This is page numbers 157 - 194 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

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I questioned the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development on the MOU that was signed in the Beaufort-Delta with the Gwich'in. Mr. Speaker, the Minister proceeded to answer me on pages 304 and 305 of unedited Hansard. I must say in the Minister's response, it goes to show how well land claims have worked for aboriginal groups. Because of those land claims, they have been able to settle agreements or get agreements like impact benefit agreements, access to negotiated contracts. In my constituency alone, the visitor's centre, the hospital and now the Aurora College all negotiated contracts into the millions of dollars. The Dempster Highway work guaranteed $2.5 million a year of negotiated contracts because they are a claimant group that has some clout now. Mr. Speaker, I would say that if I were working for the aboriginal groups, I would do the same to get the best benefit for my group of people that I could get. But I am not, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am a Member of a public government. When I ran to represent the people of Inuvik in the 13th Assembly, I ran saying I would represent everybody equally. That's why I have difficulty, Mr. Speaker, on this agreement that was signed. It is not equal. In fact, I am aware of the Inuvialuit, although included in the MOU, have had no discussion about this. So although they are included in wording, there has been no discussion with them how that would implicate or impact on how they do work. Mr. Speaker, there are many more questions about what impact this will have. What will it have on aboriginal companies that have built up a working criteria and equipment and a payroll if they don't fit the needs or the plans of the development corporation of the aboriginal group? What happens to them? Are they squeezed out of it?

Mr. Speaker, there are many questions that need to be clarified. The comment that an MOU is non-binding, again, if I were a representative of an aboriginal group and I signed an agreement that said I would have access to 50 percent of the contract value in that region, I would push to get that. So we need to find out from this government what really happens now with all the contracts that have been out there and all the negotiated contracts that are in place right now. I will be asking the appropriate Minister questions later. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Observations On The 2003 Federal Budget
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 160

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to make a couple of observations on yesterday's federal budget and I share, generally, Mr. Speaker, the disappointment of our Finance Minister Handley in that the North did not figure really at all in this budget. We are an emerging and an important part of Canada and I feel we deserve better.

Mr. Speaker, there are some contrasts in here. The federal government very successfully and very handily has managed to turn the fiscal deficit of this country around. Indeed, I believe it's looking at surpluses totalling $12 billion over the next three years. We, in the NWT, have to consider our options so carefully as we approach our own $300 million debt wall. Relatively speaking, Mr. Speaker, this is a huge contrast and is one that we should be able to strike a better partnership with the federal government on.

Mr. Speaker, another irony is that our own resource development activities which, we could argue, are happening in some part in spite of federal ideas and regulatory frameworks are moving ahead as never before. Our royalties are increasing as these developments mature, but our own revenues are not increasing accordingly. Mr. Speaker, while there is a great surplus at the national level, we, in the NWT, have both a fiscal and a social deficit. The impact is growing in our housing, on our community and transportation infrastructures and in the wellness of our people. We are told there are opportunities for us in this federal budget, Mr. Speaker, but we have come up empty handed in the last couple of years on other opportunities that were before us. The Minister of Finance has mentioned Corridors for Canada. The opportunity, Mr. Speaker, that I would really like to realize someday, is that the NWT is a real part of Canada, earning our fair share of the wealth, paying our way and seeing the North really as part of Canada's just society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Observations On The 2003 Federal Budget
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish today to speak on the discriminatory nature of the medical travel co-payment. Some of our residents are being required to pay out of their own pocket. This is a topic that has been discussed a lot in this House, especially over the last few days, without a satisfactory response from the Minister. As I understand, Mr. Speaker, this fee of $250 was introduced a few years back to curb apparent abuse of medical travel but this has become a revenue raising scheme for the government that has resulted in a very unfair outcome. It is so unfair because in practice the arbitrary application of the policy has the government engaging in a discriminatory and punitive action against the select few who fall through the cracks and this has to stop, Mr. Speaker. For example, Mr. Speaker, I know of a case where a very normal delivery in Yellowknife resulted in a medevac because of a shortage of nurses that very night. Her neighbour, who happened to have a normal delivery at another time, would not have to pay the fee. This is about luck, Mr. Speaker, and it is arbitrary, unequal and unfair and discriminatory and it is wrong. My colleagues from Hay River, have pointed out the unfairness of having to pay the fee when they have to travel to Yellowknife for regular services that are normally available in Hay River and I agree with that too. The discriminatory message this policy is sending out does not end there. Mr. Speaker, based on what I know, what I hear is this: if you are working for an employer that gives you insurance, you are the lucky one, then you don't have to pay. If you are Aboriginal, you're the lucky one because the federal government will cover you. If you are a Métis Aboriginal, you are the lucky one because the territorial government will cover you and you don't have to pay. But if you are self-employed and have no private insurance, too bad so sad, you are the unlucky one and you have to pay. Never mind that you don't have sick leave benefits and have to pay all the other incidental costs, too. If you are employed in a low paying job and have no private insurance, too bad so sad, you are the unlucky one, you have to pay. Mr. Speaker, I would suggest to you, policy treatment based on luck is arbitrary and should not be tolerated. The Minister is well aware of this gap in the policy but he refuses to take any action and it keeps on snowballing. He keeps on mixing it up with a comprehensive review that he has been engaged in for the last 14 months and he says he needs to study it more. Mr. Speaker, there is no reason for further delay. My constituent needs to travel in very short order. Mr. Speaker. May I request unanimous consent to finish my statement? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Ms. Lee, you may conclude your statement.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is no reason for further delay or further study. My constituent needs to travel in very short order, I need an answer for her and so far I don't have a good reason as to why she has to pay when she can least afford it. I ask for the Minister's action on this now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Recognition Of Ruby Trudel And Wilf Schidlowsky
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to take this opportunity to recognize two deserving constituents of Yellowknife South, Mrs. Ruby Trudel and Mr. Wilf Schidlowsky. Both, Mr. Speaker, were awarded the Queen's Jubilee Commemorative Medal last fall. As you know, like all the rest of my colleagues, I was invited to recommend deserving individuals in the constituency for consideration for their long standing work and commitment to improving the lives of fellow residents. It was my pleasure to recommend these two constituents. It was because of their outstanding work in the community, which has been very easily recognizable, that I easily thought of them.

Mrs. Ruby Trudel was recognized for her contribution to breast health and breast cancer awareness, not only in Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, but indeed across the North. Seeing a need to educate women in the North about breast health and breast cancer, she dedicated a great deal of her time for this cause. As a result of her commitment, Mr. Speaker, she has been involved in helping develop a great number of resources that are now being used across the North. Mrs. Trudel's tireless dedication and personal commitment to breast cancer is recognized by women's groups across the NWT. She is a dedicated volunteer to the cause and has provided countless women with support, especially women who have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Wilf Schidlowsky, known by many affectionately just as Wilf, has been a long time resident of Yellowknife and a life long educator in the city with the Catholic schools, for approximately 40 years, Mr. Speaker. After having formally retired from teaching a few years ago, he never left teaching and remained involved in education by providing trades skills as part of a life skills program taught at St. Patrick High School in Yellowknife. His work with students has stretched far beyond the classroom by helping students to be successful both in school and in their lives. Former students of Mr. Schidlowsky can attest to his personal dedication and his commitment to them. The knowledge and skills and ethics he passed on to his students were true gifts to many. Through his teaching, Mr. Speaker, and his guidance, he has helped many students who would otherwise have fallen through the cracks if he had not been there to offer help and guidance.

I would like to ask my fellow colleagues today to join me in recognizing these two constituents and thank these two constituents for their personal contributions to the betterment of our fellow citizens. Thank you.

---Applause

Recognition Of Ruby Trudel And Wilf Schidlowsky
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Return To Question 2-14(6): Final GNWT Report On The Kyoto Protocol
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Nitah on October 31, 2002, regarding the final Government of the Northwest Territories report on the Kyoto Protocol.

As Members are aware, the GNWT supports the Kyoto Protocol because it is the only coordinated plan to control the global problem of climate change. It is for this reason that the GNWT is committed to participating in federal, provincial and territorial discussions at both the Premier and the ministerial levels so that Canada can develop a truly national implementation plan.

At the October 28, 2002, meeting of energy and environment Ministers, the federal government released a draft framework of actions it is proposing to take. Although considerable work needs to be taken to finalize a national implementation plan for climate change, including the insertion of actions that provinces and territories have agreed should be part of any national plan, the federal government recently released an economic analysis of their draft framework.

The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has completed a review of the federal analysis and a summary copy was provided to all Members of the Legislative Assembly on November 29th.

This is the first time that economic impacts on the three territories have been broken out in any Canadian economic analysis of the cost of controlling greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, impacts on territorial gross domestic product, GDP, are forecast to be within the range of zero to -0.7 percent of forecast GDP relative to a business-as-usual scenario. This impact is less than that which is forecast for any other provincial GDP.

There is still a lot of uncertainty about the projected impacts on our economy. RWED officials will continue to review the assumptions and methods used to prepare these economic analyses. However, it is worth noting that the federal approach outlined in their draft framework does not indicate significant price increases for the fuels we use in the North. The analysis also anticipates that markets for our exports will continue, and most important, federal Ministers Anderson and Dhaliwal have assured me that natural gas from a Mackenzie Valley pipeline will continue to be required in a Kyoto world. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 2-14(6): Final GNWT Report On The Kyoto Protocol
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Item 4, returns to oral questions. 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

February 18th, 2003

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Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize, first of all, my loyal constituent Major Karen Hoeft. With her today is Major Holly Patterson from Toronto. Major Patterson is secretary for candidates. She works in leadership development for the Salvation Army in the Canada and Bermuda territories. Welcome.

---Applause

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

With weather like this, I bet you wish you were doing the Bermuda section. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I outlined in my Member's statement, our seniors that choose to retain their private health care coverage upon retiring from the public service are having to go through an extremely complicated process to seek reimbursement for their prescriptions. They first have to make applications to Sun Life which includes filling out forms, taking photocopies for themselves in case their forms get lost in the mail or whatever, of all their original prescriptions. They then wait several weeks for reimbursement from Sun Life. Then they have to fill out another set of forms for the Department of Health to get another copy of their prescriptions because Inuvik will only accept the original prescription, and calculate the 20 percent of the GNWT portion including the Sun Life reimbursement exemption and then send the whole package off to Inuvik. Would the Minister please state exactly why these seniors have to wait until they receive reimbursement from Sun Life before they can make application for their reimbursement from the GNWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can acknowledge that the process does indeed appear to be cumbersome. But also the seniors' action plan which is being overseen by the departmental working group and the NWT Seniors' Society has identified the whole issue of seniors' benefits and how they are applied and how they are accessed is one of the things they've asked to be addressed as part of the supplementary health review. That issue will probably be dealt with in that context. Thank you.

Return To Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear that the department is reviewing this issue. What kind of time period are we looking at? When can the seniors expect to have some movement on this issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On this particular process issue, I will check with the department and see if there are ways that we can look at some kind of immediate relief. If it's just a process issue that can be realigned, if there are broader policy issues or other reasons, then I will report back.

Further Return To Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is the Minister aware of the number of forms that have to be filled out and what type of forms they are? My understanding is that certain seniors don't even put in for it because they have a hard time filling out the forms. Will this be part of the review of this whole process? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Question 46-14(6): Complicated Prescription Drug Reimbursement Process
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My dear mother who lives with me is very diligent about pursuing every entitlement she has under this system and she, as well, has muttered numerous asides about the paperwork. So, Mr. Speaker, I am aware of it somewhat and, yes, we will be checking on that.