Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said, this is a question that is not within my control. Mr. Speaker, naturally, as a Cabinet Member, I can bring issues forward. I have spoken about this issue before, but it is an overall government policy to be out of the housing business, and that involves a number of government departments. I am very sensitive to the needs of our teachers and will continue to be. This is an issue that I do discuss from time to time with various officials.
Debates of Feb. 26th, 2003
This is page numbers 331 - 364 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
Further Return To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 342
Further Return To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 342
Supplementary To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 342
Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can I get a commitment from the Minister that he will consult and talk with his Cabinet colleagues to form a government position on this? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 342
Further Return To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 342
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will continue my discussions with various officials and our own officials and the FMBS and FMB, as well as the Housing Corporation. There are a number of agencies involved in housing in communities for teachers and it's a challenging problem, Mr. Speaker, and we are well aware of that. We will certainly continue to do our best in this area.
Further Return To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 342
Supplementary To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 342
Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. He is committed to discuss this with his Cabinet colleagues. Mr. Speaker, we have to take the value. When we say our children are our greatest resources, what do we mean by that, Mr. Speaker? If he is worried about the bottom line, and that is what the government is worried about in getting out of housing, then I have a deep worry. My concern is graduation rates, educating our students and we need teachers to do so. Now that he is committed to talking with his Cabinet colleagues, I am not too sure I am crazy about him talking to the officials, but as long as he talks to his Cabinet colleagues, can I get a commitment that he will come back to this House with something in June? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 342
Further Return To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 342
Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of housing isn't just an education one. It involves other departments: RWED, Health and Social Services and officials in the communities. We recognize that we have a problem with turnover and we are analyzing the reasons for that. I committed to talk to my officials and my Cabinet colleagues about it and I have done that. Mr. Speaker, we have a government policy that enters into this, so I have to take that into consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Question 100-14(6): Impact Of Housing Shortages On The Teaching Profession
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 342
Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Item 6: Oral Questions
February 25th, 2003
Page 342
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
Mr. Speaker, I have a different question for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Mr. Speaker, it's been pretty well publicized in Hay River that there is no place at present where the public can buy cord wood for fireplaces and not everybody is in a position to go into the bush and get a permit to cut for personal use. So it would be beneficial to everyone if there was a process whereby permits and applications can be processed in a more timely way. I do have a constituent now who has gone to RWED in Hay River and is looking for a permit to cut wood for resale. The process, as it stands right now, is a fairly lengthy paper trail and would take one or two years to be approved. Is there anything this government could do to streamline that process so that somebody could get into the wood cutting and selling business in a timely manner? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 343
The Deputy Speaker David Krutko
The Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Antoine.
Return To Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 343
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will do everything we can to help out in this situation with regard to fuel wood harvesting. I just wanted to add that what has happened since the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act has come into play is they have to get involved in the commercial end of approval of these types of permits as well. If we could work with them closer and find a mechanism on how to speed up the approval process, then I think that would be the most ideal way to go. Through the RWED permitting process, we will see how we can speed up the process. Thank you.
Return To Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 343
Supplementary To Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 343
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was wondering if the department might consider, since wood cutting for firewood purposes is not something that's done on a large scale, given the size of the forest that's out there, if it might be possible for the government to acquire a permit for a woodlot through the land and water board and then provide licensing within the mandate of the territorial government for people who might want to do this on a commercial basis. It might be in a tree-designated area, but it would solve the problem, similar to the way a municipality would secure a head lease on lands and then release those to clients. Could the Minister consider acquiring a designated area and then his department be responsible for issuing permits and licences for that purpose? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 343
Further Return To Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 343
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we will try anything. I think this is a good suggestion that we could look into. I think that there are a number of things that are impeding us in trying to get a simple cord of wood, or allowing somebody to get the permits to cut firewood and then resell it. It's a difficult kind of thing that we got ourselves into. We have an interim measures agreement and those mechanisms are out there. I am sure we will find a way and I think that the suggestion the Member makes is one way of trying to look at it and see if it's doable. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 343
Supplementary To Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 343
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I am sure the Minister is aware, the price of other fossil fuels is rising daily. The cost of propane and heat is going up and it's a very frustrating situation for residents who live within such a vast forested area not to be able to get cordwood. Given that time is of the essence, is it possible within the mandate of the department that they could make an application through the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board for a wood cutting lot? Is there anything that would preclude the department from proceeding with that in a timely manner? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 343
Further Return To Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 343
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, there is the political will here to try to find a way out of this situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 343
Further Return To Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 343
Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Premier if his government's policies are created by man or by the Creator? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Question 101-14(6): Permits For Fuel Wood Harvesting
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 343
The Deputy Speaker David Krutko
Could you rephrase the question? I think it may be bordering on a hypothetical question. It is outside of the knowledge of the Premier. Repeat your question.
Question 102-14(6): GNWT Position On Staff Housing
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 343
Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in asking for a commitment of a Minister of this House, a government policy, seems to be in the way of him making a commitment. As far I know, Mr. Speaker, policies are created by man and not by the Creator. If a manmade creation cannot be broken or changed, I am not sure where we stand on this issue. So the question is are policies of this government made by man or the Creator? That's all I am asking, Mr. Speaker.