Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Ernie Bernhardt is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly February 1993, as MLA for Kitikmeot

Won his last election, in 1991, with 33% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Process Of Selecting Cabinet Members December 8th, 1992

Thank you, honourable Members. In conclusion, the selection of Cabinet should not be based solely on region or culture, but on credibility, honesty and commitment to the people of the Northwest Territories. After all, all cultures in this whole creation have borrowed something from other cultures in order to survive and compete. I would have loved to be nominated to sit over there for half a day and come back on this side. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Process Of Selecting Cabinet Members December 8th, 1992

Mr Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to complete my statement.

Process Of Selecting Cabinet Members December 8th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about the process used to select Members of Cabinet. This process was first established by previous Legislatures and has been adopted by a majority of Members of this House. As all Members are aware, under our current practice, this House selects four Cabinet Ministers from the east and four from the west. This selection process does not serve the best interest of the people of the Northwest Territories collectively.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that, especially during these tough times, we must change the way we select the Cabinet so that the best and the most capable candidates are chosen for the job, no matter what part of the territories they come from. It is my opinion that we have reached a stage in our constitutional development at which all Members of this Legislature will have to work together on the equitable process for dividing the N.W.T. into Nunavut and the western territories. To make these important decisions, I believe all Members should have the best interest of the territories as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, when decisions are made to select Cabinet Ministers, I for one, want to see a process in which I can vote for whom I consider to be the best possible candidate for the job, no matter if they are from the east or the west.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, the selection of Cabinet should not be based solely on region or culture, but on credibility, honesty and commitment to the people of the Northwest Territories. After all, all cultures in the whole creation...

Committee Motion 59-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation No. 2 December 7th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions was of the opinion that in the absence of the board of directors there must be a well developed framework through which community concerns, suggestions and priorities can be considered at the senior management level of the N.W.T. Housing Corporation.

At the request of the Standing Committee, the Minister has proposed a comprehensive framework for community consultation on housing issues. The goals of the proposed framework are as follows: to make clear the corporation's commitment to consult with communities and M.L.A.s on an ongoing basis to address housing issues; to create increased opportunities for effective consultation and strengthened communication between the corporation and the communities and peoples it serves; to ensure more regular sharing of information and consultation with M.L.A.s, local housing organizations, community governments, band councils, Metis locals and community development corporations; and, to formally consult with communities and M.L.A.s on all major policy and program issues or new initiatives that meet either of the following criteria: policy or program issues which have a universal application and will affect all the Northwest Territories or all the communities in a region; or, policy or program decisions which will affect most or all existing clients.

The proposed consultation model includes strategies that would lead to improved communication with local organizations, with the public at large and with Members of the Legislative Assembly.

The Minister is proposing to institute a process through which the corporation would hold an annual meeting in every district of the Northwest Territories. Representatives of local housing associations and organizations within the district would be invited to participate. In communities where no local housing organization exists, representatives of the community government, band council, Metis local and any community development corporation would be invited to attend.

The purpose of the annual district meetings would be to provide a forum in which housing issues and concerns common to all communities in a district could be raised. The meetings would also provide an opportunity for the Housing Corporation to share information about its initiatives and programs.

The Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions took the position that a system of annual district meetings would be a very positive approach to community consultation and could be an even more effective measure for ensuring regional input than is presently provided by the existing board structure.

Bill 14: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93 December 6th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Pollard, you made reference to strong regional centres like Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Inuvik, Simpson, Fort Smith. Mr. Minister, what do you classify the Kitikmeot region as? We have a regional centre. Can I ask your opinion? What do you think of our region? Are we strong or are we still crawling? Are we too weak to stand on our own two feet and get government PYs?

For your information too, Mr. Minister, you made reference to transportation links. I want to bring you up to date on the transportation services Cambridge Bay has. They have N.W.T. Air or Air Canada, they have Canadian Airlines and they have First Air. For Coppermine, we have First Air and Ptarmigan. So, some of these things, although I support you on decentralization, I would be happy just to get a wee, wee bit of PYs for my region.

A good example would be Arctic airports in Cambridge Bay, if you have not decided where to put it. We have the environmental weather station there, you know those things with the balloons that they send out? We have that. We have the D.E.W. Line, Cam Main, and surely we are not in short supply of accommodations. We have a Co-op Store, we have the Bay, and it is a regional centre. I want your honest opinion, what do you classify the Kitikmeot as? What kind of region?

Bill 14: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1992-93 December 6th, 1992

No, it is all right. Just go ahead.

Committee Motion 41-12(3): To Adopt Recommendation No. 2 December 3rd, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I really do not agree with this pilot project because in the two communities I serve, we have some vacancies of government staff houses. If we do not have any decentralization PYs coming to my communities, why are we going to invest in a 50 unit apartment building for Coppermine and Cambridge Bay? It might be needed in some other regions, but certainly not in the region I represent.

Recipients Of Building Trades Helpers Certificates December 3rd, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with pride to congratulate three men from Coppermine who are the first recipients of building trades helpers certificates. Sandy Keadjuk, Joe Agliak and Harold Hemiak received their certificates of completion on Tuesday in Coppermine. These three young men earned their certificates by taking part in the Construction Worker Training Program developed by the Northwest Territories Construction Association with the assistance of the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment Programs; Government Services and the N.W.T. Housing Corporation.

This training program is designed to provide residents of the Northwest Territories with entry level certified training in the construction industry. The course includes classroom and workshop training organized by the Northwest Territories Construction Association. On the job training is provided by a contractor. This unique training program has numerous benefits. Those who earn a certificate are more employable and bring a wide range of valuable skills to the construction industry. Our northern communities will also benefit from having resident building trades helpers available across the Northwest Territories.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my honourable colleagues to join me in congratulating these three young individuals. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Question 181-12(3): Invasion Of Privacy By Social Workers December 2nd, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Social Services. In my many years as a social worker I have always treated the people fairly and with dignity, be they native or non-native. However, in the community which I represent, I received a letter of complaint that a social worker would not believe that a certain mother was out of bare necessities. By that, I mean: flour, sugar, tea, etc. The worker would not believe this lady, so she went to her home for her own investigation to check the cupboards. Could the Minister tell me if it is a policy of the social workers of Social Services to look into someone's cabinet at home and to invade people's privacy?

Development Of Mineral Production December 2nd, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be asking the appropriate Minister what progress has been made in building this infrastructure. I hope they will have some optimistic news that we can take to our people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause