Debates of Oct. 22nd, 2002

This is page numbers 1063 - 1106 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 5th 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 rights.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
Sport And Recreation Achievements
Annual Report Of The NWT Development Corporation
Quit And Win Stop Smoking Campaign
Support For Mackenzie Delta Oil And Gas Opportunities
Highway Maintenance Training Opportunities
Wage Parity For Hay River Community Health Board Employees
Revisions To The Business Incentive Policy
NWT Quit And Win Contest
Maximizing Cameron Hills Development Opportunities
Hay River Physicians Quota Achieved
Lack Of Health Care Available In The North Slave Region
Passing Of Prominent Northerners
Remarks On The Community Of Nahanni Butte
Return To Oral Question 322-14(5): Business Incentive Policy Revisions
Return To Oral Question 327-14(5): Mechanism For Revoking Board Appointments
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Federal Support For Northern Development
Cameron Hills Development
Status Of Hay River Health Board Employees
Repairs To Highways No. 5 And No. 6
Support For Oil And Gas Development
Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Aurora College Facilities In Yellowknife
Smoking Cessation Programs In The Nwt
Medical Travel Co-payments
Committee Report 10-14(5): Report On Bill 1: Human Rights Act
Tabled Document 63-14(5): Northwest Territories Development Corporation 2001-2002 Annual Report
Bill 25: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 2001-2002
Bill 26: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 2002-2003
Bill 25: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 2001-2002
Bill 26: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 2002-2003
Bill 27: An Act To Amend The Elections Act, No. 2
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
To Add Clause 4 To Bill 27 (carried)
Item 20: Report Of The Committee Of The Whole
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Supplementary To Question 377-14(5): Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Question 377-14(5): Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1077

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to make it clear that I said that Buffalo Airways is a well established and reputable airline company in the North. There is no question about that, Mr. Speaker, but I do not believe that anything that the Minister has indicated today or at any other time in answering this question leads us to believe that he understands that there are other northern businesses. We are not talking about competing with southern businesses, but the information I have -- for example Air Tindi has every bit of presence at the airport and in the northern community and they employ a lot of people.

Does the Minister not agree that maybe they should be given an opportunity to show their stuff as to whether or not they are capable of doing this, and show their northerness in their life in the North? Would the Minister consider asking them? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 377-14(5): Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Question 377-14(5): Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1078

The Speaker

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine.

Further Return To Question 377-14(5): Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Question 377-14(5): Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1078

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that if for -- I am trying not to express my opinion here but the position of the department is that we have looked at what is available out there and with the information that has been provided to me and working on this issue, it is pretty clear that we are trying to do this for all the right reasons, to try to save a couple of million dollars over the life of this contract. We plan to keep the business north. If there are other airline businesses that have the air tankers and the ability to do this kind of work then certainly we could look at that as well. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 377-14(5): Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Question 377-14(5): Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1078

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 377-14(5): Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Question 377-14(5): Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1078

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand what the department is telling him but I urge the Minister to think about what he believes is the right thing as one of the leaders of this government, Mr. Speaker.

The information that I have is that there are other northern airlines and aircraft businesses who could contemplate taking on this contract. I am not clear, and the Minister has not made it clear that he will open this up for possible consideration by other companies. Would the Minister make the commitment to open this up? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 377-14(5): Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Question 377-14(5): Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1078

The Speaker

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine.

Further Return To Question 377-14(5): Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Question 377-14(5): Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1078

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the honourable Member and this House has to give me some time and I will have to check on the legalities of where we are in negotiations and I will have to get back to the Member on this question. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 377-14(5): Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Question 377-14(5): Negotiated Contract For Air Tanker Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1078

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1078

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services, the Honourable Michael Miltenberger. Mr. Speaker, when we visited Lutselk'e in August, the Minister agreed at the community meeting that there was a need for a standard level of medical services across the Territories.

I would like to ask the Minister, what steps has he taken to ensure that a standard level of medical service is available throughout northern communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1078

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1078

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is one of the fundamental action items in the action plan. We are doing a number of things. We are developing the core services list of services that are essential for communities. We are looking at an integrated service delivery model and a primary care model.

The Member makes a valid point, that there are inconsistencies when you look at communities of comparable size in the level of services, especially among the smaller communities. It is an issue that we have to try to address and we intend to address in the coming weeks as we move forward with finalizing that planning process. Thank you.

Return To Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1078

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1078

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Minister might remember from the public meeting, residents in Wekweti have been asking for a health centre and a full-time nurse for a long time.

I would like to ask the Minister, what is he doing along with the boards to ensure that this is going to happen in this community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1078

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1078

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are looking at the issues of services in Wekweti, along with the issue of services in other smaller communities like Wrigley, Nahanni, Jean Marie River, Trout Lake, Colville Lake, to ensure that there is a basic standard.

The issues that I have touched on in my previous answer have to be addressed, and once we have that fundamental information there we will be able to move forward in terms of the resource costs and making the case for the necessary resources to make sure that communities that are not at this basic standard are brought to that level. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1078

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1079

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister, when will the supplies be rolling into Wekweti? As he is doing the studies and all of that, the decision will be made pretty soon. I would like to ask him, when will supplies be coming in for a new health centre? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1079

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1079

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the supplies that have been rolling into Wekweti will continue to roll into Wekweti. The level of service they have received up to now will continue to be obtained, working with the rest of the communities in the North Slave and tied into the other resources in Yellowknife.

The other longer term ones, there are some steps that have to be taken as I have outlined, and once those are done we can better give the Member an indication of what those timelines will be. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1079

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1079

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister, can he work along with me and the board and keep us up to date along with the House, so we can put a health centre into some of these smaller communities as soon as we can. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1079

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

October 21st, 2002

Page 1079

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I commit to working with the Member and the boards, the authorities and communities, the leadership of those communities across the Northwest Territories. The only way we are going to make progress is if we work together, and that has been our thrust from the start of this process and will continue to be. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Question 378-14(5): Standard Medical Services In Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1079

The Speaker

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Question 379-14(5): Aurora College Facilities In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1079

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Education, linked to the Aurora College Yellowknife campus facilities. This fall, when enrolments were announced, Mr. Speaker, the college staff bureaucracy had I think indicated that students were flung all over town because of the lack of space and it does not seem to be an adequate facility any more. I am wondering what the Minister has in future plans for the expansion of this facility.