Debates of Aug. 22nd, 2007
This is page numbers 495 - 544 of the Hansard for the 15th 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 going.
Topics
- Members Present
- Item 1: Prayer
- Minister's Statement 36-15(6): Helping Northerners To Achieve Self-reliance Through Income Security
- Minister's Statement 37-15(6): Nursing In The Nwt
- Minister's Statement 38-15(6): Energy Efficiency Incentive Program
- Minister's Statement 39-15(6): Supporting The Production Of Traditionally-tanned Moosehide
- United Nations Association "a Sense Of Belonging" Diversity Project
- Operation And Management Of The Department Of Human Resources
- Aurora College Completion Ceremony
- 'water Is Life' Conference In Fort Smith
- Renovations To The Ulukhaktok Arts And Craft Shop
- Improvements To Hay River's Water Quality And Supply
- Social Housing Rental Assessments
- Recognition Of Tlicho Soccer Players
- Recognition Of Deninu High School Graduates
- Deh Cho Bridge Project
- Need For A Northern Hydro Energy Strategy
- Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
- Item 6: Acknowledgements
- Question 172-15(6): Traditionally-tanned Moosehide Program
- Question 173-15(6): Social Housing Rent Assessments
- Question 174-15(6): Renovations To Ulukhaktok Arts And Crafts Shop
- Question 175-15(6): Behchoko Sportsplex Renovations
- Question 176-15(6): GNWT Human Resources Information System
- Question 177-15(6): Status Of Longstanding WCB Claims
- Question 178-15(6): Hay River Water Quality And Supply
- Question 179-15(6): Cost Of Living Component To Student Financial Assistance Program
- Question 180-15(6): Rockhill Apartment Lease Renewal
- Question 181-15(6): Traditionally-tanned Moosehide Program
- Question 182-15(6): Development Of New Hydro Strategy
- Question 183-15(6): Social Housing Rent Assessment
- Question 184-15(6): GNWT Human Resources Information System
- Question 185-15(6): Tuktoyaktuk Telehealth Equipment
- Written Question 13-15(6): Benefits Provided To Income Support Clients And Persons With Disabilities
- mr. Bell's Reply
- mrs. Groenewegen's Reply
- mr. Yakeleya's Reply
- mr. Hawkin's Reply
- ms. Lee's Reply
- Revert To Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
- Committee Report 6-15(6): Report On The Review Of The Information And Privacy Commissioner's 2005-2006 Annual Report
- Motion To Deem Committee Report 6-15(6) Read And Printed In Hansard In Its Entirety, Carried
- Committee Report 6-15(6): Report On The Review Of The Information And Privacy Commissioner's 2005-2006 Annual Report
- Motion To Receive Committee Report 6-15(6) And Move Into Committee Of The Whole, Carried
- Tabled Document 59-15(6): Workers' Compensation Board Of The Northwest Territories And Nunavut 2006 Annual Report
- Tabled Document 60-15(6): List Of Interactivity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 For The Period April 1, 2007 To June 30, 2007
- Tabled Documents 61-15(6): Business Development Fund Annual Report And Recipients Report, April 1, 2006 - March 31, 2007
- Tabled Document 62-15(6): Government Of The Northwest Territories Contracts Over $5,000 Report: Year-to Date Of The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2007
- Tabled Document 63-15(6): Community Development Programs Annual Report 2006-2007
- Tabled Document 64-15(6): Legislative Assembly Capital Accommodation Allowance October 1, 2003 To June 30, 2007 Audit Report
- Motion 10-15(6): Socio-economic Impacts And Benefits Of The Deh Cho Bridge, Carried
- Speaker's Ruling
- Motion 11-15(6): Extension Of Appointment Of Mr. Denny Rodgers As Chair Of The Workers' Compensation Board Governance Council, Carried
- Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
- Committee Motion 22-15(6): Amend Clause 16 Of Bill 7, Superceded
- Committee Motion 23-15(6): Refer Bill 7 To The Standing Committee On Social Programs, Carried
- Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
- Bill 6: Workers' Compensation Act
- Bill 15: Liquor Act
- Item 23: Orders Of The Day
Motion 11-15(6): Extension Of Appointment Of Mr. Denny Rodgers As Chair Of The Workers' Compensation Board Governance Council, Carried
Item 17: Motions
Page 533

The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. To the motion. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.
Motion 11-15(6): Extension Of Appointment Of Mr. Denny Rodgers As Chair Of The Workers' Compensation Board Governance Council, Carried
Item 17: Motions
Page 533

Sandy Lee Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to be very brief as well, although I can't promise to be as brief as Mrs. Groenewegen from Hay River South. Mr. Speaker, I just want to acknowledge two things. One is it's not usual for us to have a debate like this where we are mentioning a specific individual to maintain in the position. I think this is an extraordinary effort in that way.
I am also mindful that the Workers' Compensation Board is independent from the government and I respect that independence. Having said that, I am in support of this motion for the very reason that Mrs. Groenewegen so succinctly and so articulately stated: new legislation, new government.
This legislation we just passed, we just passed a brand new Workers' Compensation Act. It has been in the works for months and months, if not years. For the last eight years, the board has gone through tremendous workload, effort, issues, and we have worked through all of that. We finally concluded that yesterday and we are in our last 48 hours in terms of the session, even though the Ministers are in place. There is a new government coming in. I know Mr. Rodgers personally and he wouldn't be doing it if he wasn't a competent chair. I am going to say I support this motion regardless of who the person is in place. We are looking for stability and continuity. We have a new CEO now that we would like somebody who has been in the place throughout this legislation-making process to be there for just a few months after the next government comes in. Chances are there will be new Ministers getting assignments after the new government and the work can continue and the board and the staff have less changes than they are going to be facing if everybody changes. In
that spirit, I will be voting in favour of this motion. Thank you.
Motion 11-15(6): Extension Of Appointment Of Mr. Denny Rodgers As Chair Of The Workers' Compensation Board Governance Council, Carried
Item 17: Motions
Page 534

The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Ms. Lee. To the motion. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Motion 11-15(6): Extension Of Appointment Of Mr. Denny Rodgers As Chair Of The Workers' Compensation Board Governance Council, Carried
Item 17: Motions
Page 534

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the issues I have with this motion which has been included, is my concern that we do not have a policy that states that no appointments, especially serious appointments, where there is no emergency pending or falling before us, that we should not be appointing a position just before an election. Mr. Speaker, I wouldn't want anybody to compromise anybody's appointment by saying it's a political appointment to gain favour just before or after an election. So, Mr. Speaker, my concerns and points have been raised in this motion. I will be voting in favour with my other colleagues. Thank you.
Motion 11-15(6): Extension Of Appointment Of Mr. Denny Rodgers As Chair Of The Workers' Compensation Board Governance Council, Carried
Item 17: Motions
Page 534
Motion 11-15(6): Extension Of Appointment Of Mr. Denny Rodgers As Chair Of The Workers' Compensation Board Governance Council, Carried
Item 17: Motions
Page 534

Joe Handley Weledeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have considered this motion. There is a process in place for selecting a new chairperson. Mr. Rodgers' position doesn't expire until after the life of this government, I think it's October 12th or 9th. We have checked with the Workers' Compensation Board to see if there are any reasons with regard to quorums, workloads or activities that had to go on before the new government would be officially in place. There was none. So, Mr. Speaker, we find it very difficult to reach into the next government's responsibilities. Mr. Speaker, in spite of that, because it's a recommendation, Cabinet will not be voting on this motion. Thank you.
Motion 11-15(6): Extension Of Appointment Of Mr. Denny Rodgers As Chair Of The Workers' Compensation Board Governance Council, Carried
Item 17: Motions
Page 534

The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Handley. I will allow closing remarks by the mover, Mr. Braden.
Motion 11-15(6): Extension Of Appointment Of Mr. Denny Rodgers As Chair Of The Workers' Compensation Board Governance Council, Carried
Item 17: Motions
Page 534

Bill Braden Great Slave
Succinct. Thank you. I am just digging around for my thesaurus but I couldn't find it. My colleagues have raised all the relevant issues. Mr. Handley has spoken to it from the government side. We recognize the process for soliciting ideas and nominations is already underway. We hope that the next government and our sister territory, Nunavut, accepts the discussion and recommendation in that spirit, as one of confidence and a positive outlook for the WCB in the future. With that, I welcome the vote, Mr. Speaker.
Motion 11-15(6): Extension Of Appointment Of Mr. Denny Rodgers As Chair Of The Workers' Compensation Board Governance Council, Carried
Item 17: Motions
Page 534

The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Braden. The motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Motions. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 7, Committee Report 4-15(6). By the authority given me as Speaker by Motion 9-15(6), I hereby resolve the House into Committee of the Whole to sit beyond the hour of adjournment until such time as the committee is ready to report progress, with Mrs. Groenewegen in the chair.
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
August 22nd, 2007
Page 534

The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Good afternoon, Members. I would like to call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? We have three items before us today. Mr. Lafferty.
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 534

Jackson Lafferty North Slave
Mahsi, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the committee wishes to consider Bill 7, Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act; Committee Report 4-15(6), Report on Community Consultation on Proposed Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Legislation; and Committee Report 15-(6), Report on the Review of the Information and Privacy Commissioner's 2005-2006 Annual Report. Mahsi, Madam Chair.
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 534
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 534
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 534

The Chair Jane Groenewegen
Thank you. We will do that after a short break. Thank you.
---SHORT RECESS
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 534

The Chair Jane Groenewegen
The first thing on our agenda is Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act. I would like to ask Minister Bell if he would like to provide the bill's opening comments. Minister Bell.
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