The House met at 1:34 p.m.
Debates of Nov. 4th, 2009
This is page numbers 3689 - 3722 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 4th 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 water.
Topics
---Prayer
Prayer
Prayer
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the Chamber. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Roland.
Minister’s Statement 33-16(4): Working Towards A Common Northern Voice For The NWT
Ministers’ Statements
![Floyd Roland](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-floyd-roland/8bdd0525e5d9910769b077362dae9483.jpg)
Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to speak to the important priority of working toward a common vision for the political development of the NWT, one of the key priorities that we have identified for this 16th Legislative Assembly.
The North and the Arctic have never before had such profile nationally and internationally. Whether the attention we are getting is about protecting Canadian sovereignty and security, the eventual opening up of the Northwest Passage, our significant renewable non-renewable resource potential or is about the increasing affects of climate change in the Canadian and circumpolar North, no one can deny that the challenges and the opportunities that we are dealing with have garnered the attention of Canadian and international audiences.
Our challenge is no longer how to get on the national and international agenda, but rather to ensure that our voices and interests are heard and recognized, not dismissed or overshadowed by the opinion, commentary or even dispersions of those who do not live here.
As northern leaders, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the voices and interests of NWT residents are heard and that the focus of discussions and conversations about the North is changed so that it is “us” speaking about “our” issues and “our” realities and that “we” as Northerners are shaping our future course.
Mr. Speaker, we are stronger and more effective advocates for northern people and their interests when we can speak and act collectively.
It is my belief that a unified northern voice will be more successful in garnering the attention and understanding of decision-makers in our federal government, internationally and elsewhere.
As Members are aware, we have established a Northern Leaders Forum which includes two MLAs, representation from the NWT Association of Communities and all the regional aboriginal government leaders.
Our first meeting in July was positive and we agreed to continue discussions and to work together to engage with Northerners to help unify our voice and work towards articulating a common vision for the NWT.
A strong and clear vision will enhance our ability to advance key issues of importance for northern governments.
Our Northern Leaders Forum will meet again in November to discuss how we will move forward together. Mr. Speaker, I am committed to working with Members and northern leaders during the remainder of our Assembly’s term to realize a common northern vision for the political development of the NWT and advancing our goal of building a strong and independent North built on partnerships. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 33-16(4): Working Towards A Common Northern Voice For The NWT
Ministers’ Statements
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.
Minister’s Statement 34-16(4): Draft NWT Water Stewardship Strategy
Ministers’ Statements
![Michael Miltenberger](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-miltenberger/7a4fe0ff4356da96ae60c1b266833912.jpg)
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, water is fundamental to life. Clean and abundant fresh water is essential to the social, spiritual, cultural and economic well-being of all NWT residents. We rely on our clean waters and healthy aquatic eco-systems and recognize it as one of our most valuable resources.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and designated representatives of aboriginal governments, partnered to develop a draft Water
Strategy. Later today, I will be tabling the draft NWT Water Stewardship Strategy, Northern Voices, Northern Waters, which is the result of two years of hard work and collaboration.
The draft NWT Water Stewardship Strategy is a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach to the responsible management of water resources both within the NWT and upstream. Aboriginal governments, the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Government of Canada, regional organizations, communities, environmental non-governmental organizations, co-management boards and agencies, industry and residents contributed towards the development of the draft strategy.
Water quality in some local areas may be under stress but most of the waters of the NWT are clean, abundant and productive. However, pressures on waters throughout the NWT and in neighbouring jurisdictions continue to increase.
The NWT economy is very dependent on resource development, Mr. Speaker. There are three producing diamond mines in the NWT with more in the planning stages.
Several other mines including gold, polymetallic, base metal and rare earth are also in the planning stages. All the mines use existing water bodies to store tailings and process water for treatment before discharging it into the environment. There are also oil and gas developments in the NWT with more developments proposed.
Upstream developments in neighbouring jurisdictions including hydro, mining, agricultural and oil sands operations also have implications for NWT waters. These are major concerns for NWT residents.
As stewards of NWT waters, we have an obligation and a responsibility to adopt more sustainable water management practices. The draft strategy will result in more effective water stewardship, and ensure water quality, quantity and ecological productivity will not be degraded. It will ensure the use of water resources to meet the needs of the present generation will not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The waters of the NWT are a world-wide resource. The Mackenzie River Basin’s natural water/ice-climate systems help stabilize the Earth’s climate. There could be ecological and water-related implications for the entire continent if the Mackenzie River Basin system changes too much.
Mr. Speaker, water brings life and it is life. NWT residents agree that water is a living thing, not just a commodity or something to be traded or used and thoughtlessly discarded. The natural environment is one of the NWT’s most valued features and its water resources are particularly significant.
Aboriginal people in the NWT have a long and intimate relationship with the land and water. Their traditional knowledge results from a deep understanding of the natural environment. The draft strategy recognizes that an integral part of the strategy is a balanced approach to traditional and scientific knowledge.
It promotes an eco-system-based approach to integrated watershed management which includes the concepts of natural capital and sustainability accountability.
The draft strategy does not alter existing water responsibilities. It respects aboriginal and treaty rights as well as rights and processes set out in settled land claim and self-government agreements. The strategy is intended to support existing rights and government agreements. It is intended to improve the decision-making processes of all parties involved in water stewardship including regional forums, like the Mackenzie River Basin Board, by increasing information, sharing and communication, enhancing knowledge bases and encouraging greater cooperation.
Mr. Speaker, we take our water stewardship responsibilities seriously. The success of the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy depends on active involvement of all water partners in promoting and determining water stewardship objectives and actions. NWT residents want us to show strong leadership in water stewardship by setting high standards to hold ourselves and others responsible and accountable. Our leadership in and approach to water stewardship can provide valuable input to the development of a national water strategy.
Residents will be advised on a regular basis of the effectiveness of water stewardship actions. Publication of an annual overview of research and monitoring results, as well as summaries of water uses within the NWT and neighbouring jurisdictions, will assist in keeping communities and residents informed.
Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation to protect and steward our water resources for ourselves, for future generations and for all living things that rely on water. The draft Water Stewardship Strategy will help us achieve this.
The NWT Water Stewardship Strategy will be finalized during the winter of 2009-2010 following engagement and input from the public. Mahsi.
Minister’s Statement 34-16(4): Draft NWT Water Stewardship Strategy
Ministers’ Statements
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Michael McLeod.
Minister’s Statement 35-16(4): Drive Alive: Winter Driving
Ministers’ Statements
![Michael McLeod](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-mcleod/84b5e36ce0e58915d69c529c70768506.jpg)
Michael McLeod Deh Cho
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation recently released the 2008 NWT
Traffic Collision Facts report. The 2008 collision report presents statistics that we should all take seriously.
Each year, Mr. Speaker, through our Drive Alive travel safety awareness program and other initiatives, the Department of Transportation works hard to provide residents with the information that they need to travel safely on the NWT’s roads, trails and waterways. Nevertheless, people are injured or die needlessly each year because they failed to make simple choices that would have improved their chances of arriving safely at their destination.
Two of the most important choices to make this winter, Mr. Speaker, are simply to drive to the conditions of the road and to pay attention. As the winter driving season approaches and the temperature drops -- especially right now with temperatures hovering above freezing -- there is a significant risk of slippery and hazardous conditions on the road. It is easy to forget, Mr. Speaker, after the sunny days of summer, how different the roads are in the winter. Every year there are a number of winter accidents that could have been avoided. Too many of these accidents are single-vehicle collisions where drivers have been driving too fast or not driving to the conditions of the road.
Before getting on the road, Mr. Speaker, I would urge everyone to check the road and weather reports on the department’s website. It is important to remember that weather conditions can change quite dramatically over even a short period of time. Just because the roads were clear in the morning does not mean they will be clear that evening. In the winter months especially, speed is always a concern. When cars are moving too fast, it can be difficult to maintain control of a vehicle in bad weather. Mr. Speaker, it is better to arrive late than not arrive at all, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, along with the choice to drive to conditions is to ensure that you are not distracted from your primary responsibility to pay attention to the road ahead. Being distracted, for instance by eating, reading, texting, or anything else that takes your attention off the road while driving, reduces and sometimes removes the ability to react to sudden or unexpected conditions or obstacles.
Another important safety choice to make this winter is to ensure that everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seatbelt or a properly installed child car seat or infant restraint. Seatbelts help reduce the severity of injuries from vehicle collisions, and that’s why the law requires their use. Mr. Speaker, not everyone knows that the most important thing they can do to avoid injury or even death in a vehicle accident is to buckle up.
To address these concerns, Mr. Speaker, the Drive Alive program is working with our law enforcement community on an initiative called Buckle-Up NWT. The objective of this new program is to use
awareness and, where necessary, enforcement, to bring the NWT’s seatbelt use up to the national average of 90 percent by 2012. Currently our seatbelt use ranges from 85 percent in large community settings to the mid-60s in smaller communities.
Mr. Speaker, of particular concern to me is the fact that on the road approximately two-thirds of all children are not properly secured. It doesn’t matter whether it is a parent or a grandparent or a caregiver who is transporting a child, no one should make the mistake of allowing children to travel unsecured. Our children deserve our protection.
So, Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would again urge every Member of the Legislative Assembly and all of the residents of the Northwest Territories to be safe this winter season: drive appropriately for the conditions, avoid distractions, and buckle up. Remember, safety is no accident. We can all do more to reduce the risk of a collision. Please, Drive Alive! Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 35-16(4): Drive Alive: Winter Driving
Ministers’ Statements
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.
Minister’s Statement 36-16(4): 2010 Olympic Winter Games Torch Relay
Ministers’ Statements
![Robert C. McLeod](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-c-mcleod/714d3744f76b921118ae9edc064c271e.jpg)
Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes
Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to provide Members with details on the 2010 Olympic Winter Games Torch Relay.
The ancient Olympic flame has been transported from its home in Greece and lit for the first time on Canadian soil since the winter of 1988 when the games were held in Calgary, Alberta.
It began its 45,000 kilometre Canadian journey in Victoria, British Columbia, and today makes its journey north to Inuvik, home to some of our greatest athletes and former Olympians.
On November 5th , the torch will arrive in Yellowknife
from Nunavut. In keeping with time-honoured traditions, it will be welcomed by the Dene peoples of Dettah and Ndilo before making its journey past the Legislative Assembly to Yellowknife City Hall for an Olympic torch ceremony.
I am sure that the national and international media accompanying the torch will be dazzled by our hospitality, our incredible artists, our talented performers and the dedicated Inuit and Dene Games athletes that will help celebrate this special occasion.
I wish to extend my gratitude to the Town of Inuvik, the communities of Dettah and Ndilo, and the City of Yellowknife for their hard work and dedication in supporting this historical event.
As well, I commend the many volunteers and staff that helped to prepare for the relay and I congratulate those residents who will receive the
honour of carrying the Olympic torch and excitement of the games along with it.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to invite my colleagues and residents to join me at the relay celebrations tomorrow in Yellowknife and to be a part of this historic moment in Canadian history. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 36-16(4): 2010 Olympic Winter Games Torch Relay
Ministers’ Statements
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Lafferty.
Minister’s Statement 37-16(4): Federal/provincial/territorial Ministers Of Justice Meeting
Ministers’ Statements
Monfwi
![Jackson Lafferty](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackson-lafferty/1887887ca5b3e00f84362472ea599e5c.jpg)
Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice
: Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I rise to provide an update to my colleagues in the House about the Ministers of Justice meeting in New Brunswick last week, especially on aboriginal justice issues.
I have been working with my counterparts in Nunavut and Yukon to provide a unified northern perspective to the federal government. We have common issues, common needs. It makes sense to work together and support each other, especially on policing and aboriginal justice.
For many years, Mr. Speaker, we have been frustrated at the federal government’s inadequate funding for aboriginal policing in the North. The provinces have reserves and that gives them access to the flexible policing models under the federal government’s First Nations Policing Policy. For years, Mr. Speaker, the North has been almost completely left out of the policy, or told that it applies to us but there’s no money to implement it in the communities. In the Northwest Territories, we have four officers funded under this program. That’s four officers for 33 communities. We could do better, Mr. Speaker. We have pointed out that the First Nations policing doesn’t just happen on reserves; it happens where First Nations people live. We are calling on the federal government to provide additional aboriginal policing funding for all the jurisdictions with large numbers of aboriginal people.
We are moving forward with work on implementing a new territorial policing policy framework. It would give us access to flexible policing and funding models. This would allow us to increase the number of aboriginal officers and encourage community members to be full participants in policing in the North. The other Ministers strongly support our work. This is key to our efforts to get a new agreement with the federal government that would acknowledge that northern policing is quite unique.
We want to invest in preventative measures, in culturally appropriate approaches to justice, in policing by aboriginal people for aboriginal people. That’s why we’re supporting a comprehensive
review of the First Nations Policing Policy. This is a national issue, Mr. Speaker. And for the first time, it will recognize the unique challenges we face here in the North. I am optimistic that the federal government will seek funding to sustain the program and expand it to the territories.
Mr. Speaker, this is going to take persistence, of course. This issue has been going on for a long time. However, I am encouraged by the Ministers’ commitment to justice issues and especially to the acknowledgement that we in the North are unique. I believe that with the support of our colleagues across Canada, that the three northern Ministers of Justice will be able to achieve our goals. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 37-16(4): Federal/provincial/territorial Ministers Of Justice Meeting
Ministers’ Statements
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 3, Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
Process For Income Support Payments
Members’ Statements
![Jackie Jacobson](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackie-jacobson/f838b063bd9952de279b41bf9fceb06a.jpg)
Jackie Jacobson Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member’s statement is on income support cheque payments. I mentioned it twice the last sitting. I’ve been receiving a lot of phone calls and e-mails regarding the new income support evaluation and how it’s being administered.
When government changed the way income support was given, against the recommendations of most community governments and organizations, furthermore the previous government offered no support, notice or plans to help the communities and residents deal with the changes. But many people have been noticing since the way the department changed the way cheques are delivered, that the amounts are going down. What makes this situation worse is that the amount has been going down more than once. People are concerned with this uncertainty and they wonder what if their next cheque will be reduced as well.
When they call an income support officer, the answers are just as confusing. Mr. Speaker, some people who live off of Income Support are struggling day to day. We have to do something to help these people try to feed their kids. Not only that, but kids are going to bed hungry. There are no support organizations in some communities that can try to help feed their children. Reductions of their cheques from $20 to $40 makes a huge impact on the family. That makes a difference of children getting milk the last week of the month and getting adequate winter clothing. When people in our regional centres discuss these issues with our residents they must always remember these conditions in our small and remote communities. We need a true one-stop-shop for our people to
deal with all of these issues, Mr. Speaker, where payments and expenses are resolved before the recipient receives the cheque; etting the run-around or the blame game when dealing with government departments is unacceptable. Our residents deserve more. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment at the appropriate time. Thank you.
Process For Income Support Payments
Members’ Statements
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
Gender-Based Analysis Of GNWT Programs And Policies
Members’ Statements
![Glen Abernethy](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-glen-abernethy/0e4aeb686e54647f25a09d804c771158.jpg)
Glen Abernethy Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On March 9, 2009, I made a Member’s statement in this House on gender-based analysis. It was the second time I made a statement on this and asked questions on this topic. Today it will be the third.
Gender-based analysis makes gender equality issues visible in the mainstream of society, taking into account the full diversity of men and women. This type of analysis contributes to the redress of past and systemic discrimination and contributes to the development of a mission policy. Implementation of gender-based analysis policy builds upon the good work done by the government with respect to their Traditional Knowledge Policy. In addition, gender-based analysis responds to the provisions in legal documents such as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Federal Plan for Gender Equality, the Canadian Human Rights Act and various international obligations and commitments. In short, it is a tool that will help the GNWT develop more appropriate and relevant as well as socially and culturally aware programs, policies and legislation.
On March 9, 2009, when responding to questions I asked, the Premier indicated that -- and this is actually a quote from the unedited Hansard of March 9th -- “The gender-based analysis process is
underway. We are working within the Executive to come up with a position paper and hopefully have that out sometime during the spring.” When asked for a time line, the Premier responded as follows -- this is also from an unedited Hansard from March 9, 2009 -- “We are hoping to have a position paper developed by this spring, working on a training document and training scheduled for implementation during this upcoming fiscal year.” Spring has come and gone. We are also more than halfway through the 2009-2010 fiscal year. I have been waiting for some follow-up on this important initiative but haven’t seen any public notice indicating that the government has made any progress.
A policy on gender-based analysis will put people at the heart of policy development. It leads to better
government by involving both women and men and makes full use of human resources. For the benefit of all our residents, we should develop and implement a gender-based analysis policy and we should do it now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the appropriate time I will have some questions for the Premier on this topic. Thank you.
Gender-Based Analysis Of GNWT Programs And Policies
Members’ Statements
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
Concerns With Housing Corporation Roof Designs
Members’ Statements
![Tom Beaulieu](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-tom-beaulieu/4072f283cd140349b2a6b2f960cc5c4c.jpg)
Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe
Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. In the 1980s, the NWT Housing Corporation was in the process of defining their house designs to accommodate different weather conditions across the NWT, at which time also included what is now Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, one of the design features was to accommodate how the snow commonly fell above the treeline. This feature was a non-ventilated cathedral ceiling to be applied with a metal roof. However, this design was offered in the southern part of the NWT without advising clients that this does not work with asphalt shingles. I am not sure why the clients were not informed, but I believe the NWT Housing Corporation was exploring a variety of housing methods in order to improve their units.
Mr. Speaker, there are five such cases in Fort Resolution. Two of the cases have not made direct requests, but have spoken to me about their situation. One of the units was purchased by the NWT Housing Corporation to be reconstructed and also sold. One of the units is not currently being used. So for the costs of less than one unit, five of these units can be saved from having to be replaced.
Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, some of the units built in Fort Resolution were built with the asphalt shingles instead of the intended metal roof. As a result, clients have chronic problems with their roofs. Mr. Speaker, because of the way things have unfolded, the clients now have rotten roofs that would be very costly to repair. At this time, the majority of the roof will have to be removed and a metal roof would have to be applied. With the onset of another winter, these clients are facing another season of high heating costs plus in the spring these roofs will leak and continue to rot.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the NWT Housing Corporation should assist these clients by providing technical and financial support in order to rectify the problem that exists at no fault of the client. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Concerns With Housing Corporation Roof Designs
Members’ Statements
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Promotion Of Environmentally Responsible Water Usage
Members’ Statements
November 3rd, 2009
![Jane Groenewegen](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jane-groenewegen/e50eda84dd05c0c947628e85327c98ee.jpg)
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the issue of the resources that we have on our doorstep and yet seem to import from the South at great cost and harm to our environment.
Mr. Speaker, so far in this session I’ve talked about the abundance of our fish, our wildlife, agricultural opportunities; all renewable resources, Mr. Speaker, right on our doorstep.
Today I would like to talk about how blessed we are to have the water supply that we have in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, Great Slave Lake is the fourth largest lake in Canada, the ninth largest lake in the world and the deepest lake in North America.
Mr. Speaker, in Hay River where we live on the shore of this wonderful freshwater lake, a case of 35 bottles of water costs $13.24. Mr. Speaker, bottled water can cost 500 to 4,000 times more than tap water. The sad thing is that 40 to 80 percent of water bottles in the NWT end up as litter in our landfills. The bottles take up to 1,000 years to decompose and contribute to plastic waste in our water systems which is harming our wildlife. The withdrawal of large quantities of water to fill these water bottles from springs and aquifers for bottling has depleted household wells in rural areas, damaged wetlands and degraded lakes. It takes three litres of water to produce one litre of bottled water. The total amount of energy embedded in the use of bottled water is the equivalent of filling a plastic bottle one-quarter full of oil, according to the Pacific Institute. By contrast, municipal water requires only a little energy to pump the water through the pipes in our homes.
Mr. Speaker, there are other issues around bottled water which makes it nonsensical for us to ever drink it. In 2000, consumer reports found that eight of ten five-gallon jugs that they checked left residues of the endocrine disrupter Bisphenol A in the water. An expert panel of scientists has concluded that exposure to extremely low doses of Bisphenol A is strongly linked to diseases such as breast cancer, prostate cancer and diabetes, and damage to reproductive and neurological development. Leeching of chemicals into bottled water increases with heat and age, raising concerns about storage and transportation of the bottles. More research is needed on leeching of harmful chemicals from all types of bottles. No problems have been associated with refillable stainless or aluminum containers.
Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to say today that the Legislative Assembly no longer has bottled water and I want to encourage people to look on our own doorstep and look at the beautiful resources that we have…
Promotion Of Environmentally Responsible Water Usage
Members’ Statements
Promotion Of Environmentally Responsible Water Usage
Members’ Statements
Promotion Of Environmentally Responsible Water Usage
Members’ Statements
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
Housing Assistance For Elders Living Traditional Lifestyles
Members’ Statements
![Kevin A. Menicoche](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-kevin-a-menicoche/939205ce282de1070c4dd00c51e10f1c.jpg)
Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about housing for elders who continue to spend most of their time living in the bush. These are people like hunters and trappers who are usually independent and self-sufficient.
A few years ago, the NWT Housing Corporation had a program called Elders on the Land Initiative. It provided financial support to assist seniors who live on the land rather than in the community. They could replace their existing dwelling with a modest, simply constructed shelter. This program helped elders to maintain independent traditional lifestyles in a safer and healthier home. The assistance was limited to $30,000 plus freight per household and was in the form of a forgivable loan over a five-year period.
I have been approached to renew this initiative and I think this program should be reintroduced. I was pleased to hear that next year the NWT Housing Corporation is leading a pilot project for people living traditional lifestyles. The corporation is constructing four basic shelter units in communities; there will be two built in Nahanni Butte. These homes are designed with features like wood stoves so that they can be easily shut down and left empty while residents go out on the land.
I look forward to seeing what these basic shelter units would be like and how well they fit people’s needs. I think this type of unit might also be suitable as a model for a renewed Elders on the Land Initiative. I encourage the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation to continue to support housing that accommodates a more traditional way of life. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Housing Assistance For Elders Living Traditional Lifestyles
Members’ Statements
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Recovery Of Electrical Utility Capital Costs
Members’ Statements
![Wendy Bisaro](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-wendy-bisaro/822516b10dcde201cc792a162d868a92.jpg)
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we start into this year’s winter season, I hope my constituents won’t experience the struggles with power bills that many had to deal with last winter and spring. In the past couple of months, power companies have made the news, not due to high bills but because of major equipment failures. The
Taltson hydro plant is out of service, Northlands Hay River has a generator that needs replacing and then suddenly the Bluefish hydro dam is about to fail and needs to be replaced. All of these situations lead to costly infrastructure replacements and under our current regulated utilities system, these costs must be borne by the affected community or communities. In this system, equipment and infrastructure failures can be called unforeseen expenditures by our utility companies -- that would be NTPC and NUL. The company can apply to the Public Utilities Board for authorization to recoup those financial losses from their customers -- that would be you and I. The result: electricity bill rate riders, here we come.
In my view, our system needs to change. Power companies must operate like any other private company. Equipment failures should be considered an unfortunate and occasional part of doing business and their associated replacement and maintenance costs should be planned for. All companies should have long-range plans in place for the replacement or acquisition of major infrastructure and the associated capital costs should be included in any company’s budget. Profit and revenues must be determined with capital costs included, not considered after the fact. For any business other than a power company this would be considered standard practice, but our power companies can avoid this task because the system allows them to do so. But the system can change, Mr. Speaker, if this Assembly wants it to.
I look forward with anticipation to the results of the recently held electricity review and I have no doubt that the recommendations of the review team will provide us with opportunities to affect the necessary change for our residents, change for the better. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Recovery Of Electrical Utility Capital Costs
Members’ Statements
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.
Extension Of High Speed Electronic Communications Systems To All Northern Communities
Members’ Statements
![David Krutko](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The high-tech world we live in today is wireless Internet service, high speed analog and digital communications. Mr. Speaker, today a lot of these services aren’t provided in all communities in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, I think it’s essential that we develop the electronic grid throughout the Northwest Territories’ 33 communities. As we’ve heard in this House, there are seven communities in the Northwest Territories with cell phone service. Mr. Speaker, that leaves some 24 communities without these types of services and I think it’s important to
realize, Mr. Speaker, the key to our success is bringing the Northwest Territories into the 21st Century. More importantly, bring the 24 communities along with you.
I think it’s important, Mr. Speaker, that we, as government, cannot realize that it’s essential that we build infrastructure in the Northwest Territories for all of our communities so that we can have a wireless system that we can provide medical services in all our health clinics in the Northwest Territories regardless if they’re health centres so that when we have an incident in Sachs Harbour or Colville Lake or Tsiigehtchic, that we have systems in place regardless if it’s telehealth or whatnot available that’s workable, its systems are worked in. More importantly, improving the education system in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, we have an education system in the Northwest Territories which does not provide all essential and critical services to our communities by way of giving the educational programs in regards to having them identify the different courses. But because of the structures that we have, a lot our communities do provide science, biology, chemistry and mathematics in all our communities and which a lot of our students that are in the high schools have to do it on line. Again, it’s essential that we have that high speed system in place to link all our high schools in the Northwest Territories in the 33 communities into a system that provides us with that technology.
Mr. Speaker, I think it’s important as a government that we invest in this technology regardless if it’s through partnerships, the private sector, aboriginal development corporations or the federal government. I think it’s important that the system that we use is just as important to our highway system in regard to our transportation systems, but technology is key to the success of…
Extension Of High Speed Electronic Communications Systems To All Northern Communities
Members’ Statements
Extension Of High Speed Electronic Communications Systems To All Northern Communities
Members’ Statements
![David Krutko](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
Extension Of High Speed Electronic Communications Systems To All Northern Communities
Members’ Statements
![David Krutko](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Mr. Speaker, I believe it’s essential as government that we do formulate these partnerships and, more importantly, we work for the benefit of 33 communities in the Northwest Territories. So at the appropriate time I will be asking the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs questions on this matter. Thank you.
Extension Of High Speed Electronic Communications Systems To All Northern Communities
Members’ Statements
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Northern Regulatory Process
Members’ Statements
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to talk about the northern regulatory process. In 2007-08, the federal government contracted Neil McCrank to prepare a report called The Road to Improvement. It was a report about where he recommended several changes that should be made to our northern regulatory process. Of course, this was just the last of many reports that have been made of these issues about our burdensome and convoluted northern regulatory process.
Mr. Speaker, it needs to be coined up and, in my opinion, it needs to be simplified and timely. A regulatory process is key to attracting long-term resource development that will help our economy.
Mr. Speaker, in March 2009, the GNWT identified various recommendations and perspectives on the regulatory issue in its own report. However, all that we know about the GNWT’s authority is the fact that we don’t have any. Sadly, the authority falls in the federal hands.
Mr. Speaker, often it has been described as the federal government is our absentee landlord that continues to show about the flirting and fading interest in the development of the Northwest Territories autonomy. Mr. Speaker, they only show interest when it is in their interest. Mr. Speaker, the advantage of a recession is it gives people time to catch up on the things they never get a chance to focus at have time to do. Mr. Speaker, I think now is a time to address these changes in a regulatory process. There is clearly little resource development going on, because it is reflective of the northern and, certainly, world economy. Mr. Speaker, changes need to happen before the regulatory system gets busy again with new applications.
Mr. Speaker, while the engines of industry are idling, we should be working with them to come up with a good process that works for them and recognizes environmental stewardship for the future. Mr. Speaker, may I remind everyone that the GNWT’s report calls for a review of legislation on various levels from aboriginal land claims to self-government, including government policies. Mr. Speaker, it is a convoluted one itself, but we could be doing these things.
It has been eight months since the GNWT report was last released and no one knows what has been done. Mr. Speaker, I will have a discussion on issues with the Minister responsible to find out what he has done to engage aboriginal groups, our federal counterparts. Where have the recommendations gone? Mr. Speaker, by streamlining the process, we won’t take away from our environmental responsibilities, but we will create certainty in an environment where we need
resource development to help our economy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Northern Regulatory Process
Members’ Statements
Investment In Early Childhood Education
Members’ Statements
![Bob Bromley](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-bob-bromley/bb4ee9b08828e006d6ae87b089ec45e1.jpg)
Bob Bromley Weledeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I speak on a huge priority for our people, the critical need to give our children the best possible start in life through an excellent early childhood education.
As I noted last year, a UNICEF study ranked Canada last among 25 affluent countries in the delivery of early childhood education and child care programs for its failure to meet nine out of 10 basic performance benchmarks. The NWT did not even meet one of the standards. All evidence overwhelmingly supports the observation of Canada’s chief public health officer who states that one dollar invested in the early years saves between three and nine dollars in future spending in the health and criminal justice systems as well as on social assistance.
Mr. Speaker, I am the first to recognize that important improvements in levels and supply of services have been achieved by this government since my last statement on this. However, basic problems still persist. There simply aren’t enough affordable child care spaces staffed by qualified caregivers. The problem is bad in our major centres and worse in our smaller communities.
We now fund child care providers on the basis of three-month attendance figures, which is better than monthly but still falls short of basing funds on annual attendance for predictable planning. Child care workers remain among the lowest paid of our skilled workers, making it difficult or impossible to hire and keep competent staff. We need to subsidize the wages of child care staff to meet this critical need.
Programs offered to train more child care providers simply don’t measure up to the programs offered in the South. The lack of adequate daycare not only affects children’s prospects of success but prevents parents from taking the employment or getting the education that will improve the overall lives of their families. Such facts reveal why a comprehensive anti-poverty strategy is needed and why we need to address disparities in child care services and access. They present yet another factor to be considered in our review of the Child and Family Services Act. I will be pressing this case in committee and call on all Members to consider this preventative priority as we move towards setting our operational budgets in the upcoming season.
Let’s wisely invest more in our future: our youngest citizens with such huge potential. Mahsi.
Investment In Early Childhood Education
Members’ Statements
Enabling Student Achievement In Northern Schools
Members’ Statements
![Norman Yakeleya](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-norman-yakeleya/b55db1a24acf9fd613dd84efc9c51b97.jpg)
Norman Yakeleya Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we need to ask the question are we, the government, failing our students or helping our students. You choose. Mr. Speaker, I ask this question because it puzzles me to hear so many stories of how our students just do not get the education here in the Northwest Territories that is of the same quality as education in the South. I will admit that what I hear is all about one individual student or another, but over the six years I have heard so many personal stories from the leadership in the Sahtu about the failures of our young people, that I have to wonder, is this government’s education system failing or still maturing as we have only taken over the responsibility of education since 1969. That is 40 years ago, Mr. Speaker.
Right now, there is a young man who graduated from high school in the Sahtu who faces two years of upgrading to bring his education level up to Alberta Grade 12. Mr. Speaker, this young man graduated English 30, Phys. Ed. 30 and Grade 11 math and other subjects. How is it that he has an NWT high school diploma when he does not have a high school education?
Mr. Speaker, upgrading is going to cost him $32,000. The Department of Education will fund any NWT student for post-secondary education, but there is no funding to support a student attempting to upgrade to Alberta Grade 12. I guess there is a presumption that if you give someone a piece of paper called a high school diploma, they will actually have a high school education and that is the end of it. Shouldn’t the diploma mean that they achieve a Grade 12 education before we pass them and they leave high school? Mr. Speaker, how is it possible that a young person can graduate only one academic course? Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of discussion about this issue in the media lately. What is happening in the Sahtu is probably happening in other small communities.
Mr. Speaker, this problem did not happen overnight and it cannot be fixed overnight, but it needs to be out in the open in order for us to create a solution that works. There are really dedicated teachers in the Sahtu, really good people that will help us on our task to provide quality education in our small communities. Students need courses that aren’t offered in their home community. We need them to get education elsewhere. Mr. Speaker, we have some young people -- and great young people -- who are trying to work hard and get an education. We must give them the financial support they need. Their education is a good investment. We will see a
return on that investment as the young people return to the North as educators, lawyers, chiefs and doctors, even politicians, Mr. Speaker. We need to stand in front of these students…
Enabling Student Achievement In Northern Schools
Members’ Statements
Enabling Student Achievement In Northern Schools
Members’ Statements
![Norman Yakeleya](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-norman-yakeleya/b55db1a24acf9fd613dd84efc9c51b97.jpg)
Norman Yakeleya Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
Enabling Student Achievement In Northern Schools
Members’ Statements
![Norman Yakeleya](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-norman-yakeleya/b55db1a24acf9fd613dd84efc9c51b97.jpg)
Norman Yakeleya Sahtu
Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, we need to stand in front of our students as they work to achieve their goals. The future of our Territory depends on this. Let us clear the way for them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Enabling Student Achievement In Northern Schools
Members’ Statements
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
![Michael Miltenberger](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-miltenberger/7a4fe0ff4356da96ae60c1b266833912.jpg)
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure today to recognize some of the many people that helped work on the Water Strategy from the steering committee made up of representatives of the aboriginal governments. We have Richard Binder from Inuvialuit Regional Corporation; Joe Acorn, Deh Cho First Nations; Tim Heron, NWT Metis Nation; Joline Huskey and Eddie Erasmus, Tlicho Government; Mardy Semmler of the Gwich’in Tribal Council. From INAC, our close partners, we have Tricia Merrithew-Mercredi, regional director general; Sevn Bohnet, Tricia Melander-Forde, Michele Culhane and Bob Reid. From the Government of the Northwest Territories we have Gary Bohnet, deputy minister; Mark Warren, Jane McMullen, Joel Holder, Meghan Beveridge, Jennifer Skelton, Katarina Carthew, Judy McLinton and Ella Stinson and last, but not least, Mr. David Livingstone. Thank you all for your help and welcome to the Assembly.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
![Jane Groenewegen](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jane-groenewegen/e50eda84dd05c0c947628e85327c98ee.jpg)
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
It is my pleasure again today to recognize in the visitor’s gallery Mr. Rocky Simpson who is here for meetings. I hope he had a very successful visit again. Thank you.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
![Robert C. McLeod](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-c-mcleod/714d3744f76b921118ae9edc064c271e.jpg)
Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes
Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome two residents of Inuvik into the gallery. One is a constituent. I am not sure where the other one lives. I believe she is a constituent too. Mr. Richard Binder and Mardy Semmler. Welcome.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
I would like to recognize a constituent, Bob Reid. As well, at the same time, I would like to recognize Sevn Bohnet, a friend from here, in Yellowknife, for a long time. Thank you.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
![Jackson Lafferty](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackson-lafferty/1887887ca5b3e00f84362472ea599e5c.jpg)
Jackson Lafferty Monfwi
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today is Take a Kid to Work Day. I’d like to recognize my daughter Cheyenne Lafferty who is here with us, my shadow, and her friend Alex McLean here with us as well. I’d also like to recognize, of course, Eddie Erasmus and Joline Huskey. They’re part of the Water Strategy team. Mahsi.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
![Wendy Bisaro](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-wendy-bisaro/822516b10dcde201cc792a162d868a92.jpg)
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure to recognize a hardworking member of the Water Strategy group, a constituent, Judy McLinton who’s up behind me somewhere. I’d also like to recognize two of the Pages who have been working so hard on our behalf over the last three weeks, Aimee Yurris and Michael Callahan, who are constituents as well. Thank you.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bob McLeod.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
![Bob McLeod](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-bob-mcleod/9feae5d68736e65cea656496f11b0e58.jpg)
Bob McLeod Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Mr. Joe Acorn, the chair of the Public Utilities Board. Also, a couple of constituents from Yellowknife South, Jane McMullen and Mark Warren. Also a long-time colleague and a person recently recognized by the Aboriginal Sport Circle for his contribution to sport and long-time former chief, Jonas Sangris. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
![Bob Bromley](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-bob-bromley/bb4ee9b08828e006d6ae87b089ec45e1.jpg)
Bob Bromley Weledeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to recognize Jonas Sangris of Dettah. Other residents of Weledeh that I’ve spotted so far include Michele Culhane and Joe Acorn. I’m sure there are others. Mahsi.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. If we’ve missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to the Chamber. I hope you’re enjoying the proceedings. It’s always nice to have a good audience in here.
Item 6, acknowledgements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Acknowledgement 6-16(4): Arlene Hache, Member Of The Order Of Canada
Acknowledgements
![Bob Bromley](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-bob-bromley/bb4ee9b08828e006d6ae87b089ec45e1.jpg)
Bob Bromley Weledeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to acknowledge the exceptional achievement of one of our citizens and a Weledeh riding resident. Arlene Hache will be in Ottawa tomorrow to be invested as a member of the Order of Canada. The citation announcing this recognition reads:
Arlene Hache dedicates her time and energy to the welfare of Canada’s northern citizens. One of the co-founders and executive director of the Yellowknife Women’s Society Centre for Northern Families, she has spearheaded numerous programs that address issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, education, unemployment and child rearing. A tireless champion of social justice and human rights, she has also fought to raise awareness of the needs of the poor and disenfranchised. As well, she has lent her leadership skills to local territorial and national associations including the Society Against Family Abuse and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
I ask all Members to join me in congratulating Ms. Hache for her recognition with Canada’s highest civilian honour. Mahsi.
---Applause
Acknowledgement 6-16(4): Arlene Hache, Member Of The Order Of Canada
Acknowledgements
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Question 164-16(4): Recovery Of Electrical Utility Capital Costs
Oral Questions
![Wendy Bisaro](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-wendy-bisaro/822516b10dcde201cc792a162d868a92.jpg)
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister responsible for NTPC, the Power Corporation. I’d like to ask the Minister, in terms of planning for capital projects and major infrastructure replacements, I’d like to ask him how NTPC plans for and puts in place major capital projects or replacements. Thank you.
Question 164-16(4): Recovery Of Electrical Utility Capital Costs
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, Mr. Roland.
Question 164-16(4): Recovery Of Electrical Utility Capital Costs
Oral Questions
![Floyd Roland](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-floyd-roland/8bdd0525e5d9910769b077362dae9483.jpg)
Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Power Corporation plans for maintenance as well as replacement of assets on an ongoing basis, so it would be part of their corporate plan that they put forward. Thank you.
Question 164-16(4): Recovery Of Electrical Utility Capital Costs
Oral Questions
![Wendy Bisaro](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-wendy-bisaro/822516b10dcde201cc792a162d868a92.jpg)
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Thanks to the Minister for that answer. I guess I was referring and I needed to be
a little more explicit, but for extraordinary expenditures where you have an unforeseen capital cost or an unforeseen expenditure of a fairly large nature, what kind of planning goes in place for those sorts of things? Thank you.
Question 164-16(4): Recovery Of Electrical Utility Capital Costs
Oral Questions
![Floyd Roland](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-floyd-roland/8bdd0525e5d9910769b077362dae9483.jpg)
Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake
Mr. Speaker, in situations where there was an unforeseen cost, for example, the Member used in her statement the high cost last year as well as the rate rider, that they’re termed as, when there’s planning for a certain cost of running our diesel plans, for example, those costs would initially be absorbed by the Power Corporation, but they would have to put forward a request to the Public Utilities Board for an increase or a rate rider. On an annual basis or an ongoing basis, there are times that general rate applications go forward to increase the overall cost of service and end up having that passed on to the customer. Thank you.
Question 164-16(4): Recovery Of Electrical Utility Capital Costs
Oral Questions
![Wendy Bisaro](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-wendy-bisaro/822516b10dcde201cc792a162d868a92.jpg)
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
I would like to thank the Minister again for that answer. I would like to follow it up a bit with a question relative to whether or not the Power Corporation has ever considered a different process in an effort to try and minimize the cost to customers on their power bills, and in order to try and eliminate rate riders and to keep things on as much of an even keel as possible. Has the corporation ever considered a different model for the recovering of capital costs other than the current one? Thank you.
Question 164-16(4): Recovery Of Electrical Utility Capital Costs
Oral Questions
![Floyd Roland](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-floyd-roland/8bdd0525e5d9910769b077362dae9483.jpg)
Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake
Mr. Speaker, I’m not aware if the board at this point have had discussions. I’m sure, as they go through their corporate plan, they have much discussion about how they would provide the information and provide for the service necessary. More importantly, as the Government of the Northwest Territories, we have looked at the issue around the capital plan and had some discussions from our side to see what could be done differently. As well, as the Member is aware, through the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee we’ve had some work done looking at our rates, subsidization and regulation around delivery of power in the Northwest Territories as well. Thank you.
Question 164-16(4): Recovery Of Electrical Utility Capital Costs
Oral Questions
![Wendy Bisaro](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-wendy-bisaro/822516b10dcde201cc792a162d868a92.jpg)
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
The Minister’s answer points out two things for me; one is that this Assembly, this government has little input, can provide little direction to the NTPC board and the Minister referenced that he’s not really aware of what the board has done in this particular instance. I’ve totally lost the other one out of my head, so I will go on to my next question and that is, to the Minister: how will the replacement of the Bluefish hydro dam be funded? Thank you.
Question 164-16(4): Recovery Of Electrical Utility Capital Costs
Oral Questions
![Floyd Roland](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-floyd-roland/8bdd0525e5d9910769b077362dae9483.jpg)
Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake
Mr. Speaker, the Bluefish replacement project is something that’s been planned for by the corporation. They’ve been looking at that facility for quite a number of years
and, again, part of their corporate plan would be for the replacement of that asset. Within ongoing dollars we have available, we would also have to look at if there is higher cost on the project to see how that would be dealt with. I will get that information and provide that to the Member. Thank you.
Question 164-16(4): Recovery Of Electrical Utility Capital Costs
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
Question 165-16(4): Gender-Based Analysis Of GNWT Programs And Policies
Oral Questions
![Glen Abernethy](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-glen-abernethy/0e4aeb686e54647f25a09d804c771158.jpg)
Glen Abernethy Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Premier and are in follow-up to my Member’s statement on the implementation of a gender-based analysis policy for the GNWT.
On March 9, 2009, in follow-up to some questions that I had, the Premier indicated that the Executive was developing a position paper. To date, I haven’t seen anything released from the Executive on gender-based analysis and I was wondering if the Premier could please provide me with an update on the progress of this initiative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 165-16(4): Gender-Based Analysis Of GNWT Programs And Policies
Oral Questions
Question 165-16(4): Gender-Based Analysis Of GNWT Programs And Policies
Oral Questions
Inuvik Boot Lake
![Floyd Roland](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-floyd-roland/8bdd0525e5d9910769b077362dae9483.jpg)
Floyd Roland Premier
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of the Executive along with the Women’s Advisory Office has been working on this initiative for some time, as the Member has highlighted. We’re hoping to have a position paper on gender-based equity being finalized by the end of this calendar year. Thank you.
Question 165-16(4): Gender-Based Analysis Of GNWT Programs And Policies
Oral Questions
![Glen Abernethy](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-glen-abernethy/0e4aeb686e54647f25a09d804c771158.jpg)
Glen Abernethy Great Slave
During my last round of questioning on this topic back in March 2009, I referenced a number of outside organizations who have already done a lot of work and research on gender-based analysis. In the development of this position paper were any of these outside organizations contacted and asked to provide input and feedback on the value of gender-based analysis within the GNWT?
Question 165-16(4): Gender-Based Analysis Of GNWT Programs And Policies
Oral Questions
Inuvik Boot Lake
![Floyd Roland](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-floyd-roland/8bdd0525e5d9910769b077362dae9483.jpg)
Floyd Roland Premier
What I’m aware of is the Minister responsible for the Status of Women, through the Department of the Executive, has been working with a number of groups across the Territories: the Status of Women Council, the Native Women’s Association, and the Dene Nation has also been involved in that. A lot of the start of this paperwork and this initiative has been based on work that’s been done through a national network and involves federal and provincial governmental and non-governmental organizations, including the NWT Council of Status of Women’s involvement there. Thank you.
Question 165-16(4): Gender-Based Analysis Of GNWT Programs And Policies
Oral Questions
![Glen Abernethy](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-glen-abernethy/0e4aeb686e54647f25a09d804c771158.jpg)
Glen Abernethy Great Slave
I’d like to thank the Premier for that. I think that that’s good news and I’m happy to hear that something is going to be done by the end of the calendar year. I understand that full-scale implementation is a significant undertaking, but obviously we must start somewhere.
Educating staff seems like a reasonable place to start, at least to me. The GNWT currently delivers a lot of training for staff. In March 2009, the Premier indicated that the Executive Council will also be working on some training documents and a training schedule for the implementation during the upcoming fiscal year, which would be the one we’re in. In relation to what he’s already said, could the Premier please provide me with a bit of an update on the progress of this initiative, the training aspect of things? Thank you.
Question 165-16(4): Gender-Based Analysis Of GNWT Programs And Policies
Oral Questions
Inuvik Boot Lake
![Floyd Roland](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-floyd-roland/8bdd0525e5d9910769b077362dae9483.jpg)
Floyd Roland Premier
Indeed the training aspect is an important one and working through the Women’s Advisory office, there’s been a training session provided for or planned for and designed on the development of tools and approaches and has been put in place. It’s open to all public servants. It’s being piloted through the process and has been placed on the GNWT training calendar. Thank you.
Question 165-16(4): Gender-Based Analysis Of GNWT Programs And Policies
Oral Questions
Question 165-16(4): Gender-Based Analysis Of GNWT Programs And Policies
Oral Questions
![Glen Abernethy](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-glen-abernethy/0e4aeb686e54647f25a09d804c771158.jpg)
Glen Abernethy Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That’s fantastic news. Has there been any consideration by the Premier to make that type of training mandatory for individuals within the GNWT who are responsible for the design of policy and writing policy within the government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 165-16(4): Gender-Based Analysis Of GNWT Programs And Policies
Oral Questions
Inuvik Boot Lake
![Floyd Roland](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-floyd-roland/8bdd0525e5d9910769b077362dae9483.jpg)
Floyd Roland Premier
I don’t know if there’s a message that’s been given to those who are in charge of the policy end. I know it is open to all government employees across the Territory. Thank you.
Question 165-16(4): Gender-Based Analysis Of GNWT Programs And Policies
Oral Questions
Question 166-16(4): Housing Assistance For Elders Living Traditional Lifestyles
Oral Questions
![Kevin A. Menicoche](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-kevin-a-menicoche/939205ce282de1070c4dd00c51e10f1c.jpg)
Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just want to follow up on my Member’s statement on the Elders on the Land Initiative. I know that the NWT Housing Corporation changed their programming to basically four programs and when this occurred, Mr. Speaker, the Elders on the Land Initiative was nowhere to be seen. I would just like to ask the Minister of the Housing Corporation, what prompted the department to take away this program that was well used by the communities in my riding? Thank you very much.
Question 166-16(4): Housing Assistance For Elders Living Traditional Lifestyles
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.
Question 166-16(4): Housing Assistance For Elders Living Traditional Lifestyles
Oral Questions
![Robert C. McLeod](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-c-mcleod/714d3744f76b921118ae9edc064c271e.jpg)
Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Elders Home Program was about one of 17 different programs that were offered by the NWT Housing Corporation and in order to streamline the process, every one of the initiatives that was offered at the time would still fit under one of the four Housing Choices that we have now. Thank you.
Question 166-16(4): Housing Assistance For Elders Living Traditional Lifestyles
Oral Questions
![Kevin A. Menicoche](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-kevin-a-menicoche/939205ce282de1070c4dd00c51e10f1c.jpg)
Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh
So the Minister has indicated that if the elder chooses and is approved through the current guidelines, that he can build his house on the land. I think part of the parameters of the original program was that if it was an elder, it was a forgivable loan and they paid the freight to his traditional lands where he wanted to build his housing unit. Thank you.
Question 166-16(4): Housing Assistance For Elders Living Traditional Lifestyles
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. My apologies, the honourable Minister responsible for Housing, Mr. Robert McLeod.
Question 166-16(4): Housing Assistance For Elders Living Traditional Lifestyles
Oral Questions
![Robert C. McLeod](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-c-mcleod/714d3744f76b921118ae9edc064c271e.jpg)
Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is the basic shelter policy that Housing is looking to update as we speak. They did have some work done on it and then we realized that we needed to make some adjustment for it to fit within the CMHC guidelines for the basic shelter. So that’s where the process is at right now and I will follow up on the Member’s question as to the status of the elders program and what became of that. Thank you.
Question 166-16(4): Housing Assistance For Elders Living Traditional Lifestyles
Oral Questions
![Kevin A. Menicoche](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-kevin-a-menicoche/939205ce282de1070c4dd00c51e10f1c.jpg)
Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh
Actually I was quite happy with the first answer when he said it still existed.
---Laughter
I think I had an elder from Fort Liard that applied for it. He was basically told no, but certainly it’s something that the people want to see reinstituted and I certainly support that and I would like to convey that to the Minister.
So just once again, if he can confirm to me that there are some guidelines or there is a program that can still fit the needs of the Elders on the Land Initiative. Thank you.
Question 166-16(4): Housing Assistance For Elders Living Traditional Lifestyles
Oral Questions
![Robert C. McLeod](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-c-mcleod/714d3744f76b921118ae9edc064c271e.jpg)
Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes
We’re always trying to find ways to meet the needs of the residents of the Northwest Territories and this is one of the programs.
I’d advise the Member that the basic shelter concept policy is one that we’re renewing right now and to see if some of these programs would be able to fit under there. It’s a discussion that I would need to have. The Housing programs evaluation will be done very shortly and once we see the results of that evaluation, then we’d need to make some adjustment, if the will is there. Thank you.
Question 166-16(4): Housing Assistance For Elders Living Traditional Lifestyles
Oral Questions
Question 166-16(4): Housing Assistance For Elders Living Traditional Lifestyles
Oral Questions
![Kevin A. Menicoche](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-kevin-a-menicoche/939205ce282de1070c4dd00c51e10f1c.jpg)
Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I wasn’t clear on what evaluation the Minister was talking about. Are they re-evaluating the four programs? I think for me the more important thing is to evaluate the use and uptake on the old Elders on the Land Initiative, to look at it and reinstitute it, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister include that in the review that he’s speaking about? Thank you.
Question 166-16(4): Housing Assistance For Elders Living Traditional Lifestyles
Oral Questions
![Robert C. McLeod](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-c-mcleod/714d3744f76b921118ae9edc064c271e.jpg)
Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes
The Member is correct; there is an evaluation of the four Housing programs to see how they’re working and if there’s any adjustments that need to be made or recommendations, everyone will have a chance to have some input into the evaluation and see how it’s working at the regional and the local level. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 166-16(4): Housing Assistance For Elders Living Traditional Lifestyles
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Question 167-16(4): Northern Regulatory Process
Oral Questions
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I talked about my concerns of the regulatory system and the fact that the process has been buckled down with not only just confusion, but probably delay. Mr. Speaker, I can probably ask a variety of Ministers the same types of questions so I’d like to focus my direct questions towards the Premier of this House, because I think his position could both represent the environmental concerns as well as the industry concerns that ITI may have covered. So, Mr. Speaker, my question directly to the Premier is: where is the development of the streamlining of the regulatory process as presented by the McCrank report and further followed up by the GNWT’s response? Where is that in the federal government’s hands? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 167-16(4): Northern Regulatory Process
Oral Questions
Question 167-16(4): Northern Regulatory Process
Oral Questions
Inuvik Boot Lake
![Floyd Roland](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-floyd-roland/8bdd0525e5d9910769b077362dae9483.jpg)
Floyd Roland Premier
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have responded to the federal government through the Minister of ENR and we responded to Minister Strahl on this initiative as that’s where the McCrank report issue was generated. We’re waiting for their official response as to what they would incorporate. We’ve put in a number of recommendations where we feel things could move forward fairly quickly and easily without major changes to existing structures in a sense of land claims and so on. So we’re waiting for them to respond back to those issues. Thank you.
Question 167-16(4): Northern Regulatory Process
Oral Questions
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
I need not give the Premier any lesson about how important industry is to this
economy, but, Mr. Speaker, a number of people are very concerned as to what’s taking this Minister -- the federal Minister that is -- so long to address this issue. It’s a significant issue for the whole Territory and no one needs to be reminded about the recession and our much relied upon corporate taxes when economy is working.
So, Mr. Speaker, to the Premier once again, what is taking this issue so long that’s stalling it, from their point of view? Thank you.
Question 167-16(4): Northern Regulatory Process
Oral Questions
Inuvik Boot Lake
![Floyd Roland](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-floyd-roland/8bdd0525e5d9910769b077362dae9483.jpg)
Floyd Roland Premier
It’s difficult to answer what’s holding back the federal government. Of course, there are quite a number of issues that have to be dealt with. It’s a complex matter, it involves a number of departments, it involves settled claims, it involves different areas of responsibility and that example is one why we continue to pursue devolution and resource revenue sharing, for example, so we can streamline through that process as well. Thank you.
Question 167-16(4): Northern Regulatory Process
Oral Questions
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Of course, I don’t expect the Premier to know exactly what is in the Indian and Northern Affairs Minister’s mind or the agenda, but I do hope there are certain communications that go on that help to allude this.
Mr. Speaker, as I said in my Member’s statement today, recession is a great time to deal with things that people kind of put on the backburner, and streamlining the regulatory process is a great time to say why don’t we address these things now because we don’t have a lot going on. It’s a great time focus in, in a fair way, to balance industry’s needs and wants and environmental concerns and the balance it takes.
Mr. Speaker, what pressure is being put on by this government to make sure that they address this problem in a timely way, which I would define as the best time to do this work? Thank you.
Question 167-16(4): Northern Regulatory Process
Oral Questions
Inuvik Boot Lake
![Floyd Roland](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-floyd-roland/8bdd0525e5d9910769b077362dae9483.jpg)
Floyd Roland Premier
In the area of the McCrank report, our response, we’ve had a number of Ministers follow up, not only myself. We’ve had the Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, we’ve had the Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment make their approaches. Recent meetings were held, as well, in Ottawa. This was one of the items discussed. So we continue to raise this issue, continue to pursue the initiatives we think can be done, for example, like board appointments that can be done rather straightforward rather than waiting for a full response on that report. So we continue to apply pressure and continue to try to move this initiative forward.
Question 167-16(4): Northern Regulatory Process
Oral Questions
Question 167-16(4): Northern Regulatory Process
Oral Questions
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as easy as this next question sounds, it’s not meant to be simple and I believe it’s really
complex. The real issue right now is what is it going to take for this Assembly to get on the radar of the federal government. What is it going to take that this is an important issue to the people of the Northwest Territories as well as the growth of the Northwest Territories? Is there a singular message that we can send for them to realize that we are important and that we mean to do business? Thank you.
Question 167-16(4): Northern Regulatory Process
Oral Questions
Inuvik Boot Lake
![Floyd Roland](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-floyd-roland/8bdd0525e5d9910769b077362dae9483.jpg)
Floyd Roland Premier
We’ve continued to highlight the significance of that report, their response and the potential impact it would have on the Northwest Territories. I think the bigger question, as the Member has asked, is what are we going to do in the North with the aboriginal leadership and ourselves coming together in a common voice saying this is where we think we can work together and pursue the changes that are required. So I think that’s the avenue that we are going to start to put our energies into, is start coming up with a common message and support from a northern perspective on that initiative. Meanwhile, we continue to do our piece and try to see what can be moved along, but the real change will come when we use a regional aboriginal leadership table to pursue these types of initiatives. Thank you.
Question 167-16(4): Northern Regulatory Process
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Question 168-16(4): Promotion Of Environmentally Responsible Water Usage
Oral Questions
![Jane Groenewegen](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jane-groenewegen/e50eda84dd05c0c947628e85327c98ee.jpg)
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Environment and Natural resources. We all know that we have an extraordinary high cost of living in the Northwest Territories. Yet, even though we are sitting on some of the best fresh water in the world here, we continue to import, in little clear bottles, tons of water. I don’t know how many millions of bottles or hundreds of thousands of bottles. I don’t have those statistics with me today. But as the Minister responsible for the stewardship of our environment, what is this department doing to discourage people from consuming bottled water? Thank you.
Question 168-16(4): Promotion Of Environmentally Responsible Water Usage
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.
Question 168-16(4): Promotion Of Environmentally Responsible Water Usage
Oral Questions
![Michael Miltenberger](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-miltenberger/7a4fe0ff4356da96ae60c1b266833912.jpg)
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we’re spending millions of dollars to make sure that communities have good potable water. We have recycling to encourage people to return their containers and they’ve been going down south. There are abilities there for communities to pass bylaws about water. There would be an ability for this Legislature to send out
the message that we’re not going to have bottled water at any of our functions.
The Member raised a lot of the very critical statistics in terms of the impact and cost of energy for bottled water. I agree with her that we have some of the best water in the world and it’s puzzling when you go to communities and you see water brought in from Ontario or from...(inaudible). So those are some of the things that we are doing and some things that can be done. Thank you.
Question 168-16(4): Promotion Of Environmentally Responsible Water Usage
Oral Questions
![Jane Groenewegen](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jane-groenewegen/e50eda84dd05c0c947628e85327c98ee.jpg)
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
The department, I don’t know what department launched this campaign, but there was a Drop the Pop campaign because of the high sugar content in pop and soft drinks and the harm that that is bringing to people’s health. Has the Minister ever contemplated some type of similar campaign to drop the bottled water?
As I mentioned in my Member’s statement, we here in the Legislative Assembly do not use bottled water anymore, but I don’t think people are aware. I really don’t think the awareness is there, because why would people spend the kind of money that it costs to ship bottled water into the Northwest Territories when our water is better, and a lot of the bottled water just comes straight out of a tap anyway and probably doesn’t even meet the scrutiny that our standards for drinking water does. Has the Minister ever contemplated a campaign to discourage people from importing and drinking bottled water?
Question 168-16(4): Promotion Of Environmentally Responsible Water Usage
Oral Questions
![Michael Miltenberger](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-miltenberger/7a4fe0ff4356da96ae60c1b266833912.jpg)
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of all the things on the to-do list, the answer would be, regrettably at this point, no. Thank you.
Question 168-16(4): Promotion Of Environmentally Responsible Water Usage
Oral Questions
![Jane Groenewegen](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jane-groenewegen/e50eda84dd05c0c947628e85327c98ee.jpg)
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
I would think that even through our education system and throughout schools, there would be a ready avenue to affect the thinking and the knowledge of young people on this very important topic. I know in the schools, too, there has been a campaign to get away from junk food and unhealthy beverages. Would the Minister see collaborating with the Department of Education on such a campaign to be an easy and perhaps cost-effective way to get the message out to our younger citizens about the unnecessary consumption of bottled water? Thank you.
Question 168-16(4): Promotion Of Environmentally Responsible Water Usage
Oral Questions
![Michael Miltenberger](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-miltenberger/7a4fe0ff4356da96ae60c1b266833912.jpg)
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Yes, Mr. Speaker. I think that has potential. As well, as I indicated in my early answer, the municipalities have the authority, as well, in their jurisdictions to pass the bylaws about if there is going to be bottled water allowed or not at public events and those types of things. I will talk to my colleagues. Thank you.
Question 168-16(4): Promotion Of Environmentally Responsible Water Usage
Oral Questions
Question 168-16(4): Promotion Of Environmentally Responsible Water Usage
Oral Questions
![Jane Groenewegen](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jane-groenewegen/e50eda84dd05c0c947628e85327c98ee.jpg)
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess to some extent even speaking about this in
the Chamber is some way of creating some public awareness. Mr. Speaker, it’s my impression that with the Beverage Recycling Program, it’s a bit of a conflicted message. People say if I buy this lovely case of 36 bottles of water in plastic bottles, I am recycling those so I am doing something really good for the environment. But it’s a bit of a double standard, a bit of a mixed message. A lot of the beverage containers that we bring in here we probably shouldn’t have them in the first place. Is there any opportunity through the recycling of the Beverage Container Program that we want people to bring back beverage bottles, but we don’t even want them to use them in the first place? Is there an opportunity through that program that already exists to deter people from drinking beverages in small containers? Thank you.
Question 168-16(4): Promotion Of Environmentally Responsible Water Usage
Oral Questions
![Michael Miltenberger](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-miltenberger/7a4fe0ff4356da96ae60c1b266833912.jpg)
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
In fact, we are soon going to be processing and recycling our 100 millionth container in the very near future. The issue is to encourage people to bring back the containers. I agree with the Member that there is possibly an opportunity to look at a stronger message about not drinking bottled water at all in conjunction with the communities’ education and health to promote the benefits of drinking local water. I will pursue that with my colleagues. Thank you.
Question 168-16(4): Promotion Of Environmentally Responsible Water Usage
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
Question 169-16(4): Process For Income Support Payments
Oral Questions
![Jackie Jacobson](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackie-jacobson/f838b063bd9952de279b41bf9fceb06a.jpg)
Jackie Jacobson Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member’s statement was regarding the income support cheques and why are the cheques declining in the amounts. People have been noticing the department changing the way cheques are delivered, the amounts are going down. What makes the situation worse is the amount has gone down more than once this past year. People are concerned with the uncertainty. They are wondering if their cheques will go down the next time.
Mr. Speaker, will the government provide community governments with a plain language summary of why residents’ income support cheques have been declining? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 169-16(4): Process For Income Support Payments
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
Question 169-16(4): Process For Income Support Payments
Oral Questions
![Jackson Lafferty](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackson-lafferty/1887887ca5b3e00f84362472ea599e5c.jpg)
Jackson Lafferty Monfwi
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with respect to the issuance of monthly cheques, it could vary in various circumstances where individuals may not have provided enough information such as a tax return or a tax refund, whether it be a source of income has changed or there has been a deposit into their bank account without informing the client service officers.
So there are all these areas attached to the information providing.
Certainly we can have our staff do an informal or formal presentation to community government if that needs to happen. We certainly want community members to be aware of the programs that are available to them. If there are issues, then we need to highlight those issues. One of the challenges is those clients need to provide as much information in a timely fashion or else there are going to be challenges like we are faced with today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Question 169-16(4): Process For Income Support Payments
Oral Questions
![Jackie Jacobson](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackie-jacobson/f838b063bd9952de279b41bf9fceb06a.jpg)
Jackie Jacobson Nunakput
Mr. Speaker, will this government re-evaluate the way income support cheques are distributed and how various government departments deal with their residents in smaller remote communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 169-16(4): Process For Income Support Payments
Oral Questions
![Jackson Lafferty](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackson-lafferty/1887887ca5b3e00f84362472ea599e5c.jpg)
Jackson Lafferty Monfwi
Mr. Speaker, we are always re-evaluating our program to make it successful into the communities, especially the most isolated communities. Certainly we can take on the task. We need to find out what is truly happening in the communities. Like I said, we have our client service officers or on-duty client service officers that do their work. At the same time, sometimes it is out of our hands where not enough or a lack of information has been provided, so that creates more frustration for clientele. At the same time, they have to come with the full information. So certainly we can do our part and meet with the community. Mahsi.
Question 169-16(4): Process For Income Support Payments
Oral Questions
![Jackie Jacobson](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackie-jacobson/f838b063bd9952de279b41bf9fceb06a.jpg)
Jackie Jacobson Nunakput
Mr. Speaker, given that the government currently administers income support, it is not working. Given that the people, especially in our smaller remote communities, are suffering, will this government commit to immediate changes proposed by the communities and MLAs so people don’t have to suffer anymore, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.
Question 169-16(4): Process For Income Support Payments
Oral Questions
![Jackson Lafferty](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackson-lafferty/1887887ca5b3e00f84362472ea599e5c.jpg)
Jackson Lafferty Monfwi
Mr. Speaker, the Member is referring to a generic area of challenges. We need to find out the root cause. What is the real issue? Like I said, it could be the lack of information being provided. That is always the case, Mr. Speaker, dealing with client service officers. Concerns come in. It is almost always, 80 to 90 percent of the time, that not enough information has been provided. I think that we need to strengthen that area. Certainly that would be our clear message to the communities when we visit the community. Mahsi.
Question 169-16(4): Process For Income Support Payments
Oral Questions
Question 169-16(4): Process For Income Support Payments
Oral Questions
![Jackie Jacobson](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackie-jacobson/f838b063bd9952de279b41bf9fceb06a.jpg)
Jackie Jacobson Nunakput
Mr. Speaker, we ask for too much information sometimes. The people are suffering in the communities, Mr. Speaker. I brought this up for the last two years I have been here, that
people need help. Too much information in regards to the way this program has been run. They should get out to the communities sooner than later, hopefully before Christmas by the time we come back for meetings. Mr. Speaker, if the Minister needs help doing it, I am here to help him. Thank you.
Question 169-16(4): Process For Income Support Payments
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. I’m not sure I heard a question there. Mr. Lafferty, do you want to respond?
Question 169-16(4): Process For Income Support Payments
Oral Questions
![Jackson Lafferty](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackson-lafferty/1887887ca5b3e00f84362472ea599e5c.jpg)
Jackson Lafferty Monfwi
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Member is there for me as well to assist me. I think we need to collaborate on this, because I don’t have all the answers. I certainly don’t know exactly what is happening on a day-to-day basis in the Member’s riding. Certainly that information will be available for our department. Certainly I will look forward to working with that. Mahsi.
Question 169-16(4): Process For Income Support Payments
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.
Question 170-16(4): Improving Information Systems In All Communities
Oral Questions
![David Krutko](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are directed to the Minister responsible for the chief information officer of the government and the Department of Finance. My questions are directed to Mr. Miltenberger.
Mr. Speaker, as I stated in my Member’s statement, this government plays an integral role of improving the information systems we have in our communities regardless if it is telehealth, improving our systems into our schools, improving the technology in regards to services by way of programs being delivered by our NGOs or even by the local governments. I think this government has to step up to the plate and ensure that we are advancing in the area of electrical advances.
In the next number of months, there is talk about getting televisions off the analog system onto a digital system. We, as a government, have to move also. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for information. What is this government doing to improving the service delivery to our residents by government obligations, regardless if it is the Department of Health and the Department of Education, and government services in our communities to ensure that we have access to programs and services either on line or through telecommunication uptake, regardless if it is cell phone service or digital systems? Thank you.
Question 170-16(4): Improving Information Systems In All Communities
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.
Question 170-16(4): Improving Information Systems In All Communities
Oral Questions
Thebacha
![Michael Miltenberger](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-miltenberger/7a4fe0ff4356da96ae60c1b266833912.jpg)
Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There has been a significant amount
of money that was put into the digital communications network to provide the digital backbone to have computer and Internet hook-ups. We have done some work on cell phone service in terms of assessing the market and some of the challenges. At this point, cell phone services seem to be within the purview of the private sector. There are companies out there like NorthwesTel. Of course they want money to go into the small communities, but at this point we have been treating it as a private sector business opportunity. Thank you.
Question 170-16(4): Improving Information Systems In All Communities
Oral Questions
![David Krutko](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Mr. Speaker, I think the private sector has identified those lucrative markets out there and that is why they are in those seven communities mentioned that do have cell phone service, but I don’t think their intention is to go to the communities that don’t have that capacity in regards to the other 24 communities. I think this government has to take this issue on in regards to what the Yukon government has done. They made a political decision. They invested $2 million to ensuring that all communities in the Yukon are going to receive cell phone services. I would like to ask the Minister responsible, will this government take the step to improve the services in 24 communities in the Northwest Territories, regardless if it is cell phone service or uplink systems, so that we can improve our telecommunications throughout the Northwest Territories?
Question 170-16(4): Improving Information Systems In All Communities
Oral Questions
Thebacha
![Michael Miltenberger](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-miltenberger/7a4fe0ff4356da96ae60c1b266833912.jpg)
Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance
We have done work on cell phone service and looking at what we are doing, what the potential costs and challenges are in looking at other communities. I would be pleased to share that information with the Member. Thank you.
Question 170-16(4): Improving Information Systems In All Communities
Oral Questions
![David Krutko](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Mr. Speaker, I think it is critical that we move on this matter. I would like to see the information the Minister talks about. Again, it is more important that we, as government, find ways of improving programs and services. I know there have been questions in the House about the quality of education in our schools, the quality of programs in regards to our health care system. Improving services to our community by technology will improve the delivery system of this government. I would like to ask the Minister exactly what we are doing to improving the service delivery by way of technological advances to improve the service provided by government to communities.
Question 170-16(4): Improving Information Systems In All Communities
Oral Questions
Thebacha
![Michael Miltenberger](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-miltenberger/7a4fe0ff4356da96ae60c1b266833912.jpg)
Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance
While we are not directly involved, there is a significant project with Industry Canada in Vulcan in terms of delivery of broadband high speed services to the communities. It is a very important project. There is phase one that is in the works to be completed and there are significant dollars for phase two. We are working very closely with all the partners in that
arrangement to make sure that, hopefully, will get done. That will give the service that the Member is talking about.
We already invested heavily in the digital communication network. Our schools, our health centres all have that capacity in all through NorthwesTel and those communities. There are Internet services as well. We have spent tens of millions of dollars in this division trying to improve these services. Thank you.
Question 170-16(4): Improving Information Systems In All Communities
Oral Questions
Question 170-16(4): Improving Information Systems In All Communities
Oral Questions
![David Krutko](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Again, Mr. Speaker, the Minister touched on it, the whole area of Vulcan Communications and SSI Micro. I believe that proposal is on thin ice. I think that this government has to do everything it can to ensure that we don’t lose $14 million of federal infrastructure funding. This government has to step up to the plate to ensure that that system of having high speed Internet, take it up to the next level where it is going to be high speed Internet so we actually see improvement in regards to the systems in the North in our communities.
Again, the onus has to be on this government to ensure we improve telecommunications in the Northwest Territories by improving our system. Again, I would like to ask the Minister exactly where is this government going to provide the leadership to our communities and make sure we are advancing into the 21st Century when it comes to
technology.
Question 170-16(4): Improving Information Systems In All Communities
Oral Questions
Thebacha
![Michael Miltenberger](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-miltenberger/7a4fe0ff4356da96ae60c1b266833912.jpg)
Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance
I believe we are well established into the 21st Century. I have
indicated to the Member some of the things we are doing directly. Indirectly we are paying very close attention and working very closely with the folks involved in the broadband initiative. It involves Industry Canada and Vulcan. We are very committed to making sure that this is a successful endeavour. Thank you.
Question 170-16(4): Improving Information Systems In All Communities
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
Question 171-16(4): Inadequate NWTHC Housing Designs
Oral Questions
![Tom Beaulieu](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-tom-beaulieu/4072f283cd140349b2a6b2f960cc5c4c.jpg)
Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today in my Member’s statement I talked about some of the problems my constituents are having with their NWT Housing Corporation HAP units and, more specifically, the roofs. I have questions for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, does the Minister agree that this HAP roof problem exists in these homes that I spoke of and that the issue is outside the control of the HAP clients? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 171-16(4): Inadequate NWTHC Housing Designs
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Robert McLeod.
Question 171-16(4): Inadequate NWTHC Housing Designs
Oral Questions
![Robert C. McLeod](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-c-mcleod/714d3744f76b921118ae9edc064c271e.jpg)
Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are some concerns and there were some issues with some of these roofs. They were built in accordance with the National Building Code of the day, but we have been hearing some issues with the design of the roofs. Thank you.
Question 171-16(4): Inadequate NWTHC Housing Designs
Oral Questions
![Tom Beaulieu](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-tom-beaulieu/4072f283cd140349b2a6b2f960cc5c4c.jpg)
Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe
Mr. Speaker, can the Minister advise me if he and the NWT Housing Corporation staff, specifically the key staff, are aware of the problem and why the problem actually exists? I am wondering if he is aware technically why the problem actually exists. Thank you.
Question 171-16(4): Inadequate NWTHC Housing Designs
Oral Questions
![Robert C. McLeod](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-c-mcleod/714d3744f76b921118ae9edc064c271e.jpg)
Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes
Mr. Speaker, we are well aware of the problem and the technical aspect as to why they had some issues with these roofs. Unlike other roof repair programs, the corporation has actually taken the lead in identifying some of the HAP houses with these roof problems. Thank you.
Question 171-16(4): Inadequate NWTHC Housing Designs
Oral Questions
![Tom Beaulieu](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-tom-beaulieu/4072f283cd140349b2a6b2f960cc5c4c.jpg)
Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe
Mr. Speaker, will the Minister agree to have staff meet with the clients in Fort Resolution that have this specific problem with the roof, and as a result of which I believe to be a wrong material application on the roof on the design option first selected in the 1980s? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 171-16(4): Inadequate NWTHC Housing Designs
Oral Questions
![Robert C. McLeod](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-c-mcleod/714d3744f76b921118ae9edc064c271e.jpg)
Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes
Mr. Speaker, we are always happy to meet with some of the residents that have some issues with some concerns with the roofs. The technical staff will take the lead in determining that if repairs are required, and then they will also estimate the cost of repairs, and then they will ensure the programs advisor is notified. The programs advisor will then meet with the clients and, if eligible, there will be some financial assistance. Thank you.
Question 171-16(4): Inadequate NWTHC Housing Designs
Oral Questions
Question 171-16(4): Inadequate NWTHC Housing Designs
Oral Questions
![Tom Beaulieu](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-tom-beaulieu/4072f283cd140349b2a6b2f960cc5c4c.jpg)
Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe
Mr. Speaker, I believe this to be a special case. I believe that some of these clients, after 20 years of being homeowners, may fall outside some of the program parameters that exist currently. Can the Minister, however, commit to providing technical support and, more importantly, some financial support to bring these units to a proper state for safety as well as for the comfort of the homeowners? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 171-16(4): Inadequate NWTHC Housing Designs
Oral Questions
![Robert C. McLeod](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-c-mcleod/714d3744f76b921118ae9edc064c271e.jpg)
Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes
Mr. Speaker, we will be pleased to provide the technical report. I have already outlined a bit of the process we will be going through with identification and doing an estimate of the work required on some of these roofs. If the clients qualify, they will be offered some financial assistance to repair the roofs. This initiative is actually going to be a priority repair for
clients who apply for homeownership repair programs. Thank you.
Question 171-16(4): Inadequate NWTHC Housing Designs
Oral Questions
Question 172-16(4): Early Childhood Education
Oral Questions
![Bob Bromley](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-bob-bromley/bb4ee9b08828e006d6ae87b089ec45e1.jpg)
Bob Bromley Weledeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to follow up on my statement and pose some questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment on early childhood education.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that we have many capacity issues throughout the North, it’s difficult to find qualified child care workers and we have high costs and affordability questions to deal with, but I really do consider this issue to be possibly the most important opportunity this government has to contribute to a positive future, so it’s of the utmost importance. I’d like to ask the Minister first: what progress has been made in the past, say, 12 to 18 months on our early childhood education programs? Thank you.
Question 172-16(4): Early Childhood Education
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
Question 172-16(4): Early Childhood Education
Oral Questions
![Jackson Lafferty](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackson-lafferty/1887887ca5b3e00f84362472ea599e5c.jpg)
Jackson Lafferty Monfwi
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. With respect to the Early Childhood Program, there have been some changes to benefit the communities that we service. Part of the ongoing initiative, the ongoing improvement of the program is the last two years, April 1, 2007, there has been an increase in the contribution, so that can offset or allow operators to increase staff wages and improve benefits for early childhood staff. So those are the areas where there have been some changes. Also, since 2007-2008, the department assists eligible providers with basic rent or mortgage expenses. Those are new initiatives that have been undertaken.
Mr. Speaker not only that, but just on the overall contribution, back in 2000-2001 it was a $2.6 million annual contribution. Now we have, in 2009-2010, upwards of $4.7 million. So we have increased and made progress. Mahsi.
Question 172-16(4): Early Childhood Education
Oral Questions
![Bob Bromley](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-bob-bromley/bb4ee9b08828e006d6ae87b089ec45e1.jpg)
Bob Bromley Weledeh
Thanks to the Minister for those comments. I am aware that the funding has increased and I did recognize some of those things in the statement. Thanks for that review. But there are so many more opportunities that I’m hearing about. There still are simply not enough child care spaces in our facilities in Yellowknife or the other communities. The issue of wages remains as a fundamental one. I suspect we need direct subsidies for those wages to get the qualified help and realize the opportunity that’s here. Is the department looking into subsidizing the wages for qualified child care staff in those facilities? Thank you.
Question 172-16(4): Early Childhood Education
Oral Questions
![Jackson Lafferty](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackson-lafferty/1887887ca5b3e00f84362472ea599e5c.jpg)
Jackson Lafferty Monfwi
Mr. Speaker, our contribution is towards the organization and they hire their staff and they pay their staff the wages and also benefits, similar to what we do with the school funding formula. We give a lump sum funding to the schools based on enrolment and then they hire their professional staff. So it’s a similar arrangement that we have with them.
We’re happy to announce that as of this year there have been 55 successful early childhood education candidates surrounding 14 communities. So that’s one of the successes that we like to show the Northwest Territories. So we continue to improve our programs, Mr. Speaker, but those are the formulas that we currently undertake with operators. Mahsi.
Question 172-16(4): Early Childhood Education
Oral Questions
![Bob Bromley](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-bob-bromley/bb4ee9b08828e006d6ae87b089ec45e1.jpg)
Bob Bromley Weledeh
Thanks again for those comments to the Minister. Of course, the fact remains that they don’t seem to be getting the qualified help or are able to keep competent staff because of the wage problem, so I’m hoping further attention will be focused on that, perhaps in more direct ways than a general contribution.
Training is indeed an important issue and that’s been raised before, the training at Aurora College in the past has not met the national standards. What is being done to improve the Aurora College courses to ensure that our workers do meet those standards? Thank you.
Question 172-16(4): Early Childhood Education
Oral Questions
![Jackson Lafferty](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackson-lafferty/1887887ca5b3e00f84362472ea599e5c.jpg)
Jackson Lafferty Monfwi
Mahsi. The training program that’s been delivered through Aurora College has been ongoing for a number of years now and it has been very successful to date. We produce so many early childhood workers out of that. When I quoted, the number was based on 2008-2009, 55 successful course completions by students from 14 different communities. That’s just one year. This particular program has been ongoing and certainly there’s always been room for improvement in the program. There’s an accreditation program attached to this, as well, and we’re also partnered up with other institutions and southern institutions as well. Mahsi.
Question 172-16(4): Early Childhood Education
Oral Questions
Question 172-16(4): Early Childhood Education
Oral Questions
![Bob Bromley](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-bob-bromley/bb4ee9b08828e006d6ae87b089ec45e1.jpg)
Bob Bromley Weledeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are still so many questions here, but I’d like to ask if the accreditation program is implemented now and does it enable us to produce graduates who will meet those national standards that are set for child care workers? Thank you.
Question 172-16(4): Early Childhood Education
Oral Questions
![Jackson Lafferty](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackson-lafferty/1887887ca5b3e00f84362472ea599e5c.jpg)
Jackson Lafferty Monfwi
Mahsi. The program that has been offered by Aurora College is recognized, probably not all courses, but most of the courses are recognized by southern institutions so they can continue on to take advanced education, whether it be a diploma or a degree program. So we’re always pushing our northern
college and other institutions to have an accreditation program here in the Northwest Territories. Mahsi.
Question 172-16(4): Early Childhood Education
Oral Questions
Question 173-16(4): Sponsoring Of Post-Secondary Students For Upgrading
Oral Questions
![Norman Yakeleya](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-norman-yakeleya/b55db1a24acf9fd613dd84efc9c51b97.jpg)
Norman Yakeleya Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given that the return to high school is not a very attractive option for many young adults, would the Minister consider changing the policy and legislation to offer student financial assistance to our young people who are doing upgrading in order to qualify for a post-secondary institution?
Question 173-16(4): Sponsoring Of Post-Secondary Students For Upgrading
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
Question 173-16(4): Sponsoring Of Post-Secondary Students For Upgrading
Oral Questions
![Jackson Lafferty](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackson-lafferty/1887887ca5b3e00f84362472ea599e5c.jpg)
Jackson Lafferty Monfwi
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Our policy currently states that we do sponsor post-secondary students, students that are off to university or colleges, but I think the Member is alluding to upgrading. We need to be very careful on what we do here, because it would have a huge impact in the local district education authorities, and not only that, the divisional education council, because our funding is based on enrolment and provided to those organizations. If we start sponsoring students down south, there’s a number of students that are on a waiting list and we’re not just talking about one student. Just imagine the cost factor that would be taken out of the local education authorities for sponsoring students down south. So those are the areas of great concern to us and it has been stressed to us by board members as well. Mahsi.
Question 173-16(4): Sponsoring Of Post-Secondary Students For Upgrading
Oral Questions
![Norman Yakeleya](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-norman-yakeleya/b55db1a24acf9fd613dd84efc9c51b97.jpg)
Norman Yakeleya Sahtu
The Minister talked about the grave issues and the cost factor and all that. I say to the Minister in terms of this government in terms of the factors of not supporting our children who need to have support for upgrading on some of their courses to get into a post-secondary institution, I think those factors certainly will outweigh the concerns that this government has.
I want to ask the Minister, in terms of support again for this type of issue, would the Minister be willing to sit down with the Sahtu stakeholders to look at an education symposium in the Sahtu to look at solutions, to look at ways that we can deal with this issue in the Sahtu? Thank you.
Question 173-16(4): Sponsoring Of Post-Secondary Students For Upgrading
Oral Questions
![Jackson Lafferty](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackson-lafferty/1887887ca5b3e00f84362472ea599e5c.jpg)
Jackson Lafferty Monfwi
Mahsi. We are currently supporting those students that are willing to upgrade in the regions, Mr. Speaker. We have to support our students in our home communities. We can’t ship the students down south to get upgraded. Yes, we fully encourage students to go to college and university with the appropriate courses, and
those courses are delivered here in the Northwest Territories. We continue to support those individuals that are willing to upgrade or get educated on our home turf in the Northwest Territories. Not only that, Mr. Speaker, but when we talk about the policies in place, we certainly work with all communities. If we need to change let’s say a policy to support those individuals, there’s going to be a lot of consultation that will take place likely. Certainly, I’d like to hear from the district education authorities, the divisional board of education. Those are the contributors that support the students as well. Mahsi.
Question 173-16(4): Sponsoring Of Post-Secondary Students For Upgrading
Oral Questions
![Norman Yakeleya](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-norman-yakeleya/b55db1a24acf9fd613dd84efc9c51b97.jpg)
Norman Yakeleya Sahtu
For the record, this young gentleman that I’m talking about, the education did not contribute one cent to him being enrolled in a southern institution in Alberta. This individual paid for his education through washing dishes, attending Aurora College in the Sahtu region. This individual, when he found out that he was unable to enter into a post-secondary institution, it’s going to cost him $32,000 just to get in there, Mr. Speaker. Again, I ask the Minister of Education, is he willing to sit down with the Sahtu leadership, Sahtu stakeholders and look at engaging in a Sahtu educational symposium to find solutions on how we start improving and really get the real education into our region and into our communities and have a solid investment in our children? Would the Minister be willing to commit to an education symposium in the Sahtu?
Question 173-16(4): Sponsoring Of Post-Secondary Students For Upgrading
Oral Questions
![Jackson Lafferty](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackson-lafferty/1887887ca5b3e00f84362472ea599e5c.jpg)
Jackson Lafferty Monfwi
Mahsi. If there is such an education symposium being conducted in the Sahtu region by Sahtu residents, then if there’s an invitation, I’m certainly willing to attend, but there are other sources of funding that those individual students can certainly access. There’s INAC funding, there’s upgrading funding that’s available, but this is an upgrading program that the Member is referring to, Mr. Speaker, not a college or university program. With our SFA program, we solely contribute towards post-secondary students. So, Mr. Speaker, those are the areas that we continue to focus on and I’m willing to meet with whoever is interested in advancing our students, how we can partner up and move forward. So certainly those are the areas that we continue to focus on, improving our student progress and we want every student to be successful, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.
Question 173-16(4): Sponsoring Of Post-Secondary Students For Upgrading
Oral Questions
Question 173-16(4): Sponsoring Of Post-Secondary Students For Upgrading
Oral Questions
![Norman Yakeleya](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-norman-yakeleya/b55db1a24acf9fd613dd84efc9c51b97.jpg)
Norman Yakeleya Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The parents of the Sahtu also want every child of theirs who enters into our education system to be successful and come back and contribute to the people of the Northwest Territories and, more importantly, into the community. After all is said and done, Mr. Speaker, I have a 19-year-old man in Edmonton with a Grade 9 Alberta education who
was prepared to go into a post-secondary institution. However, he needs help. It’s $32,000 he needs in terms of getting into a post-secondary institution. Again, I ask the Minister if he would work with me, work with this young man in terms of how can we offer assistance to this man. This man -- I’m very proud of him -- is determined to go into a post-secondary institution; however, he needs some financial support. Would the Minister be able to commit to working with me in how do we support this person?
Question 173-16(4): Sponsoring Of Post-Secondary Students For Upgrading
Oral Questions
![Jackson Lafferty](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackson-lafferty/1887887ca5b3e00f84362472ea599e5c.jpg)
Jackson Lafferty Monfwi
Mahsi. We are willing to support the students that are entering college or university, but if they’re at, say, a Grade 9 level, then there’s an education factor in the Northwest Territories. They are more than willing to assist these students enter into our school system. We have beautiful schools in the regions, we have a new school in Tulita. Those are the areas that we continue to improve on. So we continue to strive for that, Mr. Speaker. We have to make clear that the SFA funding is specifically for post-secondary college or university students, but I’m willing to work with the Member on a going forward basis if they could assist the student to get at least into the college area. By all means, SFA money will kick in from there. Mahsi.
Question 173-16(4): Sponsoring Of Post-Secondary Students For Upgrading
Oral Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 8, written questions. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Written Question 10-16(4): Infrastructure In The Sahtu Region
Written Questions
![Norman Yakeleya](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-norman-yakeleya/b55db1a24acf9fd613dd84efc9c51b97.jpg)
Norman Yakeleya Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Transportation.
1. Can the Minister provide me the status of the
proposed Bear River bridge?
2. Can the Minister provide me with the GNWT
options that can be examined to financially back step the construction of the Bear River bridge?
3. Will the Minister provide a breakdown of the
cost of construction on the Bear River bridge?
Written Question 10-16(4): Infrastructure In The Sahtu Region
Written Questions
Return To Written Question 5-16(4): Yellowknife School And Board Operation Costs
Returns to Written Questions
Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House
Mr. Speaker, I have Return to Written Question 5-16(4) asked by Mr. Abernethy on October 26, 2009, to the Honourable Jackson Lafferty, Minister of
Education, Culture and Employment, regarding Yellowknife school and board operation costs.
In 2008-09, total expenditures for Yellowknife Education District No. 1 were $27,631,330 and administration costs were $1,474,725. The department does not track costs per school for any board.
In 2008-09, total expenditures for Yellowknife Catholic Schools were $23,309,418 and administration costs were $1,360,999.
In 2008-09, total expenditures for the Commission scolaire francophone were $4,896,652 and administration costs were $708,116.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return To Written Question 5-16(4): Yellowknife School And Board Operation Costs
Returns to Written Questions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Item 10, replies to opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.
Tabled Document 44-16(4): Draft NWT Water Stewardship Strategy
Tabling of Documents
![Michael Miltenberger](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-miltenberger/7a4fe0ff4356da96ae60c1b266833912.jpg)
Michael Miltenberger Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document titled Northern Voices, Northern Waters, Draft NWT Water Stewardship Strategy, November 2009. Thank you.
Tabled Document 44-16(4): Draft NWT Water Stewardship Strategy
Tabling of Documents
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.
Tabled Document 45-16(4): Interim Public Accounts For Year Ended March 31, 2009 Tabled Document 46-16(4): Interactivity Transfers Exceeding $250,000
Tabling of Documents
Thebacha
![Michael Miltenberger](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-miltenberger/7a4fe0ff4356da96ae60c1b266833912.jpg)
Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents titled Public Accounts of the Northwest Territories Interim Report for the Year Ended March 31, 2009, and Interactivity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 for the period ending April 1, 2009, to August 31, 2009. Thank you.
Tabled Document 45-16(4): Interim Public Accounts For Year Ended March 31, 2009 Tabled Document 46-16(4): Interactivity Transfers Exceeding $250,000
Tabling of Documents
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bob McLeod.
Tabled Document 47-16(4): GNWT Contracts Over $5000 Report For The Year Ending March 31, 2009
Tabling of Documents
![Bob McLeod](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-bob-mcleod/9feae5d68736e65cea656496f11b0e58.jpg)
Bob McLeod Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document titled Government of the Northwest Territories Contracts over $5,000 Report for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2009. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 47-16(4): GNWT Contracts Over $5000 Report For The Year Ending March 31, 2009
Tabling of Documents
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister of the NWT Power Corporation, Mr. Roland.
Tabled Document 48-16(4): NWT Hydro Corporation 2008-09 Annual Report Tabled Document 49-16(4): NWT Power Corporation 2008-09 Annual Report
Tabling of Documents
Inuvik Boot Lake
![Floyd Roland](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-floyd-roland/8bdd0525e5d9910769b077362dae9483.jpg)
Floyd Roland Minister Responsible for NWT Power Corporation
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following two documents titled Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation 2008-2009 Annual Report and the Northwest Territories Power Corporation 2008-2009 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 48-16(4): NWT Hydro Corporation 2008-09 Annual Report Tabled Document 49-16(4): NWT Power Corporation 2008-09 Annual Report
Tabling of Documents
Tabled Document 50-16(4): E-Mail From Mr. Matt Lovatt, Dated November 2, 2009, Regarding 911 Emergency Service
Tabling of Documents
![Bob Bromley](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-bob-bromley/bb4ee9b08828e006d6ae87b089ec45e1.jpg)
Bob Bromley Weledeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table an e-mail from Mr. Matt Lovatt dated November 2, 2009, to Members of the Legislative Assembly that portrays the extremely dire circumstances in which a 911 service could be critical, with a personal appeal to act on implementation. Thank you.
Tabled Document 50-16(4): E-Mail From Mr. Matt Lovatt, Dated November 2, 2009, Regarding 911 Emergency Service
Tabling of Documents
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![Wendy Bisaro](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-wendy-bisaro/822516b10dcde201cc792a162d868a92.jpg)
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
WHEREAS distracted driving affects more than just drivers and passengers on our roads;
AND WHEREAS the 2008 “NWT Traffic Collision Facts Report” shows a 17 percent increase in collisions, and identifies that 16 percent of those collisions result from ‘loss of control’;
AND WHEREAS cell phone service is available in seven of our communities to approximately 75 percent of NWT residents;
AND WHEREAS cell phone use is increasing across the Territory;
AND WHEREAS drivers using cell phones and hand-held devices are four times more likely to be involved in a collision;
AND WHEREAS the Canadian Automobile Association reports that the number one cause of motor vehicle accidents is cell phone use while driving;
AND WHEREAS five provinces have banned or will be banning hand-held device use while driving;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommends that the NWT Motor Vehicle Act be amended to ban the use of hand-held devices while driving;
AND FURTHER; that the Department of Transportation initiate a comprehensive public awareness campaign to inform the public about the risks of driving while distracted.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![Wendy Bisaro](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-wendy-bisaro/822516b10dcde201cc792a162d868a92.jpg)
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I bring this motion forward because I believe it is a very serious matter of public safety and I believe it’s a situation that needs to be corrected. Distracted driving is said to be an unreported traffic safety problem and I believe that statement as well.
I made a statement two weeks ago and I said that distracting driving can be many things: eating, drinking, changing a CD, using portable video games or DVD players, fiddling with radio dials, talking to a passenger, experiencing emotional distress, minding children, personal grooming, looking at billboards, looking at people or even at other vehicles on the road and, last but not least, using cell phones to talk, text or e-mail.
This behaviour causes risks to users of our roads. Those users aren’t just motorists, they are pedestrians, they are cyclists, they are snowmobilers. The Minister of Transportation said just today in his statement, being distracted, for instance, by eating, reading, texting or anything else that takes your attention off the road while driving, reduces and sometimes removes the ability to react to sudden and unexpected conditions or obstacles. I totally agree.
All across the country, Mr. Speaker, all across the world, there is clear evidence that using a cell phone or other hand-held device while driving
contributes to risky driving behaviour and thus an increasing incidence of motor vehicle accidents.
It’s acknowledged by an increasing number of companies in Canada that employees should not drive while using cell phones. In the North, there are two that I am aware of for sure; both Finning Canada and NWT Transportation Company Limited have that policy and I commend them for it. Their employees must pull over if they have to use their phone.
Those companies recognize the threat that distracted driving poses to their employees and to the public in general and to their equipment. They don’t want to pay for repairs to their equipment, for sure.
A few statistics: It’s four times more likely that a person who is on a cell phone while driving or a distracted driver will have an accident. Data shows that eight out of ten collisions are caused by distracted drivers. The Canadian Automobile Association says the number one cause of motor vehicle accidents is cell phone use while driving. Drivers using cell phones have reaction times the same as if they were intoxicated. In a study at Western Washington University -- this is an interesting one -- researchers planted a polka dot dressed clown with a big red nose riding a unicycle in a campus square. Then they measured those people who noticed the clown and who didn’t. These are people walking, not people driving. Twenty-five percent of the people talking on their cell phone while walking saw the unicycling clown compared to 50 percent of the people who were walking alone, in pairs or even those listening to portable music players. So you can’t even walk and use a cell phone and see what’s going on around you, so why would we drive?
A recent news release from the GNWT Department of Transportation says we need to make safe travel choices. The safest travel choice is to turn off your cell phone when you get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Unfortunately, people need to be coerced to make that right choice. This ban of hand-held devices and the accompanying public awareness campaign will help to make our residents make those right choices.
I regret that people have to be forced. I don’t like to force people into doing things, but if this ban will help to improve public safety, if this ban will ensure one less death or one less injury, then I accept that the law is necessary.
Five provinces in Canada have banned cell phone use while driving and four other provinces are looking at a ban in the very near future. More than 50 countries worldwide in other jurisdictions around the world have restricted cell phone use while driving.
I have heard concerns from Members that this ban will create problems, particularly among RCMP and those who drive truck and need a two-way radio that they depend on for their employment activities. I have to disagree. Northerners are not the only people who need radios for their work. Newfoundland and Labrador have had a ban on cell phones while driving since 2003, that’s six years, Mr. Speaker. No doubt they have a solution for this anticipated problem; anticipated to us, not to them. I am sure their legislation includes exemptions of some sort for RCMP and truckers.
There is no need for us to reinvent the wheel here. We can use what works in other jurisdictions. People say we shouldn’t do this because we are a northern population. We live in the North. We are different. We have small populations. We have little cell phone service in our small communities and on our highways. I believe this should not be a reason for this government to take action. If it is a public safety issue, we need to recognize it is a public safety issue for all of our Territory.
The Yukon recently considered two motions on the subject of banning cell phone use while driving and, interestingly enough, one motion from each side of their party-divided House. So it wasn’t just one side or the other. They are a northern jurisdiction. They have the same situation in many respects that the NWT does. They are looking at a ban to take effect possibly January of 2010.
People are asking what the affect is. I don’t think there is any effect except that it will provide for the safety of our residents. That is residents whether they are driving, whether they are not driving, and it includes pedestrians. I liken it to drunk driving. When drunk driving was first considered to be an inappropriate behaviour, it started slowly. There was a major awareness campaign. Legislation then came into place. It has taken a really long time, but drunk driving is now not acceptable and we have to do the same thing for distracted drivers and I believe starting with hand-held devices is a good way to go.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, banning hand-held devices is prudent and proactive as an action. Again, there is a commercial where an old man -- I think it is Wilford Brimley -- sits there eating cereal and he is in a cereal commercial. He used to say it is the right thing to do. I believe that phrase also applies to this particular recommendation.
Banning hand-held devices will protect our NWT residents from harm. To quote the Minister of Transportation again from his statement today, our children deserve that protection. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. To the motion. The seconder of the motion, Mr. Hawkins.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First, I would like to acknowledge the hard and passionate work provided by my colleague Ms. Bisaro. She shares many of my concerns on this particular issue and she has raised them quite eloquently today. Mr. Speaker, the problem about following a very eloquent speaker is they tend to take all the good stuff. It is very tough following them without trying to repeat exactly what they said.
Mr. Speaker, some of the highlights that I would like to point out, that she didn’t touch on, is the fact that this is one of the most reasonable things we can do to help continue to protect people on our roads. This is one of the most reasonable things we can do to help protect pedestrians, by having drivers not use cell phones. Mr. Speaker, I spoke to Darius Elias last week and I complimented him on his initiative from an opposition point of view, somewhat familiar to us here some days, on trying to raise an issue that, when you are trying to convince government on an idea and many of us have come to this House and we always said, well, we propose ideas and try to treat them as why should we do them as opposed to why we shouldn’t do them. This has been somewhat of that type of steep climb up that giant hill. There have been many detractors to this. I have to admit -- I will be quite honest -- I was one who some time ago felt that one’s personal rights should weigh ahead of what one thinks the public duty should be considered as an issue of action.
Mr. Speaker, I think it is time we start putting our perspectives in order and realize, as said earlier, five jurisdictions have already considered this and when speaking to Darius Elias, he emphasized they didn’t want the Yukon to fall behind what is considered a national safety issue. I think he is quite right. The Yukon doesn’t want to seem to be last. The sad thing is I am watching them drive by us on this issue. It is almost a shame, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, there have been many things cited before that could be considered distractions to driving. We have all heard that drinking your hot coffee could be a distraction. Anybody who is a parent knows what it is like to have screaming kids in the back seats, and realize that is a distraction to driving. What I said at the very start of my statement really was this is about reasonable things government can do.
As highlighted by Ms. Bisaro, there have been changes over the years to driving, what is considered no longer acceptable. Mr. Speaker, there was a time when even seatbelts weren’t considered acceptable and people exercised their liberties by saying there is no way the government is going to tell me what to do in my car. But, Mr. Speaker, it didn’t take long for people to start to realize the benefits certainly outweigh the negatives.
Mr. Speaker, this is not an unreasonable road for us to travel down and to be looking forward to putting safety first. Mr. Speaker, as I pointed out about distracted driving, it could be anything. But again I am stressing this is something simple we can do.
A few years ago in a campaign in Alberta, Ralph Klein was on the road waving and saying, “Vote for Ralph Klein,” and one right after the other they were having accidents. If I recall clearly, there were about three of them within a small 10 to 15-minute span. It just goes to show how easy people can be distracted. Can we stop people from waving on the side of the road? That is not reasonable. Can we stop maybe screaming kids in the car? That is not necessarily reasonable, although it would be preferred if you were a parent, I can tell you that. This is a reasonable step that this government can do with its eye on the ball continually to say what is important.
Mr. Speaker, since raising this issue from my perspective over 18 months ago, I have endeavoured to even change my behaviour even though the law does not require it today. Mr. Speaker, quite often what I do is I will turn the phone right off completely so I am not tempted by that distraction. If I am to stand here in this House to say how important this safety issue is, I certainly have to lead by example. Mr. Speaker, if I forget to turn off my phone and it rings -- and it sits right next to me -- I pull over and I take the call if I so choose to. But the option really is there. What is really stopping us? Our roads aren’t that busy. Are our lives too busy that we have to take a moment to pull over if that call is that important to us? I don’t think so. What we describe as a major inconvenience today I think will be sort of something we laugh about down the road.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I am just going to emphasize that it is not…We have to look beyond what we think is important to us and look towards what we believe is best for everyone. I think that is why many of us are here, to want to make sure that we are providing the best direction that we can provide. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate everyone’s time.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. To the motion. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![Kevin A. Menicoche](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-kevin-a-menicoche/939205ce282de1070c4dd00c51e10f1c.jpg)
Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a very noble cause that my colleagues have raised in terms of moving a motion asking to create a law to ban cell phone use while driving. For myself, Mr. Speaker, I’m never in favour of more laws if we don’t need it. I believe, when it comes to the safety of our constituents, our people of the Northwest Territories, that safety awareness, safety training can create a safety culture, Mr. Speaker. Safety does not mean creating more laws. Laws are about
penalizing our people with fines and even imprisonment. When we go to that extent, I don’t think it benefits anybody at all.
I think it is far better to concentrate on improving our Drive Alive campaign. It is much cheaper. You involve more people than to create disharmony amongst our people. If anything, Mr. Speaker, I would even urge our government, our employees, our departments to be leaders by instituting the no cell use with all our employees. I think that is a start.
Also our Drive Alive campaign is relatively young, Mr. Speaker. I believe we can improve on that. We can expand on that and include it as part of our licensing program as well, Mr. Speaker, or even when you get your licence reissued. So I am in favour of an educational campaign. I am in favour of a safety awareness campaign. I am in favour of creating a safety culture in the Northwest Territories. But I am not in favour of creating more laws. That is why I am not going to be supporting this motion, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko. To the motion.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![David Krutko](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe this motion is a broad stroke approach of dealing with the problem. I think that, by amending and banning the use of hand-held devices, I think your interpretation of hand-held devices could be something from shortwave radios where a lot of our people in our communities who don’t have cell phone service have the radio system already in their vehicles. We have service providers regardless if it’s the truck drivers’ association or basically providers from the construction companies or people that depend on communications on our road systems to have communications transit where, basically, when you’re moving and someone wants to get a hold of you, you’re able to respond by way of radio communication. I think that simply focusing on one then applies it to everyone else and I think that we have to realize that when you talk about banning all hand-held devices, this motion is unacceptable to all communities.
The other thing on cell phone services, well, let’s get cell phone services in all 33 communities, then let us make that decision. I think when we get to that point, then we can bring in legislation where we’re on the same playing field. But when you’re putting in fine print that this includes all hand-held devices, which means communication devices in the vehicles regardless if it’s shortwave radios in a private vehicles or radios that basically are used by way of the contractors and truckers on the highways, that this has to be clearly stipulated.
Mr. Speaker, I think it’s critical, following up with my colleague Mr. Menicoche, that it’s public awareness and making public education a priority of this
government and making people aware that there are ways of communicating without putting yourself at risk. I think it’s a learning trend that we have to get people into and it’s got to be a mindset that people have to realize. I think by making these types of changes, we might mean well by doing something, but exactly what are the consequences to other service providers in the Northwest Territories, regardless if it’s people that basically provide construction services on our highway systems, individuals who basically may have a shortwave radio in their vehicles where they pick it up, someone calls you, you’re responding. Is that also going to be banned in this motion? I believe that’s what it says.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I will not be supporting this motion.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. To the motion. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![Bob Bromley](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-bob-bromley/bb4ee9b08828e006d6ae87b089ec45e1.jpg)
Bob Bromley Weledeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is essentially a safety issue. We’re talking about avoiding injuries and, worse, property damage and so on. There is overwhelming data now supporting the need for this sort of action. Although it was initially suppressed by industry, and apparently long enough to really get things entrenched, the information is now overwhelming in volume and absolutely clear. In fact, the experience in Yellowknife and other areas of cell phone use reflect that.
I had a number of constituents and residents contact me and they were all in support of this. One mentioned an experience where she walked around the airport loop here in Yellowknife and had started to tally up, and I think she had over 30 cases of seeing individuals drive by on cell phones and she said she had at least a couple of close calls where she had to really step quickly out of the way.
Canadian jurisdictions are moving again en masse to adopt this sort of legislation and it’s happening internationally as well, applying these sorts of restrictions for the benefit of all.
Our accident rates in the Northwest Territories have recently shown a sudden and sharp increase and distraction has been mentioned as one of the causes of that. Mr. Speaker, do we need a law that penalizes or, indeed, jails someone for causing known harm or death because they are engrossed in a phone conversation? Perhaps. But more importantly is the prevention that such a law would bring. Prevention, to me, will always be my preferred alternative option when we have it.
Mr. Speaker, we are creating a recommendation here, not a law. This is step one in a long process and can deal with all kinds of details in the process. So in summary, Mr. Speaker, I will be supporting this motion. Mahsi.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. To the motion. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![Norman Yakeleya](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-norman-yakeleya/b55db1a24acf9fd613dd84efc9c51b97.jpg)
Norman Yakeleya Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve recently got in touch with the Town of Norman Wells and I asked them about this question. I wanted to hear from the Town of Norman Wells, because it’s the only community in the Sahtu that has cell phone service there. So I’ve spoken to the senior administrative officer and this issue hasn’t become an issue for the community. We did talk about the safety issue in the town of Norman Wells and I also know that Imperial Oil employees have their own rules on using cell phones. Like any other organization, I’ve heard that they’re not allowed to use them while they’re driving and if they are going to use them, they have to pull over to the side of the road and use them. He said it is a safety issue; however, it’s more geared towards the southern part where there’s lots of traffic and there is cell phone service in that area. However, he said he doesn’t think that it should be used in the town of Norman Wells. So I thank my constituent for that. Basically what he’s saying is that this issue is for larger communities and at this time no one in my communities are pressing me to vote for this motion here.
Using cell phones in the Sahtu while driving is not an issue in the small NWT communities such as the Sahtu communities. Our issue is having a highway in the communities and getting cell phone services. Cell phones, again, don’t work because we don’t have them, except in the town of Norman Wells. Other issues such as the high cost of living or education and youth are much more important in my riding.
Mr. Speaker, in the Sahtu there are other ways to deal with the issues that do result…rather than making our lives more complicated. As I said, organizations can draft up their own rules and regulations for their employees. NWT communities can enact their own bylaws if they want to prohibit this type of activity. We’re seeing this type of issue, Mr. Speaker, in terms of some of the gun registration. That is a very important one where larger urban centres are telling us how to deal with this issue in our small communities. There’s animal rights, there’s helmets, there’s requiring helmets for our snowmobiles and ATVs in our smaller communities, so we are standing up and voicing our concern on these issues here; simple activities in our lives which are completely different from the cities. Sometimes we get caught up in the red tape and the rules which may make sense for the larger centres but don’t make sense at all in our smaller communities. We don’t want to become like Yellowknife or Edmonton. We want to work on the advantages of living the modern way; however, we want to have cell phones before we even start banning them in our vehicles.
So, Mr. Speaker, if Yellowknife wants to have cell phones or hand-held devices prohibited in their city, then we certainly in the Sahtu would consider supporting this initiative here. Safety, as I heard, is an important issue. We have a great program in this government called Drive Alive. Let’s use this tool here to educate all NWT drivers about this program here and really educate our people in terms of the real meaning behind Drive Alive.
So, Mr. Speaker, I think I want to close my comments here in terms of reminding people of both hands on the wheels and eyes on the road. Thank you.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![Michael McLeod](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-mcleod/84b5e36ce0e58915d69c529c70768506.jpg)
Michael McLeod Deh Cho
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the discussion that’s going on in the House here. There is some debate on for and against rules or laws and legislation in the area of distractive driving and some Members have made it very clear that this is an issue that requires attention.
We all know there are many ways that attention can be taken away from focusing on the road ahead of you and that even a second of distraction can lead to loss of control of your vehicle or even worse. I guess the discussion and concern here is do we need more awareness on that issue or do we need more rules. Mr. Speaker, of course, we have rules in every aspect of our society. We have rules in this Chamber, for example, banning us from using cell phones during session. Sometimes that’s ignored. The question is then, Mr. Speaker, what is the attention that this issue requires to ensure that we’ve done everything in our power to ensure that our residents are safe. We need to look at some of the steps that we’ve already undertaken.
Of course, there’s a number of examples I can point to. First of all, within the ranks of the government, our employees are prohibited from using cell phones while driving on government business. We have the Drive Alive program, which has information on the department website on distracted driving, which provides effective strategies to improve driver safety when travelling. We also have the program Drive Alive that has incorporated distracted driving into some of its other campaigns, such as the bison awareness campaign. This raises the awareness of how distractions such as text messaging and other things can cause a collision. And we’ll continue to incorporate distracted driving messages into many of our campaigns that we will embark on in the future. We’re also in the process of undertaking a review of the Motor Vehicles Act and distracted driving was one of the issues that we intended to incorporate into that review.
Mr. Speaker, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I do not support creating legislation for the sake of
creating legislation. I need to see the proof. I support legislation if there’s a proven need for it. When we pass legislation we must, first of all, be satisfied that it addresses a need and, second of all, it’s capable of being enforced in our communities.
So there are a number of issues that we have to look at here when we talk about distracted driving. Some were raised as examples here today and there’s others that we can point to. Do we include mobile phones, for example? What does that mean in terms of our staff and who do we exempt, the RCMP and fire departments? Are there others? We have to look at all these things that are in front of us.
Mr. Speaker, a number of Members have pointed out what’s happening in other jurisdictions, and some jurisdictions have been raised as examples that are in the process of addressing their needs by legislation or already have embarked on that. There are other jurisdictions that have looked at the issue, that are not convinced that this is the way to go and they’re not convinced that legislation is the best alternative. I understand Alberta now has decided to move away from a legislative approach. They’re not convinced that legislation and regulation are the best way to go to achieve changes in driver behaviour, and that’s their decision.
I’ve already committed to a number of questions raised in this House to study the issue and to work with the RCMP, as well as consult with the communities across the Territories. When that process is complete, the decision will be made whether or not changes to the Motor Vehicles Act will be introduced. If changes are going to be introduced, of course we need to make choices on whether they will deal with the issue of distracted driving in general or do we look at only cell phones and other hand-held devices, text messaging specifically. Do we look at applying it across the board? Do we focus only on the communities that are requesting it, and there is, of course, already legislation in place that allows for that. I expect we’ll be in a position to make some of these decisions by the next legislative session.
Mr. Speaker, my priority, of course, is to continue on public information and awareness and I believe that it’s important that, whenever possible, people make changes in their driving behaviour, because they have been persuaded to do so. For that reason, I’ve asked our Drive Alive program to have a greater focus on distracted driving and we will be looking at using some additional resources to initiate that and make the changes proposed for this program.
Mr. Speaker, this is a recommendation to government and my colleagues, the Members of Cabinet, will be abstaining. Thank you.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. To the motion. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![Jane Groenewegen](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jane-groenewegen/e50eda84dd05c0c947628e85327c98ee.jpg)
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m really torn about supporting this motion. I haven’t had a chance to talk to people in Hay River about it yet. I think I’ve only ever had one concern ever brought to my constituency office about the issue of distracted driving and that person doesn’t live in Hay River anymore, they moved away.
Mr. Speaker, driving in Yellowknife is very different than even driving in Hay River, which is the second largest community. I think Hay River has two sets of traffic lights now, but for many, many years we had none and I think we have one four-way stop, unlike Yellowknife where every second intersection is something different. Like, one’s a two-way, the next one you come to is a four-way. Like, you go out to get a coffee at Tim Horton’s, you’ve got traffic converging from all directions and it’s a bit of a jungle driving in Yellowknife, to be honest with you. And your main thoroughfare, Franklin Avenue, has people crossing and turning and we don’t have any roads like that in Hay River. We’ve got the Mackenzie Highway, which is our main thoroughfare, but we don’t have that same kind of activity to go on. So I haven’t had a chance to talk to people in Hay River about whether they think this would be a good idea, but if Yellowknife wants it, I think the City of Yellowknife should enact it and I would support it, because my daughter lives here and I would really like her to be banned from using her cell phone when she’s driving.
---Laughter
But as far as Hay River goes, Mr. Speaker, honestly, I haven’t had a chance to consult people. I know there are a lot of businesspeople who are around town on their cell phones and I don’t know how it would impact how people do their work, but I am having a hard time doing this on a carte blanche across the whole Territory. I would support a motion to ban cell phones in Yellowknife or hand-held devices in Yellowknife, but I don’t think I can support it for the whole Territory. Thank you.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. To the motion. I’ll allow the mover of the motion closing remarks, Ms. Bisaro.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
![Wendy Bisaro](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-wendy-bisaro/822516b10dcde201cc792a162d868a92.jpg)
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank all my colleagues for their remarks. I in particular would like to thank the Minister for his considered remarks. I appreciate the actions that the department is taking and I will hopefully see that some of the discussion today is going to come to fruition.
I’d like to comment on a bit of a technical point. A couple of people have mentioned that we’re creating legislation if this goes through and technically, no, we’re not. We already have the
legislation. We’re asking for an amendment to an existing piece of legislation. So we’re not really creating more laws.
I totally agree with the Drive Alive program. I think it’s a valuable program and I think that it is something that we need to continue. However, there are way too many people who don’t believe that distracted driving creates public safety problems and that to me is the basis for the need for the first part of this motion.
There are enough people in this world who don’t believe that they are going to cause an accident or have an accident or create a situation where either they are injured or they’re going to injure or kill somebody else who happens to be on the road. Again, I liken it to drunk driving. It took an awfully long time for people to realize that driving drunk was a public safety problem and it took us a really long time to get to the point where people now actually do believe it and it would not have happened, in my belief, if it was just a public awareness campaign. It took the legislation, it took the penalties that were applied for people to wake up and smell the coffee, answer their phone, so to speak.
I was going to thank my colleague Mr. Menicoche for his suggestion to have a policy for GNWT employees not to use their cell phones, but apparently there’s one in place, unbeknownst I think to most of the people on this side of the House. So obviously our Minister McLeod needs to do a little more work in terms of getting that particular knowledge out there. So, again, a knowledge campaign does not do as much as penalties do.
It’s been stated that hand-held devices can include two-way radios, et cetera, et cetera and I have to disagree with that definition. We don’t even know what a definition of hand-held devices is yet. You know, if we ever enacted this amendment to the legislation, that’s one of the things that has to be dealt with and I credit the Department of Transportation for saying that’s one of the things they have to look at.
Something that I didn’t mention earlier, but that is very evident and I was kind of hoping there would be some of them here, but the local chapter of Students Against Drinking and Driving -- Drinking and Distracted Driving I believe they call themselves now -- were going to be here to show a little support. Their teacher/chaperone told me they also call themselves Students Against Destructive Drivers, which I thought was an interesting definition.
I have to comment on the statements that this is an issue that only applies to a certain part of the Territory. I’m going to avoid using the name of our city. This is an issue that applies to the safety of all NWT residents. I would encourage my colleagues
to think beyond their own riding, to think about all of the residents in the NWT, whether or not this is going to be good for all of the residents in the NWT, not just those that happen to live in your riding or in your home community.
I would like to thank Mr. Hawkins for seconding the motion. I would like to just state, in conclusion, there is an increasing number of accidents that have resulted from people using cell phones and hand-held devices. It is increasing in this community. It is increasing across the Territory. It is increasing across Canada and the world and it is something which we have to do something about.
It is also sort of suggested that this is an imposition on our own individual rights, our rights as a person to do what we want within the safety of our car or perhaps the not safe car. I guess I have to ask whether or not our individual rights trump the safety of ourselves and the general public. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
Motion 5-16(4): Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers, Defeated
Motions
Recorded Vote
Motions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The Member is requesting a recorded vote. All those in favour of the motion, please stand.
Recorded Vote
Motions
Principal Clerk Of Committees (Ms. Knowlan)
Ms. Bisaro, Mr. Bromley, Mr. Abernethy, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Jacobson.
Recorded Vote
Motions
Principal Clerk Of Committees (Ms. Knowlan)
Mr. Yakeleya, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Menicoche, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Beaulieu.
Recorded Vote
Motions
Principal Clerk Of Committees (Ms. Knowlan)
Minister Lafferty; Minister Lee; Minister Miltenberger; Premier Roland; Minister McLeod, Deh Cho; Minister McLeod, Inuvik Twin Lakes; Minister McLeod, Yellowknife South.
Recorded Vote
Motions
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
The results of the recorded vote: all those in favour, five; opposed, five; abstaining, seven. I will declare the motion defeated
---Defeated
Item 18, first reading of bills. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.
Bill 6: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2010-2011
First Reading of Bills
Thebacha
![Michael Miltenberger](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-miltenberger/7a4fe0ff4356da96ae60c1b266833912.jpg)
Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Boot Lake, that Bill 6, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2010-2011, be read for the first time. Thank you.
Bill 6: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2010-2011
First Reading of Bills
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Bill 6 has had first reading.
---Carried
The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Lafferty.
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Summary Conviction Procedures Act
First Reading of Bills
Monfwi
![Jackson Lafferty](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jackson-lafferty/1887887ca5b3e00f84362472ea599e5c.jpg)
Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Summary Conviction Procedures Act, be read for the first time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Summary Conviction Procedures Act
First Reading of Bills
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Bill 7 has had first reading.
---Carried
Item 19, second reading of bills. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.
Bill 6: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2010-2011
Second Reading of Bills
Thebacha
![Michael Miltenberger](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-miltenberger/7a4fe0ff4356da96ae60c1b266833912.jpg)
Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Boot Lake, that Bill 6, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2010-2011, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the Government of the Northwest Territories to make infrastructure expenditures for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Thank you.
Bill 6: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2010-2011
Second Reading of Bills
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Bill 6 has had second reading and stands referred to a committee.
---Carried
Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Committee Report 1-16(4), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 Annual Reports; Committee Report 2-16(4),
Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the Auditor General on Contracting for Goods and Services in the Northwest Territories; and Committee Report 4-16(4), Report on the Review of the 2007-2008 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner, with Mr. Krutko in the chair.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![The Chair](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
The Chair David Krutko
I call the Committee of the Whole to order. We have three items: Committee Report 1-16(4), Report on the Review of the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 Annual Reports; Committee Report 2-16(4), Report on the Review of the Auditor General on Contracting for Goods and Services in the Northwest Territories; and Committee Report 4-16(4), Report on the Review of the 2007-2008 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner. Mrs. Groenewegen.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Jane Groenewegen](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-jane-groenewegen/e50eda84dd05c0c947628e85327c98ee.jpg)
Jane Groenewegen Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The wish of the committee is to deal with the committee reports in the order they appear on the Order Paper and proceed as far as we can before having to recognize the clock. Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![The Chair](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
The Chair David Krutko
Okay. We will be dealing with Committee Report 1-16(4), Report on the Review of the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 Annual Reports. Mr. Hawkins.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, you may recall that the Standing Committee on Government Operations tabled Committee Report 1-16(4), Report on the Review of the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 Annual Reports, on October 22, 2009. The report was received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration. The report contains several recommendations.
Committee Motion 4-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Routine Disclosure And Withholding Of Information, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories establish policies on routine and active disclosure of public records following best practices in other parts of Canada; and further, in situations where information is withheld, a full explanation of the rationale for the decision should be provided as a matter of course.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 4-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Routine Disclosure And Withholding Of Information, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![The Chair](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
The Chair David Krutko
Mr. Hawkins, are you moving the motion? The motion is being distributed. To the motion.
Committee Motion 4-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Routine Disclosure And Withholding Of Information, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 4-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Routine Disclosure And Withholding Of Information, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 5-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Policies And Guidelines On Portable Electronic Devices, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories enhance its policies and guidelines on the use of portable electronic devices and the access and privacy issues that arise through the use of such devices.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 5-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Policies And Guidelines On Portable Electronic Devices, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 5-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Policies And Guidelines On Portable Electronic Devices, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 5-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Policies And Guidelines On Portable Electronic Devices, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 6-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Protection Of Personal Information, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories undertake a comprehensive analysis of the review of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Document Act to determine the need for legislation to protect the personal information of the people of the Northwest Territories held by the private sector.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 6-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Protection Of Personal Information, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 6-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Protection Of Personal Information, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 6-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Protection Of Personal Information, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 7-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Extension Of Time Period For Review Of Atipp Request Decisions By Information And Privacy Commissioner, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee recommends that the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act be amended to extend the period of time in which applicants may ask that a decision on a request for information be reviewed by the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 7-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Extension Of Time Period For Review Of Atipp Request Decisions By Information And Privacy Commissioner, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 7-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Extension Of Time Period For Review Of Atipp Request Decisions By Information And Privacy Commissioner, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 7-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Extension Of Time Period For Review Of Atipp Request Decisions By Information And Privacy Commissioner, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 8-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Relationship Of Electronic Records To Atipp And Employee Training, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories develop policies to address electronic records and their relationship to the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and that the government provide training to employees on this issue.
Committee Motion 8-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Relationship Of Electronic Records To Atipp And Employee Training, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 8-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Relationship Of Electronic Records To Atipp And Employee Training, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 8-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Relationship Of Electronic Records To Atipp And Employee Training, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 9-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Finally, Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the government provide a comprehensive response to this report within 120 days.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 9-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 9-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 9-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 9-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You may recall that the Standing Committee on Government Operations tabled Committee Report 2-16(4), Report on the Review of the Auditor General on Contracting for Goods and Services in the Northwest Territories on October 22, 2009...
Committee Motion 9-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 9-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 9-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![The Chair](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
The Chair David Krutko
Agreed. Committee Report 1-16(4) is now concluded.
Mr. Hawkins, Committee Report 2-16(4).
Committee Motion 9-16(4): Government Operations Report 1-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You may recall that the Standing Committee on Government Operations tabled Committee Report 2-16(4), Report on the Review of the Auditor General on Contracting for Goods and Services in the Northwest Territories, on October 22nd, 2009.
The report was received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration. The report contained several recommendations.
Committee Motion 10-16(4): Government Operations Report 2-16(4): Independent Dispute Resolution Mechanism, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Finance establish an independent dispute resolution mechanism to be integrated with the existing in-house process; and further, that the department ensure that an explanation of this process be provided to potential suppliers and contractors not only in procurement documents but also in promotional materials such as press releases. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 10-16(4): Government Operations Report 2-16(4): Independent Dispute Resolution Mechanism, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 10-16(4): Government Operations Report 2-16(4): Independent Dispute Resolution Mechanism, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 10-16(4): Government Operations Report 2-16(4): Independent Dispute Resolution Mechanism, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 11-16(4): Government Operators Report 2-16(4): Procurement Policy, Procurement Council And Training, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories consolidate its policy and guidance on contracting into one easily accessible document that links all information necessary to award and administer contracts, including incentive and preference agreements; and further, that the government foster the activities of the Procurement Council; and furthermore, that the government provide procurement and contract administration-specific training.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 11-16(4): Government Operators Report 2-16(4): Procurement Policy, Procurement Council And Training, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 11-16(4): Government Operators Report 2-16(4): Procurement Policy, Procurement Council And Training, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 11-16(4): Government Operators Report 2-16(4): Procurement Policy, Procurement Council And Training, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 12-16(4): Government Operators Report 2-16(4): Quality Assurance Processes, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Finance prove quality assurance processes by developing innovative cost-effective means to review procurement and contract administration practices against established risk tolerances; and further, that the department consider including tolerance standards and performance in the business plan; and furthermore, that the department persist in recruitment to fully staff the audit division.
Committee Motion 12-16(4): Government Operators Report 2-16(4): Quality Assurance Processes, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 12-16(4): Government Operators Report 2-16(4): Quality Assurance Processes, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 12-16(4): Government Operators Report 2-16(4): Quality Assurance Processes, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 13-16(4): Government Operators Report 2-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
And finally, Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the
government provide a comprehensive response to this report within 120 days.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 13-16(4): Government Operators Report 2-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 13-16(4): Government Operators Report 2-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 13-16(4): Government Operators Report 2-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![The Chair](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
The Chair David Krutko
Question is being called.
---Carried
Does the committee agree that Committee Report 2-16(4) is concluded?
Committee Motion 13-16(4): Government Operators Report 2-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 13-16(4): Government Operators Report 2-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![The Chair](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
The Chair David Krutko
Agreed. Committee Report 2-16(4) is concluded.
Mr. Hawkins, Committee Report 4-16(4).
Committee Motion 13-16(4): Government Operators Report 2-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You may recall that the Standing Committee on Government Operations tabled Committee Report 4-16(4), Report on the Review of the 2007-2008 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner,on October 29th , 2009. The report was received by the
Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration. The report contained several recommendations.
Committee Motion 14-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Training And Certification Of Interpreters And Translators, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories make planning for and implementation of the training and certification of interpreters and translators a priority; and further, that the government report back on the status of this initiative.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 14-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Training And Certification Of Interpreters And Translators, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 14-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Training And Certification Of Interpreters And Translators, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 14-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Training And Certification Of Interpreters And Translators, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 15-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Registry Of Interpreters And Translators, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee recommends that the GNWT establish a registry of interpreters and translators for every official language.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 15-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Registry Of Interpreters And Translators, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 15-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Registry Of Interpreters And Translators, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 15-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Registry Of Interpreters And Translators, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 16-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Website Policies, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories conduct a review of its website policies and report back on whether they are in compliance with the official languages policies, guidelines and legislation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 16-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Website Policies, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 16-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Website Policies, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 16-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Website Policies, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 17-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Formal Response To “speaking To Health: Official Languages As Part Of Quality Heath Care In The Northwest Territories”, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a formal response to “Speaking to Health, Official Languages as Part of Quality Health Care in the Northwest Territories” within 120 days.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 17-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Formal Response To “speaking To Health: Official Languages As Part Of Quality Heath Care In The Northwest Territories”, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 17-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Formal Response To “speaking To Health: Official Languages As Part Of Quality Heath Care In The Northwest Territories”, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 17-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Formal Response To “speaking To Health: Official Languages As Part Of Quality Heath Care In The Northwest Territories”, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 18-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![Robert Hawkins](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-robert-hawkins/1c424164590cf2a45c0fbf29457e1533.jpg)
Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and finally, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a comprehensive response to this report within 120 days.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Committee Motion 18-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 18-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 18-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![The Chair](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
The Chair David Krutko
Question is being called.
---Carried
Does committee agree that Committee Report 4-16(4) is concluded?
Committee Motion 18-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Committee Motion 18-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
![The Chair](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
The Chair David Krutko
Agreed. I believe that concludes the items in Committee of the Whole. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Hawkins.
Committee Motion 18-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 18-16(4): Government Operations Report 4-16(4): Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Report of Committee of the Whole
Report of Committee of the Whole
Report of Committee of the Whole
Report of Committee of the Whole
![David Krutko](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-david-krutko/3bf4c8c28546ef0fcfdd14f8c0ee96c6.jpg)
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Committee Report 1-16(4), Government Operations Report on the Review of the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 Annual Reports; Committee Report 2-16(4), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the Auditor General on Contracting for Goods and Services in the Northwest Territories; and Committee Report 4-16(4), Report on the Review of the 2007-2008 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner, and would like to report that Committee Report 1-16(4), Committee Report 2-16(4) and Committee Report 4-16(4) are concluded. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Report of Committee of the Whole
Report of Committee of the Whole
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. There’s a motion on the floor. Do we have a seconder? The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
---Carried
Item 22, third reading of bills. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.
Bill 6: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2010-2011
Third Reading of Bills
Thebacha
![Michael Miltenberger](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-michael-miltenberger/7a4fe0ff4356da96ae60c1b266833912.jpg)
Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Boot Lake, that Bill 6, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2010-2011, be read for the third time. Thank you.
Bill 6: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2010-2011
Third Reading of Bills
Orders of the Day
Orders of the Day
Principal Clerk Of Operations (Ms. Bennett)
Orders of the day for Thursday, November 5th , 1:30 p.m.:
1. Prayer
2. Ministers’
Statements
3. Members’
Statements
4. Reports of Standing and Special Committees
5. Returns to Oral Questions
6. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
7. Acknowledgements
8. Oral
Questions
9. Written
Questions
10. Returns to Written Questions
11. Replies to Opening Address
12. Petitions
13. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
14. Tabling of Documents
15. Notices of Motion
16. Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
17. Motions
- Motion 6, Hiring Preference for Persons
with Disabilities
- Motion 7, Extended Adjournment of the
House to January 27, 2010
18. First Reading of Bills
- Bill 8, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 3, 2009-2010
- Bill 9, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) No. 2, 2009-2010
19. Second Reading of Bills
- Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Summary Conviction Procedures Act
20. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of
Bills and Other Matters
21. Report of Committee of the Whole
22. Third Reading of Bills
23. Orders of the Day
Orders of the Day
Orders of the Day
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/16-paul-delorey/23992cbefb5ae4f1f664afcff0016a9f.jpg)
The Speaker Paul Delorey
Thank you, Madam Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until Thursday, November 5th , at 1:30 p.m.
---ADJOURNMENT
The House adjourned at 16:20 p.m.