Debates of Nov. 3rd, 2000

This is page numbers 697 - 727 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 3rd 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 violence.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
Family Violence Awareness And Action
Addressing Family Violence In The Nwt
Resources Dedicated To Family Violence Programs
Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference In Halifax
Family Violence A Symptom Of Social Problems
Recognition Of Academic Excellence
Hardships And Abuse Endured By Elders
Programs To Assist Senior Homeowners
Update On Activities In Inuvik
Clarification Of Statement On Tabled Document 58-14(3)
A Plan To Attract The Convention And Meeting Trade
State Of The Economy In The Northwest Territories Outside Of Yellowknife
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Remittance Of Taxes Owed To The GNWT
Varying Definitions Of Métis
Simplifying The NWT Regulatory Process
Services Signs On Highway No. 3
Seniors' Fuel Subsidy Allocation
Mandate Of The Minister Responsible For Seniors
Family Violence Programs
Ambulance Service On NWT Highways
Minister's Statement On Family Violence
Seniors' Fuel Subsidy Increase
Income Support For Productive Choices
Written Question 12-14(3): Payroll Tax Remittance
Reply 2-14(3)
Committee Report 4-14(3): Report Of The Review Of The Auditor General Of Canada To The Legislative Assembly For The Years 1997 And 1998
Introduction
Department Of Resources, Wildlife And Economic Development -assistance Programs For Businesses
Absence Of Regulations For The NWT Development Corporation Act
Recommendation 1
NWT Development Corporation - Lack Of Information On Jobs Created
Overexpenditure By The NWT Development Corporation
Multiple Dipping
The Business Credit Corporation
Recommendation 2
Accountability And Performance MeasurementLinkage Of Staff To Goals
Tools For Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability And Enforcement
Recommendation 3
Monitoring Third Party Compliance
Recommendation 4
Contracting
Recommendation 5
Environmental Clean-up And Related Restoration Costs
Recommendation 6
Government Response To The Auditor General's Report And The Need For Timelines
Recommendation 7
Bill 13: Hotel Room Tax Act
Bill 15: An Act To Amend The Northwest Territories Power Corporation Act And Public Service Act
Legislative Assembly's Declaration On Family Violence
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Motion 9-14(3): Legislative Assembly's Declaration On Family Violence
Item 16: Motions

Page 725

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I am very pleased to stand in front of you all to say that I support the motion based on the fact that there is a set of principles that are going to guide the direction as to where we go from here. As you know, I spent many years investing in young offenders who had been victims of family violence, crimes, and other injustices done throughout our territory.

First of all, Mr. Speaker, I think to defend my rationale and my philosophy, I still believe that economic development drives social and cultural development. Not in terms of how much money we make, but the type of investment that we have at the community level. I find quite often, and I speak to you passionately about this, that it takes a whole community to help the children grow out of situational problems which are varied and many. If we really look at the basic assessment of our life, I think we should really place much more emphasis on job worthiness.

People tend to feel good for themselves and I agree, yesterday hearing many of the questions this House raised about the renewable resource sector, because that is where the majority of our aboriginal people come from. The majority of the people who emigrated North, who developed their homes, their family is in the North, now are victims of this situation and the circumstances surrounding it.

I want our people to realize that it not only takes money, but also investment in terms of how we define the role of people in the community. I am really sad to say that if we dig deep into the statistical data, that many of us who have problems are those people who really had problems integrating to the community lifestyle.

I think we should really look back at where we come from, and we should revisit the methods of where we should begin to teach, not only in terms of the high tech and the things that we normally speak about our education system. We have a great and high failure. I want us to realize that and I am certainly in support of this motion. I wanted to explain that this is the philosophy that I carry and I hope that you share that with us. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Motion 9-14(3): Legislative Assembly's Declaration On Family Violence
Item 16: Motions

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The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Allen. To the motion. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

Motion 9-14(3): Legislative Assembly's Declaration On Family Violence
Item 16: Motions

Page 725

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A number of years ago, the people of Canada watched in horror as a story unfolded about a special armed forces Canadian soldier who tied up a 16-year old child in Somalia and systematically beat the child until the child died. Mr. Speaker, perhaps we do not understand the motives and the reasons why men are driven to do these things. In a moment of humour, a character on the TV program "This Hour has 22 Minutes" Babes Bennett, was commenting on that and she said her view of it was that "Why do we feel that it does something?" She said anybody can pistol whip an unarmed civilian into submission. Why is it that women do not do that? She said "We just do not feel like it, that is all".

I thought there was humour in it, but it also drives at the point. Why do men continue to beat women, children and elders? Why do men continue to bully women, children, elders? It is not only at home that this violence takes place. Violence in many forms takes place on the streets and at the work place. Is it because men want to control and silence and feel power over those they physically are stronger than? Is it to vent pent-up rage? I do not know that.

I just know that even today not everybody agrees that this is wrong. There are still people in this world who believe there are occasions when children should be beaten. They actually believe there are occasions when women should be beaten, that it is justifiable to beat people.

In this Legislature, I believe we have an opportunity because we are on TV. We are reported on every day to show people how we should relate to each other. We show a degree of tolerance and respect and appreciation for one another that perhaps is not shown enough out there in the streets and the communities, in the homes, in the constituencies for the people whom we represent. I believe that.

Mr. Speaker, my mother was widowed since '75. Just two years ago at the age of 78, she was beaten by a man in Fort Good Hope. One of my sisters was medivaced to Edmonton a year ago, again beaten by a man. She will never regain her full health. That is how close this is. So of course I support the motion.

There are people who would say we should throw more money at it. I do not disagree with that. I also know it does not cost money for us to set an example every day in this House. It does not cost money to make a declaration. It does not cost more money for us to challenge our chiefs, our Métis leaders and our mayors, our councillors, and the people who work in our communities supposedly on behalf of our constituents. Challenge them to make the same declaration, because in the end, the more of us that make it, the more of us that commit to no violence and to show no tolerance for violence against not only our children and our women and our elders but each other as well. In the end, it will really cost no money. Thank you.

-- Applause

Motion 9-14(3): Legislative Assembly's Declaration On Family Violence
Item 16: Motions

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The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. To the motion. The Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Motion 9-14(3): Legislative Assembly's Declaration On Family Violence
Item 16: Motions

Page 726

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am standing here today to support the motion. I think this declaration on family violence is a very good initiative on our part. It will demonstrate to people in the North that we are putting on notice that we are aware of the violence that takes place and has been going on for many years.

I am aware of it as a former chief in my community. I have dealt with many instances of this nature and it continues today. We are all aware of it and we want to bring awareness to this situation here in the North in our society. We are here elected by everybody in our constituency, or the majority of the people in our constituency, to represent them the best we can. We are here to try and make life better for people in the North in all ways. We build facilities. We fix the roads. We put programs and services in place and we are throwing money at different things that we are trying to make life better in the North. At the same time, there are relationships that go on in our communities and the homes that we are saying are not right.

There has to be a way of addressing it. We cannot go into every home and try to correct everything. I think by making this statement here in the House and challenging our northern leaders, including the leaders of the aboriginal governments and organizations, municipal governments, trade unions, boards, agencies, societies to adopt this principle of zero tolerance.

So we are putting a challenge out there to all the leaders in different organizations in our communities to say that we understand this situation exists. It is perhaps a little better than it used to be a long time ago, but it is still there and we should all try to make life better for all our people in our communities. So for that, I am standing here in support of this motion. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Motion 9-14(3): Legislative Assembly's Declaration On Family Violence
Item 16: Motions

Page 726

The Speaker

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. To the motion. The Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Motion 9-14(3): Legislative Assembly's Declaration On Family Violence
Item 16: Motions

Page 726

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what we have heard today on family violence takes on many forms and affects all members of the family. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to highlight violence against seniors, better known as granny bashing.

Mr. Speaker, we all know this happens within families in one form or another. In my communities in Nunakput, the leaders are encouraging the NWT Housing Corporation to construct seniors' facilities as a means of reducing seniors abuse. I am encouraged to be advised that the NWT Housing Corporation is in fact responding favourably to this type of request all through the Northwest Territories. I am encouraged that this would serve to reduce to some degree seniors abuse.

Mr. Speaker, I support this no violence - zero tolerance motion. I think we should look at it as a means of not just the younger generation. We should look at it as applying to violence to all levels of the family. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Motion 9-14(3): Legislative Assembly's Declaration On Family Violence
Item 16: Motions

Page 726

The Speaker

Thank you. I have no further names on the list. Madam Minister, would you conclude the debate?

Motion 9-14(3): Legislative Assembly's Declaration On Family Violence
Item 16: Motions

Page 726

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would encourage Members not to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of this problem of family violence. As Mr. McLeod shared, sometimes we do wonder about the usefulness of standing up and talking about these things in the Legislature, but as the Premier said, many people in the North are watching us. They may only know us through the words and the actions that we portray in this House. As our colleague for the North Slave also mentioned, we must be proactive. If we are not, who will be? We cannot accept that our Territory is known for these statistics and that our residents suffer the consequences of this insidious reality of family violence.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of children, women, elders and those in our society who are vulnerable, I do thank the Members of the House today for their strong views that they have expressed on this very important subject. On behalf of the Members of this House, I thank the many frontline workers and the volunteers who devote their life's work to ending this problem of family violence. So thank you, Mr. Speaker. With that, I would like to request a recorded vote. Thank you.

Motion 9-14(3): Legislative Assembly's Declaration On Family Violence
Item 16: Motions

Page 727

The Speaker

Thank you, Madam Minister. A recorded vote has been called for. Question has been called. All those in favour, please rise.

Motion 9-14(3): Legislative Assembly's Declaration On Family Violence
Item 16: Motions

Page 727

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Antoine, Mr. Kakfwi, Mr. Handley, Mr. Allen, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Delorey, Mr. Lafferty, Ms. Lee, Mr. Roland, Mr. Dent, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. McLeod, Mr. Bell, Mr. Nitah, Mr. Braden and Mr. Steen.

Motion 9-14(3): Legislative Assembly's Declaration On Family Violence
Item 16: Motions

Page 727

The Speaker

Thank you. All those opposed, please rise. All those abstaining? Thank you. The results are 18 in favour, zero opposed and no abstentions. The motion is carried unanimously.

-- Applause

Motion 9-14(3): Legislative Assembly's Declaration On Family Violence
Item 16: Motions

Page 727

The Speaker

Thank you, Members. In recognizing the clock, we are going to proceed to Item 22, but before I go to orders of the day, I would like to report on my ruling on the point of order made by Mr. Krutko on November 3, 2000.

I wish to provide my ruling on the point of order raised by the Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko. I have reviewed the unedited Hansard and rule that the Member, Mr. Krutko, does not have a point of order, as the Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee, did not impute motive on behalf of anyone in her Member's statement.

-- Applause

Also, before I go to orders of the day, I would also like to call the House's attention to a visitor in the gallery, Ms. Vicky Latour, who is the mother of our Sergeant-at-Arms.

-- Applause

Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.

Item 22: Orders Of The Day
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Page 727

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Mr. Speaker, there will be a meeting of the Standing Committee on Social Programs immediately after adjournment; for Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight, at 10:30 a.m. of the Standing Committee on Social Programs; and at 12:00 p.m. of the Striking Committee.

Orders of the day for Monday, November 6, 2000:

  1. Prayer
  2. Ministers' Statements
  3. Members' Statements
  4. Returns to Oral Questions
  5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
  6. Oral Questions
  7. Written Questions
  8. Return to Written Questions
  9. Replies to Opening Address
  10. Petitions
  11. Reports of Standing and Special Committees
  12. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
  13. Tabling of Documents
  14. Notices of Motion
  15. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills
  16. Motions

    17. -Motion 10: Referral of Tabled Document 32-14(3), Report of the Chief Electoral Officer to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures

  17. First Reading of Bills

    18. - Bill 12, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2000-2001

    - Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act

  18. Second Reading of Bills

    19. - Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, No. 3

  19. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

    20. - Bill 8, Justice Statutes Amendment Act

  20. Report of Committee of the Whole
  21. Third Reading of Bills

    22. - Bill 2, Write-off of Debts Act, 2000-2001

    - Bill 3, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2000-2001

    - Bill 7, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2000

    - Bill 9, An Act to Amend the NWT Power Corporation Act

  22. Orders of the Day

Item 22: Orders Of The Day
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Page 727

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until Monday, November 6, 2000, at 1:30 p.m.

-- ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 2:15 p.m.