This is page numbers 965 - 1056 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

Members Present

Honourable Roger Allen, Honourable Jim Antoine, Mr. Bell, Mr. Braden, Mr. Delorey, Mr. Dent, Mrs. Groenewegen, Honourable Joe Handley, Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Lafferty, Ms. Lee, Mr. McLeod, Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Nr. Nitah, Honourable Jake Ootes, Honourable Vince Steen, Honourable Tony Whitford

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Good afternoon. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to report to this House on a number of important milestones reached at several of our land, resources and self-government negotiating tables over the past few months.

The Tlicho final comprehensive land claim agreement, which was initialed by the three chief negotiators in early March, is now in the process of being ratified. Tlicho members whose names are registered on the Tlicho voters list will vote to accept or reject the Tlicho agreement on June 26th and 27th.

Assuming the result is favourable, the Tlicho Treaty 11 Council, Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories will likely sign the final agreement in Rae-Edzo on August 22nd, during the Tlicho annual general assembly.

Mr. Speaker, the Tlicho agreement is unique. It will be the first treaty in the Northwest Territories to address the inherent right of self-government. It is also the first claims agreement whose settlement area has extensive overlaps with lands used by other aboriginal people.

Following the signing ceremony, we intend to move forward with the process of implementing the agreement in earnest, including the tabling of legislation in the Legislative Assembly as soon as possible after the November election.

Mr. Speaker, on April 16, 2003, Premier Kakfwi joined President Fred Carmichael of the Gwich'in Tribal Council; Chairperson Nellie Cournoyea of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Honourable Robert Nault in signing the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit self-government agreement in principle for the Beaufort-Delta region at a celebration in Inuvik.

Mr. Speaker, the agreement in principle is the first stand-alone self-government agreement in the history of the Northwest Territories. Negotiators for this government, the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit and Canada initialed it on October 3, 2002.

Mr. Speaker, negotiations for this self-government agreement in principle have been ongoing for more than five years. The agreement proposes a regional government that will represent and serve all residents in the Beaufort-Delta communities. It also proposes new community governments that will represent and serve all residents in each community. Finally, the agreement provides for regional aboriginal governments for the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit. These governments will enjoy increased law-making authority in jurisdictions such as education, social services, training, justice and municipal affairs.

Mr. Speaker, having reached this milestone in the implementation of self-government in the Northwest Territories, the three parties can continue negotiations towards a final agreement, implementation plans and financing agreements.

Mr. Speaker, a milestone has also been reached at the Deh Cho First Nation table as well. On April 17, 2003, the Honourable Robert Nault and Grand Chief Michael Nadli signed an interim resource development agreement. Under this agreement, the Deh Cho First Nations will be able to receive a share of royalties from resource extraction in the Mackenzie Valley before they have a final agreement. It also ensures that the Deh Cho First Nations will be consulted on the terms and conditions for new oil and gas exploration in the Deh Cho region, and be involved in the negotiation of impact and benefit agreements before any major mining project is approved.

On April 11th, the federal and Deh Cho land negotiators initialed 22 land withdrawal maps. The land withdrawal package includes a pipeline study corridor, restrictions on seismic work in certain areas, surface and subsurface, and some surface-only land withdrawals. With the conclusion of these agreements, the Deh Cho table can now focus its attention on negotiating a land, resources and self-government agreement in principle.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform Members about a new self-government negotiating process about to begin in the Sahtu region. Following on the heels of the completion of the Deline AIP, the community of Tulita has indicated that they are about to begin the process of negotiating their own self-government agreement. The first step will be the negotiation of a process and schedule agreement that will guide the negotiation of an agreement in principle. We expect that these negotiations will likely begin this summer.

Mr. Speaker, I would also note that we continue to make progress with negotiations at the Akaitcho and Northwest Territory Metis Nation negotiations and I hope to be able to report on similar achievements at these tables in future.

I believe that the milestones I have outlined above are important achievements in aboriginal rights negotiations in the Northwest Territories. On behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I would like to congratulate everyone involved in these negotiations from all parties. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Northern trade students showcased northern talents at the 9th Annual Canada Skills Competition in Waterloo, Ontario, May 29th to June 1st. For the second year in a row, northern students trained through the Workers' Compensation Board's safety and youth worker program have won medals at the worksite safety event at the national skills competition. In partnership with Skills Canada and Education, Culture and Employment, the WCB holds the territorial competition and supplies an advisor to the youth at the national level competition.

The Workers' Compensation Board of the NWT and Nunavut helps sponsor the annual NWT/Nunavut Skills Canada competition. All participants must complete the WCB's safety and the young worker program, prior to competing at the territorial level. Our ongoing success at the national level can be attributed, in part, to this very successful program.

Congratulations to Yellowknife's Mara Smith, who won her second medal for worksite safety in this competition, adding a silver to the gold she won last year. There were four other NWT medal winners, including two silvers for Richard Walsh of Yellowknife and Reg Evans of Fort Smith, and two bronzes for Amanda Johns of Inuvik and Mandy Lyons of Yellowknife.

Another Northerner, Isabel MacDougall of Iqaluit, made Nunavut proud by winning the gold medal for worksite safety. This was Nunavut's first gold medal at the national skills competition.

I'm sure that all members join me in congratulating Ms. Smith, Ms. MacDougall, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Evans, Ms. Johns and Ms. Lyons, and all members of the territorial Skills Canada team, for their outstanding performance at this year's national Skills Canada competition.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to have this opportunity to address some concerns and misperceptions about the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The Youth Criminal Justice Act, or the YCJA as it is also known, is new federal legislation that came into effect on April 1, 2003. This act replaces the existing federal Young Offenders Act. The YCJA takes a new approach to youth justice, focusing on addressing the causes of youth crime, rehabilitating young people and ensuring meaningful consequences for youth who commit offences.

The Youth Criminal Justice Act encourages both police and the courts to consider alternative measures before proceeding with charges against a young person. We have been diverting young offenders out of the courts and into community justice committees for many years.

If a young person is charged and convicted, the YCJA sets out that the judge must consider alternatives to custody. These could include fines, restitution, community service, or community supervision. Young people will be sentenced to custody for repeat or serious offences.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Justice has been preparing for the Youth Criminal Justice Act for some time. The department provided extensive training on the new act to employees and all of the partners in the justice system.

The department has also committed more resources to programs impacted by the YCJA. Recognizing that more youth will serve sentences in the community, three more community corrections workers were hired to supervise youth. The department has also provided up to $20,000 for every community to hire a part-time justice coordinator as more young people will be diverted to community justice committees.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has its own youth legislation based on Canada's old Young Offenders Act. Our act sets out that youth convicted of territorial offences will be treated differently than adults. During the last session we made necessary amendments to comply with the new Youth Criminal Justice Act in the short term. In this session, Mr. Speaker, I plan to introduce a new Youth Justice Act that will replace the NWT's Young Offenders Act. This act will be based on the same principles as the YCJA and apply to youth who commit territorial offences, such as those in the Motor Vehicles Act or Liquor Act.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to address the Quebec Court of Appeal decision and how it relates to the YCJA and the Northwest Territories. It has been reported that this decision resulted in the release of young offenders. This is not correct. This decision had nothing to do with the release of young offenders in the NWT. The Quebec Court ruled that the burden should not be on youth who commit serious violent offences to say why they should not receive an adult sentence. This means the Crown must now prove that an adult sentence is required.

I hope that these comments clarify any misperceptions that people may have about the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

As a recent Conference Board of Canada report states, the manufacturing sector is one "that contributes more in net inflows to the economy as a basic industry or primary economic generator, than would a support industry."

Mr. Speaker, this government recognizes the importance of manufacturing to our economic development. We asked the Northwest Territories Business Advisory Panel to recommend methods for effectively assisting manufacturers in overcoming the competitive disadvantages facing their sector. These recommendations will help guide the development of a comprehensive manufacturing strategy.

The panel has delivered its report with recommendations on building a favourable environment for manufacturing in the Northwest Territories and cultivating growth in the manufacturing section.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the panel for its work. The report is comprehensive and clearly outlines the groundwork needed for the development of a manufacturing strategy for the NWT.

The next step is to gain additional input from industry, businesses, MLAs and other interested parties. Copies of the panel's report will be available from RWED regional offices and on the RWED web site. The department will develop an action plan based on this feedback.

Again, I would like to thank the Business Advisory Panel for its work on this issue. I am confident we will be able to develop a manufacturing strategy that will help further diversify our economy. Mahsi.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the discover of diamonds and a renewed interest in oil and natural gas have created a flurry of economic activity in the Northwest Territories as well as the highest rate of GDP growth in the country. During the next 25 years, this unprecedented growth is expected to continue.

However, not all sectors of our economy are well positioned to take advantage of this growth.

The manufacturing sector, for instance, is still in its infancy. In 2001, it contributed only $7 million, or .3 percent, to our GDP. Despite its lack of development, the manufacturing sector is very important to the Northwest Territories. As recent Conference Board of Canada report states the manufacturing section is one "that contributes more in net inflows to the economy as a basic industry or primary economic generator, than would a support industry."

Mr. Speaker, this government recognizes the importance of manufacturing to our economic development. We asked the Northwest Territories Business Advisory Panel to recommend methods for effectively assisting manufacturers in overcoming the competitive disadvantages facing their sector. These recommendations will help guide the development of a comprehensive manufacturing strategy.

The panel has delivered its report with recommendations on building a favourable environment for manufacturing in the Northwest Territories and cultivating growth in the manufacturing section.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the panel for its work. The report is comprehensive and clearly outlines the groundwork needed for the development of a manufacturing strategy for the NWT.

The next step is to gain additional input from industry, businesses, MLAs and other interested parties. Copies of the panel's report will be available from RWED regional offices and on the RWED web site. The department will develop an action plan based on this feedback.

Again, I would like to thank the Business Advisory Panel for its work on this issue. I am confident we will be able to develop a manufacturing strategy that will help further diversify our economy. Mahsi.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am speaking today about the success of the Department of Justice aboriginal law career development program. In 2002-2003, six aboriginal students from the Northwest Territories received bursaries to study law at a Canadian university. This is the highest number of students we have ever had participate in this program.

This summer, we are pleased to have two of the bursary recipients working with the department. They are gaining valuable experience that will help them in their studies and give them an idea of the work that is available with the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the aboriginal law career development program provides students with financial bursaries, summer employment, a mentor from the department and the opportunity for students to article with the department after they have completed their education. Over the past four years, the department has provided $160,000 to indigenous aboriginal students pursuing a law degree.

Each year, more aboriginal students are choosing a career in law. The department is pleased to be able to support them in their goal. We hope these students will go on to a long career in the North. In fact, one of the early participants in the program is now legal counsel with the Department of Justice.

Mr. Speaker, the aboriginal law career development program is consistent with our goal of maximizing northern employment. One day, these students may fill senior positions in the Department of Justice, and I wish them all well with their studies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for the Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

New NWT Sport And Recreation Board
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are facing a health crisis in our communities right now, and I am not speaking about specialists. I am referring to the children of the Northwest Territories who may be facing a lifetime of disease, ill health and frailty due to the lack of physical activity in their lives. Our schools lack the funding necessary to provide a vital physical education program that builds the foundation of amateur sports that we depended on for so long. Children in our communities lack the after school programs that would keep them both safe and provide them viable, physical activity. Small communities lack the infrastructure and funding to provide recreation to our youth.

There has been much discussion in this House and in the media about the attempt of MACA to develop a new system to deliver sport and recreation to all NWT residents. Mr. Speaker, I can understand Sport North and their volunteers being upset about the new board being proposed by MACA. However, even Sport North and other agencies handling sport and recreation programs in the Northwest Territories have to acknowledge that they have a great deal of difficulty getting coaching and training into our smaller communities.

For example, Mr. Speaker, out of the NWT's 33 communities, only four have a level three trained coach. Out of the 1,100 participants in the regional trials for the Arctic Winter Games, only 23 communities took part. Out of the 321 athletes that participated in 2002 Arctic Winter Games, only five came from my riding of the Deh Cho. Finally, Mr. Speaker, out of the 28 territorial sports organizations, or TSOs, listed on Sport North's web site, 26 of them are from Yellowknife, Hay River or Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, the greatest majority of Sport North funding goes to organizations based in the larger centres with ready access to facilities, volunteers and local companies willing to offer donations. Our small communities simply cannot compete. Clearly, Mr. Speaker, it's time for a change. Mr. Speaker, our smaller communities need a fairer system by which sports and recreation programs are offered and delivered in their areas. Clearly, Mr. Speaker, our children in the smaller communities deserve better. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

New NWT Sport And Recreation Board
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Support For NWT Arts And Crafts Industry
Item 3: Members' Statements

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was sad to hear the news that the Inuvik native arts program is going to be cancelled. Mr. Speaker, I think it's essential for the North's economy and also for the people who don't find themselves in the oil and gas or the mining business that they have just as much right to expand their arts and crafts businesses, from the men and women who sew, to those who carve or make prints. They expand our economy and also build on something that's unique to the Northwest Territories and the North, which is arts and crafts.

Mr. Speaker, we, as a government, spend something like $900 million a year in the budget, but we can't find $50,000 to run a program for arts and crafts in our colleges. Mr. Speaker, how do we expect the different economic initiatives that we have such as tourism, arts and crafts ... those businesses that don't seem to have the sparkle of multi-million dollar projects ... compete with this government's tendency to focus in only where they get the big dollar amounts. Mr. Speaker, when the bust and the boom is over, what's left? The people. Without taking advantage of the people we have in the Northwest Territories, especially our artists, we do not have anything to promote to the outside world.

Mr. Speaker, as a government, it's crucial that the programs we develop enhance our industries rather than simply catering to large business. Mr. Speaker, I, for one, have always supported the arts and crafts...

Support For NWT Arts And Crafts Industry
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mr. Krutko, your time for your Member's statement is over. Mr. Krutko.

Support For NWT Arts And Crafts Industry
Item 3: Members' Statements

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

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

Support For NWT Arts And Crafts Industry
Item 3: Members' Statements

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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. You may conclude your statement.

Support For NWT Arts And Crafts Industry
Item 3: Members' Statements

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, this industry is just as valuable as the sparkle of a diamond or a trickle of oil or being able to put gas in your vehicle. Mr. Speaker, native art is recognized worldwide. It's a...(inaudible)...and other countries around the world. We have a native arts festival every year in Inuvik, the Great Northern Arts Festival, which attracts people worldwide to appreciate this art that our elders, young women and young men have created with their unique skills, such as the coat I am wearing in the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, this government has spent a lot of money developing an arts and crafts strategy, yet we have not seen that strategy come to fruition. We are giving out million-dollar loan guarantees to the diamond industry to establish polishing plants, yet we can't find $50,000 for an arts and crafts program in our college. I believe that's pathetic.

I will be asking the Minister where we are with regard to the arts and crafts industry and to ensure that we continue to support them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Support For NWT Arts And Crafts Industry
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Acknowledgement Of Disabled Athletes
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the past few days, there's been considerable talk in this House about Sport North and the organization of sport and recreation in the NWT. A lot of our discussions have been very political, sometimes confrontational and it's the nature of our business, Mr. Speaker, we need to have these kind of discussions and we will get through it. We need to focus more, I believe, Mr. Speaker, on making sure that the kind of discussions we have and the decisions we make really are focussed on the people that they're meant to serve.

Today I want to talk about the very best of what can be done in sport and the volunteer system that we have. More particularly, Mr. Speaker, I want to look at what people with mental disabilities can do when an opportunity is placed before them and a support system is in place to help them achieve their goal.

Mr. Speaker, there is an inspiring example of perseverance, hard work and faith that is evidenced in the NWT's next Olympian, Pierre Lafond. Pierre's winning performance last summer at the National Summer Games in Prince Albert earned him a spot on Team Canada's 2003 swim team. Tomorrow morning, Pierre will depart with 81 Team Canada participants for the world's largest sporting event of the year, the 11th Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland. It's expected to attract 7,000 athletes from 160 countries competing in 18 events and it will be watched by more than a half a million people.

Special Olympics Canada is a national organization that provides sport training and competition for over 28,000 athletes and more than 8,500 certified volunteer coaches support these programs.

As a member of Sport North, the Special Olympics NWT Committee provides opportunities for people with mental disabilities to participate at their level of choice in athletic and sport training programs and competition. Mr. Speaker, Special Olympics NWT is a Yellowknife community-based organization with 38 athletes and 30 volunteers from different Nunavut and NWT communities and includes Fort Simpson, Fort Good hope, Tuktoyaktuk, Inuvik, Fort Resolution, Wrigley, Dettah, Rae, Fort Liard, Deline, Fort McPherson and Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, I would like unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Acknowledgement Of Disabled Athletes
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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.