Charles Dent

Legislative Assembly photo

Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Charles Dent is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly September 2007, as MLA for Frame Lake

Won his last election, in 2003, with 63% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Tabled Document 9-12(2): "strength At Two Levels" February 24th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. At the risk of belabouring the point, I think it is important to make sure cabinet understands that most of us on this side of the House do feel much the way Mr. Todd has described. There was a real opportunity here for the government to show its commitment to openness, to the consultative process we said we were going to engage in, by opening it up and allowing the three Members we had nominated to participate in the activity of putting together an implementation strategy. We keep hearing that this is not an implementation strategy that is there now, but when you take a look at the document, Reshaping Northern Government, there is considerable thought that has gone into that. There has been a lot of work, and some adoption of principle and policy in order to make the document come together the way it has.

Ordinary Members' Involvement In Policy-Setting

What we are saying is that ordinary Members should have had some involvement in the policy-setting. It should have, and could have, come from the grassroots. You had the opportunity to get us on side, if you will, right from the bottom up -- at least to hear our views about areas where we support the Beatty report, or areas where we do not support the report, and look for some way to find a consensus. Unfortunately, when we were presented with a fait accompli and now invited to have three ordinary Members participate in the so-called implementation strategy, it looks as if we are being co-opted or being brought in after the fact in order to get us on side.

This is going to lead to resentment and distrust. It is unfortunate because there is no way that Reshaping Northern Government happened without a large number of people working a lot of time to examine whether or not there was any possibility of the government, being able to achieve some of the goals that are set out in that report. Before spending all that time, it may have been wise to involve ordinary Members in a discussion as to whether or not certain areas were acceptable in terms of policy and government direction. Now, we have to go back and do that very thing before we are going to be willing to accept the direction given in Reshaping Northern Government.

I think this is going to slow down the entire process, Mr. Chairman, but I hope the government will now be willing to recognize that we have to start again. We have to make sure the grassroots is involved. There has to be consultative process to include all of us here if you want to get the broad base of support to achieve the goals set out in Reshaping Northern Government, especially in the manner required in order to save a lot of money. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Question O112-12(2): Demographic Information Re Clients For Public Housing February 20th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. I recently requested some basic demographic information about clients for public housing, just to gain some understanding for the local authorities and the housing associations we are serving.

I was looking for information such as the proportion of clients on social assistance, proportion of family incomes below the poverty line, proportion of incomes between $30,000 and $40,000 a year, et cetera. I was advised that such information is not available. I think we all agree that government should be able to assess the success of their programs to ensure the programs are reaching the people to whom they are aimed. I do not believe the Housing Corporation can assess the success of those programs without some basic demographic information being provided back to them.

Therefore, I would like to ask the Minister to institute a policy requiring local housing authorities and housing associations to report some of the basic demographic information back to the Housing Corporation. Thank you.

Question O98-12(2): Committee To Develop New Mining Safety Act February 19th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is for the Minister of Safety and Public Services. During the last session the Minister announced that a consultative process to develop the new Mining Safety Act would take place under the auspices of a committee with an independent chair. Can the Minister tell the House if this committee has been struck yet?

Question O76-12(2): Definition Of "working Report" February 17th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Government Leader. I just need some clarification on an answer that she provided earlier. Maybe it is because I am new and do not know all the terms of government, but could I get a definition of what a "working report" is? Is that a blueprint for action, or is that just a discussion paper?

Question O61-12(2): Timing Of Workers' Compensation Assessment Notices February 17th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. As the Minister is aware, the economy in the NWT is very slow; businesses across the NWT have been feeling the effect of the recession in Canada and especially the freeze on government spending, which has really hurt a lot of businesses this year. It has been a tough winter. It has been a tough year for businesses in the NWT.

At this time of year in the construction industry it is generally very slow. There is not much going on, and cash flow is generally at its slowest right now. In spite of that, the Workers' Compensation Board assessment notices are being sent out, and in some cases construction firms are being required to come up with fees in excess of $100,000, all of which must be paid before the end of June.

As the Minister is aware, most construction only starts in many communities in the NWT in June. This means there are very few construction firms with any cash coming in from this year's work right now to pay this year's fees to the Workers' Compensation Board, and some may have a problem staying in operation and complying with the WCB payment schedules.

Will the Minister ask the Workers' Compensation Board to revise their fee payment structure to spread fees out over a longer period of time and ensure some recognition that seasonal businesses face a problem in meeting the present WCB payment structure?

Question O31-12(2): Meeting With Federal Government Re Interim Day-care Policy February 13th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister agree to provide the House, before the end of this session, with a time line in terms of reviewing this policy?

Question O31-12(2): Meeting With Federal Government Re Interim Day-care Policy February 13th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The response that was given to a timetable was left fairly vague, and it could be anywhere up to three and a half years from now. I was just wondering if the Minister has had a chance to examine the proposed schedule for reviewing the interim day-care policy and can inform the House as to a more precise date that this review might take place.

Question O31-12(2): Meeting With Federal Government Re Interim Day-care Policy February 13th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Social Services. Mr. Speaker, in December the Minister advised the House that we would at some time, during the life of this House, be reviewing the interim child day-care policy. He indicated at that time that one of the first steps that would be involved would be the consultation between himself and federal officials to find out what the federal game plan was in terms of a federal policy for day-care, and only following that would he be able to set a timetable.

My first question to the Minister is, did you, in fact, have that meeting in January that you told us was on the agenda, in December? Also, can we get the results of that?

Return To O6-12(2): Financial Implications Of NWT Participation At Expo '92 February 12th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In light of our participation there, and since the department typically expects a business that applies for funding from the Department of Economic Development to provide figures in terms of a three-year forecast or a five-year forecast, some explanation of the assumptions, and some proof that there will be a chance of being successful, I am making the assumption that the department would have undergone the same process when evaluating whether or not we should proceed with Expo '92. Having made that assumption, I would like to ask the Minister, could he provide the House, in black and white, with the cost benefit analysis, if you like, of the NWT participation at Expo '92?

Return To O6-12(2): Financial Implications Of NWT Participation At Expo '92 February 12th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I really want some certainty that the Minister is very confident of his figures. I would ask him to let the House know, will he be accountable to the House, and responsible, if the figures exceed that for our participation there?