This is page numbers 729 - 749 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 community.

Topics

Recognition Of The New Yellowknife School Board Members
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In Yellowknife, one of the major issues around local education is taxation, and Yellowknife is unique in the NWT communities in that no other community gets funds directly from its tax base for education. School boards in our city jointly have 3,600 full-time students and they administer operating budgets of approximately $33.6 million. About $7.5 million is raised through local taxes.

From the numbers, Mr. Speaker, it is apparent that the school boards and educational authorities are significant contributors to community development and our progress for the future. I would like to also, Mr. Speaker, acknowledge the progress of Commission Scolaire Francophone de Division which is the equivalent of a divisional educational council and operates at École Alain St. Cyr. The commission is evolving into the Francophone school board of the Northwest Territories and I wish them well with their new status at their first meeting this evening, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Recognition Of The New Yellowknife School Board Members
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Merci, Mr. Braden. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Recognition Of The Individual Achievements And New Executive Of The Yellowknife Chamber Of Commerce
Item 3: Members' Statements

November 5th, 2000

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Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In keeping up with the spirit of recognizing our fellow leaders and partners for the Yellowknife Members, I would like to recognize the new Chamber of Commerce board in Yellowknife. They had an election on October 27th and I would like to recognize the award winners who were honoured the same night. A business award of merit went to MacKay and Partners. This award acknowledges the accomplishments of a special Yellowknife business each year, recognizing those achievements that have made them an outstanding corporate citizen within our business community.

Also, an award for the business person of the year went to Mr. Bill Aho of Central Mechanical Systems. He is also the president of the NWT Construction Association and one of the founding members of NORD, which stands for Northern Organization for Responsible Development. Mr. Gordon Van Tighem received an award for outstanding dedication as well.

Mr. Speaker, with the time remaining, I would like to recognize the new executive committee elected on October 27th. Mr. John Ondrack has been elected as the President; Jerome Babyn, first vice-president; Dave McPherson, second vice-president; and John Taylor was elected treasurer. I would also like to recognize the second year term directors, Jerry Jaud, Bob Hoddinott, and Mike Olson.

I would also like to congratulate and acknowledge new members of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce board of directors, Mr. David Connelly, Mr. Rod Lowen, Ms. Shawnette MacNeil, Mr. Dave McCann, Ms. Karen Poitras, Mr. Gary Reid, Mr. Doug Snodgrass, Mr. Bill Tait and Mr. Andy Wong. I would like to congratulate them and tell them that on behalf of all the Yellowknife Members here, we look forward to working together and I especially valued their advice and input regarding the hotel tax. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition Of The Individual Achievements And New Executive Of The Yellowknife Chamber Of Commerce
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Merci, Ms. Lee. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Value Of Country Food Consumption To The Renewable Resources Sector
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to speak to an important item that follows up on some Members' statements last week in respect to the renewable resource sector.

Mr. Speaker, we often find the need to address the critical issue of the method in which we utilize northern food items. I would like to share in the House today, an interesting statistic that is found in an article produced in Inuvik that supports our northern diet.

Mr. Speaker, interestingly, the people at this specific venue consumed more than 8,000 Eskimo doughnuts, 60 pails of muktuk, 1,500 pounds of Arctic char and whitefish, and over 2,500 bowls of geese and caribou soup. Perhaps today this will give us some food for thought as we continue to support our renewable resources in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Value Of Country Food Consumption To The Renewable Resources Sector
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Recognition Of The New Fort Simpson Town Council And Mayor
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to comment that you have a very nice traditional outfit on today, so thank you and congratulations. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as MLA for Nahendeh to honour the women and men who put their names forward as candidates in the recent municipal elections, especially to those who won the trust of the residents to represent their interests at the municipal level. I would like to congratulate all the mayors and municipal elected councillors in their respective communities. Mr. Speaker, Mayor-elect Tom Wilson and council will be sworn into office in the Village of Fort Simpson tonight at 7:30 p.m.

First, let me offer thanks to the outgoing mayor, Norm Prevost, for the work that he did over the years on behalf of the residents of Fort Simpson. I would also like to acknowledge contributions of councillors Ron McCagg, Sandy Kidd and Owen Rowe who did not put their names to stand for re-election.

To the incoming mayor, Tom Wilson, I offer congratulations as he begins his term this evening as mayor of Fort Simpson. I am encouraged to hear that Mayor Wilson plans to work closely with the First Nations and the Metis Local 52 to ensure that community initiatives are supported by local leadership and benefit all residents.

There is so much we can accomplish by working together. I extend congratulations, Mr. Speaker, to returning councillors Gordie Villeneuve, Bob Hanna, John Hazenberg and Duncan Canvin and to the new councillors, Rusty McDonald, Betty Hardisty, Hazel Isaiah and Kirby Groat. This healthy mix of experienced councillors and new blood will ensure that village priorities and new innovative initiatives come to the table on behalf of the residents of Fort Simpson.

Mr. Speaker, Minister Roger Allen and I met with the past council and the village council on October 26th to reconfirm our commitment to work with communities to find and support local solutions to local problems. I would like to restate my commitment to the new mayor and village council that as the MLA for Nahendeh, I will work closely with you to improve the quality of life for all our residents and to foster opportunities for our businesses to grow. I look forward to working with Mayor Tom Wilson and the new village council. I would like to wish them congratulations and good luck and try the best you can. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Recognition Of The New Fort Simpson Town Council And Mayor
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. Because of your kind words, the Speaker bent the rules on the single subject Member's statement. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

New Ceremonial Dene Garments Worn By Mr. Speaker And Table Officers
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, sometimes in order to effect change, we have to work very hard to see some results. It is true that very often our political will does not persevere as quickly as we would like, but when change comes then we must always see it for what it is. I am pleased to see the changes in the Legislature today. I believe it is a significant and positive change that has come to the decor of this, the most unique of all Legislatures in Canada. Mr. Speaker, I recognize your personal commitment today in wearing a truly northern First Nations coat. It is a visible, strong statement. I want to commend you for it. I also would like to commend and recognize for the very first time, a truly positive change of garment by the Clerk and the deputies. In the Legislature, where even Mickey Mouse makes the odd appearance inside an otherwise truly dignified traditional First Nations coat, it is good to see, Mr. Speaker, your officials of this Legislature making their first appearance in Dene garments. I want to recognize it for the significant statement that it is. Thank you very much.

-- Applause

New Ceremonial Dene Garments Worn By Mr. Speaker And Table Officers
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Kakfwi. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, 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. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great honour to recognize the mayor from Fort McPherson, Mr. Willie Koe, and also his acting SAO, Mr. John Smith. Welcome.

-- Applause

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. At this time, colleagues, I would like to recognize in the gallery Ms. Berna Beaulieu of Creations by Berna, who designed and sewed the ceremonial clothing of the clerks and myself, the ones that we are wearing here today.

-- Applause

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment and it is about the literacy strategy that his department has embarked on. As I mentioned, his department has the lead in this area, but one of the guiding principles of this literacy strategy is that this be a government-wide initiative and not just ECE out on an island acting in isolation. Can the Minister discuss how he intends to make this literacy strategy truly government-wide? Thank you.

Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Mr. Ootes.

Return To Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have been working in collaboration with other government departments on the literacy strategy and while that has taken some effort to accomplish, we are doing that and continue to work closely with the various departments. As you can appreciate, sometimes in areas such as the plain English that may be needed, we need to involve the Department of Public Works, for example, on contracts and other areas. So we are working with other government departments. Thank you.

Return To Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Supplementary To Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I picked up on something the Minister said there and was encouraged. I think I heard him say "plain English." I am wondering can the Minister tell us if we are considering plain language legislation for this government?

Supplementary To Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Mr. Ootes.

Further Return To Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not believe that is been looked at as of yet, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Supplementary To Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you. If this recommendation were to come out from the consultations that are being held, would the Minister bring this recommendation before Cabinet?

Supplementary To Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Mr. Ootes.

Further Return To Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Speaker, I do not have all the details as to what will come out in the literacy strategy as of yet. Certainly once the strategy is brought forward, we have to look at all the implications in the plan to implement the strategy. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Final supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Supplementary To Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Question 204-14(3): GNWT Literacy Strategy
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, not only am I interested in how collaboration within the Government of the Northwest Territories is going to work, but also with other stakeholders like private business. BHP, for instance, is embarking on some literacy initiatives of its own. Can the Minister tell us how they are collaborating with private industry and maybe specifically use BHP as an example? Thank you.