Jake Ootes

Legislative Assembly photo

Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Jake Ootes is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly November 2003, as MLA for Yellowknife Centre

Won his last election, in 1999, with 61% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Minister's Statement 96-14(6): Federal Government Announces Training Dollars October 6th, 2003

Mr. Speaker, on October 3rd, the Honourable Jane Stewart announced, in conjunction with the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, a new aboriginal skills and employment partnership program.

This $85 million, five-year program is aimed at securing and increasing sustainable aboriginal participation in large economic developments across Canada. These training programs can range from basic literacy skills and academic upgrading, to job specific programming.

Funding proposals must set out a comprehensive training-to-employment plan for aboriginal people that links skill development to specific job opportunities.

This is welcome news for aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. As you are well aware, residents in the North need to move beyond the entry-level positions. I know that programs such as this one will assist us in making this move. By assisting aboriginal people to receive the training and skills they require, we know we are setting the stage for a better future for all Northerners.

The NWT economy, fuelled by extraordinary levels of mining and oil and gas activity, offers a remarkable number of opportunities for well-trained, skilled people. So many opportunities are available that, at the current time, we are experiencing difficulty meeting labour demand. We need to ensure that our northern population is trained and ready to meet this demand.

Mr. Speaker, while this program is national in scope, I am confident that a great deal of the impetus for it came from several years of intense effort by our government, in cooperation with our partners, to have federal dollars invested in the North for resource development.

This government has, over the past two years, been working on the development of two specific strategies. Mr. Speaker, the NWT industrial mining skills strategy and the oil and gas industrial skills strategy are expected to total approximately $20 million in new funding. Although the federal government has seen previous copies of these proposals, they must be resubmitted to meet the new guidelines. We will continue to work in conjunction with our partners -- industry, federal

government, aboriginal organizations and the Aboriginal Summit -- while finalizing these documents.

This new funding announcement speaks directly to these types of proposals, Mr. Speaker, and will complement the ongoing industry, GNWT and aboriginal investments currently taking place.

While the total amount of $85 million is allocated across Canada, we are confident that, given the level of activity and the excellent work done to date, a large portion of these dollars will be invested here in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Minister of Human Resources Development Canada and our MP, Ethel Blondin-Andrew, for the support they are demonstrating in our ongoing effort to ensure that the northern economy maximizes northern employment, one of the primary goals of our government.

As well, I also compliment and congratulate industry, aboriginal partners and the Aboriginal Summit for coming together and working collaboratively to ensure we are ready to now take advantage of this opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, while there remain a number of administrative details to iron out, it is important that we continue to work cooperatively with our partners and keep in mind the main goal of increasing employment for aboriginal Northerners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Question 378-14(6): Baccalaureate Programs Available Through Aurora College October 5th, 2003

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, if the Member is speaking about the nursing, we already have everything in place for the teacher education program. With regard to the nursing program, it is our intent to proceed next year, Mr. Speaker.

Question 378-14(6): Baccalaureate Programs Available Through Aurora College October 5th, 2003

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are still some process issues that need to be ironed out, and we hope to be able to accomplish that in the next couple of weeks. Thank you.

Question 378-14(6): Baccalaureate Programs Available Through Aurora College October 5th, 2003

Mr. Speaker, yes, the intent is to offer a third year, starting in 2004-2005, for nursing. There are still some hurdles to come, mainly in the area of space and so forth. Thank you.

Question 378-14(6): Baccalaureate Programs Available Through Aurora College October 5th, 2003

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have had plans for several years to offer a teacher education degree out of our system, through the Aurora College system, and additionally we have been working with Health and Social Services to offer a degree in nursing, and also we've been working with the University of Victoria to offer a degree in social work through the college system. Thank you.

Passing Of Respected Northerners Pearl Hodgson And Justice Mark De Werdt October 5th, 2003

Mr. Speaker, today I want to pay public tribute to two influential Northerners who have passed on. Both Pearl Hodgson, wife of our former Commissioner Stuart Hodgson, and Mark de Werdt, former justice of our Supreme Court, died in British Columbia in September.

Mr. Speaker, as many people know, when I first moved to Yellowknife in 1967 to work with the territorial government, I was the executive assistant to Commissioner Hodgson, and in this way I got to know the Commissioner's wife, Pearl. She was a very gracious lady and an active volunteer here in the Northwest Territories. In her role as Commissioner's wife, she hosted many distinguished guests, including members of the Royal family. In fact, she and Stuart became good friends of Prince Charles, and Pearl was one of only seven Canadians invited to Prince Charles' wedding to Princess Diana. Pearl Hodgson was also a devoted wife and mother, and a wonderful friend to all who knew her.

Mark de Werdt was also a long-time Northerner. He moved to Yellowknife to practice law in 1958. Over the years, he served in many legal capacities including both defense and Crown lawyer, magistrate and finally justice of the Supreme Courts of both the Northwest Territories and British Columbia. He and his wife, Ann, retired to British Columbia in the 1990s, although he continued to come north as a deputy judge from time to time.

Justice de Werdt died of cancer in Vancouver. He has left behind him not only a grieving wife, four sons and other family and friends, but also a long list of notable accomplishments and the respect and affection of a great many people in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, including me, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in saying thank you and goodbye to these two fine people who contributed so much to the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Minister's Statement 92-14(6): World Teacher Day - October 5, 2003, Recognizing Stacey Koebel October 5th, 2003

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the work of all teachers, especially those here in the Northwest Territories who assist our children, young people and adults to become the best they can be.

October 5th is recognized internationally as World Teacher Day and this year, as they celebrate their 10th anniversary, the chosen theme is "Teachers - Opening doors to a better world."

Teachers are one of the best parts of our education system. Teaching is so much more than telling us about facts and figures. It is the unlocking of potential, offering new perspectives and assisting in the development of values such as peace, tolerance, respect and understanding. A good teacher challenges us to realize our dreams, instills confidence, critical thinking skills and inspires trust.

Here in the North we have some of the finest, most committed teachers. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize one teacher who is unfortunately no longer with us, but who I feel personified these virtues.

Anastasia Koebel, or Stacey as she was better known, moved to the North with her husband Dan to teach in the community of Tsiigehtchic in 2000. She and her family were accepted and fit into the community in many ways. When they were short a principal at the Paul Niditchie School, Stacey, although she was a relatively new teacher, stood ready to accept the challenge.

Starting in the 2000 school year, Stacey taught grades 4, 5 and 6, as well as the term principal position. The Koebels increased their family with the birth of a son, Jack, in 2003. When she returned from her maternity leave, Stacey taught the special needs class and assisted wherever she was needed in her school.

At 32 years of age, Stacey passed away this June while doing what she loved - teaching. Her memory will live on through her students as well as a unique bursary that has been set up in memory of her outstanding contributions to education in the NWT.

Her family has put into place a memorial fund designed to help support other young teachers reach their dream of being able to teach in Canada's North, as Stacey was able to fulfill hers.

I can think of no better day to recognize the accomplishment of this dedicated young woman's life, Mr. Speaker, than World Teacher's Day. This one teacher, Mr. Speaker, represented the qualities of so many of our teachers: dedication, concern and commitment to their students.

Mr. Speaker, colleagues, please join me in acknowledging the commitment of Mrs. Anastasia Koebel, as well as each of our teachers here in the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Bill 31: An Act To Amend The Official Languages Act, No. 3 October 1st, 2003

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 31, An Act to Amend the Official Languages Act, No. 3, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill implements the recommendations in the final report of the Special Committee on the Review of the Official Languages Act. More particularly, this bill amends the Official Languages Act to ensure that:

  • • Inuinnaqtun, Inuvialuktun, North Slavey and South Slavey are fully identified as official languages;
  • • provide for the appointment, resignation, suspension and removal of the Languages Commissioner and for the appointment of an acting Languages Commissioner or a special Languages Commissioner in specified circumstances;
  • • specify the responsibilities of the Minister responsible for official languages;
  • • establish an official languages board and an aboriginal languages revitalization board and provide for their membership and duties;
  • • introduce new regulation-making authorities;
  • • standardize references to certain terms;
  • • renumber provisions for convenient reference.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Act October 1st, 2003

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek consent to proceed with second reading of Bill 31, An Act to Amend the Official Languages Act, No. 3.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Act October 1st, 2003

Oh, sorry.