This is page numbers 1945 - 1984 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 3rd 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 program.

Topics

Motion To Amend Bill 17, Defeated
Item 20: Third Reading Of Bills

Page 1981

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will not be supporting this motion, Mr. Speaker, because as I stated earlier I do not believe the amendments yesterday did change the bill substantially. But more importantly, Mr. Speaker, I just need to make it very clear because the suggestions and assertions being made here are very serious and I think they should be answered to. Mr. Speaker, I find it interesting that even the committee, I have to tell you for the House that the committee agreed that the bill was ready for Committee of the Whole. That's how it ended up in this committee. It was moved to the committee by the committee. There were no indications there that would suggest anything other than normal democratic process. I should also point out that it's a very routine procedure that bills are amended in Committee of the Whole all the time. We just did that in supplementary appropriation yesterday. That is what we're supposed to do. We make amendments to bills all the time as long as it does not change the nature and substance of the bill. I don't believe the amendments that were made yesterday do that.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like reiterate once again because I think it's really important that there be no impression put out there that the public did not have a chance to respond to this. Mr. Speaker, this was introduced last October. That was six months ago. It's not like this bill was introduced two weeks ago and it's being rammed through the House. It was introduced in October. It was advertised all through November. There were public announcements on the radio in February for all the public hearings we had. I'm compelled to say, as the chair of the committee, that I could appreciate everybody not agreeing on this bill, but I think the objections to the process are verging on something more serious. It really seems to be questioning the conduct of the committee. Mr. Speaker, I would urge the Members to be more generous about how they regard the work of a committee. Thank you.

Motion To Amend Bill 17, Defeated
Item 20: Third Reading Of Bills

Page 1981

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. To the amendment. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Motion To Amend Bill 17, Defeated
Item 20: Third Reading Of Bills

Page 1981

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm going to say two things. The first thing is I'm very supportive of Bill 17...and I stress, wait for the second.

I can't see why we would stop or stall, because I really believe in rights and the acceptance of rights. But I can't say that on one hand, without giving my colleagues the extra couple of months that they have asked for. That's all that they have asked for. The problem is what do we do if it prorogues, and that's exactly it. I need to hear how it's brought back on the paper by someone who is speaking in favour of the delay, how we assure that that can be brought back in May. If I can be assured of that, I can wait until May. But I can't go strictly on a leap of faith that it will return in May. So unless I hear that today, I'll be voting against it. So somebody needs to speak to how it will be back on the paper, and I will vote in favour of the amendment.

---Applause

Motion To Amend Bill 17, Defeated
Item 20: Third Reading Of Bills

Page 1982

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

To the amendment. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Motion To Amend Bill 17, Defeated
Item 20: Third Reading Of Bills

Page 1982

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, it should be very clear that we are about to prorogue, and approval of this motion would take it off the order paper. It would die, we would have to begin the process all over again, and I do not see at all the benefit of that. So I will be voting against this motion.

I think Ms. Lee captured what we should be looking at here, and the objections are to process, and not in this venue, Mr. Speaker, to the substance of it.

Standing committee chose to allow all of those amendments, those five amendments that the Member for Nahendeh talked about. By the way, I think three of them were essentially typographical errors; they are of little substance. The Standing Committee on Social Programs said there are aspects of this that a broader membership of the Legislative Assembly should be allowed to speak to. We are not going to pre-empt or presume anything on their behalf; we're going to bring that debate into Committee of the Whole which, in effect, made it much more public and much more accessible for all Members and for the public to hear and see. So I think the procedural point that Social Programs committee sort of missed the boat by not adopting these amendments in committee was, in fact, a very positive and accommodating step and we have all benefited by that.

So I really urge Members to consider what value this will bring to this bill. It was made amply clear, in my listening to what was going on, that we can take this proactive step as a Legislative Assembly and change these laws now, or sit back and wait for a court or other jurisdictions to make those changes for us.

Three months...I'm sorry; if we follow this, the bill will have to start all over again. It could be at least another six months, maybe another year before we could see this back on the order paper to allow the kind of full public debate that is being advocated here. I do not see the benefit of it. This is a great exchange, Mr. Speaker, but I can't vote in support of this amendment.

Motion To Amend Bill 17, Defeated
Item 20: Third Reading Of Bills

Page 1982

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden. To the amendment.

Motion To Amend Bill 17, Defeated
Item 20: Third Reading Of Bills

Page 1982

Some Hon. Members

Question.

Motion To Amend Bill 17, Defeated
Item 20: Third Reading Of Bills

Page 1982

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Question is being called. All those in favour of the amendment? All those opposed to the amendment? The amendment is defeated.

---Defeated

To the motion.

Motion To Amend Bill 17, Defeated
Item 20: Third Reading Of Bills

Page 1982

An Hon. Member

Recorded vote.

Motion To Amend Bill 17, Defeated
Item 20: Third Reading Of Bills

Page 1982

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

A recorded vote is being requested. Mr. Clerk. All those in favour, please rise.

Recorded Vote

Motion To Amend Bill 17, Defeated
Item 20: Third Reading Of Bills

Page 1982

Clerk Of The House Mr. Tim Mercer

Mr. Dent; Mr. McLeod, Deh Cho; Mr. Bell; Mr. Ramsay; Mr. Villeneuve; Ms. Lee; Mr. Braden; Mr. Hawkins; Mr. Miltenberger; Mr. Krutko; Mr. Roland; Mr. Handley.

Motion To Amend Bill 17, Defeated
Item 20: Third Reading Of Bills

Page 1982

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

All those opposed, please rise.

Motion To Amend Bill 17, Defeated
Item 20: Third Reading Of Bills

Page 1982

Clerk Of The House Mr. Tim Mercer

Mrs. Groenewegen; Mr. Pokiak; Mr. Zoe; Mr. Menicoche; Mr. Yakeleya; Mr. McLeod, Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Motion To Amend Bill 17, Defeated
Item 20: Third Reading Of Bills

Page 1982

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

All those abstaining, please rise. To the motion: all those in favour, 12; all those opposed, six; abstaining, zero. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 17 has had third reading. Item 20, third reading of bills. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 20, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2004-2005, be read for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley. The motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 20 has had third reading. Item 20, third reading of bills.

Speaker's Closing Remarks

Colleagues, before we go on, I would like to take this opportunity to let you all know what an honour and a pleasure it has been serving this House as your Speaker during this past session. I have learned a lot and will endeavour to put what I have learned as your presiding officer to good use in our next session.

This budget session has been long, but it has been constructive and beneficial to the people we all serve. The debates have been heated at times, but respectful, and for that I thank all of you. It has certainly made my job easier.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those whose jobs are never easy, beginning with the Sergeant-at-Arms and the Pages who have attended to our needs over the past five weeks...

---Applause

...including the many late nights. Thank you for your tireless efforts, and good luck in all of your work and studies.

Thank you also to the Clerk and his staff who have been of faithful assistance to me and all Members during the last five weeks.

---Applause

Thank you, as well, to all the government officials and the employees whose daily labours and commitment contribute so much to the people of the Territories and to the work done in this House.

As we near the end of a seemingly never-ending Third Session of the 15th Assembly, I want to remind Members that in every ending there is a beginning. As we leave this Chamber for the next few weeks, we must be mindful that our work continues and there is much yet to be done. I am sure all Members are looking forward to the second Circle of Northern Leaders meeting to be held next month in Inuvik, as an opportunity to build northern partnerships and shared concerns.

On behalf of the youth of our territory, I would also like to note that the sixth annual Youth Parliament will be held here in this Chamber during the week of May 2nd to the 6th. The participation of all Members is encouraged to assist our young parliamentarians with their duties and their quest for knowledge.

To you all I say best wishes, travel safely, keep to the high road and, until we meet again, may the Creator's blessings be upon you and yours.

Mr. Clerk, would you ascertain whether his Honour, the Deputy Commissioner, is prepared to enter this Chamber to assent to bills and prorogue the Third Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly?

Item 21: Prorogation
Item 21: Prorogation

Page 1983

Deputy Commissioner Whitford

Please be seated. Mr. Speaker, Members of the 15th Legislative Assembly, it is both an honour and a privilege to be in your service once again.

I would like to begin by extending my sincere and heartfelt sympathies to the families, loved ones and colleagues of the four young RCMP officers killed in the line of duty in northern Alberta last week. Constable Anthony Gordon, a northerner, originally from Fort Smith; Constable Peter Sheimann; Constable Leo Johnston; Constable Brock Myrol, were more than just courageous and dedicated officers. They were sons, husbands, fathers, friends and respected colleagues.

On behalf of all northerners, I share the grief and the shock of my fellow Canadians and offer my sincere condolences, not only to those close to them, but to all members of the RCMP touched by this tragedy. Today, a national memorial service was held in Edmonton, Alberta, for the fallen officers where the Northwest Territories was represented by Her Honour Commissioner Glenna Hansen. Our thoughts and our prayers are with everyone at this time.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank members of the RCMP for the selfless and dependable work they do on our behalf. I understand the community of Rae-Edzo recently held an event thanking the RCMP for their contribution to the community. I hope more communities will reflect on the valuable work of their local RCMP and take the opportunity to thank them as well.

A group of individuals who promote learning and discipline to our youth are the Canadian Rangers. Commissioner Hansen recently opened the Junior Rangers Air Rifle Competitions here in Yellowknife and has asked me to thank the junior rangers from all territories for a most exciting competition.

The Canadian Rangers provide a structured and supervised program for young people from the ages of 12 to 18, promoting traditional lifestyles and cultures. The Junior Canadian Rangers Program is the largest youth program in the North with over 1,000 members. On behalf of Commissioner Hansen, I would like to thank them for the excellent work they do across our territory.

Our northern communities are full of many talented and committed residents. Today I would like to recognize some wonderful people who have recently been the recipients of a number of different awards. First the Wise Women Awards. These awards are bestowed upon women who have been nominated by their peers as examples of intelligent and respected contributors to furthering the role of women in northern society. This year's recipients are Ruth Wright from the Beaufort-Delta; Tanya Cazon from the Deh Cho; Helen Tobie from the North Slave; Alphonsine McNeely from the Sahtu; and Sister Agnes Sutherland, South Slave. All these ladies are strong, positive role models in their communities and throughout the North. I congratulate them for being honoured as this year's wise women.

Recently some brave and selfless people were recognized with Rescue Commendation Awards from the Life Saving Society. The recipients of these awards put aside their personal safety and go to the rescue and assistance of those in peril. I would like to congratulate the recipients of the Rescue Commendation Awards. They are, in the youth category, Nicole Henkel; Angus Willson; Hanna Willson; Ishai Forget-Manson; and, Devon Allooloo. In the adult category, we have Edward Jumbo; Paul Falvo; Todd Burlingame; and, Christa Domchek. As well, I am very pleased to announce that three northerners have been honoured with Aboriginal Achievement Awards to be presented to them in a televised ceremony in Saskatoon at the end of this month. I am delighted that Andy Carpenter, Sr.; Bertha Allen; and, Sharon Firth have been selected by the Aboriginal Achievement Foundation to receive these prestigious awards.

Andy Carpenter, Sr. has devoted his life to conservation and sustainable use of wildlife and he has held many other positions of leadership. He was involved in the Inuvialuit Final Agreement and is the founding chair of the Inuvialuit Game Council, a position he held for 10 years. Among many other achievements, Mr. Carpenter initiated the International Polar Bear Management Agreement between the Inuvialuit and the Alaskan Inupiat and helped establish the Ivavik National Park, the first Canadian

national park legislated by a land claims settlement. Andy Carpenter, Sr. lives in Sachs Harbour.

Bertha Allen is a life-long activist for social change and the advancement of aboriginal and northern women. A strong advocate for education and training, Mrs. Allen helped found the NWT Training Centre in Yellowknife and Inuvik and worked as a life skill facilitator at those centres. Through her leadership as a former president of the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, founding president of the Native Women's Association of the NWT and former president of the Native Women's Association of Canada, Mrs. Allen has been a tireless promoter for women. In addition, Mrs. Allen has served on the NWT Constitutional Committee, the NWT Judicial Appointments Committee, the Multicultural Advisory Committee to the RCMP, and was the only woman to sit on the Bourque Commission. Mrs. Allen lives in Inuvik.

The third northern recipient is Sharon Firth. Sharon was born in Aklavik and, along with her twin sister, Shirley, has competed in cross-country skiing in four winter Olympics, three world championships and countless other national skiing competitions. In 1985, she took part in the Great American Ski Chase and took the overall title. A highly regarded role model, Ms. Firth delivers motivational speeches in schools throughout the Northwest Territories. As well, she has been the subject of many documentaries, including CBC's The Olympians, the Firth Sisters and Northern Gold. Ms. Firth was inducted into the Canadian Ski Museum and Skiing Hall of Fame and 1990. In 2002, she received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal. Sharon Firth lives in Yellowknife.

On behalf of northerners, I offer warm congratulations to Andy Carpenter, Sr., Bertha Allen and Sharon Firth for their aboriginal achievement awards and hope that they have a very enjoyable evening at the awards ceremony later this month. I am sure there will be many supporters in the audience cheering them on.

Assent To Bills
Item 21: Prorogation

Page 1983

Deputy Commissioner Whitford

Now as Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following bills: Bill 15, Tlicho Community Service Agency Act; Bill 16, Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation Act; Bill 17, Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act; Bill 18, An Act to Amend the Territorial Court Act; Bill 19, Appropriation Act, 2005-2006; Bill 20, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2004-2005; Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act.

Prior to proroguing this Third Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly, I would like to advise you that the Fourth Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly will convene on Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at 1:30 p.m.

As Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I hereby prorogue the Third Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. I wish you all a very happy Easter and a safe journey home. Thank you, mahsi, merci beaucoup.

---Applause

---PROROGATION

The House prorogued at 6:12 p.m.