This is page numbers 71 - 108 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 students.

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Supplementary To Question 56-14(2): New Bridge Construction In Hay River
Question 56-14(2): New Bridge Construction In Hay River
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 94

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Further Return To Question 56-14(2): New Bridge Construction In Hay River
Question 56-14(2): New Bridge Construction In Hay River
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 94

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Mr. Speaker. The department realized a $400,000 surplus from that particular project. We reallocated that funding to construct a bridge for Ochre River. If the Member wants more specific information than that, I will have to have the department put it in writing for him. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 56-14(2): New Bridge Construction In Hay River
Question 56-14(2): New Bridge Construction In Hay River
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 94

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Steen. Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 56-14(2): New Bridge Construction In Hay River
Question 56-14(2): New Bridge Construction In Hay River
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 94

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to know from the Minister that when spring break-up comes and residents have to travel back and forth between Vale Island and the new town of Hay River, if it proves that people cannot get back and forth in an hour, and there is an easy solution as far as throwing a couple of culverts across the channel, and putting a gravel pad so people could drive across, would there be money and would the department be willing to look at that as an alternative? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 56-14(2): New Bridge Construction In Hay River
Question 56-14(2): New Bridge Construction In Hay River
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 94

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Steen.

Further Return To Question 56-14(2): New Bridge Construction In Hay River
Question 56-14(2): New Bridge Construction In Hay River
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 94

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that is specifically the type of suggestion that I said the department would be open to. We would sit down with the stakeholders, and with the community and come up with whatever they can afford to do, for one thing. Furthermore, we would discuss any problems with Fisheries and Oceans. That is what I meant when I said the department would sit down with stakeholders and see how best to address the situation. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 56-14(2): New Bridge Construction In Hay River
Question 56-14(2): New Bridge Construction In Hay River
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 94

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Steen. The time allocated for question period is over. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. The Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Accountability and Oversight Committee, one of the newly formed standing committees of the 14th Legislative Assembly, recently held a two-day operational and planning workshop in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The purpose of the workshop was to develop a coordinated and cohesive approach to reviewing government-wide issues that will come before the committee.

The Accountability and Oversight Committee, being comprised of all 11 regular Members, focused discussions on developing a vision and mission that will guide our work for the next four years. As part of developing the vision and mission, the committee discussed and established fundamental values which would form the foundation for how committee members carry out their activities. Mr. Speaker, the committee agreed upon the following vision, mission and value statement:

Our Vision is to be responsive and accountable to the public by acting with integrity to contribute to the achievement of the 14th Legislative Assembly's vision.

Our Mission would be to take positive action to support, question or oppose government initiatives and to hold government accountable.

Mr. Speaker, as Members of the Accountability and Oversight Committee, we have agreed that we will work together in a manner that;

  • • is in accordance with the Members' conduct guidelines of the Legislative Assembly;
  • • promotes trust and openness in our dealings with each other;
  • • provides the opportunity to exercise our rights and privilege to voice opinions;
  • • recognizes that after best efforts to reach consensus we may agree to disagree; and
  • • recognizes that there are formal and established procedures through which dissenting Members may express their views.

Mr. Speaker, the Accountability and Oversight Committee recognizes that this is just the start of their commitment to work together to develop the priorities and objectives necessary to guide the government in building healthier communities for all of our residents. As set out in our vision statement, Members are committed to making a positive contribution to the 14th Legislative Assembly.

As part of the next steps in this focusing process, the committee will be meeting again in the near future to further refine their work on priority and objective setting. It is the intention of the Accountability and Oversight Committee to report back to the public and this House on the outcome of this next session, as well as to report on other matters as required. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that this report be received by the Assembly and adopted. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. There is a motion to accept and adopt this report. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? Thank you. All those opposed? The motion is carried. Before we go onto the next item, the House will take a short break.

-- Break

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

The House will come to order. Item 12, reports of committees on review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. The Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Towards Excellence, A Report on Education in the Northwest Territories.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Tabling of documents. The Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document dated February 21, 2000 entitled, Student Financial Assistance Act Amendments. It was sent to all Members by the honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. Tabling of documents. The Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker I would like to table a report from the Gwich'in Renewable Resource Board entitled Resource Report 99-10. It is a five-year report from 1994 to 1999.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. The Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Motion 9-14(2): Tabled Document 14-14(2) Into Committee Of The Whole
Item 14: Notices Of Motion

February 24th, 2000

Page 95

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, February 28, 2000, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the Member for Deh Cho, that Tabled Document 14-14(2), the Final Report of the Minister's Forum on Health and Social Services be moved into committee of the whole for discussion.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 14, notices of motion. The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Motion 10-14(2): Pipeline Development
Item 14: Notices Of Motion

Page 95

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, February 28, 2000, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the Member for Deh Cho, that the 14th Legislative Assembly is committed to work cooperatively in partnership with aboriginal governments to take control of the development of northern resources; and further that this Legislative Assembly urges the Government of the Northwest Territories, in partnership with aboriginal governments, to actively promote the development of a natural gas pipeline through the Mackenzie Valley; and

Furthermore, that the Government of the Northwest Territories seeks to maximize the benefits that would accrue to Western Arctic communities with the development of a natural gas pipeline down the Mackenzie Valley; and

Furthermore, that this Legislative Assembly endorses the efforts of the Premier and the Executive Council in seeking, with aboriginal governments, the control of our natural resources and the sharing with these governments of the resource revenue arising from that development. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Motion 10-14(2): Pipeline Development
Item 14: Notices Of Motion

Page 95

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you Mr. Roland. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. The Minister responsible for the Department of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS section 74 of the Financial Administration Act specifies that unless a date is otherwise fixed by the Legislative Assembly, the Public Accounts of the Northwest Territories for the previous fiscal year must be tabled in the Legislative Assembly on or before December 31st or not later than 15 days after the commencement of the next session;

AND WHEREAS the Financial Administration Act does not contemplate the complexities and additional accounting and audit work associated with producing Public Accounts with agreed upon opening balance sheets for two new territories;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that the Legislative Assembly fix the date of June 30, 2000 for the tabling of Public Accounts of the Northwest Territories for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1999. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Handley. We have a motion on the floor. Members are reminded that a copy of the motion is in their binders. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

Item 16, motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Bill 1. The Chair recognizes the Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Bill 1, An Act To Amend The Education Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

Page 96

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Education Act, be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker, this act amends the Education Act to set out rules with respect to the student/teacher ratio and student support services that must be adhered to when operation and maintenance funds are provided to the education bodies under section 128 of the Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 1, An Act To Amend The Education Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

Page 96

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. The Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Bill 1, An Act To Amend The Education Act
Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

Page 96

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just have some comments I would like to make. As we look at this piece of legislation, there are budget implications that I feel we have to look at carefully. Where is Cabinet planning to get the new money? This is worth over $14 million over the life of this government. The numbers we have seen project that with the current rates, we could have a possible deficit of over $150 million. Which programs does Cabinet plan to take money from?

The distribution of the pupil/teacher ratio fund is also something that has to be looked at. While pupil/teacher ratio is a territorial standard, it is not really what each school and school board gets. The formula varies depending on the size of the schools. Smaller schools have lower pupil/teacher ratios. What will that impact be? Will this be an across the board adjustment to the formula? Or will it require a reworking of the formula? Will this raise even more concerns about the inequities between large and small schools?

Special needs is another issue, Mr. Speaker, that is clearly not a well defined area. Right now, there could potentially be a black hole in requirement for funds given the wide definition. There are no real guidelines for the allocation of these funds based on any particular special need. The funds are allocated on the assumption that every school board and every region is dealing with the same quantity and type of special needs, which is not really the case. Will this new funding simply be added to the formula on an equitable basis?

There is also the issue of precedence, Mr. Speaker, as we look at this legislation. Are we, as we are putting specific program requirement in legislation, going to be prepared to look at this as we enter negotiations with the Union of Northern Workers, in terms of social workers and case loads? Doctors and nurses and client loads?

This is an important piece of legislation. It is not as straightforward as I think people would like to think. We have to look at this in the broader context of the overall governments' budgeting and fiscal planning. Thank you.