This is page numbers 1 - 24 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 2nd 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 services.

Topics

Return To Question 5-14(2): Funding For Addictions Services
Question 5-14(2): Funding For Addictions Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 11

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 5-14(2): Funding For Addictions Services
Question 5-14(2): Funding For Addictions Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 11

Leon Lafferty North Slave

In The Final Report of the Ministers' Forum on Health and Social Services, it was pointed out that treatment far from home is less effective than the healing of whole families in the community. One of the goals identified by the Dogrib Addiction Strategy is to have people who speak their language, people who know their customs and traditions, people who are proud of their culture and heritage, people who are guided by their Dogrib beliefs and spirituality.

This strategy states that every individual and every family in the Dogrib communities have been and are affected by addiction problems. I am sure you can appreciate the importance of having treatment provided which best meets the needs of the clients. Can the Minister indicate whether she is receptive to establishing a treatment centre in the North Slave?

Supplementary To Question 5-14(2): Funding For Addictions Services
Question 5-14(2): Funding For Addictions Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 11

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Just to remind the Members the preamble to the question should come first, and then supplementaries are just to the point of the question. The question is directed to the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Further Return To Question 5-14(2): Funding For Addictions Services
Question 5-14(2): Funding For Addictions Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 11

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do recognize what the Member is saying. We do need to have treatment that does not create barriers to our residents, whether it is a culture or language barrier. We need to have treatment that is tailored to the needs of our people.

With regard to that, the department has undertaken an alternative programming initiative, and this planning process has been underway since April 1, 1999, and it is to develop comprehensive program options for children, youth, and families, as well as gender-sensitive healing and recovery programs.

In February 2000, the Initiative Steering Committee presented programming recommendations to the board, CEO's, and department senior management. The Member's question was is the Minister receptive to an addictions centre for the North Slave? I would like to say that I have received an invitation from the Dogrib people to attend and discuss this matter further with them, and I will be more than happy to do that. Also, I note that Anna Beals, the director of the Community Programs Dogrib Community Services Board is a member of the Alternative Programming Initiatives Steering Committee, and hopefully will have valuable input on that committee as we look at programming alternatives. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 5-14(2): Funding For Addictions Services
Question 5-14(2): Funding For Addictions Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 12

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Member's statement on the Diavik project and resource development in the North, my question is for Mr. Handley, the Minister assigned to represent the GNWT on the Diavik project. The difficulties experienced with permitting have sent a confusing and a conflicting message about the development climate in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. I feel the issue, for the long term, is one of confidence and communication. Can the Minister advise what the government plans to do to deal with the broader message, and it is a message, I think, of lack of confidence so widely expressed about the development climate in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The question is to the Minister responsible for Finance, the Honourable Joe Handley.

Further Return To Question 6-14(2): Addressing Nwt Resource Development
Question 6-14(2): Addressing NWT Resource Development
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 12

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the Northwest Territories, we are blessed with tremendous resources and, I think, a fantastic environment. We have to protect that. At the same time, we also need to maintain an investment climate that is going to give us the economic activities that we need in order to overcome the difficulties we face right now.

On the Diavik project, our government has participated totally and completely all the way through the comprehensive study review process. We have taken the lead on the socio-economic agreement, which was settled. We have participated in the environmental agreement negotiations, which are ongoing. We are attending the Prospectors Development Association Meeting in Toronto next week where the Deputy Premier will make a presentation with regard to our investment climate. I will be attending an International Ministers of Mines Meeting with the same message.

We are continuing with a lot of the messages that are aimed at ensuring we have a good investment climate and have the confidence of people around the world. And I believe we still do, in spite of these tough points. I think we are still a good place internationally to have money invested.

In terms of control over it, Mr. Speaker, I think it is much better to govern ourselves than to be governed by somebody else. I think when we see our northern governments in charge, responsible and accountable for development, then you will see development happening at a pace and in a way that Northerners want it to happen. I believe as we make steps in devolution, then we should be able to make a lot of headway on improving our image around the world as a good place to invest. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 6-14(2): Addressing Nwt Resource Development
Question 6-14(2): Addressing NWT Resource Development
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 12

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. Braden, supplementary.

Supplementary To Question 6-14(2): Addressing Nwt Resource Development
Question 6-14(2): Addressing NWT Resource Development
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 12

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister raised a very critical point, I think, in this situation, and that is our long-term goal to see the control of resources brought home here to the North. The role then, of the federal government and getting their ear on this desire and indeed this right that we have is important. What assurance can the Minister give us that Ottawa is any more serious this time about bringing control of northern resources into northern hands? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 6-14(2): Addressing Nwt Resource Development
Question 6-14(2): Addressing NWT Resource Development
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 12

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

The Minister responsible for Finance, the Honourable Joe Handley.

Further Return To Question 6-14(2): Addressing Nwt Resource Development
Question 6-14(2): Addressing NWT Resource Development
Item 6: Oral Questions

February 21st, 2000

Page 12

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the best assurance I can give is to simply repeat or remind the Members of the commitments that the Minister of DIAND made when he was here. He spoke very forcefully about his belief in devolution and his commitment to get on with that process. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 6-14(2): Addressing Nwt Resource Development
Question 6-14(2): Addressing NWT Resource Development
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 12

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 6, oral questions. The Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, and it is regarding the pupil-to-teacher ratio. Could the Minister indicate what the pupil-to-teacher ratio is and what positions are factored in when calculating the pupil-to-teacher ratio? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

The Minister responsible for Education, the Honourable Mr. Ootes.

Return To Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 12

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the pupil-to-teacher ratio refers to the funding that is provided to the District Education Councils, and it is based on a formula that is provided, and includes the teachers, the principals, and vice principals. Thank you.

Return To Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 13

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Oral questions, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 13

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister indicate whether in fact that criteria was the same one used in the negotiation of the MOU at the NWTTA when they looked at class sizes? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 13

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Further Return To Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 13

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

I believe so, Mr. Speaker. I would have to double check that, and I can get back to the Member on that.

Further Return To Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 13

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 13

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister also indicate whether the figures he has given us today, in terms of pupil-to-teacher ratio, are the same ones we use when we send in our numbers to central bodies and other jurisdictions when they are doing surveys regionally or nationally in regards to educational indicators? Is the class size 18.3 to one? Is that what we use when we send out what our class average pupil-to-teacher ratio is to other jurisdictions when we compare notes? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 13

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister responsible for Education, the Honourable Jake Ootes.

Further Return To Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 13

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

I believe so, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Question 7-14(2): Ratio Of Pupils To Teachers
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 13

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Item 6, oral questions. The Chair recognizes the Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.