This is page numbers 781 - 810 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 ---agreed.

Topics

Further Return To Question 251-14(6): Negotiation For Physician Specialist Services
Question 251-14(6): Negotiation For Physician Specialist Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 797

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 6, oral questions. We have time for one more. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have another question on the contingency plan that the Minister has planned and I would like to pursue questions in the area of ophthalmology. Mr. Speaker, the Minister is aware that we have one ophthalmologist in town. He's someone who has been here for a very long time and it is also my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that all of the technicians that work under the ophthalmologist are required to work under the law. So, Mr. Speaker, I am assuming that this is one of the physicians who has submitted their resignations and I would like to know how he proposes to replace this physician. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Return To Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 797

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At present, as the Member knows through the information that was shared with the Members and the press, we haven't gotten local coverage for ophthalmology yet. The interim arrangement is that technicians can be provided supervision by phone. As well, we can periodically fly in an ophthalmologist to provide onsite supervision on a scheduled basis as we continue to look for the longer-term services should they be required. Thank you.

Return To Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 798

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 798

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wasn't sure if I heard the right thing when the Minister indicated to us that the supervision for these technicians will be provided by telephone, by someone in the South. Mr. Speaker, the Minister is aware that when this person went on an extended leave for a year, the department was not able to find a locum to replace this position and my information that the amount of fees that these locums charge are two or three times more than what they would be paying the existing specialists. So, Mr. Speaker...Sorry, I forgot to mention one point, which is the eye care program. I saw the advertisement last week recruiting the people. So how would the eye care program be provided without the ophthalmologist? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 798

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Further Return To Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 798

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as Mr. Woods indicated to the Members, the value was that when the current doctor was not there, we did have coverage for all the months except one that the doctor was away. So we are going to make efforts in the eventuality that it's required to provide these services. They are short-term. That's why they are called contingency plans. We will, as well, if necessary, recruit on a permanent basis. It's a scarce market. We are aware of that and we will make every effort necessary to provide these services. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 798

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 798

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the same conversation, the question the Minister could not answer is how much we had to pay to maintain the locum services here. I guess, Mr. Speaker, we could find any locums or any temporary replacements for anything before we have to pay for it. So can the Minister verify whether or not it costs the government and the department more to have locums to fill those 11 months than what he pays to have a permanent ophthalmologist here? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 798

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Further Return To Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 798

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My information is that it doesn't cost more. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Question 252-14(6): Contingency Plans For Ophthalmologist Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 798

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. The time for question period is over. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by the Member for Great Slave and responded to by the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation concerning GNWT harmonization initiative.

Under the proposed harmonization initiative, revenue neutrality was achieved by ensuring that the total decrease in rent revenue was balanced by an equal amount in rent increases.

Some 96 households in Yellowknife would have received rent increases, while 163 households would have received rent decreases.

For Yellowknife public housing residents, the range of rent decreases and increases varies from a decrease of $238 to an increase of $497.

The harmonization initiative had proposed to grandfather current seniors in public housing at zero rent. Students would have had their first year's rent assessed to a maximum of $200 with an increment of $50 a year to a maximum of $400.

Income support clients would have had to neither pay more nor less under harmonization.

Return To Written Question 3-14(6): Public Housing Data
Item 8: Returns To Written Questions

Page 798

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Return to Written Question 3-14(6), asked by the Member for Tu Nedhe, to the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation on public housing data.

There are 2240 public housing units in the Northwest Territories. Not counting income support clients, there are 545 senior-led households. Some 82 families in public housing had students. Single parent households in public housing comprised 525 households. Later, at the appropriate time, I will table a breakdown of this information by community.

Rents are determined by the amount of assessable income a household makes. Assessable income is calculated by taking the gross income from all members, those 15 years and older. A number of incomes are considered to be exempt and are deducted from the gross income. The result of these deductions is the assessable income. Among the greatest income deductions are income earned by seniors, income earned by income support recipients and income earned by students. The assessable income is then applied to a sliding scale, which levies rent at a rate of 6.4 percent to 30 percent of income. Included in the scale is a household income deduction/exemption of $400. This $400 applies to all households in all communities. A cost of living deduction is then applied to the rent. The deduction is community and family size specific and is based on the northern cost index established by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs for communities in 1994. A unit condition rent adjustment may be applied to the rent where units lack basic facilities or the overall condition rating is less than 60 percent. Seniors 60 years and older have their rent 100 percent subsidized. Their rent is zero. Currently the monthly income of seniors in public housing which is not being assessed is in excess of $565,400, 2000 statistics. The minimum rent for families with assessable monthly income less than $500 is $32. This minimum rent also applies to tenants who receive income support. Due to the harmonization efforts started in 1997, the implementation of a four-year phase-in of the 1995 rent scale was delayed by Cabinet and remains at 60 percent.

A new rent scale would treat all income as assessable. Minimum rent would be reduced from $32 to $20. Rent calculations would be based on a scale starting at four percent to a maximum of 30 percent of gross income. A new rent scale would retain the household deduction of $400. A revised cost of living adjustment would be implemented as well as an income rent reduction.

The rationale behind assessing all income the same way no matter what the source is that it will eliminate any disparities the current exemptions have created. The different treatment of the various types of income also creates a level of confusion with tenants.

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Return to Written Question 4-14(6) asked by the Member for Range Lake to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development concerning the cost of the Wildlife Act and Species at Risk Act consultations.

1. How much money has been spent on the drafting of and consultation on the new Wildlife Act and Species at Risk Act legislation over the last 10 fiscal years, beginning with the fiscal year 1992-93?

Formal development on these initiatives did not begin until 1999. Prior to that, during the late 1980s and 1990s, the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (RWED) spent about $150,000 on salaries to consolidate issues identified by staff about the current Wildlife Act. Information consultations, with respect to community concerns, were carried out on an ongoing basis by RWED staff during the course of their regular duties.

Beginning in 1999, a much more extensive consultation process was undertaken. That consultation used a three-pronged approach to ensure full and effective consultation with all residents of the Northwest Territories (NWT). This approach includes:

- Public consultation by RWED staff.

- The appointment of representatives of aboriginal governments to a Wildlife Aboriginal Advisory Group (WAAG) and consultation by aboriginal governments with their constituents.

- Consultation with land claims organizations with respect to integrating wildlife harvesting and management provisions of the land claims agreements.

Two full rounds of public consultation were undertaken, as well as two rounds of consultation by WAAG. This resulted in expenditures of approximately $285,000 in 1999/2000, $340,000 in 2000/2001, and $420,000 in 2001/2002. These numbers include the cost of one dedicated staff person.

2. Please provide the breakdown of the above for each department and agency involved in the process.

The costs of the consultation to date have been borne solely by RWED. For drafting the legislation, the Department of Justice is providing the drafter. Drafting of the legislation has now begun.

In total, $456,600 was provided as follows. Funding was provided to the following organizations as part of the consultation process with the Wildlife Aboriginal Advisory Group: North Slave Metis Alliance, $35,400; South Slave Metis Tribal Council, NWT Metis Nation, $60,400; Gwich'in Tribal Council,$37,600; Inuvialuit Game Council, $15,300; Sahtu Secretariat Inc., $36,300; Salt River First Nation, $14,600; Deh Cho First Nation, $32,000.

A total of $15,000 was provided to the NWT Wildlife Federation for the resident hunter consultations.

Funding was provided to the following organizations to support their requests to hire legal counsel: Sahtu Secretariat Inc., $70,000; Inuvialuit Game Council, $70,000; Gwich'in Tribal Council, $70,000.

Return To Written Question 5-14(6): Child Protection Protocol
Item 8: Returns To Written Questions

Page 798

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Return To Written Question 5-14(6) asked by the Member for Great Slave to the Minister of Health and Social Services on child protection protocol.

1. What is the status of the child protection protocol review?

The review of the 1996 Child Abuse Protocol, which began in 2000, was delayed while amendments to the new Child and Family Services Act were prepared. These amendments were assented to in October 2002.

A Child Abuse Protocol Review Committee, comprised of the signatories to the protocol, was established to understand the review. The signatories include the departments of Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment and Justice, the RCMP and Justice Canada's NWT region office (Crown counsel).

The review committee has reached agreement on a revised declaration of commitment, overview and statement of principles. Work on the roles and responsibilities of the signatories in reporting, investigating, prosecuting and following up on any report of suspected child abuse has been completed. Revisions to the agreements section are currently underway. It is expected that the revision process will be completed by the end of August 2003. The signatories will then sign the revised protocol.

2. What is the consultation and communications process for involving and informing the public and social agencies?

Communications will involve, but not be limited to, the signatory departments and agencies, other government agencies that provide services to children and families and non-government organizations such as the Family Violence Coalition, the Child Sexual Abuse Coalition, the Native Women's Association and the Status of Women Council of the NWT. Training on the details and the use of the protocol will be offered to the staff of signatory agencies, such as members of the RCMP, school personnel and child protection workers who are responsible for reporting, investigating, prosecuting and following up on any report of suspected child abuse.

3. Will the Minister make public the revised child abuse handbook, protocol agreements and standards and procedures manual for child protection workers?

The revised Child Abuse Protocol and the Child Abuse Handbook will be available from any of the signatory agencies. The documents will also be available on the Department of Health and Social Services' public Web site, [email protected].

The Standards and Procedures Manual for Child Protection Workers is also a public document. It is available on request from the Department of Health and Social Services.

Return To Written Question 6-16(4): Ndilo Community Status
Item 8: Returns To Written Questions

June 3rd, 2003

Page 798

Clerk Of The House Mr. David Hamilton

Return to Written Question 6-14(6) asked by the Member for Tu Nedhe to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs concerning the Ndilo community status.

  1. There is no current arrangement between the City of Yellowknife, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories regarding the status of Ndilo. Each of these three governments have relationships with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and themselves, but there has been no discussion of the need to a formal arrangement among these agencies regarding the status of Ndilo.
  2. Mr. Speaker, as there is no agreement amongst the three governments, there is no end date.
  3. The City of Yellowknife received the following amounts from the Government of Canada for grants-in-lieu of taxes for Ndilo:
  4. - $125,793.00 for 2002;

    - $105,997.00 for 2001; and,

    - $107,296.00 for 2000.

The City of Yellowknife received for each of the last three years $9,688.00 annually from the Government of the NWT for grants-in-lieu of taxes for Ndilo.4. The City of Yellowknife accounts for the grant-in-lieu of taxes in the same manner it accounts for all other funds, through the publication of its budget and financial statements. The City of Yellowknife is not required to report its expenditures specifically on behalf of Ndilo, therefore, I am unable to answer the remainder of this question.5. Mr. Speaker, presently the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs does not treat Ndilo as a separate community for funding, however, on occasion MACA has provided some capital funding for projects within Ndilo on a case-by-case basis. In 1998, negotiations began between the Government of the Northwest Territories, the City of Yellowknife and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation for the creation of a single community from Detah, Enodah and Ndilo. In 1999, it was verbally agreed by all parties that these negotiations should be conducted through the land, resources and self-government negotiating process with the Akaitcho Dene First Nations, the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada. Depending upon the outcome of these negotiations, there may be a change in status for Ndilo. However, Mr. Speaker, it would be premature to consider changing the status for Ndilo before these negotiations are completed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Written Question 6-16(4): Ndilo Community Status
Item 8: Returns To Written Questions

Page 800

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Item 9, replies to Opening Address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Report On Review Of Bill 5, An Act To Amend The Motor Vehicles Act
Item 12: Reports Of Committeeson The Review Of Bills

Page 800

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report that the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development has reviewed Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act and wishes to report that Bill 5 is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted and, Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 70(5) and the bill moved into Committee of the Whole for today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Report On Review Of Bill 5, An Act To Amend The Motor Vehicles Act
Item 12: Reports Of Committeeson The Review Of Bills

Page 800

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 70(5) and have Bill 5 moved forward today. Are there any nays? There are no nays. The bill is moved to Committee of the Whole for today. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, I wish to report that the Standing Committee on Social Programs has reviewed Bill 10, Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act, and Bill 12, Nursing Profession Act, and wishes to report that Bill 10 and Bill 12 are ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to waive Rule 70(5) and have Bill 10 and Bill 12 moved into Committee of the Whole for today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 70(5) and advance bills 10 and 12. Are there any nays? There are no nays, therefore, bills 10 and 12 are advanced to Committee of the Whole for today. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

In accordance with section 21 of the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowance Act I wish to table in English and French the financial statement for the retiring allowance fund for the year ended March 31, 2003.

Item 13, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following documents entitled Seniors Action Plan Status Report, June 2003.