Debates of August 15, 2007 (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 125-15(6): GNWT Human Resources Management System

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have to ask the Minister for clarification then. Is it the Minister’s information that everybody that works at the Stanton Hospital actually has to enter all of their data in this computer? That is all I am asking. Can we just limit it to people who are most familiar with that program so that there is less chance of a lot of people spending a lot of time trying to iron out the wrinkles? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 125-15(6): GNWT Human Resources Management System

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, not every employee has to enter their time. Positive time reporters and shift workers are the ones who would most often take advantage of the opportunity to do that. If they are not doing it, then it has to be done manually by somebody. If there is an issue around it, that process could be handled at the hospital. But what we find is that most people want to enter their own time to make sure that it is being done accurately. Obviously, when you have somebody else do it, there is a chance that there is a mistake. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Premier a question to continue in the area of the agreement-in-principle on resource sharing and devolution. Last May, the Premier told us that an agreement-in-principle on resource revenue and devolution had been signed between four aboriginal governments and the GNWT. Mr. Speaker, public access, familiarity with the terms and conditions of this kind of agreement I think are essential to transparency in our government and to the confidence that they have in the commitments that we are making on their behalf. Mr. Speaker, would the Premier commit to making this agreement public by either tabling it here in this session or by making it a public release at his earliest possible opportunity? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 126-15(6): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will consult with the aboriginal leaders who signed on to make sure they don’t have any difficulty with the agreement we signed with them. But the details of our negotiations involving the federal government, we would not want to make that public except in a very general sense until those negotiations are completed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last month, several hikers along with myself and the Premier and some youth have hiked the Canol Trail. Mr. Speaker, it's a beautiful area, very sensitive. There were a lot of good discussions that happened there. One of the things I wanted to ask the Minister of ITI and his responsibility for this park here, proposed management park, is in terms of the protection. Can the Minister provide to this House an update as to how this park will be developed and managed in the next coming years in terms of what can he say to this House in terms of giving assurance to the Sahtu people in terms of looking after the Canol Heritage Park? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 127-15(6): Development And Management Of Canol Heritage Territorial Park

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to applaud the Member and the Premier and others who took that opportunity this summer to trek through the Canol Trail. I believe they have one segment left next summer. I am sure we can have a reunion to see that last third completed. Mr. Speaker, we are certainly moving forward to see a territorial park created there. Of course, there are land transfer issues, DIAND. There is a park committee that has been set up to watch over that and handle that administration. There are a number of steps here. I don’t have the latest in terms of the discussion with the committee, but I can tell you we are addressing some of the issues related to clean-up of some contaminated sites and other things, ensuring that that is conducted by the federal government. So there are a number of steps here. I will provide more information for the Member as I get an update. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 127-15(6): Development And Management Of Canol Heritage Territorial Park

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to also say to the participants who walked on this hike, it was a wonderful trip and a golden opportunity. One of things I would like to state, Mr. Speaker, is that the heritage trail is very sensitive and very precious to the Sahtu people, especially to the Shutah le Gohlini (sic) Dene people. Will the Minister look at looking at restrictions or some type of bylaw or law in terms of the use of ATVs in the Canol Heritage Trail? I know it has been quite an issue amongst our people in terms of the use of these all-terrain vehicles especially in the hunting areas. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 127-15(6): Development And Management Of Canol Heritage Territorial Park

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad the Member has brought this to my attention. I am not sure what measures are in place for protection now. I guess interim protection until the park is established. I will enquire about that and we can have that discussion with the committee. I take the Member’s point. We want to make sure that we are protecting that very fragile ecosystem. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 127-15(6): Development And Management Of Canol Heritage Territorial Park

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister advise his department officials in the interim, advising all public about the use of ATVs in the boundaries of the proposed park of severe warnings of not allowing them to come into our area and disrupt the environmental nature of this park? Can the Minister send out a strong notice to all: beware ATV owners and riders in the park? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 127-15(6): Development And Management Of Canol Heritage Territorial Park

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure at this point whether ATVs are allowed in any area of the park in any capacity. I will find that out. We will discuss this with the committee. I think we need to ensure that protection is upheld, as the Member has pointed out, and, as we establish these rules, criteria and this plan to protect the park, we will do a communications plan to make sure that everybody in the region and anybody coming in from outside the region knows the rules of being able to enter the park. It is obviously very vast. It is hard for us to police and protect in that manner, but we can work, I think, with committee members and community members as well to ensure that they're vigilant and on the lookout for anybody who may be creating problems in the park. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 127-15(6): Development And Management Of Canol Heritage Territorial Park

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, from witnessing two years of walking the park with the Premier, Mr. Premier walks just like the ATV. He just gives her. I want to ask the question, Mr. Speaker, in terms of the ATV. There have been noticeable curves witnessed by this government, the Members and the people of Tulita, that the use of ATVs at mile 222 is disturbing. It is serious. Actually, if the Minister can do some serious follow-up in terms of letting people know, if you come to our border in the Northwest Territories, not to chew up our land, people outside of the Northwest Territories, especially the park that we are proposing to have for the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 127-15(6): Development And Management Of Canol Heritage Territorial Park

Mr. Speaker, we will talk to the committee, as I have mentioned. Obviously, we would prefer that the people entering the park use other means that weren’t as disruptive. I understand that the Premier and the Member were on horseback. I applaud them for that. I think that is a very good step. I also understand that there was some walking going on, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

That is a rumour. Yes, we will take a serious look at this. There will be a response and some follow-up and I will get back to the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thought the Minister was going to run the clock out. My question is for the Minister of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, I have written to the Minister and the deputy minister. I do thank the Minister that he took the time to attend in Hay River to look at some of the transportation infrastructure. As everyone knows, Hay River is the transportation hub of the North, and so our transportation infrastructure is very important to us, as it is to any community. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister what the plans are with respect to the deficiencies that have been identified at the Hay River Airport runway. We have, over the years, had our air services take on various schedules and various aircraft. At this point, we don’t have regular service from a 737. However, we do need our runway to be maintained and kept in good order to ensure air transportation in and out of our community. I would like to ask the Minister what are his department’s plans with respect to the deficiencies on the Hay River runway? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Menicoche.

Return To Question 128-15(6): Transportation Infrastructure At Hay River Airport

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In April of this year, the departmental staff and air carriers were aware of a portion of the Hay River runway. Approximately 650 feet of runway had some serious depressions in there that were deep enough to impact jet planes. So we did look at that. We did initiate some remediation of that section, Mr. Speaker. As well, we just closed a contract to completely resurface and reconstruct that section that has that depression, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 128-15(6): Transportation Infrastructure At Hay River Airport

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A contract has already been awarded. I am understanding that’s what the Minister is saying. A contract has already been awarded for the resurfacing of that 650 feet of runway surface. I would like to ask the Minister if he could, for the benefit of people who live in Hay River, let us know when that work…What would be the scope and what would be the intended timelines for that particular work? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 128-15(6): Transportation Infrastructure At Hay River Airport

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The contract to repair the Hay River runway has been awarded and the construction schedule is for the first week of September to complete the work. There has been notification to air carriers and anybody using the airport that this work will be taking place and hopefully it won’t interfere with the regular scheduled aircraft that run into Hay River. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Time for question period has expired; however, we will allow a supplementary question. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 128-15(6): Transportation Infrastructure At Hay River Airport

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That was going to be one of my next questions, whether or not the work that would be done, which I understand is much needed, would interrupt any of the air traffic that is currently scheduled in and out of Hay River. The Minister has indicated that the work on the runway will not interfere with that schedule. I would like to know from the Minister, Mr. Speaker, if Hay River would still be designated today, Mr. Speaker, as an alternate site for planes, 737s and larger aircraft that could not land in Yellowknife because of weather. Is Hay River still the alternate destination? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 128-15(6): Transportation Infrastructure At Hay River Airport

As far as I am aware, it’s still an alternate destination for Yellowknife, but, once again, the notice has been given to all air carriers that the depression on the runway will be remediated soon. However, it is still a secondary location for emergency purposes. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Hawkins on May 10, 2007, regarding consumer protection on gas prices.

Neither the GNWT nor the federal government regulate the price of fuel.

The GNWT relies on the active market created by buyers and sellers to set prices for goods and services in the NWT. Reviewing the price differential between Yellowknife and Edmonton since June 2001 shows a trend where the price differential is diminishing, going from about 26 cents per litre in 2001 to a recent 18 cents per litre.

Some jurisdictions have attempted to place controls on the price of fuel. When market differences such as taxes and transportation costs are removed, the price of fuel in jurisdictions with controls is not significantly different from other jurisdictions.

Price fixing and other anti-competitive activities are illegal under the federal Competition Act.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency responsible for the administration of the Competition Act, which includes provisions against price fixing, price maintenance and abusive behaviour by a dominant firm resulting in a lessening of competition. All of its provisions apply to gasoline and other markets for petroleum products. The bureau's role is to protect competition in the marketplace so that Canadians can benefit from competitive prices, product choice and quality service. Each year, the bureau receives numerous complaints about gasoline prices. Complaints are examined to determine whether the provisions of the Competition Act have been violated.

The fact that retailers may charge similar prices, or that prices change, does not constitute an offence under the Competition Act. There must be evidence that competitors have made an illegal agreement to set those prices.

Franchise retailers who sell gas on consignment often change their prices on instructions from their head offices. This is not illegal under the Competition Act.

The Information Centre of the Competition Bureau will receive any evidence of improper communications, illegal agreements among competitors, or evidence of the impact of the alleged anti-competitive conduct.

The GNWT, through its Consumer Protection Act, provides the framework for which buyers and sellers transact business in the NWT. The GNWT responds to all complaints under the act received from consumers. A review of complaints filed under the act failed to uncover any complaints relating to fuel price gouging.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Social Programs has reviewed Bill 12, Public Health Act, and Bill 13, Change of Name Act, and wishes to report that Bill 12 and 13 are now ready for Committee of the Whole.

The committee has already completed its review of Bill 14, Employment Standards Act, and wishes to report that Bill 14 is now ready for Committee of the Whole, as amended and reprinted.

Thank you. There’s a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried