This is page numbers 1105 - 1142 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 6th 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 justice.

Topics

Decentralization And Diversification Of GNWT Economic Opportunities
Item 3: Members' Statements

September 30th, 2003

Page 1110

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise about the benefits of being a large centre in the Northwest Territories, especially when you find yourself to be the capital of the Northwest Territories and government has situated itself there and does a lot of its business in the capital.

Mr. Speaker, a lot of things we've done in the government over the years has been trying to diversify the economy to help out communities and small businesses throughout the territory. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, it seems like we've started to go back the other way. The other way, Mr. Speaker, being, I can recall, for example, in Inuvik where the government services department -- stores, as they called it -- had everything from copper elbows to screws to nuts and bolts to anything you can fix that the government owns. We've gone away from that, Mr. Speaker. We've gone towards each community being able to supply and develop its own professional people that can repair things in their communities and not having to ship people out of headquarters or from regional centres.

Mr. Speaker, I used to work for the government and travelled to the smaller communities to fix their equipment, and that now has been devolved so communities themselves have their own maintenance people and mechanics to be able to fix their own equipment. We've done that throughout the Northwest Territories, but it seems that we've once again started pulling it back into the centre to try to help out government expenditures, I guess is the main reason that would be used, is that we need to save our dollars.

So, Mr. Speaker, I think as a government we have to think, are we doing the right thing by pulling things back into the centre? I'll use a specific example, Mr. Speaker. Recently, a tender was let out by the Department of Public Works and Services for over 100 computers. Mr. Speaker, over 100 computers were put out in one tender. One tender, Mr. Speaker, given out to compete across the Northwest Territories. I can tell you, since the government has gone to this system of going to every department and doing one large tender for computer services, what happens is all the small companies throughout the Northwest Territories do not get that service or cannot bid and match the services of a larger centre that deals strictly in volume. It's a known benefit, Mr. Speaker, that the more volume you get for equipment and service the cheaper you can supply a service or supply materials.

So, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for at least one Minister, maybe more, in this area of where government is heading in regard to small businesses across the Northwest Territories and having to remind this government that one of our goals that we had for Towards a Better Tomorrow would be to have a healthy and diversified economy providing employment opportunities for Northerners in all communities. So I'll have questions for the Public Works and Services Minister later. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Northwest Territories Energy Strategy
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1111

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on July 31st I had the pleasure of attending the release of the territorial energy strategy in Wha Ti. This strategy was developed after consultation with energy providers, industry, business and the public. Last February, I travelled with the Energy Secretariat to the communities within my region. I know that one of the common concerns that people share was that the rates for power were too high. People have a hard time paying their power bills, Mr. Speaker.

Over the past year, I have continually asked the Premier and the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation to bring the issue of a one-rate zone for power to the table for discussion so that everyone would be treated equally and fairly in the Northwest Territories. I have been continually told that once the energy strategy was completed it would be part of the strategy.

Mr. Speaker, when the Premier released the energy strategy in July, he stated that the strategy will serve as a road map for dealing with complex energy policy decisions. The strategy recognizes that the current ways in which energy is applied, priced and consumed in the communities and to industry is not financially and environmentally sustainable. It also points out that there is strong support in the smaller diesel electric communities for a single electric rate for all consumers in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the strategy recognizes that changes need to be made. Now that the strategy is completed, I think that it needs to be discussed by the Members of this Assembly and we, as well as members from the public, need the opportunity to explore the option of recommending a one-rate zone for power or, as I suggested in the press release last October, a two-tiered levelized rate that takes into account the sources of power, whether they are diesel or hydro, that could be put into place.

Mr. Speaker, with a little over three weeks left in the life of this Assembly, I ask Cabinet if they could direct the Northwest Territories Power Corporation to proceed with an application for changing the rate structure so that the public hearings on this matter can begin. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Northwest Territories Energy Strategy
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1111

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

International Day Of Older People
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1111

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in 1990 the United Nations declared that October 1st would be observed as the International Day of Older People. So today is a worldwide celebration in honour of older people. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the ongoing contributions that are made in Yellowknife and in communities across the Northwest Territories by our seniors and elders. Unfortunately, some older people are marginalized, forgotten about or even abused. We need to ensure that all individuals, older persons included, enjoy independence, appropriate care, dignity and are able to achieve self-fulfillment.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Seniors' Society is a vital and thriving organization which supports older persons all across the Northwest Territories. I'd like to recognize their efforts, as well as the efforts of the Yellowknife Seniors' Society for the important and effective work they do for seniors and elders.

Mr. Speaker, I hope that today older people across the Northwest Territories are able to enjoy a special time with their families as we all reflect on how seniors and elders have made the Northwest Territories a better place to live. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

International Day Of Older People
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1111

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Benefits Of Natural Resource Development
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1111

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's a day for a few accolades and I would like to make one myself, but it's going to be balanced with a bit of criticism. I'd like to acknowledge, Mr. Speaker, the Premier's efforts in recent days in promoting devolution and development in the Northwest Territories. Visits to the economic power centres of Canada and the United States show that our message is getting across of the increasing stature of the Northwest Territories in the Canadian economy. The message, of course, is that diamonds and oil and gas are enormous economic advantages for us and outside investors and markets and are spurring a political and social development, as well.

However, Mr. Speaker, closer to home, recent statements in the media from Finance Minister Joe Handley have sent some confusing signals from our government. In the Wednesday, September 24th, edition of the Yellowknifer he's quoted as saying the diamond cutting and polishing jobs are relatively minor benefits from the mines, the jobs are boring and don't pay much and we want to get beyond cutting and polishing and into trading and jewelry making. I wonder why the Minister is saying this. The overall value of the industry and its people deserve to be shown in a much more positive light, Mr. Speaker. Not just in Yellowknife, but in Fort Simpson and Hay River, in Edzo and Fort Smith, but all communities that have been seeking to share in this benefit.

The North's cutting and polishing industry is a fledgling industry, seeking its way in the world markets and in doing so is contributing significantly to our economy; a fact that shouldn't escape the Finance Minister. Some indicators: on an average salary of $45,000 plus bonus and a manufacturing multiplier of 2.8, the current industry is worth $12 million from these workers to this city alone.

With the coming on stream of Tiffany's Laurelton diamond plant and production from existing plants, we have the capacity for up to 200 people to be employed. I think that's about double the number of people in the industry today, Mr. Speaker. This is not an insignificant contribution to our economy, especially when we see it against the payroll equivalent of the Con Mine, which is closing its doors later this month.

Mr. Speaker, with proper management and collaboration, this industry can be a catalyst for even more positive impact and diversity in our economy. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Benefits Of Natural Resource Development
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1112

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. Mr. Braden, you may conclude your statement.

Benefits Of Natural Resource Development
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1112

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, colleagues, thank you. Our message should be consistent, clear and positive. Northern polished diamonds will bring us increased benefits from exposure in North America and the world. Even today, Mr. Speaker, Aurora College is attracting students for these courses from Australia and the United States. Isn't this evidence of a further opportunity that lies before us?

The industry is triggering new immigration to Canada and to the Northwest Territories. I look forward to seeing some of these people taking the oath of Canadian citizenship as a result. If the job is as boring as the Minister suggests, I say the chance for a new life in Canada is a pretty exciting prospect for these new workers and their families.

Mr. Speaker, we can expand our opportunities associated with diamond mining. We need to build from the ground up and continue to support these companies and their workers by giving us a better future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Benefits Of Natural Resource Development
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1112

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest yesterday as my colleague, Mr. Braden, had questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services and also his statement about alcohol and drug treatment residential facilities in the Northwest Territories. He put the question to the Minister and asked if it was an indication, that being our performance in the past four years, was an indication that residential alcohol and drug treatment facilities in the Northwest Territories are no longer a priority for our continuum of care. I think a lot of residents have that sense, Mr. Speaker. The Minister was very careful to point out that our strategy has been to focus attention at the community level, to make sure that we have adequate salaries for alcohol and drug workers so that we have more people willing to work in the field, and his opinion that it made sense to work more closely with the existing facilities that we have.

I think we all recognize that with our limited resources we're not going to see new dollars poured into capital. It isn't realistic to think that we're going to find bags of money or new treatment facilities, but that doesn't mean, Mr. Speaker, that we can't do something. We've got this serious need for residential treatment and I think it's at the same time that we're seeing falling custody numbers in all of our young offender facilities right across the territory.

The Department of Justice, I think, is indicating that they had a mere 21 young offenders in custody in the Northwest Territories as of September 15th. A lot of that is due in large part, Mr. Speaker, to the Youth Criminal Justice Act changes and our change in philosophy that came into being on April 1st of this year.

Mr. Speaker, I guess to sum it up, we really have made a decision not to incarcerate young people for many crimes if we don't have to. To try to deal with them in our communities, have community sentencing options, extrajudicial measures available for sentencing and this is a philosophy that certainly not everybody agrees with. I think maybe it's easier for us to stand here and say we have a more enlightened approach now and much more difficult if you've been a recent victim of a crime.

Mr. Speaker, this is a philosophy that will bear out over time as longitudinal studies show that incarcerating young offenders simply doesn't deal with the problem. Mr. Speaker, we've got these dwindling numbers in our young offender facilities and an increasing need for alcohol and drug treatment. I know the Department of Justice is looking at reprofiling some of our facilities. I think they've done so recently at the River Ridge Facility in Fort Smith. They've got a short term option they're looking at there, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to 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. Mr. Bell, you may conclude your statement.

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Certainly I think this is what the Department of Justice has to do is to make sure that if we don't have the numbers then we look at other ways to make use of those facilities. I think the Arctic Tern facility in Inuvik, which cost a lot of money and is relatively new, has less than 20 percent occupancy.

Mr. Speaker, what we have is Health and Social Services needs facilities, the Department of Justice has some facilities that are not full and I think this makes the case that we really need to have a social envelope Ministers committee. I'll be asking the Minister questions later in the day about the number of times that the social envelope Ministers have met in the past life of this government. Hopefully he'll be truthful with me because I don't think it has been very frequent.

Certainly the Department of Justice, I think, is doing what they can to reprofile these and assess the need the best they can, but it should be at a government level. The Housing Corporation should be talking to the Department of Justice, should be talking to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, which should be talking to the Department of Health and Social Services. I don't think that's going on.

We have the Housing Corporation stuck with the Somba K'e facility because we've got no clients out there, Mr. Speaker, just as a further example. I know that our government has spent $120,000 through the Housing Corporation since June of 2002. No clients out there, Mr. Speaker. It speaks to a real interdepartmental disconnect in my mind and, I think, the minds of residents of the Northwest Territories. It needs to be straightened out and I'll have questions for the appropriate Ministers. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Recognition Of The Metis Nation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1113

Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to talk about the Northwest Territories Metis Nation. As we all know, the Northwest Territories Metis Nation is one of the aboriginal groups in the Northwest Territories and in Canada that are negotiating with the territorial government and the federal government on contractual arrangements between the three bodies.

The Deh Cho reached its agreement that was signed in 2002 and is something of a worry for the Metis Nation. They feel the Government of the Northwest Territories is not living up to that agreement and are, in fact, reneging on that agreement, Mr. Speaker. I promised them that I would help open up dialogue between the two organizations and this is one of the ways that I plan to do so, is to raise the issue in the House. If our governments are entering into agreements with other governments, this government has to live by those agreements; bottom line, Mr. Speaker.

On September 19th, Mr. Speaker, the Powley case out of Sault Sainte Marie in Ontario, a Supreme Court decision, recognizes Metis rights as aboriginal rights with the same weight as treaty rights. That is more reason why this government has got to play a more serious role in dealing with the Metis Nation.

I congratulate the Metis people for persevering and fighting for their rights all these years. Where at one point in time they were not getting any rights at all, now we have the Supreme Court decision that says they have rights just as much as treaty Indians. My position has always been that we're all one family and that Supreme Court's decision is consistent with my philosophy here and, I believe, the philosophy of a lot of Northerners.

So I encourage the government to continually be vigilant in their dealings with all aboriginal governments, including the Northwest Territories Metis Nation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Recognition Of The Metis Nation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1113

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Health Benefits For Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1113

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I raised the question to the Minister of Health and Social Services about a constituency issue that has been outstanding for three years with no end in sight, it appears.

Mr. Speaker. I have another one today which the Minister has failed to act upon for almost the same length of time and it has to do with providing health insurance coverage for those suffering from Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome.

Mr. Speaker, I first wrote to the Minister in the fall of 2001 and made statements and asked questions in this House. At the time, the requests were over $800 in reimbursement which was rejected. The Minister indicated that he was undertaking a review of extended health benefits, as well as the list of specified diseases and conditions that would qualify for coverage. Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, he felt compelled to give me a little carrot to hang on to, because in this particular case we're talking about a child who needed to be diagnosed and treated by a special pair of glasses so she could read properly and learn.

Since then, Mr. Speaker, I have written a number of letters and e-mails to the Minister and he has assured me that he would do a thorough review of the benefits and let me know. The latest letter that I received from the Minister is dated March 28, 2003, and I quote, "All of the concerns that Members have expressed about the supplementary health benefits programs during the current and previous sessions of the 14th Legislative Assembly has been documented. These are being addressed during the review that is currently underway. I will be bringing forward a progress report on this review to the Standing Committee on Social Programs prior to the upcoming session in June."

Mr. Speaker, it's now September and I haven't heard a thing and I have checked with the members from the social programs committee and I don't believe he has done such reporting. Mr. Speaker, for two years now the Minister has stated that in all things he must make careful, measured steps. We can't act in haste; we need to do it carefully and do it right. I would suggest to the Minister, Mr. Speaker, the clock is about to run out and the time to act is now, and I expect an answer from the Minister about his coverage and the results of his review immediately. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Health Benefits For Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1113

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

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

Page 1114

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize today in the gallery the secretary to Cabinet, Liz Snider, and her aunt from Hamilton, Ontario, Elizabeth Maus.

---Applause

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

Page 1114

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. 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 1114

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Minister for the public service, I would also like to recognize the Premier's award recipients, and particularly those who are sitting in the gallery today. I won't name everyone, but the ones in the gallery I recognize: Anne Gunn, Keith Hickling, Karyn Hicks, Joe La Ferla, Mike Kalney, Brent Rausch, Ted McLeod and Len MacDonald. I'd like them to rise and be recognized. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Page 1114

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

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

Page 1114

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a constituent of mine and an employee of our Department of Education, Culture and Employment sitting over on my right, Sue Glowach.

---Applause

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

Page 1114

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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 1114

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize constituents of mine sitting in the gallery. Joseph La Ferla who has already been recognized, and his wife, Gertrude La Ferla, who is also a long-term civil servant. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause