Debates of February 2, 2006 (day 21)

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I spoke about the RCMP presence in Sachs Harbour. Mr. Speaker, I spoke about this on a couple of occasions, and to date we still haven't heard any results from the Department of Justice. I understand that in October when I raised the issue up with the Minister of Justice, he was supposed to form a committee with the RCMP and the justice to look at our communities without an RCMP presence. So I'd like to ask the Minister of Justice, can he give me an update in regards to what has been done today and what will be happening in the next couple of months? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 324-15(4): RCMP Presence In Sachs Harbour

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is right; we established a joint working group between my officials -- Department of Justice -- and the RCMP to look into various options that would increase police presence in our smaller communities. There are 13 communities in the NWT without RCMP detachments and it's a concern for us. So we started to study the problem and we've used the policing strategic consultations with communities to do this work, regional level consultations. They will be coming forward with some recommendations. We have started to address some issues on a community-by-community basis. I understand in Tsiigehtchic we're working with the housing department to hopefully provide a residence for RCMP so that they might be able to stay overnight. Many of the problems that occur in our communities are not nine to five, Mr. Speaker, obviously. So we're looking to address some of those issues. I am very well aware of the concerns in Sachs. They are probably of the highest priority in the NWT. All consultations aside, the Member asked if I need a working group to recognize that there are problems here. My answer is no. We do acknowledge that there is a real concern in Sachs Harbour. It's one that I look to address immediately and as soon as there's a new public safety Minister in Ottawa, it will be the first thing that I sit down to bring to his attention. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Supplementary To Question 324-15(4): RCMP Presence In Sachs Harbour

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks for the information. In regard to the study on the problems that you've talked about and coming out with recommendations, how soon with that be? For your information, the RCMP do have a building in Sachs Harbour that's usable; they do have barracks there that's been shut down for a number of years, but I found out when I was down there that it can be used very easily. So when can the Minister ensure the people of Sachs that they will get some safety and protection that they require? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 324-15(4): RCMP Presence In Sachs Harbour

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The work that's underway is looking at the frequency of patrols, it's talking with the communities about how we have longer stays in those communities, how we might implement community policing crime prevention initiatives, and one of the things we have to do is assess our assets on the ground. In Sachs, we have to ensure that those structures are still up to code, or could be brought up to code quickly. But, Mr. Speaker, it is the federal government that provides the capital dollars. We take care of 70 percent of the O and M, but we would have to get any improvements into the federal capital plan and that will take some doing and some lobbying. But I'm prepared to take that up immediately. I know that we need to look at coverage in smaller communities, but I'm very concerned about the remoteness of Sachs Harbour and the ability of us to respond quickly and ensure the safety and security of those residents. So I want to assure the Member this is of highest priority for me. I will address it with the federal Minister. I want to improve the police presence in Sachs. If we can get a detachment in Sachs and the federal government will commit those dollars, that's my first option and my first priority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of ENR just following up on the concerns of Fort Liard constituents with regard to their buffalo problems they've been having, as well as in Nahanni Butte. The last time we exchanged topic ground on this, Mr. Speaker, the Minister indicated it was a free-roaming herd and they were going to initiate some type of management plan, and that's what the community has been looking for, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to ask the Minister if and when consideration of this plan will be done for these communities. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 325-15(4): Bison Problems In Fort Liard And Nahanni Butte

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the work on the plan is underway. We're trying to address a number of species, including barren land caribou, the woodland caribou, as well as the bison in its various herds. I anticipate that before spring we should have a document that would be ready to go. Prior to that, we'll be able to circulate some drafts. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 325-15(4): Bison Problems In Fort Liard And Nahanni Butte

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. That's what the community is looking for; is what actually is the ministry going to be doing about this herd. There are about 350 animals. Has the department done any consultation in the communities of Nahanni Butte and Fort Liard with respect to their management plan? Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 325-15(4): Bison Problems In Fort Liard And Nahanni Butte

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we're working on the document, and part of the plan when we have something of substance to take forward is we will do the consultation with the Member and the communities to ensure that we're on the right track and that we maintain a collaborative approach. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 325-15(4): Bison Problems In Fort Liard And Nahanni Butte

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'm glad to hear that we're moving with this particular initiative, however, spring and summer is coming and the big concern for the constituents is that the free-roaming herds are digging up their gardens and ruining trees in the communities on their properties. Has the department looked at exactly what will they be doing in the meantime, particularly this coming spring? Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 325-15(4): Bison Problems In Fort Liard And Nahanni Butte

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we're aware of some of the concerns in Liard, as the Premier has brought the issue back from one of his trips there. It's similar concerns that have been raised in Providence, with the animals in the communities destroying property and such. We're looking at some options such as possibly having to destroy a number of the animals to get them out of the community, as well as other ways to try to keep them away. So we're looking at some of those options, keeping in mind that these bison are, I believe, in danger and we have to be careful how we proceed within the parameters of the regulations and policies. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 325-15(4): Bison Problems In Fort Liard And Nahanni Butte

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I like that response from the Minister, because the buffalo concern and the damage is very serious in these communities and I'm sure they'll be looking forward to the establishment of a buffalo bill for the management of these buffalos there, Mr. Speaker. No questions there, Mr. Speaker. Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the last few years I've been raising the issue of the driver's licence renewals as well as a brand-new driver's licence. I'd like to ask a question to the Minister of Transportation. When can we expect any updates on this matter, or the actual brand-new drivers' licences that he promised in the last budget? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 326-15(4): New Driver’s Licence Design

Mr. Speaker, we had committed, during the last session, that we would have a new driver's licence designed and out in the fiscal year 2006. We still stand by that. We, right now, are reviewing some of the samples that we're putting together, and we have a contractor or a consultant on stream that is working with us to do that, and we have the equipment that will allow us to start producing these drivers' licences once we finalize some of the detail on it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 326-15(4): New Driver’s Licence Design

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the Minister could elaborate a little further, does he mean this fiscal year of the '05-06 budget? Which fiscal year is he referring to that we'll get the brand-new driver's licence cards out there? As well, I didn't quite get a clear answer on will they be doing the renewal notices as he has promised in the past? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 326-15(4): New Driver’s Licence Design

Mr. Speaker, yes, the fiscal year I was referring to is 2006, the upcoming 2006-2007 fiscal year.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 326-15(4): New Driver’s Licence Design

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As far as the renewal notice, would the Minister provide some clarity on that, whether that will become the new standard practice of the Department of Transportation? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 326-15(4): New Driver’s Licence Design

Yes, Mr. Speaker, that's aside from the driver's licence issuance, but the issue of having the driver's licence renewals flagged if there's any outstanding traffic violations to the client is something we're still working on. We still have some detail to work out with Justice, but we are still sticking to our targets of having something maybe by this summer. We don't have any firm dates. We don't know when we'll be able to deal with the issue that we're working on right now, and that's the issue of being able to keep the information confidential and how to flag the information and transfer it from Justice over to our road licensing program. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 326-15(4): New Driver’s Licence Design

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I've said in this House that I actually have a class 4 driver's licence and I do get a notice every five years about updating my medical. I was just kind of looking for a yes or no; we will do the notice with the brand-new driver's licence. The Minister brought it up himself; is he going to attach tickets to the renewal of drivers' licences? He sort of brought that up himself, so is that part of the new process that he's developing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 326-15(4): New Driver’s Licence Design

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we don't have the final detail of how the notification process will work if you have unpaid traffic violations or unpaid fines. We're expecting that if you go in to renew your driver's licence there will be a flagging on your file that will allow the officer to indicate to you that you have a violation or an unpaid fine. You would then have to go over to and clear up that fine with the Justice people. We don't have it laid out right now, but we're not expecting the Department of Transportation to be collecting fines and to be clearing up some unpaid traffic violations. So there would be something along those lines. We haven't finalized it yet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last weekend we had a Sahtu/Tlicho/Dehcho economic conference in Tulita. Mr. Handley and Mr. Bell, along with MLA Jackson attended. I wanted to ask the Minister of ITI, Mr. Brendan Bell, the burning question in terms of after this conference in terms of coordinating the communities and the regions in terms of preparing for the impacts, the social issues that will be forthcoming should the pipeline come in this present time frame. Thank you.

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

Return To Question 327-15(4): Sahtu Socio-Economic Conference

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This consultation is part of a broader consultation we’ve been conducting up and down the valley on socio-economic impacts, understanding concerns of people in the community and certainly trying to better understand their aspirations in terms of what they see this pipeline and project more broadly meaning for them. I think it was a very good conference. I want to applaud the Member for setting out to organize this almost by himself initially. He managed to get funding from DIAND, funding from our government. We were happy to participate, but he took the step, Mr. Speaker, and went beyond just a community workshop or even a regional workshop, as he’s indicated. He invited those constituents from the Dehcho as well, a group, and also, importantly, a group from the Tlicho region, and MLA Jackson Lafferty did attend and was able to speak to their experience for socio-economic impacts stemming from development. Obviously they have a couple of diamond mines in their backyard and a couple more to come. I think that was very valuable and the shared experience and discussion around best practices was useful. I think that should be a boiler plate for future conferences.

Now, as we go forward, we know that the socio-economic impact fund, the SIF funds, the $500 million from the federal government, will hopefully roll out and we will need regional planning groups to talk about regional priorities. The work from this conference will be fed into that and will help lay out the regional priorities and will help that group make some funding decisions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Supplementary To Question 327-15(4): Sahtu Socio-Economic Conference

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank the Government of the Northwest Territories, specifically the honourable Member, Mr. Bell, in terms of his support to fund this, as well as the Department of Indian Affairs. I want to ask again, would the Minister, in terms of following up with the socio-economic conference, how are the departments going to be getting together? There needs to be some quick communication in putting this action plan together for the socio-economic impacts. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 327-15(4): Sahtu Socio-Economic Conference

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We do have to sit down with Indian and Northern Development and talk about outcomes from this conference, but I know that the Minister of Health also had some follow-up work that he had initiated coming from other conferences, so this will feed into that. We will take that input and that consultation and ensure that we discuss that across departments and with the federal government, which is obviously important, as they sit down with the $500 million fund to talk about priorities. So we will collate that information. We will make sure there is a discussion of regional priorities and we will move forward from there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya. Oral questions. Written questions. Returns to written questions. Replies to opening address. Replies to the budget address. Petitions. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Notices of motion for first reading of bills. Motions. First reading of bills. The honourable Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to proceed with first reading of Bill 18, Appropriation Act, 2006-2007.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that Bill 18, Appropriation Act, 2006-2007, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 18 has had first reading.