Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask if there is any potential at all that compliance with the Kyoto Protocol would in fact threaten any significant development plans that may be in the offing for the NWT? Thank you.
Debates of March 4th, 2002
This is page numbers 301 - 340 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 housing.
Topics
Supplementary To Question 131-14(5): Update On The Kyoto Protocol
Question 131-14(5): Update On The Kyoto Protocol
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 315
Supplementary To Question 131-14(5): Update On The Kyoto Protocol
Question 131-14(5): Update On The Kyoto Protocol
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 315
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine.
Further Return To Question 131-14(5): Update On The Kyoto Protocol
Question 131-14(5): Update On The Kyoto Protocol
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 315
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the whole area of climate change and the Kyoto Protocol and the concern of industry is that there are certain limits and certain goals that were set for different countries to meet to comply with in the Kyoto Protocol.
There is a concern that we in the Northwest Territories as we have a lot of forests and green areas. We have not had any industrial development, non-renewable resource development in that area, but in the last few years, as we all know, through the diamond mines and through the oil and gas exploration, there is a huge increase in exploration in our area. That could be a concern to us in the North with regard to complying with the Kyoto Protocol. There are certain limits that we have to meet with.
However, the jurisdiction in the Northwest Territories is primarily under the federal government. We, as the Government of the Northwest Territories, do not have control over resource development. The limits that are set, and with the increase in development, there is a huge increase in the cost as well in the Kyoto Protocol. That could be an area to consider more and to research. What does it mean to us? What does it mean to the federal government, because they are the ones who are responsible for resource development? It is an area of concern. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 131-14(5): Update On The Kyoto Protocol
Question 131-14(5): Update On The Kyoto Protocol
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 315
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.
Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions
March 3rd, 2002
Page 315
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, regarding my Member's statement about the community empowerment agreements that this government has in place with the communities. One agreement relates to the economic development officer position in our communities. Mr. Speaker, since 1996, the salary of most of these positions is around $43,000. Mr. Speaker, we have not seen an increase since then.
I would like to ask the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, has the Minister looked at the possibility of increasing these agreements? We have situations where communities are now relinquishing on those agreements and giving them back to the government because the resources they have are inadequate. Is the department looking at increasing those amounts so that it is more affordable and more transparent so communities can deliver that program?
Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine.
Return To Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has the responsibility of providing economic development officers in certain communities. In the past few years, some of the communities have been requesting that these positions be turned over to certain communities. We have done that. Other communities today that do not have it are also requesting those positions.
Yes, we are looking at these positions to see if they are adequately funded. If they are not, then we will have to make changes to it to make sure that they are adequately funded if the communities still want to retain those positions. Thank you.
Return To Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
Supplementary To Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the Minister that this is an emergent area. With oil and gas developments that are taking place and the opportunities in our communities, the time is limited. I think that in order to justify those increases, this government should move quickly on them. I would like to ask the Minister, how soon can he implement an increase in the economic development agreements with communities?
Supplementary To Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine.
Further Return To Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had already committed to reviewing this program. The department is currently looking at these positions in the communities, where they are to see if they are adequately funded. Once that is concluded, then we will be moving towards making a decision, hopefully within the next two weeks or so. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
Supplementary To Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the communities that have given these positions back to the government because of the limited resources or the lack of resources to carry them out, will the Minister ensure that those communities are warned that there will be an increase, so they can maybe reconsider implementing those programs in the communities where they have cancelled it because it is not affordable to the communities?
Supplementary To Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine.
Further Return To Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated to the Member, we are reviewing it internally. Once we have reviewed it and look at what the options are, we would like to then meet with and inform the communities that do have these positions, and also to the communities that are requesting these positions as well. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
Supplementary To Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister hopefully get back to me and the Members of the House prior to adjournment of the House on this issue, so that we can have something to take back to the communities?
Supplementary To Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine.
Further Return To Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will try to get back before the House rises, when it rises. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Question 132-14(5): Economic Development Officer Funding
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.
Question 133-14(5): Fas/fae Information And Communications
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question will go to the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services following on my earlier questions. Mr. Speaker, some would say that diaper bags and fridge magnets do not go far enough to address the concerns of the Northwest Territories in the area of children. I would like to know from the Minister, has his department looked at doing anything further than information pamphlets out there to try to deal with the issue of FAS/FAE when it comes to early childhood development? Thank you.
Question 133-14(5): Fas/fae Information And Communications
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
The Speaker Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.
Return To Question 133-14(5): Fas/fae Information And Communications
Question 133-14(5): Fas/fae Information And Communications
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 316
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of FAS/FAE is a very significant one. There have been considerable resources put towards education. We have labelled, as my colleague knows, bottles of alcohol. We are investing in screening tools. We are investing not only in fridge magnets and diaper bags, but very clearly, in working with the continuing home care support people in the communities to provide training, to make sure that we tie in with the public health people, the social workers, as we deal with making sure we do everything in our power to encourage pregnant mothers not to drink, to recognize the ravages of alcohol, the damage caused to the fetus. So yes, we are doing other things. Thank you.
Return To Question 133-14(5): Fas/fae Information And Communications
Question 133-14(5): Fas/fae Information And Communications
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 317
Supplementary To Question 133-14(5): Fas/fae Information And Communications
Question 133-14(5): Fas/fae Information And Communications
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 317
Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Has the department considered, for example, looking at legislation that would deal with situations where the department is aware that a mother has problems with alcohol consumption? Are you looking at anything beyond that? I do not think it is accurate to say the department is doing everything it can. This department has acted progressively on different bills.
There is talking to people, developing pamphlets, encouraging them not to drink, but is the department looking at anything beyond that, say in the form of legislation?