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

Question 331-12(7): Tabling Of Fire Management Suppression Report March 27th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that the report was intended to be a management tool whereby the department will be able to use the material in the

report to make decisions regarding forest fire management in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 331-12(7): Tabling Of Fire Management Suppression Report March 27th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had not planned to table the report. Thank you.

Question 313-12(7): Status Of Recommendations For Fire Management Review March 26th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take the question as notice. Thank you.

Question 281-12(7): Polar Bear Management March 7th, 1995

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this time, the Department of Renewable Resources is in the process of a review of which divisions within Renewable Resources would be better situated in the Nunavut region, and we are reviewing the possibility we might be able to relocate a biologist. I can indicate that we know there are no polar bears in the Yellowknife area, and it doesn't make sense that all these biologists are located in this region. I can advise the Member, perhaps in the near future, as to what we are going to do with this situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery March 7th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's very difficult for people in the smaller communities, especially in the east, to come here. I have three constituents from the community of Baker Lake, one of whom is Susan Toolooktook, who I spoke of earlier this afternoon. Thank you.

---Applause

Susan Toolooktook's Walk Of Love March 7th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to make a comment on this day. I would like to recognize the efforts of one woman from the

community of Baker Lake. On February 14, 1992, I rose in this House to commend Susan Toolooktook on her walk of love from Baker Lake to Sugarloaf Mountain or Nauhaaq. This 50-mile walk was to draw attention to the plight of, and raise money for, poverty-stricken local families and resulted in the creation of a food bank in Baker Lake.

Today, I rise in this House to commend the NWT Status of Women for selecting Susan Toolooktook as the 1994-95 eastern Arctic recipient of their wise woman award. This award, first given in 1991-92, was created to recognize and celebrate women who have made a significant contribution to the lives of others in their communities. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to give notice that Susan, to this day, has continued to work in the community of Baker Lake in trying to help those who are incapable of helping themselves. Susan is also the mother of a child who is now of age to work and who is making a significant contribution to the community.

Mr. Speaker, Susan Toolooktook has shown unprecedented dedication to the needy in Baker Lake and she should be celebrated as a fine role model for young Inuit. Congratulations to Susan, and thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Question 265-12(7): Deposit Fees On Beverage Containers March 6th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know that it would require legislation. If it becomes cost-effective for a private entrepreneur to collect beverage containers and send them out, then all it would require would be the will of the private entrepreneur to do that. It wouldn't require legislation. I have committed that the department will take a look again at a program that might be proposed to private businesses, which would include Ecology North and other environmental organizations that may have some information about how to make the recycling of beverage containers cost-effective. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 265-12(7): Deposit Fees On Beverage Containers March 6th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just recently, the Alberta Government has allowed the delivery of hazardous waste which has been the number one priority of environmental protection in the Northwest Territories. We have found a way that hazardous waste can now be disposed of. The second priority of this department's environmental protection section has been the disposal of used oil, as well as air quality guidelines which we are continuing to work on and monitor. This has been a concern of Yellowknife. Those three areas have been the priority of environmental protection, but I will commit that the department will re-examine the beverage container recycling project to see if there's a way to make it

cost-effective. I'm not able to guarantee anything at this point, but I will commit to having the department take a look again at the recycling program. Thank you.

Question 265-12(7): Deposit Fees On Beverage Containers March 6th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can understand where there is a transportation system which is cost-effective that the suggestion would work, but as far as the Government of the Northwest Territories is concerned, we deal with all of the Northwest Territories. I have lived in Rankin Inlet for a couple of years and the hamlet had made this effort to try and collect cans that are made of aluminum and have them sent by sea. However, they found that those who recycle the containers like to have the containers not crushed in any way, which would have made it cost-effective to have transported the cans. They found that those who do the recycling like to receive the cans not crushed or disrupted in any way because it makes it easier for them. However, when the cans are not crushed -- the transportation companies charge by space rather than weight -- it made it very expensive for the council to transport the beverage containers by sea.

For the government to do something like this in the east would be much too costly. So, the department has taken the direction of the Financial Management Board that it would be more cost-effective if we dispose of cans much the same way as we dispose of dry waste. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 265-12(7): Deposit Fees On Beverage Containers March 6th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under the Department of Renewable Resources, the section of environmental protection, I had indicated yesterday during committee of the whole that the recycling of beverage containers was too costly to the government. A proposal had been made to the Financial Management Board and I believe this was before my time. The proposal was turned down. The proposal, I believe, was to address recycling of beverage containers all across the Northwest Territories.

The suggestions that are being made by the honourable Member would apply very well in the areas of the Northwest Territories that have lower transportation costs. The submission that was put before the Financial Management Board addressed all communities across the Northwest Territories and when you look at the costs of trying to collect beverage containers and then have them transported for recycling, it just became too costly to try to have beverage containers recycled.

I believe the recycling of beverage containers is a priority, but it's just not as high as those environmentally hazardous products that are disposed of in the Northwest Territories, such as PCBs and air quality in the Northwest Territories, where we have created guidelines for air quality. I believe the recycling of beverage containers would likely fall in third priority with this section of the department. However, it is not hazardous, it is a product that could be crushed and buried underground and not be environmentally disruptive. It was felt by the Financial Management Board that this would be more efficient if this was done across the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.