This is page numbers 5431 - 5456 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 5th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was health.

Topics

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

I think it would be pretty evident that as soon as the deficiencies are dealt with and we’re comfortable that all is well, we usually do our best to get the holdback released. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Public Works regarding the COR program. It’s the Certificate of Recognition. I’ve inquired with the Minister to find out where this program is when it comes to implementation out there on our tenders and

processes. So where is this initiative and is it being implemented into our tendering process for northern tenders, with the expectation that people who do comply and respond to those tenders are part of the program? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Public Works and Services, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have not decided whether we’re going to incorporate the COR program into our tenders. At this point, the Northern Construction Safety Association has been working on a rollout schedule for their members. They have endorsed it and we’re kind of providing support in that area. Thank you.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

That was quite a confusing answer. We haven’t decided what we’re doing, but we support it through the rollout. Mr. Speaker, if the Minister could make sense on the particular issue, is the government behind this initiative and are they anticipating that they’ll be involved and support this initiative? Thank you.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

I apologize if it was confusing to the Member. I’ll try to speak a little slower.

Mr. Speaker, I’ve already stated that we have not, as a government, endorsed the COR program to be part of our contracting. The NWT Construction Association is going to consult with the industry and they will talk to their members. We are not moving forward and incorporating it in our contracts. Thank you.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank goodness we have rules so I won’t respond appropriately to how the Minister should get a response, but I’d like to know what the Minister is doing, or I should say what’s causing the Minister and the department from holding back on implanting this COR certification program, especially in light of the fact that the Department of Public Works, several months ago, seemed to be in favour of this initiative. As well, they went and sent one of their staff members, a senior staff member, to become certified in the program. So, again, it seems to be a mixed message. They support it, but don’t really support it. Are they waiting for industry to tell them what to do, or are they just sort of in the dark as to how important it is and what a northern program this is, because a lot of northern businesses are involved in this initiative? Thank you.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

We’re quite familiar with the COR program, but at this point we’re not prepared to move forward. We don’t feel it will allow all communities to be involved, especially small contractors in the more remote communities. We are working with the NWT Construction Association, the Safety Association also and they are rolling it out to their membership and getting

feedback, we are working with them on drafting proper wording and it’s not something we’re prepared to do at this point.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Your final, short supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is the Minister saying that if the NWT Construction Association is behind this, that the Department of Public Works will support it? Is the Minister as well saying that if we can prove, which I already have, that this can be implemented and supported by business in small communities, he’ll support it? Is that what the Minister is saying? Thank you.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, I’m saying that once we’re comfortable that all the companies and all the communities will have the same abilities through this program, we will provide further consideration.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The time for question period has expired. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. 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 responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bob McLeod.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents entitled Tourism Research Update, November 2010; Building the Aboriginal Tourism Product, October 2010; and Aboriginal Tourism Engagement Strategy Final Report, March 2010. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table a letter from Ron Irwin to Minister John Todd.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 15, notices of motion. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, November 4, 2010, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that this Legislative Assembly recommends that eligibility for the Student Financial Assistance Program be expanded to include students taking full-time secondary school upgrading programs in preparation for post-secondary education. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, November 4, 2010, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on Thursday, November 4, 2010, it shall be adjourned until Wednesday, February 2, 2011;

And further, that any time prior to February 2, 2010, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at earlier time during this adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, November 4, 2010, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommends that the Premier immediately commence a public consultation process, in partnership with the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning, to determine the shape of a northern management regime for lands and resources;

And further, that recommendations on the proposed implementation of this regime be included in transition documents and planning for the 17th Legislative Assembly.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills, Item 17, motions.

Motion 23-16(5) has been called for the second time and will fall off the Order Paper.

Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Lafferty.

Bill 14: An Act To Amend The Conflict Of Interest Act
Second Reading of Bills

November 1st, 2010

Monfwi

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Conflict of Interest Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Conflict of Interest Act to provide that a member of a municipal council or a public board who is an employee of the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Government of Canada or an agency of either government does not, by that reason only, have an indirect pecuniary interest in a contract or other matter in which his or her employer has an interest. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. A motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Bill 14 has had second reading and stands referred to a standing committee.

---Carried