This is page numbers 1063 - 1110 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 5th 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.

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Supplementary To Question 381-15(5): Appointment Process For Federal Judges
Question 381-15(5): Appointment Process For Federal Judges
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1068

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 381-15(5): Appointment Process For Federal Judges
Question 381-15(5): Appointment Process For Federal Judges
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1068

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's my feeling that there isn't a significant change aside from the voice that the Police Association will have now. I think the police play a significant role in our justice system and their voice should be heard in terms of the nomination committee. I'm happy about that. I'm supportive of that. There will be critics, as there have been critics in the past. However, in the past there were too many Liberal faithfuls making up these nomination committees. There will be those who criticize now and say there are too many Tory faithfuls that make up the nomination committees. Mr. Speaker, I think the point is, in my opinion, and again I've made the point there's not a government position on an issue that's largely federal. I don't see a significant change. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 381-15(5): Appointment Process For Federal Judges
Question 381-15(5): Appointment Process For Federal Judges
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1068

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 381-15(5): Appointment Process For Federal Judges
Question 381-15(5): Appointment Process For Federal Judges
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1068

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister himself is publicly on record indicating that these changes were done specifically so that the Prime Minister could have greater influence on who gets on these committees to control the appointment of judges, something that's not there currently. So the final question to the Minister then is, is the Minister saying in his own...Is the government saying that two wrongs necessarily make a right in this case? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 381-15(5): Appointment Process For Federal Judges
Question 381-15(5): Appointment Process For Federal Judges
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1069

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 381-15(5): Appointment Process For Federal Judges
Question 381-15(5): Appointment Process For Federal Judges
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1069

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government is not saying anything. I guess, for the third time, I'll tell you that this is my opinion that not a lot has changed in terms of the nomination process. Mr. Speaker, I think the important thing to keep in mind here is that we want good, competent judges in the Northwest Territories and I think as best indication of that we go back to the last judge appointed by a Conservative Justice Minister. I think we have a very competent woman who was appointed to the Bench. I'm proud of her appointment. I think she's serving us very well, Mr. Speaker. That is, in fact, the critical issue here. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 381-15(5): Appointment Process For Federal Judges
Question 381-15(5): Appointment Process For Federal Judges
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1069

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

February 20th, 2007

Page 1069

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Premier of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable Joe Handley, in terms of the protected areas that we are suggesting in the Sahtu, as I stated in my Member's statement. Also, that the Premier has stated with the Prime Minister that they need a balanced approach in terms of our lands in the Northwest Territories. I want to ask the Premier what is his government doing to protect these lands that our people in the Sahtu have so passionately asked that these lands be protected from resource development? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1069

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our government position has been that development has to be a balanced approach. That is consistent with the aboriginal leaders. I can say that, Mr. Speaker, I've raised this issue publicly in speaking across the country; I've raised it with the Prime Minister; I've raised it with Minister Baird; and I'll continue to raise it. The group who met with Minister Baird, from the Sahtu, were very effective. He referred them to me. He had the message. I gave him maps. He asked to keep them. I think he understands the situation. Now we have to get the system, the federal system, to work this through. The Sayou and the Edacho areas, in particular, have been sitting on the shelf for, I think, practically 10 years now, and for the sake of a little bit of money we're not following through with the federal government on it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1069

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1069

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, it's a crying shame that for 10 years land that has been so passionately requested by our people in the Sahtu and other parts of the Northwest Territories that, you know, we're having a balanced approach that this government can't persuade the federal government to put the disbelief into action, yet the federal government is a strong proponent of resource development. We should just, you know, at one point say enough is enough, no more resource development. Protect our land, air and water first. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Premier ensure that the federal government hears this loud and clear from the Northwest Territories?

Supplementary To Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1069

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1069

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have made that message to the federal government that we cannot continue the way we are. At some point we're going to have to say enough is enough and say that we have to take a firm stance on these things. I did say to Minister Baird that for the sake of $500,000 one-time money, $500,000 ongoing money, this area was identified 10 years ago by then-Minister Sheila Copps as a heritage site. Let's do it. Five hundred thousand dollars is not much for the federal government. It was 10 years ago since that. The ramparts area west of Fort Good Hope, the Horn Plateau, the proposed park in the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, the expansion of Nahanni, those are issues that are out there. I don't understand the reluctance by the federal government to move on some of these. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1069

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1069

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I also share the sentiments of the Premier. I just don't understand this federal government system. You know, we're asking for resource revenue sharing deals and we're asking for many things. Mr. Speaker, I would again ask the Premier in terms of protecting these areas, this land from resource development, can the Premier, again, reinstate, reinforce the federal government to put some money behind this belief and put their money where their mouth is and start seeing some things done here? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1069

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1069

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will say that I have a very brief meeting with the Prime Minister on Friday. I will, if there's opportunity, raise this issue again, because I think it's a win for everybody: for the federal government, for us as a government, for aboriginal people, and simply as a responsible way to develop the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Question 382-15(5): Candidate Protection Areas In The Sahtu Region
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1069

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions this morning are for the Honourable David Krutko in his capacity as the Minister for Public Works and Services. Mr. Speaker, it concerns interruptions in the supply and the resupply of fuels to the Northwest Territories. It has been well publicized in the media in the last couple of days that the mines are concerned. I wanted to pursue this a bit more, Mr. Speaker, because if the mines are suffering interruptions in their fuel supply because of the CN Rail strike, and I understand a fire at a refinery in southern Canada, what does this mean, Mr. Speaker, for the security of resupply of fuels to our northern communities on the ice roads? We're operating on the same restrictions as the mines are and I think we're in the same boat. Do we have cause for concern, Mr. Speaker?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for Public Works and Services, Mr. Krutko.

Return To Question 383-15(5): Security Of The Re-supply Of Fuels To Northern Communities
Question 383-15(5): Security Of The Re-supply Of Fuels To Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1070

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have been following this issue but at the present time there is significant supply of diesel fuel in Hay River right now to resupply the 11 communities if we have to get it there this winter through the winter road system. Again, we feel that we are not drastically affected by the strike because the majority of our fuel products are already in the Northwest Territories. We are not greatly affected by this strike. Thank you.

Return To Question 383-15(5): Security Of The Re-supply Of Fuels To Northern Communities
Question 383-15(5): Security Of The Re-supply Of Fuels To Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1070

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 383-15(5): Security Of The Re-supply Of Fuels To Northern Communities
Question 383-15(5): Security Of The Re-supply Of Fuels To Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1070

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That's good news. I would like to ask what action the Minister or the government is taking on the national front? This is something that's affecting industry and consumers across Canada. What actions are we taking to bring some remedy to this so that at least the mines up here can get some certainty about their supply of fuel, Mr. Speaker?

Supplementary To Question 383-15(5): Security Of The Re-supply Of Fuels To Northern Communities
Question 383-15(5): Security Of The Re-supply Of Fuels To Northern Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1070

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Krutko.