This is page numbers 695 - 716 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 project.

Topics

Commenting On Consensus Government
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 699

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I was elected as a Member of a consensus government. I am beginning to wonder when we will be practicing consensus government. If we do, then I can proudly say that I am a Member of a consensus government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Commenting On Consensus Government
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 699

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Western Arctic Leadership Program Fundraiser
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 699

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to acknowledge a community event that took place this last weekend, the Annual Aurora Open, which is hosted by Aurora College and the Town of Fort Smith.

We had two fine days. It was not only the fact that we had over 100 golfers from all over the South Slave and North Slave golfing, but through this event we managed to raise $5,000 that we were able to contribute to the Western Arctic Leadership Program to assist them in their efforts to keep the program going.

I would just like to recognize the very hard work of the Aurora College staff, the president, Maurice Evans, Kerry Robinson, Tim Gauthier, and Michaela Miltenberger, who put in a lot of time. Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, this event would not have been possible without the strong corporate support from Diavik, BHP, NorthwesTel, NTPC, Enbridge, Imperial Oil/Midnight Petroleum, Canadian North, Northwestern Air Lease and Kaeser's.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank everybody who was involved, thank all the golfers who came to take advantage of the opportunity and I look forward to seeing everybody again next year. Thank you.

-- Applause

Western Arctic Leadership Program Fundraiser
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 699

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mahsi, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Safe Travel On NWT Waterways
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 699

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, springtime in the Delta is a time that people look forward to and prepare for as the summer season comes upon us. At this time, Mr. Speaker, many of the residents from the community I represent have started putting their boats into the water, taking advantage of the waterways and going out to their camps in the Delta.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, this spring we had an event in the community that brought much sadness to the community, the passing of a young man who has a young family. We had a drowning that occurred while the ice was still in the river, melting away. It brings us to this time when we must once again tell our constituents and residents that we must be safe, Mr. Speaker, that we must take appropriate action and be careful when we are preparing to travel on the land and travel between communities at this time of year.

As much activity goes on as people prepare to go to their fish camps and the summer camps for the season, I would just like to urge the constituents and residents of the Territory to be extra careful and be safe this year, Mr. Speaker, so we do not have the unfortunate incidents of any drownings and people going missing and leaving family members behind. I think we need to again encourage, as we have year-by-year, people to be safe on the waters and be wise, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Safe Travel On NWT Waterways
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 700

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Summary Of Intersessional Activities
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 700

Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome everybody back to Yellowknife. I look forward to a busy few days of discussions on the challenges that face us here in the Northwest Territories. We have heard today a lesson on consensus government, how government is supposed to be working. We have heard about the exciting prospects that we have in non-renewable resource development in our relationship with governments in the Northwest Territories and Canada.

I have had an opportunity since our last session, Mr. Speaker, to travel to many communities as chair of the special committee reviewing the Official Languages Act. When you travel to these communities, you do not really discuss the official languages. You discuss the challenges, concerns and issues faced by people in their communities in the Northwest Territories.

In the last session, I spent a lot of time on housing issues, on education, on renewable and non-renewable resource development, on government systems and the kind of programs and services we should be delivering here in the Northwest Territories.

I am more convinced, talking to people, that we are not doing a good job at delivering programs and services and providing an opportunity to people at the community level, Mr. Speaker. They still are lagging behind in housing, in education. We are still the highest users of our social programs. How can we change things here so we can provide better programs and services, provide better infrastructure so that our people can stay at the community level, Mr. Speaker?

You know, after this session and coming into the fall session, it is probably our last real chance to make some significant changes to how we deliver programs and policies that will see better results at the end of the day. After that, it is into election mode. I would like to spend this next ten days seeing which direction our social programs delivery is taking and what the Ministers responsible are thinking in that area. I will be starting with questions to Mr. Allen, as Minister responsible for Housing. I thank you and happy birthday, Mr. Speaker.

Summary Of Intersessional Activities
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 700

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah. Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Recognition Of Inuvik Speedskaters
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 700

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member's statement today, I would like to acknowledge the achievements of two young athletes from my riding who participated in the recent Arctic Winter Games in Iqaluit in March of this year.

Mr. Speaker, it is extremely important to recognize two young speedskaters from the riding of Inuvik Twin Lakes, who not only excelled in the Arctic Winter Games, but who, along with their team members, won the Sport North Team of the Year Award. I have been advised that this team brought home 26 medals in total from the games in speedskating.

Mr. Speaker, what makes this so special for these two young speedskaters from Inuvik is that this was the first time for any Inuvik speedskaters to attend a sporting event such as this. It is worth mentioning that the Inuvik Speedskating Club has been in operation for only four years.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I would like to personally congratulate Miss Alyssa Carpenter and Chris Lennie for an achievement well deserved. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition Of Inuvik Speedskaters
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 700

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

NWT Track And Field Championships In Hay River
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 700

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, once again, from June 5th to June 7th, Hay River hosted the Territorial Track and Field Championships. It was an exciting time again, starting with the opening ceremonies. Some schools who had never participated before were there, proudly parading into the arena under the banner of their schools. Appropriately, the previous chair and huge supporter of the championships, Mr. Guy Turvey, and his granddaughter brought in the torch and lit the flame. Over 1,000 athletes participated, accompanied by many coaches, parents and volunteers.

The local host committee of volunteers again did an outstanding job of making the logistics of preparing the grounds, coordinating the events, feeding the athletes and spectators, recording the results and much more look simple, but we know how much effort goes on in advance and we thank them for that.

Longstanding records were broken. Some folks had a slightly extended stay in Hay River due to ice stopping the Merv Hardie's operation for a few days, but we hope that they enjoyed that stay in Hay River and had a good time anyway. The cool breeze off Great Slave Lake presented some challenges to staying warm, but on the good side, we had no mosquitoes and no heat stroke.

The mayor of Hay River, Duncan McNeill, was on hand helping out with the activities and watching the students do the high jump. He momentarily forgot himself and tried to jump a chain link fence and unfortunately injured himself. I cannot give you any more detail than that, but we hope he has recovered.

I would also like to thank Minister Steen for offering the opportunity for other Members of this Legislature to attend, although this year, schedules did not permit MLAs to attend this territorial event. However, if the Minister allows, we will take a rain check on this generous support for next year's championships.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would just like to again say congratulations to all the athletes and the organizing committee in Hay River, and happy birthday, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

NWT Track And Field Championships In Hay River
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 700

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

I have to remind the Member, only one subject...

-- Laughter

...but thank you, anyway. Item 3, Members' statements. Are there any further Members' statements? Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 95-14(5): High School Graduation Requirements
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

June 10th, 2002

Page 701

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question asked by Mr. Bell on February 27, 2002 regarding high school graduation requirements.

Mr. Bell asked if students have to pass Alberta exams to graduate.

For grade 12 courses where diploma exams are written, Mr. Bell's understanding is correct. The final mark in a course is a blend, 50 percent assigned by the teacher based usually on various assignment criteria determined by the teacher, such as assignments and class tests, and 50 percent of the mark comes from the diploma exam results.

In some circumstances, for example, when new courses are piloted, the weighting for the diploma exam may be reduced. For example, this year, for the new applied math course, the teacher determined part of the mark will count for 80 percent of the final mark and the diploma exam score will count for 20 percent of the final mark.

The diploma exams are carefully administered, course-specific examinations based on approved curricula. Diploma examinations are mandatory for the following courses: English 30/33, Math 30/33, Social Studies 30/33, Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Physics 30, Science 30 and Francais 30. For other high school courses, the mark is determined at the school level normally by the course teacher. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 95-14(5): High School Graduation Requirements
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

Page 701

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 701

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me a distinct pleasure today to recognize my constituency assistant from Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. John Banksland, who I understand is also an old schoolmate of yours. Kindly help me welcome Mr. Banksland.

-- Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 701

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Welcome, Mr. Banksland. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 701

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure today to recognize Captain Karen Hoeft from the Salvation Army. Karen is one of our hardest working volunteers in the city. As well, with Karen are her parents, who are visiting from Regina, Saskatchewan, Bill and Gertie McFarlane. Thank you.

-- Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 701

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 701

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome to the gallery Hilary Jones, who is the managing director of the Arslanian Diamond Cutting Works here in Yellowknife, and the operations manager at Arslanian, Mr. Sargis Gyulinyan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 701

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 701

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome everybody in the gallery, but especially, I would like to recognize two very special people. One being Mrs. Speaker, Mrs. Elaine Whitford, who I understand celebrated her 60th birthday yesterday. Another special person in the House, who is arguably most respected, most liked and who continues to be most senior, but not with the most grey hair, you, Mr. Speaker. Happy 61st birthday.

-- Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 701

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Colleagues, at this time, I take great pleasure in recognizing in the gallery my wife, Elaine, and our two sons, Blair and Ian. Blair lives in Calgary and is visiting.

-- Applause

In addition to that, colleagues, bear with me a moment, we also have visiting us at our home from Perth, Australia, Hannah Edwards; from London, England, we have Mike Ormerod; we also have Sheldon Pearson from Edmonton; Rob Engle from Edmonton; and Jim Le Cleir from Grande Prairie. We have the house full. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly.

-- Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 701

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Ms. Youngblut, the executive director for the NWT Seniors' Society. With her is Mr. Ed Jeske, an esteemed senior in his own right. Thank you.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 701

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Any further public recognitions? I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for coming to your Legislative Assembly and paying us that honour. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the biggest challenges to people in the Northwest Territories in the face of development, not only in the capital and regional centres, but more importantly in the smaller communities, Mr. Speaker, is housing. The Housing Corporation has different programs that see anywhere between two to eight houses built in the community, if they are lucky, Mr. Speaker. Two to eight houses in a given year does not compensate for the great need for housing.

I would like to ask the Minister, has the Housing Corporation done a survey or a study to determine the core need communities in the Northwest Territories? Maybe he could list off the top ten, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.