Legislative Assembly photo

Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Tony Whitford is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly November 2003, as MLA for Kam Lake

Won his last election, in 1999, with 80% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Question 660-12(7): Response Time To Constituents' Concerns June 19th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question I would like to direct to the Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister whether his department has a policy for turnaround time for letters or concerns that are brought to his department. I have a constituent who wrote over three months ago and is still awaiting a reply. They received a form letter that says yes, we got your letter, thank you; but they're still waiting for a reply and it has been almost a week ago since I brought this to the Minister's attention. I would like to know whether his department has a policy as to turnaround time for things in his department.

Question 650-12(7): Status Of Firefighting Training Program In Nwt June 18th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I gather, then, from the answer that there is nothing currently. Where would and how would young people seeking involvement in this profession go about doing that? Is this information available through Arctic College?

Question 650-12(7): Status Of Firefighting Training Program In Nwt June 18th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question I would like to direct to the Minister responsible for Education. Mr. Speaker, a number of my constituents have spoken up about an issue currently being debated; forest firefighting in the territories. It has sparked the interest of a good number of young people wanting to get into the business of fighting fires. They recognize the need for training and they would like to know if they can get this training here in the Northwest Territories. I would like to ask the Minister whether Arctic College is currently, or certainly in the future, going to be training forest firefighters and Bird Dog officers because of the training necessary to participate in this occupation? Do they have this at Arctic College?

Question 642-12(7): Role Of Saps In Bird Dog Officer Investigation June 18th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if his department has instructed them as to how long the investigation should take. Have they set a time limit?

Question 642-12(7): Role Of Saps In Bird Dog Officer Investigation June 18th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In light of what Minister Pollard had to say regarding the subject of Bird Dog officers and the investigation taking place, I would like to ask the Minister responsible for Safety a question concerning the Bird Dogs. Over the past few days, Members of this House have heard on the radio numerous reports suggesting that there is political interference taking place with the investigation being conducted by the chief safety officer.

Some of my constituents, as well, are concerned about those allegations. I would like to ask the Minister it he could clarify and advise this House about the role his department is playing in this matter.

Display Of Hmcs Mackenzie Model In Legislature June 18th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. Commencing in 1972, the Mackenzie was used primarily to train 40 to 50 naval officers at a time. They learned how to handle ships, navigation, organization and administration; all important elements in our Canadian military.

After the Mackenzie was retired in 1993 --they call it the "pay- out" --rather than sell this beautiful ship for scrap metal, she was sunk off Vancouver Island in Sydney Harbour to provide an artificial reef. Her anchor was sent to Yellowknife and sits in front of the military headquarters down the street from us. Now that this beautiful ship has settled on the bottom of the Pacific where there was previously nothing but sandy ocean bottom, she will attract a variety of marine life and divers from all over the world, who will carry out observation work under the sea, to see how an artificial reef functions. It will provide many more years of usefulness to Canada.

So that is the model of the ship in the foyer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Display Of Hmcs Mackenzie Model In Legislature June 18th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, 19 years ago, by an Order in Council, the Government of the Northwest Territories adopted the destroyer, HMCS Mackenzie. Since September of 1981, a model of this 366-foot destroyer has resided in the Northwest Territories and was first displayed in the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform this House that the model of the HMCS Mackenzie is now on display here in the great hall of this Legislative Assembly building, where we hope a will stay. We also have a plaque of the Mackenzie and pennant, and a replica of the ship's wheel here on permanent display.

The Mackenzie was designed as an anti-submarine destroyer and was named after the Mackenzie River and the ship travelled some 850,000 nautical miles during her commissioned years, or if we put it in more understandable terms, 24 trips around the world at the Equator.

The Mackenzie has had some exciting moments. She was involved in the first high-seas boarding and the seizure of a foreign vessel by the Canadian Navy since the Second World War. She also made a dramatic rescue of the entire crew of the Pacific Mariner, after other ships and other attempts had failed. She has had the distinction of participating in both the 75th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy and the 50th anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Navy. The Mackenzie is unique in other ways, as the edges and the surfaces of her upper decks were rounded, a feature designed for two purposes: first, in war, the radioactive or chemical contaminants could easily be washed off; second, being designed for very cold climates, the rounded edges would prevent ice build-ups.

Commencing in 1972, the Mackenzie was used ... I seek consent to conclude, Mr. Speaker.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery June 15th, 1995

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I take this opportunity to introduce Gary Bohnet, president of the Metis Nation; and, Michael Paulette, vice-president of the Metis Nation.

---Applause

As well, Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure of introducing to you members of Elder Hostel. The group that's here will be visiting our Legislative Assembly, parts of the Northwest Territories -- certainly Yellowknife -- to learn a little bit more about the political system in the Northwest Territories. I'll be meeting with them for about an hour or so afterwards.

---Applause