Debates of August 22, 2007 (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize some of the people associated with the United Nations Association of Canada: project officers, Saad Omar Khan and Mara Brotman, both from Toronto.

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I think, actually, Saad might be from Ottawa. Sorry. Jeff MacKie, who is a national board of director for the NWT of the United Nations Association of Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Ms. Lee. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure today to recognize Ruby Trudel in the gallery who’s a constituent of Yellowknife South and somebody’s who’s done some wonderful advocacy work for women across the Territories as it relates to breast cancer. She’s raised a lot of money, created a lot of awareness, and what struck me in her work was how she felt that this money needed to be targeted specifically for women in the NWT and her work in that respect. I want to thank her, on behalf of the people of the NWT, for that good work. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Bell. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Mr. Glen Abernethy, a lifelong resident of the NWT and Nunavut and a constituent of Great Slave. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Braden. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to recognize Marvin Zaozirny, a resident of Weledeh, an active community member and a recently retired DOT employee from our airports section. Welcome.

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Thank you, Mr. Handley. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to welcome Mr. Jonathan Zaozirny, who’s going to be taking part in one of our programs that we’ve offered to residents of the Northwest Territories. Jon was born and raised here in Yellowknife, took his education here at Mildred Hall and Sir John Franklin schools and he’s recently received a medical bursary through the Department of Health and Social Services Northern Medical School Entry Program. Next week he will be taking a trip down to Alberta to take part in his first year of medical school at the University of Alberta. We will be watching and ensuring, hopefully, that he returns when he’s successfully completed to practice medicine along with the other students that return here. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with great pride that, further to my Member’s statement last week, I acknowledge two additional marriages in my riding and my community of Fort Simpson. They are gentlemen and ladies all. Mr. John Balsillie to Ms. Laurie Fradsham, young professionals of Fort Simpson which our North desperately needs. Also, Mr. T.G. Wilson to Ms. Kathy Blondin, young students who will become our young professionals that our North desperately needs. Mahsi cho.

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Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Acknowledgements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. In two world wars, more than 7,000 Canadian aboriginal people enlisted to fight for Canada and an estimated 500 gave their lives in the service of their country. However, upon returning to Canada, the surviving aboriginal veterans did not get the equal treatment from the Canadian government in terms of grants and other assistance.

Mr. Speaker, a tireless champion to right this injustice has been Mr. Tom Eagle, a 25-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, a constituent of Great Slave, and a respected elder and leader in the NWT for many years. I would like to acknowledge the presentation this July by the National Minister of Veterans Affairs of a commendation to Mr. Eagle in recognition of his advocacy. He continues to work for aboriginal and, indeed, all veterans. He’s also chairman of the NWT/Nunavut Aboriginal Veterans Association and president of the Army Cadet League of Canada for our two territories. Mr. Speaker, congratulations to Mr. Eagle and, on behalf of all Canadians, our appreciation for his leadership. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Hear! Hear!

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have some questions for the Minister of ITI in follow-up to his Member’s statement about traditionally-tanned moosehides and pilot projects, which I think is a good idea. Mr. Speaker, I estimate that annually around the community where I live, there are about 100 moosehides left in the bush over the course of moose hunting season. It’s always struck me as a terrible waste because there is no place to have these hides taken to; there was no incentive to take them out of the bush; they’re heavy, they take up space in your boat. I notice Enterprise is one of the communities that will be involved in this. I would just like to ask the Minister, if he can just indicate maybe a bit more detail in terms of what incentive is there going to be, is there going to be a connection into the communities where moose hunting is such a viable pastime? Can the Minister indicate will there be any connection with, say, the Metis nations and the bands to make sure that there is some agreement or some process where these hides can, in fact, be brought out and put to use? Thank you.

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

Return To Question 172-15(6): Traditionally-Tanned Moosehide Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ve had a lot of discussion around this program and I think there’s a lot of interest in seeing this get off the ground. I understand, from some of the people who have some history in this government, that there have been attempts in the past to create and promote such a program. As the Member has indicated, we know that there are hides that are left to rot, and it seems a shame when we have so many people asking and inquiring about our crafts. I was just at the tourism operation at the border, spoke to the people there who are running the bureau there, and they were making the same case, that we just have this what seems an insatiable demand for traditional crafts and nowhere, really, to send people to find that. So we anecdotally know there’s a demand. We want to work with the hunters and trappers, with the Metis, with the bands to ensure that we are marrying up those who can tan these hides with those who would produce crafts and ensure that there is a supply of crafts in communities. So, yes, we will work with all stakeholders. It’s a pilot program but we’re going to work across the regions of the NWT that have an interest in this and try to see if we can’t revitalize crafts in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 172-15(6): Traditionally-Tanned Moosehide Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we’re fast approaching the time when the boats are going to be hitting the water and they’re going to be going up and down, in fact, hunting for moose. I know, in the past, one of the suggestions was that if, like with fur, that if ENR told the hunters going out that if you bring back the moosehides we’ll give you $100 or whatever it is to cover the costs of the extra effort and time, and then ENR could, in turn, make sure that the hides are sent to the most appropriate location for the best use. Will something of that nature be in place in the next number of weeks or months to take advantage of the hunting season that’s fast upon us?

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 172-15(6): Traditionally-Tanned Moosehide Program

Mr. Speaker, we will ensure it is. There’s a lot of interest, as the Member can imagine, I think, inside the department, which is where this program was generated; a lot of interest from those who work both in ENR and ITI in making this successful. They are eager to get this rolled out for this hunting season which is why we are unveiling this program at this point. So we will be working with our regional staff to roll out the details, make sure hunters know that the program is up and running and available, and hopefully we can generate a lot of interest. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 172-15(6): Traditionally-Tanned Moosehide Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s still not clear to me what type of incentive is envisioned to hunters to make them spend the extra time and effort to skin the moose, make sure they do it properly so they don’t damage the hide, and then pack the hide up along with the moose meat to drag it back out of the bush onto their boats. It’s heavy and it takes up a lot of space. So does the Minister have any idea, at this point, of some of the detail of what kind of incentive is going to be there in the next number of weeks to hunters to encourage them to bring those hides back? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 172-15(6): Traditionally-Tanned Moosehide Program

Mr. Speaker, our people are going to work with the hunters and with the HTAs to ensure that everybody is aware of the types of hides and the care that is required. We’re also going to sit down and negotiate a guaranteed price. I don’t have, at this point, what that guaranteed price will be, but the hunters will know, going out, the range of the price for the hide, know that it’s dependent on condition and understand that there is an incentive to make sure that it’s properly handled. So they will have this information before they go out, I’m sure. I don’t know what the guaranteed price will be. We’ve discussed, this morning in discussion at Cabinet, the typical range for a moose hide in terms of pricing, but I don’t have that information with me and I think it will be dependent on condition. I can assure the Member that our staff will work with those hunters before they go out and they will know the range of the guarantee in terms of price. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 172-15(6): Traditionally-Tanned Moosehide Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The final question is in regards to the chain of this production. So could the Minister indicate if there’s going to be arrangements made with the hunter, there’s going to be a middleman or if the hide is going to go to the producer who is going to tan it, and then from there it’s going to be sold at cost to the people doing the arts and crafts that require this? Is that how this is envisioned? So there’s going to be a number of steps along the way with the resource, some dollars changing hands, there’s going to be some value added to the point where it finally hits as a tanned product onto the cutting tables of the artists and artisans that use this? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 172-15(6): Traditionally-Tanned Moosehide Program

Mr. Speaker, that’s exactly how we envision the program working so that there is some incentive for the hunter who can make sure that these hides are properly tanned and that we have access to raw materials. I know Members in the House have been talking for some time about the raw materials required for craft production, the fact that we don’t have a consistent supply. That is the piece and the link in this chain that has been missing that we are trying to deal with here and I hope very much that this can be successful. I know there have been past attempts at doing this and for a number of reasons it’s been difficult. It is difficult work; it’s very heavy; many of the hides were left to rot. I think the problem has been the financial incentive and the training and those are the two issues that we are hoping to address here, make sure it’s worth people’s while to provide these hides for craft production. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. I want to commend the Minister in terms of some of the hard work that his department, plus Members from this side, worked on the review of the Income Support Program review. The question I have for the Minister is in terms of supporting the goal of this government to provide meaningful tools to have our people be self-reliant. Is there sufficient flexibility within his department to have eventual assessments to look at the rent assessments to phase-in approach to people who are using these social housing units for their well-being? Is there a phase-in approach and is there flexibility? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 173-15(6): Social Housing Rent Assessments

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As rents are changed by local housing authorities, that should have no significant impact on the amount of money that it costs a family to live in that house if they are in financial need, because the amount of subsidy that is provided through the Income Support Program or through the public housing rental subsidy will change according to the family’s assessment. So as rents change, the subsidies might change as well so that there’s an offset. We would hope that that would allow the sort of phase-in that the Member is talking about.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 173-15(6): Social Housing Rent Assessments

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It should change, but it’s not. So I want to ask the Minister, if a constituent of mine working a secure job wants to contribute to society and to family, the rent is $1,100 from nothing from last month. The rent is maximum right now $1,100. How can this program here help this constituent of mine in terms of being self-reliant, because nothing has changed? So again, is there some flexibility in looking at a phase-in approach to assessing the rent to allow them to come to a point where they feel that they could, with confidence, paying with confidence their rent at $1,100? Right now this person can’t. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 173-15(6): Social Housing Rent Assessments

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s hard to talk about a specific case without having all of the details. I will certainly commit to sit down with the Member this afternoon if possible to get the details and ensure that we have both the income support worker and, if necessary, the local housing authority work together to assess the situation this person might be in and see whether or not they’re getting all of the benefits that they were entitled to from this government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my Member’s statement with regard to the Ulukhaktok arts and crafts shop earlier today and I recall back in May when I requested information with regard to the renovations to the project, Mr. Speaker, I’m just wondering, if I recall, at that time the Minister of ITI indicated that he will get his department to do a complete study and do the report with regard to renovations in Ulukhaktok…(inaudible)…if that project has to be done. Thank you.

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

Return To Question 174-15(6): Renovations To Ulukhaktok Arts And Crafts Shop

Mr. Speaker, thank you. We have been working with the community, with the co-op in Holman as a stopgap measure because the co-op has been shut down for some time. We found some money to go in and do some repairs to the building envelope and to the heating system I believe to ensure that the building wouldn’t fall into further disrepair. Since that time, and with the goal, of course, of getting the co-op back up and running and producing the art that it is so famous for, since that time we’ve been working very hard with the BDIC to try to generate a business plan for the co-op. As a subsidiary, the government would make an investment here and it would be co-owned, joint-owned, and that’s something that we’ve been working on. I think we’re getting very close to being able to roll that concept out again and I think people across the North, and I know tourists, have been looking forward to seeing those arts and crafts, especially the prints, available as they go to Holman again. So I hope that we have a good announcement soon, but I can tell the Member that we are working very diligently to try to revitalize the co-op. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 174-15(6): Renovations To Ulukhaktok Arts And Crafts Shop

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the response from the Minister in regard to that. I think one of the things that’s important is that, as I mentioned in my Member’s statement, to be self-reliant, this is one of the opportunities that Ulukhaktok will have. The Minister indicated that BDIC is preparing a business plan with the government investment. I’m just wondering how close is that plan in coming into place? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 174-15(6): Renovations To Ulukhaktok Arts And Crafts Shop

Mr. Speaker, we think we’re working out the final details. For instance, we think it can generate somewhere in the neighbourhood of 40 to 60 part-time jobs and a couple of permanent jobs in that community. It really can be an economic shot in the arm and I think it’s going to reinstate a lot of the pride that that community had, and probably still has, in its craft production. But we know that we need to work with that community to make this happen. So I say we’re close. I guess nothing is final until all the details are finalized, but I am optimistic that we will see this craft shop up and running. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 174-15(6): Renovations To Ulukhaktok Arts And Crafts Shop

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks for that, Mr. Minister. I’d just like to ask the Minister on whether they are coming close in terms of funding for the completion of that renovation. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 174-15(6): Renovations To Ulukhaktok Arts And Crafts Shop