This is page numbers 229 - 260 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 4th 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 program.

Topics

Supplementary To Question 87-14(4): Mandate Of The Intergovernmental Forum Secretariat
Question 87-14(4): Mandate Of The Intergovernmental Forum Secretariat
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 244

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy last week released quite a document on aboriginal communities and non-renewable resource development. A recommendation, Mr. Speaker, was that the Intergovernmental Forum should promote a regional and community-based approach to capacity building and play a lead coordinating and support role.

Mr. Speaker, I wanted to ask the Premier, what is the GNWT's response to this recommendation from the National Round Table? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 87-14(4): Mandate Of The Intergovernmental Forum Secretariat
Question 87-14(4): Mandate Of The Intergovernmental Forum Secretariat
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 244

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The Premier's equally short response, Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 87-14(4): Mandate Of The Intergovernmental Forum Secretariat
Question 87-14(4): Mandate Of The Intergovernmental Forum Secretariat
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 244

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

It is not in my nature to be short and brief, and in this case, I am actually unable to give a short answer to it, so what I will do is provide in some capacity the statements, notes and agreements we have made to the National Round Table on the Environment and Economy last week with the recommendations we have already responded to. I will be circulating that to all Members as soon as possible. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 87-14(4): Mandate Of The Intergovernmental Forum Secretariat
Question 87-14(4): Mandate Of The Intergovernmental Forum Secretariat
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 244

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

June 13th, 2001

Page 244

Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, dealing with aboriginal language initiatives. Mr. Speaker, the administrative structure seems to be very inflexible regarding the payment schedule, which seems to be very different from that of the French language group. The aboriginal language payment schedule for the contribution agreement is 50 percent up front, 25 percent after an interim activity report is received from the aboriginal language community, and then another 25 percent after the new fiscal year has started.

The Francophone contribution is different, Mr. Speaker, as I stated. Fifty percent of the contribution is paid up front and 50 percent is given to them after they submit the activity report.

Mr. Speaker, why is the payment schedule for aboriginal initiatives different from that for Francophone initiatives? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 244

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Return To Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was not aware that there was a different payment schedule, but certainly I will check into that and see what the rationale behind that may be, so we can get an answer back to the Member. Thank you.

Return To Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Supplementary To Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the Government of the Northwest Territories wants to empower aboriginal communities, this two-tiered system has to stop. What can the department do to relax the guidelines used in the development of contributions, so the transfers of contributions runs more smoothly? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Further Return To Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, certainly we want to ensure that it does run smoothly. The Member may have a very good point there. As I said, I do not know the rationale behind the system that is employed. I will check into that. I am sure that if it is possible to streamline that, then we will certainly provide instructions to do that, Mr. Speaker. As I said, I do not know the rationale, so I have to check that first. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Supplementary To Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess that is the closest to a commitment I can get from the Minister at this point in time. Mr. Speaker, the language community has been without a contribution since the beginning of the fiscal year. It does not look like they will be getting a contribution until some time in July. They have to spend their own money, which, unfortunately, they do not have much of, or none of.

What I would like to know is what can the Minister do to fast-track the contribution prior to July so they could start using the funds? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Further Return To Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, this is the first I have heard of it, Mr. Speaker. I will check into that. If I can fast-track this, then I will do so, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Supplementary To Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The commitments are flying now. I wish every day in the House was like this, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the department table the GNWT's annual report to the federal government on contribution agreements for aboriginal languages as soon as the report is finalized? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Further Return To Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure what the annual report may be. Again, I will have to check into that to see what we are speaking of there and to seek a bit of clarification from the Member, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Question 88-14(4): Aboriginal Languages Contribution Agreement
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Question 89-14(4): Linking Reorganization And Restructuring Initiatives
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to follow up on my Member's statement regarding the issue of community service boards and the very many forces and factors at play here with the Cuff report, regional reorganization, and looking at regional governance.

I would like to ask the Deputy Premier how in fact will these various initiatives be linked? When will that particular issue be brought to bear? When will communities -- in the South Slave, particularly -- be able to look at options such as that? Thank you.

Question 89-14(4): Linking Reorganization And Restructuring Initiatives
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Deputy Premier, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Return To Question 89-14(4): Linking Reorganization And Restructuring Initiatives
Question 89-14(4): Linking Reorganization And Restructuring Initiatives
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will have to take that question as notice.

Return To Question 89-14(4): Linking Reorganization And Restructuring Initiatives
Question 89-14(4): Linking Reorganization And Restructuring Initiatives
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. The question has been taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Question 90-14(4): Western Arctic Leadership Program Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 245

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I made comments about the Western Arctic Leadership Program. I stated the program has problems with long-term funding every year. It struggles to get by and we really do not know what the future holds for them. I would like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment what his department is doing. Is there committed funding for the long term? Thank you.