals at this time. We will step back and not be supporting any proposals. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Ootes.

Supplementary To Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Question 21-13(8): GNWT Position On Assistance To Giant Mine
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a concern here in relationship to the responsibility to the employees. That is their pensions, their separation pay, other issues with relationship to their current working conditions. Now the federal government has the Canada Labour Code. Are we going to support the employees to protect their rights? What is this government doing in order to help our people to ensure that their rights are protected and that all that is due and owed to them is met? Can the Minister tell me that?