Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Manitok Thompson is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

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

Won her last election, in 1995, with 46% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Question 632-13(5): Coordinator For The Keewatin Pilot Project June 2nd, 1998

I am sure the comments were made at the meeting. I was not there all of the time. It was a time for everybody to say whatever they liked, and I am sure everybody just did that, and their concerns were addressed at the meeting, all the parties. Thank you.

Question 632-13(5): Coordinator For The Keewatin Pilot Project June 2nd, 1998

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just received the resolution a few days ago. We are just considering the position right now, so I cannot give a definite answer at this time. Thank you.

Minister's Statement 127-13(5): Sport North Annual General Meeting June 2nd, 1998

Mr. Speaker, on May 23rd and 24th the Sport North Federation held its Annual General Meeting in Yellowknife. Representatives from 32 territorial sport organizations, along with recreation leaders from across the Northwest Territories attended the meeting.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that the delegates made preparations for the future of Sport North. The delegates formed Nunavut and Western Caucuses. They discussed the future of Sport North for the Western Territory and the creation of Sport Nunavut for the Nunavut territory. The Western Caucus reviewed how Sport North is currently organized and considered recommendations for the future.

The Nunavut Caucus supported an interim constitution and bylaws, which form the working documents that will guide the creation of Sport Nunavut.

Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut delegates elected an Interim board to work on incorporating the Sport Nunavut Federation as a society. The Interim board is expected to submit a draft Sport Nunavut proposal to the Interim Commissioner, to me and to the Nunavut Deputy Minister of Community Government, Housing and Transportation. Meanwhile, Mr. Speaker, Sport North will continue to represent the territories until the founding Sport Nunavut meeting is held. Sport North will also work with the Interim board to ensure a smooth transition between the two sport organizations. Through the combined efforts of Sport North, the territorial sport organizations, community governments and MACA, more northerners are benefiting from sport programs than ever before.

Mr. Speaker, this will be an exciting year for all partners involved in sport across the territories. The challenge today is to continue the development of sport programs for our children and youth at the grassroots level, while preparing and planning for the future. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs will continue its support by providing healthy lifestyle choices and recreation activities to all northern residents. We are committed to:

-providing the necessary sport and recreation facilities to communities,

-fostering the development of sport and recreation programs throughout the territories,

-assisting Sport North in carrying out its mandate, and

-helping to make Sport Nunavut a reality.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker

Minister's Statement 125-13(5): Joint Nwtam/maca Municipal Finance Review June 2nd, 1998

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise Members today of the progress that has been made on the Municipal Finance Review. This review is being done by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, in partnership with the NWT Association of Municipalities. Members may recall this was an initiative highlighted in MACA's 97-98 and 98-99 business plans.

Mr. Speaker, community governments have raised concerns with the current provisions of MACA's funding programs. The NWT Association of Municipalities also requested this review in a resolution at their 1996 Annual General Meeting.

Mr. Speaker, last Friday the NWT Association of Municipalities and MACA presented the first two public consultation documents to community governments at the association's annual general meeting in Hay River. I will be providing copies of these two documents to Members of this Assembly today. The first document is called the Municipal Finance Review portfolio. It is intended to be a consultation primer and provide stakeholders with a brief overview of the issues, components, possible outcomes and consultation schedule. The second document is called Part 2, Building Key Concepts. It discusses issues that are important for early consideration, before proposals to revise existing funding arrangements are fully developed. In September a third document called, Understanding the Funding Distribution Options, will present stakeholders with proposals for a new financial relationship with community governments. It will also include analysis of how these possible changes could affect the funding available to each community and their financial bottom line.

Mr. Speaker, I invite all Members to take the time to review these documents and discuss them with their constituents. Any comments, concerns or other feedback from Members would be very much appreciated. In addition to consultations with community governments, a number of other stakeholders will be consulted by MACA and the Association. These include band councils and Metis locals, the Office of the Interim Commissioner, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and other First Nations organizations.

Mr. Speaker, consultation on the Municipal Financing Review will continue through to mid-December. Then the feedback and advice received will be combined. Final proposals will be developed for joint recommendation by the association and the department for presentation to the two new territorial governments on April 1, 1999. It will be up to the two new governments to decide when and how these recommendations might then be implemented. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Minister's Statement 122-13(5): Search And Rescue Public Awareness Campaign June 1st, 1998

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, up to 50 people are reported missing every year in the Northwest Territories. The cost for a search conducted by the territorial or federal government can range from $100 to over $100,000.

This government spends over $100,000 on search and rescue operations every year. This amount does not include what the communities or the Canadian Forces and Coast Guard spend on searches.

Mr. Speaker, there is room for much improvement in this area. I am pleased to report that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has introduced a public awareness campaign aimed at reducing the number of search and rescue incidents. The Search and Rescue Public Awareness Campaign is designed to educate and encourage northerners to always be prepared when travelling on the land or water. The campaign is based on the national theme of sharing the responsibility. The key message is that people must share the responsibility for caring for themselves by avoiding risk. They must take reasonable measures to minimize their personal risk and maximize their ability to survive, if they are lost or stranded.

Mr. Speaker, search and rescue incidents are often due to mechanical failure, weather changes, failure to tell anyone of travel plans or a lack of survival equipment. This campaign will educate and encourage Northerners to always be prepared. This includes:

- making a trip plan and giving it to family, friends or the RCMP;

- packing emergency equipment and supplies;

- taking a tool kit;

- checking the weather;

- ensuring your equipment is in proper working order, and

- being prepared for the worst.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the RCMP for their cooperation and active participation in search and rescue prevention and training. Through initiatives such as this, I am confident that we can make a difference and reduce the number of search and rescue incidents in the north. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Minister's Statement 119-13(5): Outstanding Volunteer Service Award Recipient May 31st, 1998

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to announce the recipient of the NWT Outstanding Volunteer Service Award for 1998. Mr. Pat Bobinski of Hay River is being recognized for the contributions he has made to improving the lives of so many people in his community. Mr. Bobinski's commitment to supporting Hay River over the past 25 years spans a wide range of interests. They include:

- founding and building the Hay River Ski Club;

- leading outdoor trips for youth;

- being a member of the Hay River Flood Watch Committee; and

- coaching, officiating and organizing locally through to national biathlon competitions.

The Hay River Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Brigade and the Hay River Gun Club have also benefited from Pat's dedication and quiet leadership. Mr. Bobinski was nominated by the Recreation Board of Hay River for his outstanding dedication to developing and maintaining the Hay River Ski Club and Biathlon facilities. The presentation ceremony recognizing Mr. Bobinski as the 1998 Outstanding Volunteer will be held later this summer. In recognizing his accomplishments, Mr. Bobinski's name has been inscribed on the Department's Outstanding Volunteer Service Award recognition plaque. He will also receive a personal plaque and a carving from Fort Smith artist, Sonny MacDonald. I would like to extend a special thank you to Mr. MacDonald, who, for the past eight years has generously donated a carving to each winner of the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to join me in congratulating Pat Bobinski for his many years of dedicated service to his community and to the Northwest Territories. The Nominating Committee for this award also wishes to extend honorary mention to nominees John Argue of Yellowknife, Stephen Rowan of Fort Simpson and Qamaniq Sangoya of Pond Inlet, for their dedicated community involvement. Finally Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize the communities of Arctic Bay and Broughton Island who submitted numerous names for consideration for this award. These candidates are being recognized in their own community as caring and generous people who are willing to provide for others less fortunate in their communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Minister's Statement 117-13(5): Community Policing May 31st, 1998

Mr. Speaker, since 1996, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the Department of Justice have been working in partnership with the RCMP to advance new methods of policing in our northern communities. I am pleased to report that the Community Constable Program has trained more than 30 northern constables to work in close partnership with the RCMP. This program has made it possible for local people to take on increasing responsibility for the safety and security of their community. The community constables represent new public safety resources to support community development. Due to the success of the Community Constable Program, MACA and the Department of Justice have secured $390,000 in funding from the federal government's Solicitor General's Office. Mr. Speaker, this funding is being used over two years to help community constables get further training, to buy much needed equipment and to coordinate public safety education and crime prevention programs.

Mr. Speaker, my staff and our partners are working on other initiatives that will expand community policing across the territories. One such initiative is the Public Safety Officer Program. This program helps unincorporated communities and those communities without an RCMP detachment to become involved in community policing. Mr. Speaker, I am very excited about the community development work that is being accomplished through our public safety efforts. Safety and security are essential for community development. I am proud to say that we are making good progress in this area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Question 579-13(5): Deferral Of Fort Mcpherson Water Supply Project May 28th, 1998

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we will get the answers to his questions. Thank you.

Question 579-13(5): Deferral Of Fort Mcpherson Water Supply Project May 28th, 1998

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the AGM in Hay River, the department will be meeting with the mayor of Fort McPherson and we will be giving him some information. At this time, this is our priority, and we will do everything we can to help the Member because he has been working very hard on this initiative and also give the information out to the community the best we can. It is also our priority. I do not have the documentation that he is talking about, but we will proceed with this project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 579-13(5): Deferral Of Fort Mcpherson Water Supply Project May 28th, 1998

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This project is also a priority of my department. I think there has been a misunderstanding with the community. We have not deferred this project. It is still our priority. It is up to the community if they want to go ahead with it. The community may have thought that it has been deferred, but it has not. It is

up to the community what they want to do with it. We have approved it. It is ready to go and the department will be there for the community when they want us to proceed with the project. We just need direction from the community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.