This is page numbers 833 - 910 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

Further Return To Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 853

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not in a position to give you a medical assessment. I can give you what I would think would be some of the possible potential problems in a prolonged situation where there was a constant haze of dust. People with breathing and respiratory problems would probably be in difficulty. Seniors and young children may have some difficulty as well, and would possibly require to stay indoors or deal with the issue in some other way that is deemed appropriate.

Mr. Speaker, the issue of whether it is a medical hazard, it has not come to my attention that this is a pervasive problem. If it is, of course we would be prepared to look at it, along with MACA and Transportation. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Supplementary To Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. From what I understand with the Minister's response, he wants the people in the small communities that do not have dust control to stay indoors all summer. I am not sure that is the direction the government would want to take to their people, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to ask the Minister, would he commit his department to determine the medical effects of dust particles and the fine particles of airborne dust on people's health, especially those who suffer from respiratory problems? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 854

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Further Return To Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 854

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not suggesting that people lock themselves inside their houses to avoid the dust. If the issue is one of dust control in the community, then I would be more than happy to commit to the Member that we would look at that in conjunction with Municipal and Community Affairs and Transportation, depending on how the highway is ranked and how the roads are ranked and whose mandate they are. If it is an issue of dust control due to traffic, then we should be looking at that particular issue. I will commit to the Member that I will talk to the Ministers of MACA and Transportation about that. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 854

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Supplementary To Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 854

Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in committee of the whole during the last session, we passed a motion requesting the Department of Transportation pave the main streets in communities that are associated with the highways. What I am going to ask the Minister now is, I want to determine if there is a medical effect on people caused by dust so we can use that information to justify dust control programs in all northern communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 854

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Further Return To Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 854

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we speak, there are staff in the department making notes of this particular issue. I will talk to the deputy minister and I will also talk to the chief medical health officer, Dr. Corriveau, about the concerns raised by my colleague, Mr. Nitah. We will determine what the risk is, if any, on the issue of dust control. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Question 295-14(5): Impact Of Dust On Population Health
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 854

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 854

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are to the Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. The department announced an increase to the Fur Pricing Program to increase the price of muskrat pelts from $2.50 a pelt to $4.75. I have received calls from my constituents saying they were under the understanding that this increase was going to take effect and they were going to be able to see an increase in the program. However, Mr. Speaker, people who have gone out and trapped muskrats are not getting the full $4.75. I would like to ask the Minister, can he verify that this program is across the board and the increase to $4.75 did take place?

Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

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 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this program has received approval for the fur increase. I thought there was positive support for it. If it is not being applied, then I will check for the honourable Member and get back to him. Thank you.

Return To Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 854

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have received phone calls about people's concerns. People have made an investment to go out on the land trapping and have tried to get as many pelts as possible. The harvest has not been that great but they were able to get pelts. They were only getting a dollar a pelt and they would like to know why they made this investment and did not see the increase in that amount. Could the Minister check with his department and the people in the field to ensure they are fully implementing the change to this policy? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 854

The Speaker

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 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if the money for the fur prices has been increased and it is not being implemented, there is something wrong there and I will check that for the Member. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 855

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if the Minister could also check to ensure that those people who were underpaid or had the value of their pelts underestimated could be compensated to bring those amounts up to the increase that was announced?

Supplementary To Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 855

The Speaker

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 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if they are quality pelts, then the full value of the pelts would be estimated. Whatever the problem is, we will check on that and get back to the Member. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 855

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Supplementary To Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

I would like to receive some assurance from the Minister that he can also make a public statement on this. Also, could he look at the possibility of extending this program into the next fiscal year, so we know what the price will be next year? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 855

The Speaker

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 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Question 296-14(5): Increase Under The Fur Pricing Program
Revert To Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we will check all that out and make a statement. Thank you.