This is page numbers 1079 - 1104 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 report.

Topics

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I also was informed that the town of Hay River received a letter stating that because of their good financial situation, that they would not be receiving any funding for the expenses that they went through in the flood. This, Mr. Speaker, in my way of thinking, is penalizing Hay River for good financial management. Mr. Speaker, I believe that the residents of the town of Hay River and the town of Hay River itself deserve some sort of compensation and to say nothing of the recognition that the many volunteers deserve for their efforts during the spring flood. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Item 3, Members' statements. The Honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Diversification Of The Northern Economy
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 1084

Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, let me just start by saying that it is good to be back in the House. I would like to be one of the first ones to thank you for your four years in that seat and making sure that good orderly discussion in the House occurs. It's going to be hard to find somebody to fill that seat as comfortably as you have, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak today on unemployment. In the Northwest Territories, we need to diversify the economy. The Government of the Northwest Territories is the only organization in the Northwest Territories that could help diversify economy in the Northwest Territories.

Right now we have 33 communities. Twenty-seven of them are non-tax based. Twenty-seven communities hardly have any government employees. Mr. Speaker, if you sit back and look at the big picture, what we see are regional centres having 90 percent of government employees administering a welfare state. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever where people in five communities make all the money while their tax dollars go to income support and other social programs because there is no employment in the communities. In this day and age of communications why is it policy people, analysts, are all in regional centres? Why can't we diversify the economy of the Northwest Territories so that we could say that the Northwest Territories is in every community and every community belongs to the Northwest Territories' government? We can't say that now.

I can't see why we continually go down the same path saying the economy scales say you can't put a position in there because it is just going to cost the taxpayers too many dollars. At the end of the day, Mr. Speaker, it is the taxpayers' dollars that are keeping the people on welfare, not even welfare. You call it income support or employment support. What about the employment in the communities? If we don't put the jobs there, then there is no employment besides short-term employment that does not lead to long-lasting employment that a person could go to a bank with.

Mr. Speaker, this next couple of weeks I will be speaking on this issue, I will be asking appropriate Ministers why we don't diversify our economy to diversify employment in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Diversification Of The Northern Economy
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you Mr. Nitah. The chair did bend the rules there a bit but soon realized the topics were very similar. The wealth of my experience and the wealth of the Territories. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for the North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

Tlicho Agreement
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to highlight one of the most significant happenings during the life of this Assembly and the history of the North. Of course, I am talking about the Tlicho agreement.

On August 25, 2003, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Premier of the Northwest Territories and the five chiefs in the Dogrib region signed a final agreement. Although both the federal and territorial governments still need to complete legislation for this agreement, a corner has been turned and self-government is in sight. One of the key elements of their agreement is the establishment of new community governments in the four Tlicho communities. These community governments will both represent all residents and be a method of implementing the aboriginal inherent right to self-government. In addition to community governments, the Tlicho government will be responsible for overall operations in the Dogrib region.

Mr. Speaker, self-government means many things to many people. To many self-government is a sign of hope and a sign of change. Self-government is defined by two key words: openness and accountability. We, in the Dogrib region, have, for many years, been accountable to the federal government in terms of finances, law-making and administration. Now in these areas, the Tlicho government will be accountable to the Tlicho people.

Mr. Speaker, elections will be held for officials in the Tlicho government. Tlicho government and all Tlicho companies and boards will provide audited financial statements and budgets for approval. By knowing what the budget is we can make choices for our future and the future of our children. We will be able to work toward self-sustaining communities.

Mr. Speaker, like anything, self-government is a process. A legislative process as well as an evolving personal and community journey. In recognition of this process, the negotiators have established a way that changes can be made to the future constitution if they are needed, so that the best interest of the Dogrib are protected.

Mr. Speaker, the creation, signing and implementation of the Tlicho land claim is and will be a time of learning for all our people as we try to promote and protect Tlicho heritage, culture and way of life. In closing I would like to acknowledge the years of dedication that the negotiators for the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council, the federal and territorial governments have spent in creating this agreement. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Tlicho Agreement
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mahsi, Mr. Lafferty. Item 3, Members' statements. The Honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Impact Of Miramar Con Mine Closure
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is good to see you and everyone in the House and in the gallery.

Mr. Speaker, on August 27th our community received an announcement that Miramar Con Mine would close its operation at the site by the end of this November and it might even be sooner. While many of us knew this would be coming eventually, it still came as a shock and it is very sad news indeed, Mr. Speaker. Mining of gold at Giant Mine and Con Mine and others in the area are what has given this city our modern history. The Robertson Shaft and the Con Mine has been a steady and reassuring presence in this town for many decades. My family members have worked at the mine as miners and I would even go so far as to say I probably wouldn't be standing here today if it weren't for that very mine. I'll save that story for another time.

Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that I have had a chance to talk to a number of affected Con Mine workers who live in my riding. I know they are all doing their best to cope with the situation, but

mining and working in a mine are a way of life not just a job. For many of them, young or old, they have spent a better part of their life at the mine. It will mean a great deal of adjustment and change, not only for the workers, but for their families and friends in our community. There is no question in my mind that we will feel the economic, financial and emotional impact of the closure of the mine for a long time to come.

On a good note, Mr. Speaker, I must say it's good to see how quickly and comprehensively the responsible departments in the Government of the Northwest Territories and the federal government have responded to the transitional needs of the affected workers. It has been proactive and organized. They have all done a very good job so far and I want to thank them and encourage them to keep up with the good work until the job is done.

I also appreciate that the Con Mine Trailer Park transfer is working through its various jurisdictional stages and this Legislature must support and do its part for a speedy resolution to that issue.

There's one more issue, Mr. Speaker, that we need to work more on and that has to do with the abandonment and reclamation planned for the mine currently before the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board. I need to advise you that the employees had expressed great concern that the plan proposed would be approved and implemented by the end of this year without much public scrutiny and participation. They believe this would mean that the mine would be closed at the end of November, the Robertson Shaft demolished and the process for flooding...

Impact Of Miramar Con Mine Closure
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Ms. Lee, your time is up for your Member's statement. Ms. Lee.

Impact Of Miramar Con Mine Closure
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. May I speak unanimous consent to conclude my statement?

Impact Of Miramar Con Mine Closure
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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Impact Of Miramar Con Mine Closure
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. May I just conclude my statement by advising you that the employees have a great concern that the reclamation and closure plan might go through the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board without participation and public process. I must say, Mr. Speaker, I share their concern and I have joined other Yellowknife MLAs and the workers expressing our concern to the Minister responsible in this government. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my concern on behalf of not only the affected workers, but on behalf of all citizens of Yellowknife, that proper public process is done to clean up and mitigate any harmful environmental impact of the closure of the mine before any steps are taken to close and flood the mine. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Impact Of Miramar Con Mine Closure
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Prevention And Treatment Of Social Problems
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. About a week ago, I was pleased to host about 20 people at a Great Slave constituency meeting. That's a pretty good attendance and I want to thank all of those who came out.

One overall issue that came out, Mr. Speaker, again and again and again is my constituents tell me that we in government have fallen down and fallen down badly on the prevention, treatment and follow-up for people with social problems, abuse and neglect. Mr. Speaker, here is what some constituents said last week.

We need more treatment centres in Yellowknife and across the Northwest Territories. We need to do more, much more, to prevent the drinking that devastates so many babies because of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The caseloads of our frontline social workers are too heavy and unmanageable. They need more tools and resources. Alcohol abuse is getting worse. There should be a major commission on alcohol abuse in the NWT. Cocaine and other hard drugs are causing a troubling spiral of danger and violence in downtown streets. Yellowknife's overcrowding and unaffordable housing is a lead cause of depression and domestic conflict that is spilling out of our homes.

Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of our term, we put together a document called Towards a Better Tomorrow, Our Vision for a Prosperous Future. We talked about healthy, educated Northerners making responsible choices for themselves and their families. Despite our robust economy, prosperity for some, even for many, Mr. Speaker, it is far short of our goal when we don't have a healthy community for all. What's happening?Mr. Speaker, in the NWT in 1999 to 2000, Criminal Code incidents increased more than 33 percent. In terms of violence, it has increased 15 percent and drug charges under federal statute have increased 23 percent. In Yellowknife, the number of incidents for the Yellowknife RCMP detachment has gone up from just over 3,000 in 1999 to almost 4,900 in 2002.

The NWT Liquor Commission annual report of last year shows that total volume of liquor increased by eight percent over 2001, primarily due to increased sales in Yellowknife, Inuvik and Hay River. Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek consent to conclude my statement.

Prevention And Treatment Of Social Problems
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, Mr. Braden.

Prevention And Treatment Of Social Problems
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Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the most disappointing actions during our four-year term is the money we've spent building new correctional facilities instead of funding new ways to prevent violence and treat offenders. Mr. Speaker, the health of our society depends on our commitment to listen and act on what our people are telling us. Are we listening? Is the government listening? Sadly, Mr. Speaker, it would seem not. Thank you.

---Applause

Prevention And Treatment Of Social Problems
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 Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Revisions To The Business Incentive Policy
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to also raise some concerns about the government's decision to do an absolutely 180 degree turn on the implementation of revisions to the business incentive policy. Mr. Speaker, over the last month or so, I, like many of my colleagues -- and I know from talking to them -- have been receiving phone calls and letters from concerned constituents and business people across the Territories who thought they had a deal and thought they had agreement on behalf of this government to accurately analyze what these revisions to the BIP would mean to small business, what they would cost. Because admittedly -- and our government has admitted this -- we have no idea currently what the BIP is costing us.

Mr. Dent, in a Point of Order today, spoke about the commitment we thought we had from the Minister of RWED. Mr. Speaker, it's broader than that. I don't think there's a Member on this side of the House that would believe the Minister of RWED decided to implement these changes to the BIP on his own without consulting Cabinet. Mrs. Groenewegen indicated earlier some time in the dog days of summer with Members out in their constituencies, this government decided to do an end run, despite the fact that they were more than aware that Members on this side of the House had all kinds of concerns, the public had all kinds of concerns.

Mr. Speaker, this Cabinet, these supposed stewards of our consensus system, decided that despite our concerns, they would jam it through under the cloak of darkness and it leaves people out there, Mr. Speaker, wondering what could be so reckless and destabilizing about these changes that they need to be snuck in the back door. I think we will spend the next several weeks poking holes in the proposed changes, asking questions that the government can't answer, Mr. Speaker. At the end of that, I hope with some good sense, this government will decide until they have the kind of blue chip information we are looking for, it makes no sense to try to railroad these changes through. Thank you.

---Applause

Revisions To The Business Incentive Policy
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Candice Ciboci's Academic Achievement
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today it gives me great pleasure to indulge in intellectual achievements of a young female constituent of mine who resides in Inuvik Twin Lakes. Ms. Candice Ciboci was recognized for her academic achievements. I will describe her academic accomplishments as a social pride for the entire community of Inuvik. Ms. Ciboci will continue to serve as a model and inspiration for other young people in our region. Ms. Ciboci has received several citations to her credit, which is listed as follows: She is a recipient of the Governor General's Academic Bronze Medal for Academic Excellence 2001-2002; Shell Canada Limited Academic Award Recipient; Honourable Mention, Canada-wide Science Fair, Kingston, Ontario, 2001. She's also had outstanding achievements at Samuel Hearne Secondary Hearne in a mathematics school contest. She also received the highest score in Grade 11. She was also an honour roll student in the year 2001.

Mr. Speaker, Ms. Ciboci is now studying at the University of Alberta. I want to take this opportunity to extend my congratulations to a well-deserved recipient and further want to wish her a great success in her studies of choice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Candice Ciboci's Academic Achievement
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 318-14(6): Government Sponsored Insurance Programs
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

September 29th, 2003

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Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mrs. Groenewegen on June 12, 2003, with regard to government sponsored insurance programs.

The Government of the Northwest Territories regulates insurance companies operating in the Northwest Territories through the NWT Insurance Act. The Department of Finance, through the superintendent of finance, is responsible for administering the act.

The superintendent of insurance does not approve rates charged by insurers or standard risks. Automobile insurance premiums charged to the residents of the NWT are significantly below premiums charged to residents of Alberta.

For example, for high risk drivers, property damage and public liability coverage of $1 million costs $1,979 annually in Alberta, but only $569 a year in the NWT.

Accident benefits coverage costs $132 a year in Alberta, but only $46 annually in the NWT. Low automobile rates charged to residents of the NWT are due to the low risk road system and dry weather. NWT automobile insurance premiums are lower than those charged in any province.

The office of the superintendent of insurance continues to review rate changes filed by the Facility Association, an association of insurance companies which insures all high risk applicants and to monitor premium rate changes in the standard insurance market. Insurance brokerages and the superintendent of insurance have received some complaints regarding the availability of insurance, but relatively few complaints with respect to increases in premiums. The superintendent of insurance has not received any complaints regarding the level of insurance premiums.

Given the small population of the Northwest Territories, a government-run insurance program would not be economically feasible. Thank you.

Return To Question 318-14(6): Government Sponsored Insurance Programs
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

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

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Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize all my constituents from North Slave, the people of the Tlicho government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---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

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. It's nice to see so many people in the visitors' gallery. Welcome to the Assembly. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

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

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Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize so many visitors from our neighbouring communities and also to recognize the presence of some of the elders in the gallery. Mr. Speaker, I would like to especially recognize one elder who makes a tremendous difference in my life, my mother Mrs. Esther Braden. With her today is Barb Hood of the NWT Seniors' Society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause