This is page numbers 2617 - 2654 of the Hansard for the 17th 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 work.

Topics

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We always talk about the communication between governments and committees and even between committees here. Was the Minister of Health made aware of this press release that the Government of Saskatchewan put out that's possibly going to affect the Northwest Territories creating this awareness in getting some recruitment for physicians? Did he have any discussions with his counterpart in Saskatchewan, or was he made aware of this press release when it first came out? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

I had not had previous discussions with the Minister of Health from Saskatchewan on the press release. However, when there is anything that's pertaining to health right across the country, we have individuals in our communications that would track it, pull out some information and eventually, as we sit down and go through various agenda items with the deputy minister as part of regular routine, we discuss what's happening in other parts of the country in as far as health goes. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I raised the issue about the broken CKLB radio transmitted in Nahanni Butte. I'd like to ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs if this was taken in account during the flood damage and ultimately, as well, how does Municipal and Community Affairs assist communities with local radio stations. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that I think there were issues with that particular radio station before with the towers or the infrastructure before the flood and I'm not sure if there was a claim made, but the Member's second part of his question he asked how we can assist. They are able to use some of their O and M funding for infrastructure. However, if the costs are quite high, then they can use some of their infrastructure money to assist with the infrastructure for radio delivery. As well, my understanding is that there is some monies available through ECE to assist with the O and M of the radio station too. Thank you.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much. Also, is there any way that this government can help a community like Nahanni Butte with the capital costs? I've got an estimate. We met with CKLB officials and they said Nahanni Butte replacement infrastructure would be about, I think it was almost $6,500, including the technician to travel in there. So I wonder if there's any capital dollars within MACA or within our government that we can look at addressing this need. Thank you.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you. As far as capital dollars go, MACA has absolutely no capital funding dollars. We give all the capital funding dollars to the community and they can make a determination. If they want to spend the $6,500 on this particular piece of infrastructure, then they have the ability to do that. Thank you.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much. Is the Minister aware, when working with his colleagues, of any other places where the community can access some infrastructure dollars to address this specific need, and in fact, while the Minister is in charge of, as well, emergency situations, and having a local station will greatly enhance our emergency services in all the small and remote communities? Thank you.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you. I would have to have discussions with my colleagues on any potential pots of money that might be available. Again, I reiterate the fact that we do provide a lot of infrastructure money to the communities and the Member raises the point about the emergency side of it.

Again, there was an old federal program where we were able to access some kind of money for that. That's gone now. We'll wait and see what the rules are on the new pot of money that the feds are coming out and exactly what our share may be. So there may be opportunities there for that too.

I think, at the end of the day, in a situation like this where it is an emergency, the community has well within their means to pay for the infrastructure and then the O and M, there are some monies available for that too. But I will commit to the Member that I will work with my colleagues to identify any kind of pots of money that might be available to the community. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

MR. MENICOCHE. Thank you very much. Moving forward, we do have a couple of budget planning sessions coming up this summer. In the fall we have the O and M and the capital. I know that in the past six weeks, Members on this side of the House have raised issues about emergency services. The Minister can correct me if I'm wrong, but is their team going to be assessing how we handle emergencies in the communities and capital needs for infrastructure such as this? Even though it's a local radio station, it benefits the community and it still benefits our residents in terms of addressing emergency services. Thank you.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you. The Member is correct; we do have an interdepartmental working team, and one of their duties is to identify all types of services that might be available in the communities as far as emergency goes. A radio station would fit under that, but they are looking at all the different types of emergencies and how we can assist communities. Once we come up with our initial findings, we'll be sharing them with standing committee and then we'll get some input from them, and we'll go from there on a go forward basis. Thank you very much.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

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

Question 248-17(4): Secondary Diamond Industry
Oral Questions

March 14th, 2013

Page 2630

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to ask the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment a couple of questions regarding the joint agreement and the development of the diamond industry here. The joint agreement was between Deepak International Limited.

Recently there's been an announcement about the resurgence of the diamond cutting industry in the Northwest Territories, and I'd like to know what the delays have been from opening these two diamond plants that he's made a deal with to start cutting diamonds in the Northwest Territories. As I understand it, there have been significant delays. So, what are the delays? Will you lay it out here before the House? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Those would be equipment coming from overseas. Also, the negotiation of purchasing agreements with the NWT producers. Thank you.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you. More specifically, what are the delays in the purchasing of the buildings? Thank you.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you. That doesn't fall under my responsibility and that question should be directed to the Minister of Public Works and Services. Thank you.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you. In the department's due diligence to get this industry back on its feet, what is the department doing to ensure that this diamond cutting initiative gets done in a timely manner? This project, as I understand it, has been in the works almost a year and they've only started signing agreements now. So what is the Department of ITI doing to insist the closure of these deals to ensure we get plants up and working? Thank you.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you. This is an investment of between $30 million and $40 million, a private investment. There are a number of details that have to be worked out. As the Member knows, caution should be taken when getting into a business like this. There are a number of things that have to be accomplished. Like I said, the equipment is one concern and, also, the purchase agreements from the NWT producers is another issue, as well, and the proponent continues to work toward the goal line and that is to open both of those factories here in Yellowknife. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

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

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe if the Minister could elaborate what this goal line specifically is and when it's targeted. The Minister has said there seems to be equipment problems and purchase agreement problems. Can he elaborate what those specific problems are and how his department is working to solve these problems so we can get people in the industry back up and working, cutting diamonds and selling them? Thank you.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you. From the government's perspective, we've approved a northern manufacturing status for Deepak International. We're working closely with the m, but this is a private business deal at the end of the day. As I mentioned, there are a number of items that have to be carefully thought out and planned. You simply just don't flick a switch and open a factory. Certainly, there are a lot of employees that have to be found as well. We are encouraged by what we've heard thus far and certainly want to support Mr. Kumar and Deepak International as they endeavour to open both of those factories. It will be a great day when both of those factories are open and we do have the 45 to 50 employees working at those factories, and we will continue to support this company's efforts in opening those factories.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to ask a question to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources on his update on the Protected Areas Strategy. As people might be aware, the Deh Cho has been in discussions a long time, particularly with communities that have put their faith in the Protected Areas Strategy when it began in 1999. It's been a long, drawn-out process. Communities have been involved and elders have been involved. A lot of the elders that were initially involved have passed on, so a lot of the leaders have taken up at least the torch of trying to move forward on some key areas within the Deh Cho. At this point, I think First Nations communities, especially, have put their faith in the negotiations process. They put their faith in this negotiations process that it will work. The other option is through the courts. In the end it's really a deliberate, well-reasoned choice of trying to put their faith in the negotiations process.

My question to the Minister is: In terms of the discussions on protected areas, can the Minister explain the mandate of his department in the negotiation of protected areas?