Edward Picco

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Historical Information Edward Picco is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly March 1999, as MLA for Iqaluit

Won his last election, in 1995, with 48% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96 February 18th, 1996

Sorry, Madam Chair. Following this review, Members will have to consider whether amendments to appropriate legislation will be necessary to ensure that special warrants are used properly.

Some of the items reviewed related to transfers of positions or responsibilities to communities. These included the transfer of community government liaison functions to the hamlets of Gjoa Haven, Pelly Bay and Taloyoak; transfer of an economic development officer position to the Kitikmeot Regional Community Economic Development Organization; and, the transfer of responsibility for property assessment to the city of Yellowknife. Committee Members noted that in the past, positions and responsibilities have been transferred to communities either without adequate financial resources or with financial resources which were later reduced or eliminated. The standing committee recommends that any transfer of positions or programs to communities not be used as a way for the government to reduce expenditures.

One special warrant, whose urgency was obvious, was for $231,500, again in Municipal and Community Affairs, to cover costs associated with the June 1995 evacuation of Norman Wells and Tulita, Fort Norman. However, Members were concerned about the mention of providing compensation to affected businesses. Committee Members want assurances that these funds are not being used to cover items which should have been covered by the businesses' own insurance coverage. While compensation for affected residents is certainly reasonable, the responsibility for protecting a business's finances should not fall upon the government with an incident such as this forest fire.

Another item which should be examined is consistency in accounting and reporting of expenditures among departments. For example, one item listed was the transfer of almost $1 million from MACA's capital budget to their operations and maintenance budget. This is to cover the community dust control program, which was recently transferred from Public Works and Services. This was a capital item in previous Public Works budgets, but MACA has seen fit to move it to O and M.

Committee Members are concerned that this may represent a lack of consistency in the classification, reporting and accounting of government expenditures. The committee suggests that the government examine their standards and policies in this area and ensure that expenditures are recorded in a consistent manner,

I would now like to return to the chairman of the Standing Committee on Government Operations, Mr. Roy Erasmus, to conclude this report.

Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96 February 18th, 1996

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Standing Committee on Infrastructure noted a number of concerns in their review of Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995 96, the most important of these is the use of special warrants.

Committee Members understand that special warrants were sometimes necessary to allow the government to make emergency expenditures without having to go for approval by the Assembly. However, many of the expenditures made under special warrants did not seem to be particularly urgent.

Of special concern to this committee were four special warrants totalling $3.0625 million for new spending in the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Committee Members are very concerned that special warrants not be misused and, in fact, recommend a review of the legislation governing the use of special warrants and the practices followed to date by this government and previous governments.

Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act February 18th, 1996

Mr. Speaker, I said publicly in this House on Friday that I would speak against this bill to amend the Public Service Act. Mr. Speaker, as a former UNW local president

and a former member of the UNW bargaining team, I think I understand the ramifications of this act. The carrot in the act was to give the union the right to strike. But the government proposes to set out a process for the making of agreements to identity which are essential services and which employees of the bargaining unit are required to work during a strike. Thus, the process will negate many members of the bargaining unit to actually strike.

Mr. Speaker, the amendment also provides that the renewal provisions in the current collective agreements are no longer in effect. This will ensure that the bargaining units will have to negotiate a collective agreement with one hand tied behind their back. Mr. Speaker, this act would also establish bargaining units and clarity which positions are excluded from collective bargaining. This means that many of the people who are now included under individual bargaining units could be excluded. The amendments to the act also mean that the disagreements arising from collective bargaining will no longer be referred to an arbitrator. Mr. Speaker, this change will mean that independent dispute reconciliation methods will no longer be present, giving the employer an unfair advantage over the employees.

Mr. Speaker, it would seem to me that the changes in the Public Service Act have been tailored to emasculate the union. Mr. Speaker, the amendments asked for will consequentially mean that the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association Act and the Union of Northern Workers Act will also have to be amended. Thus, the proposed amendments to the act will have far- reaching effects.

Mr. Speaker, everyone in the NWT now realizes the depth of our financial problems. Everyone in the NWT realizes that there will have to be cutbacks. Everyone in the NWT also realizes that the way the GNWT does business will have to change. Mr. Speaker, I also agree and know these things. However, Mr. Speaker, I feel that the collective bargaining process should be carried through its culmination, and to introduce this act is a provocation to our employees.

Mr. Speaker, the government knew last summer that it was facing a severe budget shortfall. It is my opinion that the government should have begun discussion with our unions and our public service at that time to work out common solutions to fiscal situation. This was not done and now the 13th Assembly is put in a very difficult situation.

Mr. Speaker, the window of opportunity for the 13th Assembly to balance its budget and to get our fiscal house in order is narrowing, Mr. Speaker, I realize this and I also realize that the changes in the Public Service Act are made to make this so. Mr. Speaker, the far-ranging effects of this one act cannot be contemplated in one day or one week. Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, being introduced before the public service bargaining units sit down to negotiate with the government sets a dangerous precedent for the collective bargaining process in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the history of organized labour in the Northwest Territories has been a colourful one. In the 1990s and the upcoming 21st century, unions will still be needed to provide the checks and balances that are needed in our northern workplaces. After these changes are implemented, the public service union of our employees will be a shadow of its former sell, and that will be a poor legacy for the 13th Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded vote on the proposed amendment, when it comes to a vote in this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 58-13(2): Student Financial Assistance Rates February 18th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Finally a question for my friend, the Minister of Education. During this past fall and during my election, it became very evident that student financial assistance, or SFA, is inadequate. Mr. Speaker, in lqaluit, students attending the college had to go out hunting caribou because their SFA cheques did not arrive on time and because they were out of food. My question to the Minister of Education is, has this problem been rectified.

Question 55-13(2): Changes To Non-insured Health Benefits February 18th, 1996

Mr. Speaker, these changes were only made known to Inuit and First Nations people in December. Mr. can the Minister inform this House if the GNWT were consulted on these changes, specifically the dental changes, before they were made public?

Question 55-13(2): Changes To Non-insured Health Benefits February 18th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, Health and Welfare Canada has changed several of their non-insured health benefits for Inuit and First Nations people. Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister is has the GNWT reviewed these changes and implications?

Question 52-13(2): Purchase Of Canarctic Shipping February 18th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in a letter to all MLAs and recently in the media, it has come to my attention this government is continuing to look at the possible purchase of Canarctic Shipping. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister for Transportation please confirm to this House that in actuality we, as a government, are negotiating to buy Canarctic?

35th Anniversary Of Cbc North Radio In Iqaluit February 18th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, recently, CBC North Radio broadcasting from lqaluit celebrated its 35th year on the air. Mr. Speaker, CBC Radio was and still is the major communication vehicle for many residents of the Eastern Arctic. Mr. Jonah Kelly by broadcasting in Inuktitut way back then, helped strengthen and preserve the Inuktitut language. Mr. Kelly has been broadcasting for CBC North for the past 30 years and is be to congratulated.

Mr. Speaker, in 1987, my wife and I were travelling to Ottawa. When we arrived at the Ottawa airport, a gentleman come over to us and asked where we were going. My wife and I did not recognize the gentlemen at first, but we certainly knew his voice; it was Mr. Jonah Kelly. This is just a simple example of how well-known the voice of CBC North has become in Nunavut and the Eastern Arctic, northern Quebec and Labrador. Mr. Speaker, the CBC Radio program Tausunni is recognized and listened to all over Nunavut and is picked up in northern offices in the South, including the MP for Nunatsiaq, Mr. Anawak's office in Ottawa. CBC North Radio is an integral part of life in Nunavut, northern Quebec and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to congratulate CBC Radio Eastern Arctic on its 35 years of broadcasting, and wish them another 35. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Question 48-13(2): Costs Associated With Nunavut Arctic College Programs Transfer February 15th, 1996

Is the cost final for the decision-making process for the transfer of these programs?