Debates of March 11th, 2002

This is page numbers 507 - 546 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 chairman.

Topics

Members Present
Item 1: Prayer
Update On Drinking Water Issues
High Gasoline And Propane Prices In Yellowknife
Interchange On Canadian Studies/echange Sur Les Etudes Canadiennes
Kids Help Phone Bowlathon
Treaty 8 Federal Court Decision On Taxes
Housing Shortages In Small Communities In The Nwt
Comments On The Consensus System Of Governance
Access To Traditional Dogrib Land
60th Wedding Anniversary Of Red And Bertha Mcbryan
GNWT Human Resource Management Challenges
Fire At Fort Providence Truck Stop
Addressing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome And Effects
Reflections On A Stable And Capable Government
Acknowledgement Of Inuvik Elders In Stanton Hospital
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
New Cost Of Living Tax Credit
GNWT Human Resource Management Planning
Prevention Of Fas/fae
Access To Traditional Dogrib Lands
Harmonization Of Social Housing And Income Support
Critical Housing Needs In Small Communities
Lack Of Legal Aid Services
Mandate Of The NWT Housing Corporation
Feed Purchased For Bison Herd
Prevention Of Fas/fae
Open Custody Young Offender Facilities
Northwest Territories Housing Policies
Tabled Document 16-14(5): Aurora Fund (1996) Financial Statements
Tabled Document 17-14(5): Aurora Fund Ii Financial Statements
Tabled Document 18-14(5): Transportation Of Dangerous Goods 2001 Report
Tabled Document 19-14(5): Ministerial Administrative Procedures Manual Revisions
Tabled Document 20-14(5): Judgment Of Prince Edward Island Supreme Court Appeal Division Re: Wrongful Dismissal Damages
Bill 11: An Act To Amend The Liquor Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 22: Orders Of The Day

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Ms. Snider.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

Snider

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I negotiated the contract with the former chief of staff.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Snider. Mr. Bell.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you. I am wondering who the signatories to that contract are.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Ms. Snider.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

Snider

The signatories are the Premier and Ms. Sorensen.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Snider. Mr. Bell.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, and just for confirmation, was the Premier acting as the Minister responsible for the public service at this time?

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Ms. Snider.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

Snider

Yes he was.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Snider. Mr. Bell.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you. In this contract is there a waiver essentially relinquishing the right for the former chief of staff to take further action against the GNWT for damages?

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Ms. Snider.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

Snider

Thank you. I think, as we have indicated before, we really cannot discuss the details of that contract. The third party would have to have the ability to have a say in whether any of the terms of that contract were disclosed.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Snider. Mr. Bell.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

I believe on Friday Mr. Handley disclosed that there was an amount paid within this contract, and there was another amount essentially paid to waive the right to go after damages, so I am assuming that would mean that there is a waiver in this contract. I guess I am just looking for a yes or no. I do not want the details of the money or any of these kinds of things, just was there a waiver?

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Mr. Handley.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Mr. Chairman, I will check with Hansard, but I do not believe that I had said anything to that effect with regard to the chief of staff's contract specifically. I was talking generally about these contracts and I answered, I believe, in much the same way I did to an earlier question on this matter. Thank you.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. Bell.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you. Generally in these at pleasure contracts, can the Minister tell me if there is typically a waiver relinquishing the right of the former employee to take action against the GNWT for damages?

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Mr. Handley.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Mr. Chairman, yes typically in these termination agreements there would be such a clause. Thank you.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. Bell.

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you. I am curious. When I asked the question as to whether or not there was a confidentiality clause, the answer was yes. When I asked the question as to whether or not there was a waiver clause the answer is, "We cannot disclose that without third party approval." I am wondering, why the inconsistency?

Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 532

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Mr. Handley.