Debates of June 2, 2006 (day 4)

June

2

2006

Day

4

Speaker

Word

Members Present

ITEM 1: PRAYER

Assembly Members

Member Default

Hay River North

Member Default

Yellowknife South

Member Default

Member Default

Member Default

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Member Default

Yellowknife Centre

Member Default

Mackenzie Delta

Member Default

Jackson Lafferty

Member Default

Member Default

Member Default

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Member Default

Kevin A. Menicoche

Member Default

Michael Miltenberger

Member Default

Member Default

Member Default

Inuvik Boot Lake

Member Default

Robert Villeneuve

Member Default

Norman Yakeleya

Topics

Bill 3: An Act To Amend The Legislative Assembly And Executive Council Act

Bill 4: An Act To Amend The Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act

Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Territorial Parks Act

Committee Motion 1-15(5): Recommendation To Review Implications Of Including Systemic Remedies In Human Rights Act, Carried

Committee Motion 10-15(5): Recommendation To Consult With Information And Privacy Commissioner Before Moving Public Registries Online, Carried

Committee Motion 11-15(5): Recommendation To Set Standards For Submissions To Information And Privacy Commissioner And Provide Leadership To Public Bodies, Carried

Committee Motion 12-15(5): Recommendation To Update Schedule 'A' To ATIPP Regulations Annually, Carried

Committee Motion 13-15(5): Recommendation To Keep Online Director Of ATIPP Coordinators Current And Provide Link To Directory On Legislative Assembly Website, Carried

Committee Motion 14-15(5): Recommendation That GNWT Public Bodies Consult With Commissioner To Identify Potential Privacy Issues In Early Stages Of Projects, Carried

Committee Motion 15-15(5): Recommendation To Evaluate Capacity To Respond To Access To Information Requests, Carried

Committee Motion 16-15(5): Recommendation To Table Comprehensive Response To Report Within 120 Days, Carried

Committee Motion 2-15(5): Recommendation To Review Implications Of Amending Human Rights Act To Prohibit Discrimination, Carried

Committee Motion 3-15(5): Recommendation To Table Comprehensive Response To Report Within 120 Days, Carried

Committee Motion 4-15(5): Recommendation To Make Public Statements Supporting Principles Of ATIPP Legislation, Carried

Committee Motion 5-15(5): Recommendation To Make Basic Records Management And ATIPP Training Mandatory For Chairs And Executive Directors Of GNWT Boards And Agencies, Carried

Committee Motion 6-15(5): Recommendation To Bring Forward Plan For Developing And Implementing Municipal Information And Privacy Legislation For Consideration By 16th Assembly, Carried

Committee Motion 7-15(5): Recommendation To Review Effectiveness Of PIPEDA And Need For Legislation On Private Sector Use Of Personal Information, Carried

Committee Motion 8-15(5): Recommendation To Ensure Access And Privacy Issues Are Considered In Devolution And Self-Government Negotiations, Carried

Committee Motion 9-15(5): Recommendation To Ensure Adequate Measures Are In Place To Monitor And Enforce Contractors' Compliance Against Disclosure Of Personal Information, Carried

Member’s Statement On Concerns With GNWT Human Resource Service Levels

Member’s Statement On Condolences To The Families Of Richard Apples And Joe Migwi

Member’s Statement On Congratulations To Fort Providence Graduates

Member’s Statement On Congratulations To Nahendeh Graduates

Member’s Statement On Congratulations To Nunakput Graduates

Member’s Statement On Consideration For “Safer Communities” Legislation

Member’s Statement On Due Diligence For New Housing Proposals

Member’s Statement On Need For More Funding For Non-Government Organizations

Member’s Statement On Over-Expenditures And Delays To Capital Projects

Member’s Statement On Proactive Actions Required By Government To Regain Public Trust

Member’s Statement On Process Issues With GNWT Health Insurance Provider

Minister’s Statement 10-15(5): 2006 Get Active NWT Community Challenge

Minister’s Statement 9-15(5): Celebrating The Success Of Graduates

Question 32-15(5): Funding For Non-Government Organizations

Question 33-15(5): Consideration For Safe Communities Legislation

Question 34-15(5): Exploring Options To Meet Housing Needs Other Than Convertible Workforce Housing

Question 35-15(5): Concerns With GNWT Human Resources Service Levels

Question 36-15(5): Ekati Mine Labour Dispute

Question 37-15(5): Consideration For “On-The-Land” Alcohol And Drug Treatment Programs

Question 38-15(5): Status Of Student Residence Facility Planned For Inuvik

Question 39-15(5): GNWT Health Insurance Providers Process Concerns

Question 40-15(5): Value Of Convertible Workforce Housing Project

Question 41-15(5): Affordable Housing Strategy

Question 42-15(5): Change In Scope To Dene K'onia Facility Renovation Project

Question 43-15(5): Residential School Lump Sum Payments

Question 44-15(5): GNWT Employees Seeking Outside Employment

Question 45-15(5): Change In Scope To Dene K'onia Facility Renovation Project

Question 46-15(5): Delivery Of Dust Control Programs For Small Communities

Question 47-15(5): Maintenance Needed For Highways No. 1 And No. 7

Question 48-15(5): Review Process Of The Public Utilities Board

Question 49-15(5): Status Of Canol Heritage Park Project

Tabled Document 10-15(5): NWT Biodiversity Action Plan Report Two: Gap And Overlap Analysis And Recommendations For Future Actions

Tabled Document 14-15(5): The Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods Act - Yukon Presentation

Tabled Document 15-15(5): Toward New Voluntary Sector - Government Of The NWT Relationships And Funding Arrangements - Final Report

Written Question 3-15(5): Dene K'onia Facility Project

Written Question 4-15(5): Statistical Information

Statements

Member’s Statement On Need For More Funding For Non-Government Organizations

Member Default

Mahsi. Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Funding for non-government organizations is an issue constantly raised with me and my colleagues and our committees when we meet with organizations doing very valuable work in the voluntary sector.

Mr. Speaker, NGOs and their volunteer efforts cut across all areas of our daily lives here in the communities; cultural, economic, educational, environmental, sporting and, of course, social programs. Mr. Speaker, there is no question that without their contribution, life in the NWT would be much different.

An issue particularly is the acute need of those organizations such as the YWCA, the Tree of Peace, the Council for Persons with Disabilities, the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors, to be able to offer their staff competitive wage packages that will allow them to be able to stay in business.

Mr. Speaker, staffing for these organizations really is becoming a revolving door as they bring people into their payrolls, get them up trained and familiar with the circumstances in the North. They are very often the first people that the government and other agencies want to have and so they are easily lured away.

Mr. Speaker, the YACCS organization, this is the Concerned Citizens for Seniors here in Yellowknife, with a staff of 30 sees a salary variance of approximately 20 percent in comparison to government. A recent review by the YWCA, which has 150 staff delivering much needed social programs, found that its frontline workers receive $10,000 a year, or about $5 an hour less than similar public service positions. These differences do not, Mr. Speaker, reflect further variances that are caused by pensions that governments and larger operations are able to offer.

Mr. Speaker, it is urgent that we look at the need for NGOs if government is to continue to rely on the contributions these sectors make to our society. Mr. Speaker, it is time this government recognizes the true value of these organizations lead by volunteers to our society. It is time we add new cash to their resources, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause