This is page numbers 131 - 159 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 1st 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 work.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to also thank the Minister for continuing to look into this matter, but I believe it’s severe enough, I hate to call for a public inquiry into this, but I think it does include other agencies: the Department of Health, Justice, and also in regard to the RCMP. So I think it’s important that we do it right, we look at this. So I’d like to ask the Minister if he could also include the Minister of Health in regards to the health side of this situation where it included the health centre in Fort McPherson. So I’d like to ask the Minister if he could also include his colleague on this report.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with these kind of incidents, there are various parties involved. The coroner area, their office. Also the Department of Health and Social Services and our Department of Justice. Certainly I will be working closely with my colleague and also the coroner and see what they have on file. Again, I committed to, and I am willing to share that information with Mr. Krutko. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I’d like to thank the Minister for that. But I think we kind of lose sight of the family members who are affected by this. I’d like to ask the Minister, once the report is concluded, if an effort could be made, either by himself or someone within his department, to sit down with the family and explain what the findings of that report is?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, once the report is due, then we’ll certainly make that effort to meet with the Member and also the family. We’ll have our department conduct that. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko. Oral questions. Written questions. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier.

Will the Premier table a comprehensive government response in this House by February 8th , 2008, to the

recommendations contained in MP Bevington’s Diamonds are Forever, Our Mines are Not report, which was released publicly on November 29, 2007? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Written questions. Returns to written questions. Petitions. Reports of standing and special committees. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have two packages to table. The first package is a letter addressed to the Minister of Health and Social Services. It’s called Adult Supportive Living Facility in Hay River and it’s a letter written by People First of the NWT, signed by the president, Pierre Lafond, and attached to that package is their national newsletter.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

The second document I’d like to table today is a letter addressed to me, and I’m aware that all Members of the Assembly have received this package. It’s a letter from the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre regarding funding updates and their concerns. Part of the package also includes a summary called Making the Case for Culture. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table a document, an e-mail communication from the Department of Executive to the Legislative Assembly staff, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table a report by Dennis Bevington, Member of Parliament for Western Arctic, titled Diamonds are Forever, Our Mines are Not, which includes recommendations to improve and sustain the diamond mining industry. The report’s end goal is to develop a long-term sustainable industry for the benefit of all northerners and contains recommendations directly relevant to GNWT. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to seeing this government’s comments on the report and the responses to recommendations contained therein.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Tabling of documents. Pursuant to section 14 of the indemnities allowances and expenses regulations of the Legislative

Assembly and Executive Council Act, I hereby table the statutory declarations of residents of the following Members of the Legislative Assembly: Mr. Paul Delorey, Member for Hay River North, declaration dated November 30th , 2007; Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, Member for Hay

River South, declaration dated November 30th , 2007; Mr.

Robert C. McLeod, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, declaration dated November 29th , 2007; Mr. David Krutko,

Member for Mackenzie Delta, declaration dated November 29th , 2007; Mr. Kevin Menicoche, Member for

Nahendeh, declaration dated November 28th , 2007; and

Mr. Jackie Jacobson, Member for Nunakput, declaration dated November 29th , 2007.

Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Notices of motion for first reading of bills. Motions. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters. Reports of Committee of the Whole. Third reading of bills.

Speaker's Closing Remarks
Item 13: Tabling Of Documents

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Members, I would like to take a moment to thank the Pages who have assisted us this past week.

---Applause

We have had students from St. Patrick’s High School and Sir John Franklin High School here in Yellowknife. Having our young people here in the Chamber and taking part in the work of the Assembly offers a visible connection to the youth and the future of our territory and our institution, and we appreciate their presence and the work that they do for us.

On a rather pressing matter, I would also like to take this opportunity to remind Members of the necessity to meet the reporting requirements of Elections NWT. I would hate to see any empty seats when we return to the House in February.

---Laughter

Although I may be premature, I would also like to publicly wish each and every one of you the very best of the holiday season. I know that your schedules are full. Committee meetings continue during the next week and on through the holidays; however, Cabinet will continue to meet their duties and we will all be very busy with constituency work, but we will not sit together again in this House until February of 2008. I will, therefore, take this opportunity to extend my very best wishes to you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a happy New Year.

I know we can all get up in the volume and the importance of the work that we do and I offer this advice to all of you: Ensure that you carve out some time to spend with your family and friends over the coming holiday season. I look forward to returning to our work in the New Year.

With that, Mr. Clerk, would you ascertain if the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable Anthony J. Whitford, is prepared to enter the Chamber and prorogue the First Session of the 16th Legislative Assembly.

Item 22: Prorogation
Item 22: Prorogation

Tony Whitford Commissioner Of The Northwest Territories

Monsieur le president, monsieur

le premier ministre, messieurs et Mesdames les deputes, Mesdames et messieurs, et amis.

It is once again a pleasure and honour for me to be here and to prorogue this First Session of the 16th Legislative

Assembly.

Using this time for a few personal comments before I begin my formal duties, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the people we have lost over the past few months.

I particularly want to mention Willie Laserich, owner, operator and chief pilot of Adlair Aviation, who passed away on November 12th . Many northerners across the

Northwest Territories and Nunavut owe their lives to Mr. Laserich and his crew of pilots and medevac nurses who have safely transported and cared for thousands of northerners over the years. In addition to this, Mr. Laserich and his family have operated a vital charter flight and freight hauling business for many years and is legendary. Some of you know that Mr. Laserich was often the first pilot in the air to begin searching for missing people in the Kitikmeot region. Now his sons, daughters, pilots and ground crew will continue this special legacy.

I would also like to offer condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of RCMP Constable Christopher Worden who was killed on duty in Hay River on October 6th . His

tragic death has touched all citizens of the Northwest Territories and we grieve his loss tremendously.

Also in our thoughts and prayers, mine in particular, are the family and friends of Doris Lemouel Francheschi. Doris worked as an administrative assistant to three Commissioners over the years and brought great stability to our office.

On a happier note, I look forward to watching the important work of your new government coming together through sincerity and hard work for all northern people.

Being in politics is a difficult task, not just for you Members but for your families, as well. Without the support of your families, your jobs here would be much more difficult, if not impossible. To them, we all owe a great deal and I extend my admiration and gratitude to your families on behalf of all northerners.

The agenda you will set for yourselves will be ambitious, and your commitments to the people of the Northwest Territories will inspire each of you to do the very best work possible in the coming years.

Sometimes your deliberations will be difficult, but ultimately your work will serve to improve the North's general condition and have a positive effect on the lives of northerners.

Now, as we leave this House to return to our home communities for the holidays, I wish you safe and pleasant travels. As this House will not reconvene until the New Year, may I be the first, the second in this case, to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, peaceful, prosperous and safe New Year.

Prior to proroguing this First Session of the 16th Legislative

Assembly, I wish to announce that the Second Session of the 16th Legislative Assembly will convene on Wednesday,

February 6, 2008, at 1:30 p.m.

As Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I hereby prorogue the First Session of the 16th Legislative

Assembly of the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, merci, quanami, mahsi cho.

---Applause

---PROROGATION

The House adjourned at 13:09.