This is page numbers 649 - 694 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

Honourable Roger Allen, Honourable Jim Antoine, Mr. Bell, Mr. Braden, Mr. Delorey, Mr. Dent, Mrs. Groenewegen, Honourable Joe Handley, Mr. Lafferty, Ms. Lee, Mr. McLeod, Honourable Michael 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

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Please be seated. Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Deputy Premier, Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during these times of economic expansion it is easy to forget one of our first economic ventures, the fur industry. Trapping is still important for seasonal income in our smaller communities.

Recently there has been some good news for people working in the fur harvesting industry. Fur prices are rising. Prices for wild fur harvested throughout the Northwest Territories are the highest in several years. For example, marten sold at an auction in February for an average of $85 per pelt, about a 40 percent increase from last year. The average price for Arctic fox pelts was $26 per pelt, about four dollars more than the previous year. The Government of the Northwest Territories' Fur Marketing Program under the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur brand has experienced a banner year in fur sales to date, with virtually all pelts offered being fully sold.

The demand for fur fashions seems to be reviving as well. Arctic Canada Trading Company, a subsidiary of the NWT Development Corporation, has begun marketing and exporting a promising new line of fur garments highlighting Dene designs and Genuine Mackenzie Valley furs. This line was extremely well received at the Team Canada trade mission in Dallas. Initial sales of the line have reached $60,000, with more sales on the horizon.

This government wants to capitalize on these recent developments. Two recent programs offered jointly by the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and the NWT Development Corporation are ensuring there is an adequate supply of smoked hides and furs for arts and crafts producers in the Northwest Territories. To date, $200,000 has been committed to these initiatives. Due to the ongoing demand for these programs, a further $80,000 is being injected into these programs by the department this fiscal year.

Trapper training is a major element in revitalizing the traditional economy. The department has recently put together a core of certified trapper trainers. A resident trapper trainer is located in each region to ensure trappers are kept current with technology and market demands. I would like to congratulate our six resident trapper trainers on successfully completing training programs with the Fur Institute of Canada. The trainers are

Danny Beaulieu, Wilfred Jackson, John Charlie Junior, Sholto Douglas, Edward Cholo and George Tatsiechele. They are excellent role models for the fur industry in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, strengthening and increasing the number of trappers is critical to sustaining the industry and to reinforcing the positive social and cultural values attributed to maintaining a healthy productive lifestyle. We will be making significant investments in trapper training during the next year.

The Take a Kid Trapping Program is a new initiative that will promote and provide training in life skills for young people in kindergarten to grade 6. The program is designed to provide students with an introduction to the fur industry and offers them an opportunity for "hands-on" experience outside the classroom. A separate program, geared towards young people in grades 6 to 12 or those outside the school system, will provide opportunities to get involved in the traditional economy. The department is actively seeking out partners for this program. These programs can help to prepare students who may participate in the on-the-land experience programs provided through the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

We will also be investing $65,000 towards the purchase of new trapping technology that will meet and/or exceed trapping technology requirements currently imposed on the industry. Through this investment we will make significant strides to guaranteeing the survival of the fur industry for generations to come.

We will also be investing in the establishment of a new trapper training centre in the Sahtu region. The centre will provide traditional life skills and trapper training to people in the region. We will also be making improvements to our current training facility at Bliss Lake in the North Slave region.

Mr. Speaker, I hope these initiatives will help us revitalize this very important part of our economy and history. A strong traditional economy can provide many opportunities and a prosperous future for many residents of the Northwest Territories. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Steen.

Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, this weekend NWT athletes will travel to Iqaluit, Nunavut and Nuuk, Greenland, to compete in the 2002 Arctic Winter Games. This year the games will be held from March 17th to the 23rd. The NWT will be represented by 214 athletes from 19 northern communities. Team NWT will also include several coaches, mission staff, chaperones and 17 cultural delegates.

Team NWT will be joined by teams from Alaska, the Yukon, Northern Alberta, Nunavut, Northern Quebec, Greenland and the Russian provinces of Chukotka and Magadan.

Mr. Speaker, since the first official games in Yellowknife in 1970, the GNWT has been among the strongest supporters of the Arctic Winter Games and the opportunities they provide for the advancement of athletic competition and cultural awareness in the NWT.

The Arctic Winter Games are also an important opportunity for NWT youth to meet and learn about some of our neighbours. The games also play an important role in the development of NWT athletes. Through the games and the trials process, our athletes have the opportunity to experience competition at a higher level.

In addition to the athletes travelling to the games, 1,114 athletes from 23 communities participated in regional trials, and 684 athletes from 21 communities took part in the territorial trials.

This year the games are being co-hosted in two communities, Iqaluit and Nuuk. This is part of an attempt to explore different hosting models. Allowing different communities to co-host the games may allow other smaller communities to play a part in hosting the games in the future.

Also while in Nuuk, Minister Ootes and I have scheduled a meeting with our ministerial counterpart from Greenland to address how the cultural and sporting aspects of the games can be enhanced in years to come.

Mr. Speaker, in light of our commitment to invest in the people of the NWT - particularly the health and well-being of our youth - it is imperative that this government continues to stand behind this exciting and high profile event.

More than ever this year the eyes of Canada, through a variety of national media outlets, will be on our northern athletes. The young men and women that will compete in Iqaluit and Nuuk represent the exciting and competitive future that is in store for our territory.

It will be with pleasure and pride that Commissioner Hansen, Minister Ootes and myself will be meeting our athletes and participating, on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, in the opening ceremonies.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to invite my fellow Members to join me in wishing Team NWT good luck as it travels to the Arctic Winter Games. Thank you.

-- Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

15th Wedding Anniversary
Item 3: Members' Statements

March 13th, 2002

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Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I have made it my tradition to send greetings back home to my wife and children, today I will go a little bit further. Today, Mr. Speaker, is a special day for my wife and I. It was some 15 years ago that I met Shawna and we got together. She decided I was good enough to tie the knot with, so to speak, Mr. Speaker. If it was not for her strength, I do not believe I would be here today.

She has been a strength to me and my children, especially since I spend so much time away from home. She takes up the role as mother and father and supporter for our family back home.

Seeing as I am not home to wish her well myself and say thank you for those years of commitment, and I look forward to many more years of service. I find sometimes I am no longer the man I used to be, because she has moulded me to what I am today and helped with that process.

So I thank her and wish that I would be home today, but I am looking forward to being home on Saturday and sharing with my family our achievement. Thank you.

-- Applause

15th Wedding Anniversary
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

She has probably recorded your statement to play back and forth, again and again. Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Steen.

Nunakput Arctic Winter Games Participants
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Vince Steen

Vince Steen Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, as well as other Members of the House, have young people taking part in the games and in the activities in both Iqaluit and Nuuk, Greenland. I would like to pass on to them the support of my constituents and urge them to take part, but remind them it is not so important, although it would be nice to bring home the ulus, it is not as important as good sportsmanship and good fellowship at the games.

Mr. Speaker, I have a number of different athletes and participants from different communities. I have seven athletes from Holman: Garry Okheena, Heather Okheena, Joe Kitekudluk, Robbie Inuktalik, Susie Memogana, Victoria Akhlatak and Pam Inutalik from Holman.

From Tuktoyaktuk, I have Craig Gruben, Matthew Anikina, Phillip Jacobson and Steve Cockney, who would be a coach for Inuit games. These athletes are all in the Inuit games, Mr. Speaker.

I have from Sachs Harbour, Preston Carpenter and Jenna Keogak. Jenna is going to be in badminton.

From Paulatuk, I have Johnathon Dillon and Angus Dillon who will be taking part in the Inuit Games. Also from Paulatuk, I have six cultural performers - Nolan Green, Warren Ruben, Esther Wolki, Tracy Wolki, Norman Kudlak and Kirt Ruben, who will be a cultural performer chaperone. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents in Nunakput, I wish them all well while performing at the Arctic Winter Games at Nuuk and Iqaluit, and good luck, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

-- Applause

Nunakput Arctic Winter Games Participants
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

High Cost Of Housing In Yellowknife
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A couple of days ago in this Assembly, I spoke of the high cost of airfares and the pressure on the cost of living. In the last couple of days, I have had some more news on that front. It is disturbing news, Mr. Speaker, especially for those people in rental accommodations here in Yellowknife.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, in its regular survey of the housing market in Yellowknife, is telling us that our vacancy rates in apartments for the coming year is going to be at about half a percent, and most disturbing, Mr. Speaker, is that there will continue to be upward pressure on the cost of renting. They are forecasting somewhere in the neighbourhood of 8 to 10 percent. Mr. Speaker, this is very bad news in the fact of increases that we have already had. For instance, in 1999, the cost of a monthly two-bedroom apartment in Yellowknife was $986. This year, that is forecasted to be $1,175. Put yourself in the position, Mr. Speaker, of a low to middle income family facing an increase in the past three years of $200 a month for rent; and that is on top of energy and utility costs that I think have exceeded 20 percent.

Mr. Speaker, even though in Yellowknife we are fortunate to see the private sector responding with potentially a few hundred new apartment units, we are still in a situation where we are not going to be able to take advantage of the economic good times when people just do not have places to stay. I am going to be asking the Minister responsible just what we can do, especially, Mr. Speaker, to protect the situation of those low and middle income people who do not have anywhere to turn when it comes to the skyrocketing cost of living here in Yellowknife.

High Cost Of Housing In Yellowknife
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Weledeh Arctic Winter Games Participants
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize some participants who will be attending the Arctic Winter Games next week. I am pleased to say that from the Weledeh riding, there are 27 athletes participating in nine different sports. First, I would like to congratulate them on being successful in representing the NWT at the games. Second, I wish them the best of luck in the upcoming competitions, good sportsmanship, a trip filled with memories and a few ulus that will be with them the rest of their lives.

Participating in badminton is Luke Coedy; taking part in basketball are Leona Johnson, Julia Pin, John Paeztel, Aaron Plotner; for cross-country skiing, Sarah Stephen; competing in gymnastics is Stacie Bengts; in the sport of ice hockey, Ryan Arychuk, Nick Ballantyne, Colin Bastarach, Josh Bolstad, Craig Bromley, Joshua Brown, Matt Brown, Elisabeth Laratta, Andrew Matthews, Scott Metcalfe, Lisa Rousseau and Craig Stephen; playing for the NWT in indoor soccer are Cody Erasmus and Jackie Ruptash-Stauffer; for snowboarding, Brendan Matthews; in speed skating, Katharine Corriveau, Pierre Corriveau, Michael Gilday and Jill Gilday; and in volleyball, Graham King.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to mention two members of the mission staff, Ms. Penny Johnson and Ms. Karen Thomson, who will be attending as well.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to give a special thank you and my voice of appreciation to the two coaches participating in these games, who live in my riding: Mr. David Gilday, who coaches speed skating; and Mr. Dave Grundy, who coaches hockey. Without the many volunteer hours of people like these two gentlemen, and the many others out there who contribute many, many hours of their valuable time, games like this would not be possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Weledeh Arctic Winter Games Participants
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Handley. 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, in October 2000, I had the opportunity and pleasure of attending meetings in Washington along with Premier Stephen Kakfwi, Minister Joe Handley and Minister Vince Steen. While we were there, Mr. Speaker, we had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the embassy to deal with our relationship between the U.S. and Canada. We also met with pipeline builders. We met with financing groups, producers and government representatives, including some senators, Mr. Speaker.

We were there to spread the word that the Northwest Territories is open for business as far as pipeline development and the desire for us to supply the U.S. market with gas were concerned. I must say, Mr. Speaker, that I was bit disappointed with the reception we received down there. Although they were very polite to us and very attentive to the presentation we made, it seemed at that time that they were marginally interested in our gas.

In February of this year, I was also given another opportunity to accompany the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, the honourable Jim Antoine, and his deputy minister, Robert McLeod, to further meetings in New York and Washington. I would like to thank the department and the Minister for allowing our committee to be represented at those meetings.

The meetings in New York, Mr. Speaker, were to do with diamonds. I was very encouraged to learn that the diamond industry and people in the States are very interested in our Canadian certified diamond project, and the belief that there is a good future in the diamond industry for Canadian certified diamonds. A little bit on the downside of that, Mr. Speaker, we also learned that maybe the businesses that we have set up in the diamond industry, and how our whole industry is set up, could use some improvement. Some of the points that were raised indicated we could be doing better as a government.

Also when we went to Washington, Mr. Speaker, I was very surprised, and pleasantly surprised I might add, at the reception we received down there. We met a lot of the people with whom we had previously met and the reception was totally different, Mr. Speaker. We had people supporting our project to the likes of...

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mr. Delorey, your time for Member's statement is over. Mr. Delorey.

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues, I will cut this short. I was pleasantly surprised at the reception because all of a sudden we had people in the States the likes of Senator Murkowski, who who who was fully supporting our Mackenzie Valley pipeline. However, it was also brought to our attention how fragile the whole project is and the many issues that have to be dealt with between now and an actual pipeline going down. I would think the department has made a lot of notes from our trip down there and that this government is going to be taking some action on some of the things we heard down there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Apologies For Late Arrival
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to apologize to yourself and this House for being late. I was at a meeting with a committee of people with disabilities, working on terminology and we got into a discussion on a number of issues. I was delayed and could not leave. I would just like to apologize to this House for not being here at the appropriate time. Thank you.

Apologies For Late Arrival
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

I am sorry, Mr. Miltenberger, that was supposed to be a Member's statement. We are in the Members' statement category here. That is not considered to be a Member's statement. It has to do with your ministerial portfolio, according to your rules.

Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Hay River South Arctic Winter Games Participants
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I as well as many of my colleagues would like to wish good luck to athletes travelling to the Arctic Winter Games from Hay River South. Team NWT certainly represents a broad number of communities, but today I want to particularly mention the athletes from my riding. They are: Amanda Matchett, ice hockey; Jesse Molenkamp, ice hockey; Rylie Hamilton and Jenna Knight, ice hockey; Michelle Daigneault, snow shoeing; Sean Fisher, ice hockey; Brian Swallow, cross country skiing; Doug Swallow, his dad, is going as mission staff; Brent Hoffman in curling, and his dad going as the curling coach, Gary Hoffman; Brandon Lafferty, ice hockey; Cody Molenkamp, Curtis Rowe, Ty Fraser, ice hockey; mission staff Bill Dewsbury and Mark Harris; Angela Cardinal, volleyball; and Devan King, ice hockey.

Mr. Speaker, I hope it would be allowable, since I am on the subject of outstanding young people from my constituency, if I could also mention the two pages from Hay River South who are serving the Legislature this week. They are Charlyn Branton and Amanda Coleman. They have been doing a super job here and I am very proud to have them here this week. Thank you.

Hay River South Arctic Winter Games Participants
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. I will just remind Members that Members statements should only have one topic. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.