Silas Arngna'naaq

Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Silas Arngna'naaq is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly September 1995, as MLA for Kivallivik

Lost his last election, in 1995, with 11% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Item 11: Petitions September 9th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker I wish to table a petition on behalf of the residents of Baker Lake. The petition is from concerned parents of the children of Baker Lake, who are requesting that funding be made available so that the Baker Lake community education council can purchase and operate a school bus in Baker Lake. Mr. Speaker, this petition contains the signatures of 274 concerned residents of Baker Lake.

The community education council of Baker Lake has sought a school bus, or a vehicle which could be used for transporting students to and from the school. As chairman of the education society in 1982, I was approached by many parents who were asking for any form of transportation for their children.

When I was reelected chairman of the education society nearly a decade later, the community still did not have any type of vehicle for transporting children to the school. When I reviewed the criteria for accessing funds for a school bus I found that Baker Lake did indeed qualify under the existing policy.

The Keewatin divisional board of education has previously given its support for a school bus by recommending that it be funded. The community of Baker Lake is situated along the northwest shore of the lake and is growing length wise to the east. This means that the distance that the children have to walk far exceeds the criteria outlined in the present policy.

Mr. Speaker, to put things in perspective, I would like to compare Baker Lake's climate with other communities which currently enjoy bussing services. In comparison to most other N.W.T. communities with school bus service, Baker Lake gets colder much sooner, stays colder longer, has lower temperatures throughout the winter months, and has higher wind speeds during the school months. In short, Mr. Speaker, Baker Lake has the highest wind chill factors throughout the winter months, this is due to the fact that Baker Lake is the only community in Canada that is without trees and is inland. There are no oceans or open water to raise the temperature a few degrees higher, as is the case with other communities which lie above the treeline.

One way of comparing the weather related difficulties experienced by students, is to look at the number of times that schools are closed due to storms or other inclement weather. The only communities in which schools are closed more often are Chesterfield Inlet, which already has student transportation, and Repulse Bay and Arviat, both of which will also require student transportation in the near future.

The petition from the community of Baker Lake, with the 274 names, is requesting a school bus for the community. With this petition I have, I will be tabling a copy of the mean daily temperatures for the school year, mean temperatures in January, and the mean wind speeds in kilometres per hour for the communities of Baker Lake, Iqaluit, Hay River, Fort Smith, Inuvik and Yellowknife.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Motion 22-12(2): Support For Participant Funding In The Great Whale Hydro Electric Project June 28th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad that we have the writing straight. (Translation) I will be speaking in Inuktitut. I volunteered to second this motion since our Member for Keewatin Central is not available in the House. I support the motion that was put forward by the Member for Lake Harbour. Being from Baker Lake, I am not from the shore area, but from my constituency I have people who live near the bay area in Arviat. They are close to the Sanikiluaq area. Within the Kivallivik riding they are the closest so they might be affected also by way of the wildlife, especially the sea mammals within the Hudson Bay area.

Since there is potential for a hazard, I have been asked what my stand is on this issue concerning the Hydro Quebec project. I fully support this motion and through supporting this motion, if it will help to protect the people of Arviat and within the Keewatin as well, I would also encourage other people to support this motion because it will not just affect people in the Keewatin Region. We have to show our support for the hard work that the people of Quebec are trying to finish. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question O707-12(2): Funding Access To School Bus Services June 28th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to find out when the Minister would expect the now policy would be put together.

Question O707-12(2): Funding Access To School Bus Services June 28th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Education. I have had the opportunity now to review the criteria for funding access to school bus services in the NWT. I note that the department considers the age of the students, the distance from school, major safety hazards and the state of physical and mental health of the students when it is determining the amount of funding to be given to support transportation assistance. Can the Minister explain what consideration is given to weather factors, since one kilometre at 37 below zero is a much different challenge for young students than one kilometre at 15 below.

Committee Report 13-12(2): Report Of The Standing Committee On Public Accounts On The Review Of The Financial Statements Of The GNWT And The Report Of The Auditor General For The Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1991 June 24th, 1992

Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to make a few comments on the report. Being a Member of this committee I understand and, because this is the first time as a Member of this Assembly, I am informed that these recommendations are very similar to ones that have been made by other public accounts committees. In the form of motions, we have tried to make recommendations which will make the government more accountable, at least at the bureaucratic level.

The public accounts committee have indicated that they will hold more meetings and I, as a Member of that public accounts committee, would like to make sure that that does take place and that this committee will follow-up on their recommendations and call back those deputy ministers responsible for which we have made those recommendations to try to make them accountable.

Some of the recommendations which have been made are consistent with those made by the standing committee on finance and which I would think Members of the standing committee on finance would be able and willing to back the public accounts committee on their recommendations. From what I can see, it appears that the public accounts committee is a committee which makes the bureaucracy of this government accountable to this Assembly. Perhaps what we, as a public accounts committee, could do is take these motions and have them delivered to the respective departments they were made for.

Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters June 24th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The standing committee on legislation abbreviated its usual process for the review of Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act. This was in response to a recommendation made by the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions in Committee Report 11-12(2) and supported by a motion of this House on June 18, 1992.

The standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions recommendation was that the Workers' Compensation Act should be amended prior to the conclusion of this June sifting in order to increase the year's maximum insurable remuneration. The reasons for this recommendation are well laid out, Mr. Chairman, in the interim report brought forward by my honourable colleague from Inuvik and the Members of his standing committee. It was noted by the standing committee on legislation that Mr. Koe's committee held extensive public hearings on this matter during May 11 13 inclusive. It was felt that this review process provided an opportunity for public input on the matter of the years maximum insurable remuneration.

Members of the standing committee on legislation reviewed this bill on the morning of June 24, 1992. The committee was grateful to the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board and his officials for attending to present the bill and responding to Members' questions and comments. The standing committee on legislation also appreciated the attendance of Mr. Brian Roberts, chairperson of the Workers' Compensation Board, who assisted in outlining the more technical aspects of the workers' compensation system and the implications which this bill will carry for workers injured in the Northwest Territories.

The standing committee on legislation recognizes the urgency of this bill and is supportive of the efforts made by the Minister, the Workers' Compensation Board and the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions to proceed with the speedy passage of this amendment The standing committee on legislation realized that in passing Bill 30, this House would be making at least an initial stop toward meeting the grievous needs of injured workers in the Northwest Territories.

If I may, Mr. Chairman, I think it would be appropriate to underscore the manner in which all parties to the passage of this bill have worked together quickly and efficiently to ensure that these necessary changes are made. I hope that this point is noted by those who might be inclined to criticize this House or our northern system of consensus government.

Mr. Chairman, at its meeting on June 24, the standing committee on legislation carried a motion that Bill 30 should be reported to the House as ready for committee of the whole. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Confidence In Government Leader's Ministerial Assignments June 24th, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak on the goings on in this Assembly this past week. I was not here at the time the motion was made by Mrs. Marie-Jewell. This was because I felt the Government Leader can assess the situation and come to an agreeable solution, and that this was not the way of my upbringing.

Considering the fact that the government is trying to consolidate certain departments in an effort to save money, cabinet has been put in the very difficult position of trying to manage a system with very limited resources.

Under Ministers' statements yesterday, the Government Leader implied that there will be reassignments after reassessing the Ministers' abilities. This is one of the routes suggested by the ordinary Members in their motion. In a consensus style of government, there has to be agreement among a majority of Members. I agree with the outcome of the Government Leader's response. I have confidence in the Government Leader. She will be able to address the concerns of the ordinary Members with regard to the recommendations in her deliberations. I have every confidence in the Government Leader that her decision will be in the best interest of all the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-Applause

Report Of Standing Committee On Legislation On The Review Of Bill 30 June 23rd, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the standing committee on legislation has reviewed Bill 30, and wishes to report that Bill 30 is now ready for committee of the whole.

Question O638-12(2): Meeting With Quebec Premier On NWT Concerns Re Great Whale Project June 23rd, 1992

Supplementary to the Government Leader. There has been some well-reasoned speculation that Quebec's motivation to proceed with this project is tied to prospective sovereignty issues. Is the Government Leader prepared to make the issue of transboundary environmental damage between provinces and territories a matter for discussion at national constitutional negotiations? Thank you.

Question O638-12(2): Meeting With Quebec Premier On NWT Concerns Re Great Whale Project June 23rd, 1992

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Government Leader regarding the Great Whale project. The Premier of Quebec and Members of his Cabinet have taken the position that they are not willing to see the Great Whale hydro development delayed in order to satisfy the interests of a group of aboriginal people which they consider to be a small and insignificant fraction of the Quebec population. Is the Government Leader willing to meet with Mr.

Bourassa to convey the understanding that the communities in the Northwest Territories are very, very concerned about the Great Whale project as well? Thank you.