This is page numbers 1255 - 1298 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 chairman.

Topics

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

While the Giant cleanup is a federal government responsibility, our government needs to get more actively involved in pressuring the federal government to move quickly. This government should have already pressed the federal government to get started on the cleanup.

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

An Hon. Member

Already.

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

The failure to do that is made worse because we had an opportunity. We had a Prime Minister and a Minister of DIAND who appeared willing to work with us. There is a three-year program with millions of dollars available specifically for the cleanup of environmental disasters like Giant. But with the federal leadership changing and program funding running out, we may be left with nothing but the arsenic for a long, long time.

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

An Hon. Member

Long time.

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Mr. Speaker, the arsenic management alternatives for Giant that were presented by the Giant remediation team are not perfect solutions, but they offer us choices using today's best technology to ensure that the underground arsenic trioxide dust does not further contaminate our environment.

Mr. Speaker, all of the Yellowknife MLAs have been very concerned about the issue of the arsenic at Giant for a long time. Four of us have been lobbying the Minister of Northern Affairs to start the work. But the GNWT has been dragging its feet and are responsible for slowing the cleanup down.

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

An Hon. Member

Shame.

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Mr. Bell, Mr. Braden, Ms. Lee and I recommended to Minister Nault that the federal government begin implementing the underground block freezing process as the best alternative we have available to us now. It is the least dangerous to workers and significantly reduces the danger of environmental contamination to our community and other communities on the Mackenzie watershed.

Mr. Speaker, after we made our presentation, the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development wrote to Minister Nault rejecting that recommendation and instead asked that more time and money be spent, believe it or not, studying another option -- deep disposal.

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

An Hon. Member

Shame.

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Mr. Speaker, the deep disposal option suggested by the Minister of RWED has already been shown to be less sound. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Dent, you may conclude your statement.

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, the type of rock formations deep under ground at Giant are filled with both manmade and natural holes, crevices and cracks that cannot be guaranteed to hold arsenic trioxide dust, particularly when it mixes with deep groundwater. The deep disposal option will also be much more dangerous to workers, rather than freezing it in place, as moving this stuff around is an extremely dangerous proposition.

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

An Hon. Member

Dangerous.

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Mr. Speaker, I believe that by rejecting the recommendation made by the four Yellowknife MLAs the Minister and this government have delayed the cleanup of Giant Mine, a delay we can't afford.

There will soon be a change in leadership at the federal level and then a federal election. We may lose the political will that has been there to deal with some of the contaminated sites across Canada. After years of trying to educate the federal government about the situation at Giant, now it looks like the 15th Assembly will have to start a new process. Meanwhile, the people of Yellowknife, Ndilo and Dettah must wait and wonder about the safety of their environment.

Mr. Speaker, this government should re-examine its position on the arsenic remediation right away. Today, if possible. Then it should advise Minister Nault that we want to see action right away.

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

An Hon. Member

Yeah.

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Freeze the arsenic in place. Mr. Speaker, if we put pressure on we may still qualify for funding under the second year of the contaminated sites accelerated action fund, but if we don't tell Minister Nault our decision and press for funding we might really blow it and miss out on the fund all together. That could delay remediation for at least a few more years. Mr. Speaker, we need this action and we need it now.

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

An Hon. Member

Hear, hear.

---Applause

Giant Mine Remediation Project
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1259

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

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

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my Member's statement will be around the government's plans and intentions as our government decides to change its practice or include other things or expand its authority in different areas. Mr. Speaker, we've heard in this House on a number of occasions throughout this term about the roles that boards and authorities play in delivering programs and services on behalf of our government. Mr. Speaker, I particularly raise questions about this area in the area of the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Authority and the role it plays in delivering services. We know that, with the onset of self-government table negotiations around the North, the map that we and the departments use is going to change in the area of regional offices and department. But, Mr. Speaker, without a real plan in place, things can be done ad hoc and it's difficult to find out information from a government as to what's going on.

The point, Mr. Speaker, is that I've had to raise the issue about the development of the Sahtu Health and Social Services Authority and how it would impact on the constituents that I serve out of Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, getting responses from the Minister in this area, after I was told that I would be kept informed, I'm somewhat dismayed. I find out that much more work has been going on than I was informed of. This discovery was through a second source, in a sense, accidentally through reviewing of a financial document asking a Minister some questions and being provided some more information. So based on that, Mr. Speaker, I have concerns again and would like to seek more information from the Minister of Health and Social Services as to what exactly is going on, what plans are in place and when were those plans approved. So I'll have a question for the appropriate Minister. Thank you.

---Applause

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

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

Land Development In Hay River
Item 3: Members' Statements

October 6th, 2003

Page 1260

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the community of Hay River has almost run out of land. Hay River is currently developing its last remaining residential property. Only a few lots are left in our industrial and commercial land bank. The town owns another piece of property, but it will take at least three years to drain it to the point where it can be ready for development.

The town has approached the territorial government to transfer additional Commissioner's land. The land is needed for residential and commercial purposes. Winter is fast approaching and potential buyers could use the autumn to prepare for summer construction next year.

Mr. Speaker, this past spring, the territorial government approved Hay River's general plan, which had included a request for land to be transferred over to the town. The Deh Cho First Nations interim measures final agreement requires the government to consult with affected Deh Cho nations before selling or leasing undeveloped Commissioner's land identified in the general plan. The general plan already has the written approval of the K'atlodeeche First Nation. The West Point First Nation has offered conditional support and approval, but one of the conditions is that they need to be funded to undertake a general plan of their own. This request doesn't fall within the mandate or jurisdiction of the Town of Hay River to address.

I was very encouraged by a recent conversation with the president of the Northwest Territories Metis Nation and an article in the Hub, where the chief negotiator for the Metis Nation stated, "We have had no communication with MACA involving any proposals from the Town of Hay River. And if there is a dialogue and Metis interests are addressed in an equitable fashion, we're interested in moving forward if the town is interested."

Mr. Speaker, many communities in our territory are growing as a result of increased resource development. More land is needed to meet current and forecasted demands for residential and commercial properties. The Deh Cho interim measures final agreement provides a blueprint for a respectable process between First Nations, municipalities and the territorial government for the transfer of Commissioner's land, but the details of that process have to be worked out in practice.

Since at the end of the day it is the GNWT that moves ahead with the decision about whether or not to transfer the land, it needs to clearly communicate with the Town of Hay River and other municipalities in similar circumstances on the process requiring land. The general plan for Hay River has been signed off. The Town of Hay River has done its part. The affected First Nations within the Deh Cho have been consulted and, inasmuch as is possible, the Town of Hay River has done what it can to address the conditions of the West Point First Nation. The NWT Metis Association apparently would be amendable to entering into discussions with the town and the department. I understand that the town has been advised of some requirements...

Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement, please.

Land Development In Hay River
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1260

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? No, there aren't. Mrs. Groenewegen, you may conclude.

Land Development In Hay River
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1260

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that the town has been advised of some requirement on their part to participate in this process with the assistance of computer programming and software which they are willing to get up to speed with as soon as possible.

The town and the people of Hay River want this process to proceed in a timely manner. Mr. Speaker, I submit that the ball is now in the GNWT's court. We're looking for leadership from this government on this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Land Development In Hay River
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1260

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You have to excuse me if I slur my words here -- I had some dental work done -- especially when I'm going to be doing a speech on health.

In August of 2002, I had the pleasure of travelling with the Minister of Health and Social Services to a community meeting in Wekweti. At that meeting, community members pointed out the need for a health centre and a nurse within the community. They had concerns with the lack of a permanent nurse, and they pointed out that they had been asking for these services for a very long time. People asked also, and wondered why, there was no consistency in health care delivery standards. For example, some northern communities which are smaller than Wekweti have a full-time nurse and a health centre.

In response to these concerns, the Minister of Health and Social Services stated that there was a need for a standard level of health service delivery across the Territories, and that he would be working towards this. That was over a year ago, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the honourable Michael Miltenberger updated the House on the Health and Social Services System Action Plan which was released in February 2002. In his update the Minister stated that 36 of the 45 action plan items have been addressed by the department. He also stated that the remaining nine action items will be looked at within the next six months.

Mr. Speaker, I looked through this action plan and I was very alarmed that no mention was made of funding a community nurse or a health centre in Wekweti. Mr. Speaker, last December, the Minister stated that we in the Dogrib region would be getting two doctors and possibly another nurse as soon as they could be recruited. This announcement was great news to my people. Having access to local doctors and nurses would mean easier access to medical care, and less waiting time and travel away from home and loved ones. Mr. Speaker, I reviewed statements that the Minister has made during the past year on health delivery and I have not heard more on this subject.

Mr. Speaker, I will be asking him for an update on this matter later on in question period. Thank you.

---Applause

The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.