Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Brian Lewis is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly September 1995, as MLA for Yellowknife Centre

Won his last election, in 1991, with 32% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Question O71-12(1): Consultation With Constitutional Commission On Beatty Report December 11th, 1991

Would the Government Leader not agree that the report "Strength at Two Levels" recommends a delegation of authority, through negotiations between one level of government and another, so that local government could assume responsibilities which have nothing at all to do with constitutional guarantees. This is just simply a matter of us deciding how much you could do at this particular time. Is that really a proper characterization of what the government intends?

Question O71-12(1): Consultation With Constitutional Commission On Beatty Report December 11th, 1991

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The last few days have been dominated by discussion of the Beatty report. I would like to ask the Government Leader, since this report really would involve a massive reorganization of government and the Government Leader has indicated she would like to move on it quickly, has she had a chance to consult with our constitutional commission to make sure that the work that is in this report will relate to and not contradict what is going on with another government funded commission, which may result in constitutional arrangements with a completely different separation of powers?

Publication Of "canada North Of 60" December 11th, 1991

Following the lead of the Member for Slave River, I would like to announce the publication of a book

which I have given to my friend, Mr. Allooloo, to look at. It is a book called "Canada North of 60." The inspiration for it came several years ago when two people from Germany came to the Territories, to Rankin Inlet, saw a wonderful girls' soccer team which they decided they wanted to take to Hamburg, Germany. When they saw what a wonderful part of the world we live in, they decided that this would be a tremendous subject for a big book on the North, so that the English and German-speaking world could really see what a favoured part of the world we live in.

This book was published this fall in Canada by McClelland and Stewart. In addition to some incredible photographs, I should like to point out that the people that put this book together, did all the writing and so on, were northern people: Ethel Blondin; Ann Hanson from Iqaluit; Jack Anawak; Eric Watt, a local person; John Bayly. In fact, nearly everybody who has contributed to this book is known throughout the Territories.

The unfortunate thing, Mr. Speaker, is that unlike Mrs. Marie-Jewell, I am not able to give everybody a copy because it is a very expensive book; it costs $65. It was produced by German book producers; it was published by McClelland and Stewart; it was printed in Malaysia using Swiss technology and is now available in book stores right across the country. And for those people who have a special friend who they would like to give a copy to, it is available in the local book store.

I should point out, Mr. Speaker, I have absolutely no financial interest in this particular publication and I am only doing it as a public service notice. Thank you.

---Laughter

Motion 19-12(1): Construction Of Community Centre For Kakisa December 10th, 1991

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I support this motion for a very good reason. I sat in this House for four years, along with Mr. Gargan, and when we examined the capital plan under the able direction of Mr. Pollard, who was the chairman of the standing committee on finance, we found that by some strange, mysterious process, the vast bulk of capital moneys went into ridings where there were Ministers.

Mr. Gargan's riding was on the bottom of the heap. Mr. Gargan's riding did not get very much capital. He is not a Minister. Mr. Zoe's did not. He is not a Minister. Mr. Pedersen was the Speaker -- and by supporting Mr. Gargan here, all I am doing is to suggest that maybe what will dignify this 12th Assembly is the fact that in the allocation of moneys, it will be absolutely clear that ordinary Members have made their feelings known and that the public knows they have made their feelings known. And if that is not reflected in the government documents that will be taken to the standing committee on finance, then it is because the government has decided that to ignore us is to not put our projects in the capital plan. For that reason I support ordinary Members' attempts to make sure that what the government brings forward is not simply what government Ministers would like to see.

Notice Of Motion 30-12(1): Small School For Settlement Of Kakisa December 10th, 1991

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, December 13, 1991, I shall move the following motion: Whereas every community in the Northwest Territories has a physical structure for education with the exception of Kakisa; now therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that this Legislative Assembly recommends that the Minister of Education considers the construction of a small education facility in Kakisa as a high priority in the department's plans during the next four years.

Notice Of Motion 26-12(1): Contribution To NWT Council For Disabled Persons December 10th, 1991

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, December 13, 1991, I shall move the following motion: Whereas the council finds that the cost -- this is the Council

for Disabled Persons -- of rental space is a heavy burden on its resources and has begun a drive to purchase its own building; now therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that the Department of Social Services considers a contribution to the NWT Council for Disabled Persons building project.

Item 11: Tabling Of Documents December 10th, 1991

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table Tabled Document 10-12(1), a document prepared for the NWT Council for Disabled Persons which deals with respite care. We sometimes do not recognize, Mr. Speaker, that it is not only the disabled persons but the care-givers and the whole family that have problems. This is a suggestion for a policy proposal to be developed by government, if they would take a good look at it. There are two documents, one called "Respite Care" and the other one "Proposal for Respite Care Policy." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question O65-12(1): Legislation Re Establishment Of Northern Brewery December 10th, 1991

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Government Services. From 1979 until 1988 the government had a piece of legislation, which would be enabling legislation, so that we could establish a brewery in the Northwest Territories, so we could use our own water to manufacture a product. In 1987 the government met out at Snare Lake and decided that a priority for economic development was import substitution. Instead of bringing all the stuff in from the South, we would make it here in the Territories. I tried to introduce a Private Members' Bill in 1988 but failed to get it through the House, mostly because of my own errors and so on, but now that we are in a new Assembly I would like to ask the Minister whether the government intends to bring that piece of legislation forward during this Assembly.

Question O58-12(1): Re-use Of Inventory By Departments December 10th, 1991

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have indicated to the government that we have very limited means and we have to really make huge savings. I would like to ask the Minister if these guidelines have provided the kind of detail where people would be so distressed, upset, angry, about -- I will not use the word "stupid" this time -- about unwise directives, that instead of just saving yourself a few nickels over a week or two, you are going to be rebuilding the correctional institute because of the kind of dismay you cause people who are being asked to follow unwise directives?

Question O58-12(1): Re-use Of Inventory By Departments December 10th, 1991

Supplementary to the Minister responsible for Social Services, my friend, Mr. Whitford. Would it be such a detailed guideline that, for example, if you are an inmate at the Yellowknife Correctional Institute, instead of using your Bic razor for one shave, you have to use that for the whole week now, so you will be saving an awful lot of money by using that razor for a week rather than for one day?