This is page numbers 2821 - 2866 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was agreed.

Topics

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to say on behalf of the people in Tulita and people in the Sahtu that we want to say how appreciative we are to Minister Miltenberger in terms of the removal of the contaminated site in Tulita. Mr. Speaker, when I became the MLA in the Sahtu, I was driving around with some people in the community and then, at one point in my travels, I worked with my uncle Gordon who looked at the contaminated soil in Tulita. When my uncle and I went to that site close to the airport, he looked at it and was talking about it. Tears were running down his eyes. I said, how come? What is going on? He said, this contaminated soil was in our yard from our grandfather who raised us as children. I remember playing in that yard when I was young, not knowing that this site was being contaminated with uranium. When my uncle was talking and he was crying, he said, every time I come by this site, it brings me hard times in terms of what this site reminds me of. My grandfather died of cancer. I’m not sure if it is related to the contaminated site. Also, my uncle’s, one of his youngest sons died of cancer. I’m not too sure if that is related to the contaminated site. My grandmother also had cancer. I wasn’t too sure if it was related to the contaminated site. My uncle fought hard to see if something would get done to remove the contaminated site. Through last year, witnessing and having him haul the last piece of the contaminated package onto the barge was a significant joy for him.

Mr. Speaker, there are other sites in the Sahtu that haven’t been looked at right now. There are other departments within the federal government that contaminated our land in the Sahtu that needs to be looked at. I am going to ask questions to the Minister in terms of how he is working with the government and the Government of Canada to clean up their mess in the Sahtu and also in the Northwest Territories that, for once, we know that government is listening to people. However, it takes a little time, but on behalf of the people of Tulita and Sahtu, I want to thank the Minister and from my family also for doing something right in terms of cleaning up the government’s mess. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to talk about a situation of a Northerner who is caught between her dental care plan and the NWT Health Care Plan. It is a very unfortunate situation. She has a tumor in her mouth. Her dentist referred her to a dental surgeon. The dental surgeon had said she needs a biopsy and likely a removal of this growth. The reality of the situation is that care can only be provided in the South. The bad news is her dental plan won’t pay for that. They see it as a medical problem.

Mr. Speaker, so we are all assuming that she now needs to start again in the system while her family physician will have to look over this file and try to get access through the NWT Health Care Plan, but we don’t know for sure. Of course, the obvious fear is that the Health Care Plan will turn around and label it a dental problem.

Her appointment is scheduled by the specialist for April 2nd of this year, so time is short. Help and

support will be needed from the Department of Health and Minister Lee. Mr. Speaker, I can only hope that this problem doesn’t follow the usual pace, what I often describe as moving at the speed of government. Mr. Speaker, I assure you that is no compliment. I am hopeful that her family physician will respect the treatment recommendations of the dental surgeon and refer this patient to get the biopsy and, if necessary, the surgery to remove this tumor. But as we all know, paperwork is paperwork. The thing to consider is if this tumor was anywhere else on her body, it would be covered immediately and there would be no questions asked. Hopefully, the GNWT Health Care Plan and the Medical Travel Plan will accept this and, indeed, help her through this system of process. Hopefully, no one

will try to squabble with the patient’s insurer about treatment and the payment method while she sits idly by on the sidelines waiting for a clear decision of responsibility. I’m hopeful common sense will prevail.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I hope the Minister today can confirm that this dental care has become medical care and that she will help this person through the system to make sure that this specialist appointment won’t be missed, with one organization pointing fingers at another, that she so desperately needs. Mr. Speaker, assistance from the Department of Health is needed and all we need to hear is that she will look into it and help them through this problem. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today people from all over the Territories and Alberta will be gathering to participate in the 26th Annual K’amba Carnival on the Hay River

Reserve. They will be celebrating and enjoying some fun in the sun and the longer, brighter days.

This annual event is organized by many dedicated volunteers who donate their time and energy to showcase one of the bigger events of the year. Each year the K’amba Carnival Committee organizes the annual winter activities for the first weekend in March. This is when the reserve comes together to celebrate with people from all over northern and western Canada to participate and to compete in indoor and outdoor events. They have many activities that include games such as snowmobile races, dog sled races, dances, children’s events and talent shows for all to watch and join in.

Mr. Speaker, our winters are long and cold and our hardworking volunteers keep the traditions strong by organizing events for the people to shake off the winter blues. I invite people to come out and join the fun this weekend at the Hay River Reserve because it’s K’amba time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to acknowledge and thank the many volunteers and the sponsors and the participants, as well as the contestants in the search for a K’amba Queen: Ms. Lorna Fabian, Ms. Dawn Nessel, Miss Rayleen Lamalice, Ms. Miranda St. Jean. Also mahsi cho to the organizers: Diane Tourangeau, Victoria St. Jean, Jennifer Lafleur, the K’amba Carnival Committee, Chief Alex Sunrise and his council and all the people of the

K’atlodeeche First Nations. On behalf of the people of the Deh Cho, I would like to wish everyone a safe weekend and fun time at the carnival. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, 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

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize one of my brothers, the mayor from Hay River, His Worship Jean-Marc Miltenberger.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Mr. Patrick Scott, a former resident of Nahendeh. Welcome to the gallery. Mahsi.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Menicoche. I’d like to welcome everyone in the gallery today. I hope you’re enjoying the proceedings. Item 7, acknowledgements.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Colleagues, it gives me great pleasure today to acknowledge a long-time Northerner, a friend and a constituent, Mr. Ken Hunt, who is celebrating his 90th birthday today.

Ken moved to the North with the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1942 and settled in Clyde River. Ken’s last posting with the Hudson’s Bay Company was in Fort Vermillion in 1954. Ken married his late wife, Peggy, in 1947, and they moved to Hay River in 1955. Ken was employed as a fisheries officer for many years. Together, Ken and Peggy raised their four children in Hay River. Ken cherishes his 11 grandchildren and he is a great-grandfather to 12, with three of his great-grandchildren being born in Hay River.

Ken has been a proud member of the Hay River Fire Department since 1968. He is a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 250, and Ken was an avid curler for many years.

Ken’s family is hosting a birthday party for him this evening at the Hay River Fire Hall and I am sorry

that I am unable to attend and share a piece of cake with him. Colleagues, I ask you all to join me in wishing Ken all the best on his way to 100.

---Applause

Item 8, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in my Member’s statement I spoke about the frustration of the Dehcho and the frustration of the leadership in negotiating their Dehcho Process with the federal government. Also, they share frustration for our government, too, because they’ve seemingly taken sides with the federal government.

I’d like to ask Mr. Premier, will this government commit to work and support the Dehcho as they desire to move forward with their Dehcho Process? Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Dehcho Process has been underway for quite a number of years and the position has been put out there and discussed quite a number of times. The Government of the Northwest Territories remains committed to helping where we can with trying to come to conclusion in this area. The self-government mandate is one that is established by the federal government when they structure the frameworks. We’re involved in a number of areas when it comes to program services and some land issues. We continue to work with the Dehcho First Nations in the areas that were at the negotiation table, but we also work with the communities involved in that process as they have their discussions as well with the federal government. Thank you.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

In my Member’s statement I spoke about our government conferring with the federal government. I am aware that when the federal Minister of INAC seeks advice, that they often call our government. What I’d like to ask the Premier, Mr. Speaker, is when that happens, he’s going to have to acknowledge that the Dehcho are our people, our people of our Northwest Territories, as well, and that he has to show them support and not just listen to the federal side of the equation. With that, Mr. Speaker, will this government commit to this House and to the people of the Northwest

Territories that they will support the Dehcho First Nations in working for a balanced and fair Dehcho land use plan which places the highest priority on protecting watersheds and ecological sensitive areas? Mahsi.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

I’m not sure if the Member’s trying to have me speak to establishing new mandates with the Government of the Northwest Territories. The balance that we bring to the table is the fact that there is an existing land claims self-government discussions that have happened. There are quite a number of them going on. There are models that have been agreed to in the past and past mandates established that have not been changed. In fact, as time has evolved, that is one of the reasons why one of the departments I work with, Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, is looking at reviewing those mandates and working with Members on those pieces. We have to come to the table looking at the, as the Member said, for the best interests of the people of the Northwest Territories and making sure we have a workable system for the people of the Northwest Territories after all the self-government tables have been discussed and concluded. At times that means we differ from different regions or communities on their initiatives. But for the interest of all the people, we try to come to the table with a balanced approach that would mean the agreements can be implemented and that the regions and communities have the capacity to fulfill what has been negotiated.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

I guess the perception of our government that is out there, and I would just like to quote really quickly, is that when one of the participants in our leadership meeting in Fort Simpson last week said, “I don’t like the federal government, and the territorial government is right there behind them.” That’s a frustration that they are seeing with the Dehcho Process negotiations. That’s how they see our government. I’d like to ask the Premier once again, will the government change their mindset about not only helping the federal government, but it’s time to start helping the Dehcho people and the Dehcho Process?

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

The area that we’ve been involved with in a number of cases, and yes, we’ve heard that in the past, and even at some of the meetings that are held from time to time, about our position. The simple fact is this government has taken a different approach. We’re looking at the big picture. We’re looking at what the possibilities in the North can mean when we have clarity, when it comes to self-government discussions and trying to help bring those to conclusion. That’s why we’ve established the regional leaders meeting tables and in fact, through those tables have begun the joint work on the Land Use Management Plan as well as the Water Strategy, through those tables. In fact,

that is again where we shared our information around the self-government financing issue. So we’re working with the aboriginal governments across the Northwest Territories to come with a common front from a northern perspective so that we can approach the federal government so that they can see how we want it to work in the Northwest Territories. So we are working with the First Nations and aboriginal governments in the Northwest Territories to come up with a common approach when it comes to engaging the federal government.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. That’s exactly the point I’m getting at. For this government to indicate that they’re sincere, they have to be working with the Dehcho leadership and believe in the Dehcho process as well. This government has to step up to the plate. We’re going to have to see this process begin on a fair and reasonable rate. So I’d like to ask, will this government commit to continue to increase their working relationship with the Dehcho and assist them beginning their Dehcho negotiations process?

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

We remain, the Government of the Northwest Territories remains committed to the negotiation process coming to a conclusion with the Dehcho First Nations around the Dehcho process. That’s a set of negotiations that is ongoing. There are a number of other factors that have come to the table as well. For example, ADK has now opted out and want to do their own process. Once that happens we have to decide if we engage at that level as well. We know from past history that not all the time have the federal government negotiators had the best interest of Northerners at heart when it comes to this table, so we have to be at the tables that get established. As I stated, we are committed to the negotiations process and reaching an agreement with the Dehcho First Nations around that process. That is why there have been a number of departments involved in the Dehcho Land Use Plan and working through that avenue as well.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve received a number of calls from constituents regarding the levy on plastic bags announced earlier this session. While most agree that the levy on the bags isn’t a horrible idea, they do suggest that the 25 cent charge is a little excessive. Five

cents or 10 cents seems to be the going rate for plastic bags in other jurisdictions. Most believe the quarter is probably a little too high as a starting point. Could the Minister responsible for ENR please tell me how ENR came up with the 25 cent charge as opposed to using a rate similar to other jurisdictions like 5 cents or 10 cents?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We looked at the range of prices, the success rate, and the final decision on the 25 cents was mine as Minister.