This is page numbers 397 - 466 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 chairman.

Topics

Members Present

Honourable Roger Allen, Honourable Jim Antoine, Mr. Bell, Mr. Braden, Mr. Delorey, Mr. Dent, Honourable Jane Groenewegen, Honourable Joe Handley, Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Lafferty, Ms. Lee, Mr. McLeod, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Nitah, Honourable Jake Ootes, Mr. Roland, Honourable Vince Steen, Honourable Tony Whitford.

-- Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 397

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome back after the long weekend. I hope you all had a good Canada Day. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to note the untimely passing of a northern sports hero. As Members are aware, Ms. Mary Beth Miller of Yellowknife was tragically taken from us while training at the Biathlon Canada camp in Valcartier, Quebec.

Mr. Speaker, Mary Beth had ambitions that inspired us all. Her successes ranged from the Arctic Winter Games to the North American Biathlon Championships, to the World University Games. She was a role model and a champion. Our deepest sympathies go to her family and her friends during this most difficult time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. I would like to extend the condolences of this House to the family of Mary Beth. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In March of this year, this Legislature passed a motion in support of pension entitlements due to former Giant Mine workers. The federal government acknowledged this message through both the Prime Minister's Office and the Minister responsible for Indian Affairs and Northern Development. While our message has been delivered to the federal government, unfortunately to date, a workable solution has not been found to resolve the issue of pensions and the funds necessary to offset the deficit in the pension fund for approximately 100 former workers.

The federal government, Mr. Speaker, needs to continue to seek ways so that the pensions for retired Giant Mine workers are topped up, so that workers who have toiled for so many years are able to enjoy the retirement they have negotiated and deserve.

Having given federal support for the laid-off Cape Breton Development Corporation (DEVCO) coal miners in the form of early retirement and severance packages, the federal government needs to reconsider its assistance for former Giant Mine workers. Substantial royalties and taxes were received from Giant Mine through its operating life. While there may be no legal obligation under existing bankruptcy or pension legislation, the federal government should do the right thing and look at how it might provide a supplementary or ex gratia payment to enable the pension fund to be topped up and meet the moral, if not the legal, obligations to former Giant Mine workers.

On the legislative front, Mr. Speaker, we must continue to press for changes in the Federal Pension Standards Act and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act to ensure we never again find ourselves in this situation, and to ensure that workers' rights are better protected in the future. Within our legislative competence, and possibly the Fair Practices Act, we must look at ways to alleviate such situations here in our own backyard.

Mr. Speaker, there are many lessons to be learned from the Giant Mine legacy -- economic, social and environmental. It is our duty to continue to press for the rightful payment to Giant Mine pensioners and to prevent this situation from ever happening again to territorial citizens. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to speak on the issue of Giant Mine. Mr. Speaker, as you are well aware, on March 27th, this House passed a motion in support of the laid-off Giant Mine workers who were given no severance packages, and what is more, a 25 percent reduction in their pension benefits as of April 1st, 2000.

Also in this House, many Members have spoken to the issues related to the reclamation of the contaminated sites at the Giant Mine property. At the time this House passed the motion, Mr. Speaker, I was hoping very much that the federal government would come through with some action. As evidenced by the letter your office has received on behalf of the Members of this House, which I tabled in this House last week, the chosen course of action by the federal government is that of no action.

Mr. Speaker, I must say that I am particularly disappointed with the cursory statement that the Minister makes in the letter in which he states that the federal government has done all it could for the workers. With all due respect, Mr. Speaker, I disagree with that position. I would argue that the government has done a real disservice to these laid-off Giant Mine workers.

As I have stated numerous times previously, the federal government was very much the conduit that enabled the sale of asset transactions from Giant Mine to Miramar to take place. It even assumed a temporary ownership of the property to enable the transaction to go through. Further, Mr. Speaker, the government made a deliberate decision to relieve the future owner, Miramar, of the environmental liability that would go to any future new owner. They were not an innocent bystander, Mr. Speaker.

I must say I do not begrudge the deal Miramar has received, but I do begrudge the raw deal that the workers of Giant Mine have received. Mr. Speaker, Minister Nault and his federal counterparts, all the way up to the Prime Minister, should be reminded that they are the Ministers responsible for all aspects of this dire situation. They are the Ministers responsible for the mines, non-renewable resources, labour, bankruptcy, and the environment of our Territory. It seems, Mr. Speaker, that the federal government as a whole is washing their hands of what is at the front and centre of their mandate in this part of the country.

Mr. Speaker, given the reduction of the DIAND budget for the clean-up of the Giant Mine site, which I might add is totally contrary to the commitment it made in its throne speech last fall, the Minister seemed to show as much disregard...

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Your time has expired.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, given the reduction of the DIAND budget for the clean-up of Giant Mine sites, which I might add is totally contrary to the commitment it made in its throne speech last fall, the Minister seems to show as much disregard for the environmental safety of the North. I am very disappointed with this as well.

Mr. Speaker, I believe it is never too late for a government to correct a wrong. I urge the federal government to reconsider and compensate the workers for what they are due and clean up the contaminated sites as they have committed to do. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to also put some focus on the Giant Mine pension situation. Mr. Speaker, our constituents and former Giant employees are frustrated, in fact fed up, with a lack of activity on the part of our federal government. They have undertaken letter writing campaigns, met countless times with Ethel Blondin-Andrew, but there are still no results.

Mr. Speaker, in this situation, there really are two issues. We all realize we need to get federal labour legislation changed. It does not make any sense to have pensioners at the back of the list behind unsecured creditors, and I would argue that we need to devolve this legislation to this level of government so we can take care of our constituents. There is another issue, as Ms. Lee has mentioned, and that is the topping up of the pension fund.

DIAND was instrumental in putting together the deal that saw Miramar take over the Giant assets, and they are now responsible. Mr. Speaker, these men have given too much to this community, and indeed this country, to now turn around and put the screws to them. The federal government must own up to its responsibility and top up these pensions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to speak about the issue of the Giant pensioners today. Mr. Speaker, late last year and early this year for a number of months, there was an awful lot heard on the issue of the Giant Mine pensions. The media were covering this on a regular basis and there was some discussion in this House and in the federal Parliament. It received much attention. It was driven largely by the efforts of people like Mary Kosta when pensions were cut 25 percent.

Mr. Speaker, as other Members have noted, this Assembly unanimously passed a motion in support of the Giant Mine pensioners.

Lately, Mr. Speaker, we have heard very little. In spite of that motion, what we have heard from the federal government is in fact alarming. Late last week, I heard Jim Moore, the assistant deputy minister responsible for Northern Affairs with the federal Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, say that he sympathized with the displaced Giant Mine workers but, quite simply, the Northern Affairs well has run dry.

Mr. Speaker, DIAND has reneged on its commitment made to these workers. Mr. Speaker, I ask the government of the Northwest Territories to again try to bring some focus to this issue and demand that the federal government deal fairly with the pensioners, demand that the federal government ensure that the same thing does not happen again by moving swiftly to change labour legislation. Mr. Speaker, even if they do not move swiftly, I still call on our government to look at occupying the field of labour legislation and develop our own Northwest Territories labour laws to properly protect Northerners. That, Mr. Speaker, will not help the Giant Mine pensioners, but will help the people in the future.

What will help the pensioners now is if our Premier leads a call to Ottawa and demands that the federal government not think that Northerners are going to forget about this issue. We want to see some action. We want to see it now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Merci, Mr. Dent. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Highway No. 5
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 399

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are in our budget session, and as I have every year for the last four years as we approach the Department of Transportation, I want to speak to the issue of Highway No. 5. Specifically, the lack of chip-seal and the attention to Highway No. 5 in the capital plan.

Mr. Speaker, very clearly in the debate in this House, the issue of transportation and highways has received the attention of many Members. We have heard of safety as an issue. We have heard of road rage in Yellowknife as a critical issue in terms of getting financing. We have heard of the effect on tourism and inter-community travel and trade.

Once again, it has been very clear that the debate and discussion has focused on the road between Rae and Yellowknife. However, I think roads are an issue for all MLAs and Fort Smith is no different. We have one road into our community and the majority of it is not chip-sealed or paved. It is a gravel road that suffers all the downfalls and shortcomings that gravel roads have, in terms of pot holes and maintenance. It is difficult to travel and has safety issues. I do commend, Mr. Speaker, the maintenance crews and staff in the region trying to maintain the road, but very clearly chip-sealing and paving is the answer in terms of cost savings and effective and efficient operation.

It was with certain dismay when I looked at the capital plan for highways, that once again Fort Smith and Highway No. 5 received not one iota of attention in terms of any kind of money over the next five years. Not one shekel, rupee, drachma, or peso, Mr. Speaker. Not one loonie.

-- Laughter

This is an issue for the community of Fort Smith. I will continue to rise and speak to this issue as we approach the budget for the Department of Transportation. I will once again be asking my colleague, the Minister responsible for Transportation, when, Mr. Speaker, will we see even the remotest recognition that this is an issue for the Department of Transportation. Thank you.

-- Applause

Highway No. 5
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 399

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize a project that is currently underway in Hay River and the efforts of individuals that are working towards making this project a reality.

Mr. Speaker, the Hay River Museum Society has long recognized the need and importance to collect and preserve the artifacts and stories that tell the history of Hay River, the Hay River Dene Reserve, and the people.

Mr. Speaker, history shows that the Dene people have lived in this area for thousands of years, and from the first permanent settlers of 1892 to today, many changes have taken place. Mr. Speaker, through a series of events and hard work from certain individuals, the society has been able to undertake the Hay River Heritage Centre Project 2000.

For example, the society was successful in obtaining a large building from NTCL for the sum of one centennial dollar and a lease for the land on which it sits. The building, which was formally the Hudson Bay Store, is in itself a historic building.

Funds were received from the Canadian Millennium Partnership Program for a total of approximately $45,000 and through a trust fund established by the United Church of Canada from sales of property in Hay River.

I have noticed that no money from this government has gone into this project to date, but I am sure that there will be requests. I encourage this government to support this project. At this time, I would like to recognize the co-chairs of the society, Vickie Latour and Peter Austit, for all the hard work they have put into this project.

I know this facility will be a great benefit to Hay River, its residents, and visitors to Hay River. I want to wish them all the success in future endeavours in this project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe. Mr. Nitah.

Democratic Victories Won By Mexican Voters
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 399

Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, true democracy received another shot in the arm this past weekend. A former Coca-Cola executive became the president of Mexico following the recent elections. Mr. Speaker, this means Mexico, for the first time, had a truly free-voting electorate in 71 years.

It is like when the walls of East Berlin came crashing down. This was done in Mexico with masses chanting, "We can make change happen!" The free world and Mexicans alike are celebrating the liberation of the people of Mexico. Hopefully, the fallout will spur their economy with much-needed new investment.

Anyone who knows individuals who have fought for democracy will understand the depth of this achievement, and any individual who has lived under oppressive regimes will understand what this could mean to Mexicans' daily lives.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories should follow the example of their self-determination. What we need here in the Northwest Territories, in partnership with aboriginal governments, is provincial-type authority to run our own affairs. While we have democracy, we do not have the political authority or financial backing to carry out our political will.

Mr. Speaker, the federal government is withholding the gavel and financial resources from us. Until we organize ourselves in the North, it will continue to do so. Mr. Speaker, we too should demolish our Berlin Wall and get provincial-type responsibilities and the financial resources necessary to run this territory as it should be.

I congratulate the Mexican people on their victory. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Democratic Victories Won By Mexican Voters
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 400

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Treatment Facilities, Programs And Services
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 400

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a report that is long overdue in this House, which we are still waiting to have the Minister table, is the review of Health and Social Services and the department's response to that report.

Mr. Speaker, there are still many unresolved issues, especially coming from the small communities when it comes to treatment facilities and programs and services.

Right now, a lot of communities have accessed federal programs in which they are ensuring they are able to carry those out. There are early childhood programs, the community access program, and the Aboriginal Head Start Program. These programs are all administered through different aboriginal communities which are funded from the federal government, but yet this government is very reluctant to move when aboriginal initiatives want to take ownership and control of the problems that they see in front of them.

I raised this issue a trillion times in the 13th Assembly with the previous Minister, about alcohol and drug programs, such as Tl'oondih, Delta House, and other treatment facilities which have been closed down to make way for a more centralized control approach by this government.

Yet what we see is that waiting and wondering at those experiences where we are not seeing the results we saw previously. In regards to the different programs, there were initiatives tried, such as the Tl'oondih program, which was a child and family treatment facility which was offered to deal with families as a whole.

There was talk about different programs in different areas for the communities like the North Slave who want to take more control over the problems they see with alcohol and drugs, and deal with the community problems themselves.

Yet we do not see much movement in this area. So with that, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister questions on this matter shortly. Thank you.

-- Applause

Treatment Facilities, Programs And Services
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 400

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Merci, Mr. Krutko. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.