This is page numbers 91 - 111 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 school.

Topics

Members Present

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

-- Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Please be seated. Good morning, colleagues. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that on May 23rd in Fort Simpson, Grand Chief Michael Nadli of the Deh Cho First Nations, the Honourable Robert Nault, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and I signed the Deh Cho Framework Agreement and the Deh Cho Interim Measures Agreement. The signing of these two agreements signaled the conclusion of 18 months of hard work by all three parties.

The Framework Agreement sets out the purpose, process, and timetable for main table negotiations and identifies 43 subject matters for negotiation.

The Interim Measures Agreement, which will be in effect until a Final Agreement is in place, provides that the GNWT will seek the support of affected Deh Cho First Nations with respect to:• new leases on undeveloped Commissioner's land in and around communities;• the issuing of new forest management authorizations; and • the issuing of new outfitters, outpost camp and lodge licences.

Mr. Speaker, more work lies ahead for negotiators who will begin in early July to implement provisions of the Deh Cho Interim Measures Agreement and begin negotiation of an agreement-in-principle on lands, resources and self-government. I wish them well in these negotiations and urge them to work together to build a consensus and keep the Deh Cho process moving forward.

Mr. Speaker, over 500 people attended the signing ceremony at the Papal Grounds in Fort Simpson on May 23rd. The weather could not have been better and a feast and drum dance followed the signing of these two important agreements.

I want to thank the organizers who did such a wonderful job hosting the event, everyone involved with preparing the delicious feast, the young people who performed so well for

dignitaries and guests and lastly, the talented drummers who kept people dancing until midnight. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mahsi, Minister Antoine. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce today that the review of the health and social services system is nearing completion. This comprehensive review considered all previous health and social services reports and reviews and in addition, over 350 personal interviews with stakeholders were held. I want to publicly thank all those individuals who took the time to offer their insights, comments and recommendations for change.

We will soon receive a detailed report that will deliver practical, tangible recommendations about how to improve our current system, including how the department needs to change its structure and operations to effectively support the system. This report will be released to Members of this Assembly and the public on June 25, 2001, which is the date that I expect to receive it from our consultant, Cuff and Associates. I now want to outline the steps we will follow after the release and explain how we will respond to the recommendations in the report.

Mr. Speaker, we will first make the report publicly available to all interested parties. We will mail it to key stakeholders and additional copies will be available at all health and social services centres and from the Department of Health and Social Services. The report will also be posted to the department's website for those wishing to access it through the Internet.

Interested parties will have an opportunity to read the recommendations and provide any final comments until August 1, 2001. At that time, the department will prepare its formal response to the recommendations and a detailed system action plan for implementation.

Mr. Speaker, I am committed to tabling the response and the system action plan during the fall session of this Assembly in October. The plan will include specific action items in response to the report's recommendations, with timelines and anticipated outcomes. The action plan will provide the basis for regular reporting to Members of this Assembly and to the public about our progress in implementing improvements.

With the changing dynamics of health care delivery, pharmaceuticals and medical technology, we must be proactive to ensure the sustainability of a high quality health and social service system to meet the needs of all residents of the Northwest Territories. As I stated to Members of this Assembly in February, we all have the same objective -- to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that our health and social services programs deliver the best possible care to all residents in every community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Madam Minister. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Handley.

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to provide you and my colleagues with an update and information on initiatives that have been taken on the human resource management front. Over the last year or so, I believe that significant progress has been made in several areas.

Mr. Speaker, as you may recall, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers and Northwest Territories Teachers' Association, who represent most GNWT employees, faced their most difficult challenges during collective bargaining negotiations in 1995-96. It was at this time that the GWNT was taking difficult steps to reduce its spending. These steps included changes to the compensation package of public service employees. Division of the NWT also created some tension and strain within the public service by causing uncertainty for employees. However, the current environment has become more positive and allowed for a more proactive approach to issues.

Several positive steps have recently been taken to provide a better working environment and more certainty for the public service. Last year, a Staff Retention Policy was implemented. Mr. Speaker, this policy focuses time and energy on how the GNWT can retain its staff in situations where a function is being changed and jobs are eliminated.

A Code of Conduct has been approved and is in the process of being communicated to all employees. Mr. Speaker, this code will ensure that there is public awareness of the high standard of conduct they can count on from public service employees.

Several joint initiatives have also been undertaken with the unions. A working committee that included both the NWT Teachers' Association and the Union of Northern Workers, as well as GNWT human resource managers, finalized a new Workplace Conflict Resolution Policy. This policy has now been provided to employees. Information sessions and training are being provided on the policy. The Union of Northern Workers continues to be involved in planning the communication of the policy.

Mr. Speaker, during the last round of collective bargaining with the Union of Northern Workers, several issues were raised that required greater discussion than could be devoted to them at the bargaining table. Therefore, memoranda of understanding were signed off that allowed for further discussions and exploration of solutions on these items. They included establishing joint union-management committees to discuss casual employees, development of a monitoring process for exclusions from the bargaining unit, reviewing what kinds of issues employees may have with children, and how to deal with violence in the workplace.

Committees have been established and discussions begun on all of these items. In addition, a joint committee was struck about two years ago to examine safety issues in the health care field. Discussions on these issues are proving to be productive and are allowing the parties to build a solid base of understanding on these issues.

There has also been considerable discussion and the involvement of the Union of Northern Workers on job evaluation matters. The union has participated in training on the Hay Job Evaluation method. This cooperative approach has resulted in some progress being made on more detailed procedures for the handling of job evaluation appeals. Over the summer, the union and the GNWT intend to begin to resolve more job evaluation appeal issues.

Mr. Speaker, significant progress has also been made recently in developing a northern workforce. I spoke earlier of working towards creating more stability within the NWT Public Service. Initiatives like Maximizing Northern Employment are critical to this goal. The enhanced Summer Student Program, Graduate Student Hiring Program, and the Guaranteed Employment for Graduates of the Northern Nursing, Social Work and Teaching Programs will serve to ensure that more Northerners obtain experience and jobs in the North. These initiatives also recognize that the GNWT must take active steps to encourage Northerners to further their education. Mr. Speaker, over the long term, this will serve to improve the NWT labour market and reduce reliance on imported labour.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to providing you with further updates in the future. We will continue to build on the progress made to date. I know the result will be an improved public service and continued work with our employees' unions to proactively address issues. Thank you.

-- Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Tribute To Seniors Of The Northwest Territories
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today is the last day of the week to celebrate the commitment, the dedication and the recognition of the value we place on seniors in our society. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all that the people who have gone before us, have done for us and the measurable debt we owe them. There is a need to work very hard and long as a government to make sure we do not neglect or betray the trust that has been placed in us by seniors.

We all have seniors in our communities, parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. We would not be here today if it was not for what they have done on our behalf, the sacrifices they have made and the price they have paid to raise the families, us as their children, as they expect us to raise our children.

As I pay tribute to the seniors in the Northwest Territories in my constituency, I would like to single out, if I may, Mr. Speaker, a special occasion in my constituency that is occurring today. That is the 65th wedding anniversary of John and Saraphine Evans. That is a tremendous milestone. I am sure the Speaker will concur, as the nephew of this fine couple, that these people are role models for us all. They have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They are a part of the fabric and history of the Northwest Territories and I wish them every blessing and all of the continued happiness and good health that is possible to bestow on them.

I would also ask my colleagues to recognize that particular accomplishment, especially given the regrettable trend for many marriages to barely last ten years. Here we have a couple who has put in a long, very productive life together. I wish to pay tribute to that accomplishment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Tribute To Seniors Of The Northwest Territories
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Indeed, congratulations are certainly well-deserved on 65 years. Item 3, Members' statements. The Chair will now recognize the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Samuel Hearne High School Graduation Ceremonies
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My colleague, the MLA for Inuvik Boot Lake and myself, on behalf of the constituency of Inuvik Twin Lakes, wish to extend our congratulations to the Samuel Hearne Secondary School class of 2001.

Last week, 19 students marched through the gate into the gym of Samuel Hearne Secondary School, listening to the words of congratulation and advice to receive their grade 12 diplomas.

The class of 2001 includes Benjamin Anderson, Evelyn Bernhardt, Katherine Charlie, Diane Day, Mary-Anne Kasook, Cheryl Kirby, Meeka Kisoun, Lana Lokos, Jenna MacNeal, Kevin McKie, Kristine McLeod, Mike Orbell, Sherry Rioux, Fred Seabrook, Danette Smith and Rachel St. Amand.

Another graduate is Shawna Roland, who is completing her studies through home school correspondence.

Some of these students walked away with more than their diplomas. Kristine McLeod received a bursary for being the top female student from the Royal Canadian Legion 220 McInnes Branch and also won the RCMP All Ranks Mess Bursary.

Diane Day won the Pat Petrie award for consistent effort. Kevin McKie and Fred Seabrook shared the legion's bursary for the top male student. Evelyn Bernhardt won the George Irlbacher award.

I wish all the graduates the very best, and I encourage them to further their education and to become our future leaders and professionals for the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Samuel Hearne High School Graduation Ceremonies
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 Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Parental Involvement And Student Success
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All week along I have been talking about education, and today I would like to talk further about the education of our children. I have been talking up to this point about how we need to put more money into the student support. We need to put more money into PTR, and we need to make sure that more money gets into the education system.

There is another critical factor that will have a profound effect, Mr. Speaker, and that is parental involvement and interest in the success of our children. I had a constituent stop me this week, Mr. Speaker, and tell me what an affect they felt the teacher was having on their child's education this year. We talked for some time about their child and how well he was doing this year, but what struck me was the parent's interest and involvement in their child. I think that really, more than anything, is one of the most critical factors. I think parents have to realize that without a quiet place to study, without nutritional meals, without early bedtimes, without taking an interest and reading to children and helping them with their homework, their children are really up against it, Mr. Speaker.

I think, in fact, children and teachers are fighting a losing battle if they do not have this parental involvement.

I know that in my life as a child, certainly without my parents having a strong influence, I would have been playing road hockey with my brother and friends late into the evening and would have been eating candy four meals a day, Mr. Speaker. I think we have to consider exactly how important parents are in their children's education.

None of us are happy with the graduation and success rate of the kids in the Northwest Territories to this point. We can do better and we know that. In fairness, Mr. Speaker, in the south, we are oftentimes talking about third and fourth generation of high school graduates. In the Northwest Territories, often we are working on first and second. In southern Canada, parents clearly have a different experience with the education system and with graduation themselves.

Mr. Speaker, I think this is one of the reasons a program like the Aboriginal Head Start Program has been so successful, and continues to be. It requires the involvement of parents. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage parents...

Parental Involvement And Student Success
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mr. Bell, your time has expired.

Parental Involvement And Student Success
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

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

Parental Involvement And Student Success
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays, Mr. Bell, you may conclude.

Parental Involvement And Student Success
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, in conclusion, I would just like to take this opportunity to encourage parents to take an active interest in the education of their children. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Parental Involvement And Student Success
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Thomas Simpson High School Graduation Ceremonies
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, June 2nd, I had the pleasure of attending the graduation ceremony at Thomas Simpson High School in my home community of Fort Simpson. Families, friends and teachers gathered to celebrate the achievement of ten outstanding students from Nahendeh. At this time, I would like to publicly acknowledge the accomplishments of Catherine Blondin, Kathryn-Lee Brown, Gabriel Byatt, James Erasmus, Jermaine Gargan, Carsen Hardisty, Felix Isaiah, Denny Moses and Ericson Sanguez.

I am encouraged, Mr. Speaker, that these young people, like all graduates across the Northwest Territories, will continue to develop their skills, will pursue their career goals, and will make a lasting contribution to their communities, to the Territory, and to Canada.

I was very honoured to be asked to speak to the graduating class and to pass on our heartfelt congratulations on behalf of us here at the Legislative Assembly.

This year, the grad slogan at the Thomas Simpson School was "growing from strong roots." Mr. Speaker, I was very impressed at how these graduates chose to honour the strong role played by their families, by their elders and by their communities in preparing and supporting their quest to complete their secondary education. No matter how these grads choose to contribute to the growth of the Northwest Territories, I am confident they will always remember their roots, respect their culture and be proud of where they come from.

On behalf of the people of Nahendeh, I would like to wish the 2001 graduates the very best life has to offer. They have demonstrated an ability to succeed, and I am confident they have the means to tackle whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead of them in their lives. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thomas Simpson High School Graduation Ceremonies
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Wednesday, my colleague for Tu Nedhe raised concerns that the construction of a deep-sea port in the Bathurst Inlet will affect our territorial economy. If and when this port is built, it could have the capacity to service our mines and the people of the Northwest Territories will not benefit economically.

In response to Mr. Nitah's concerns, the Minister of Finance stated that he felt the best defence was a good offence, and that the government's best response would be to build up our highway system as quickly as possible. This would encourage industry to serve the whole mining area in the Northwest Territories. I agree with the Minister. However, it is a matter of debate as to which roads should be built. The millions of dollars being spent on improving the Ingraham Trail and Lupin winter road do not make good sense. This aspect of the Highway Strategy is shortsighted and overlooks alternate routes that would better serve the people of the North and the mines.

With the many opportunities opening up to residents, because of the national and international interest in our resources, we need to make long-term investments and plans that will benefit both industry and the residents of the Northwest Territories. One way to do this is to ensure that when the diamonds are no longer in the ground, the infrastructure that we have built to access these areas is still of use to residents.

Some Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Leon Lafferty North Slave

A road linking the Dogrib communities and mines has countless spin-offs. The vision is economically, environmentally and socially feasible. I have raised this issue countless times. I have asked that hydropower, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a road connecting the communities be considered a priority of this government. This idea has community, territorial and global benefits. As Mr. Handley says, the best defence is a good offence. Let us get going on this issue now for a better tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.