Debates of June 5, 2006 (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 50-15(5): Capacity Of North Slave Correctional Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the interim, then, the positions in Hay River that were going to be reduced through attrition that has not taken place, what is the Minister’s plan for those positions at this time? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 50-15(5): Capacity Of North Slave Correctional Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’re still discovering that, or still analyzing that. As the House will remember, we reduced the budget, so the money is not there for the facility, but the plan was to reduce the…(inaudible)…allocation for attrition. That, by and large, has not happened. We are talking about the possible uses for some of that space that will probably require new programming and I think we need to have that discussion when we come forward in the business plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the heels of my Member’s statement today, I wish to seek clarification from the Minister as to what is the holdup of the money that is rightly deserved to the City of Yellowknife for the transit system. So I ask the Minister, Mr. Speaker, why has the Minister delayed in inking a deal for the federal money to come to the Northwest Territories, the infrastructure money that is much needed by the City of Yellowknife? What has held the Minister up from doing that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 51-15(5): Pursuing Federal Public Transit Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The discussion for the public transit funding came about in November of 2005. As Members will recall, the election was called shortly after that. There was no further discussion on this initiative. There was no negotiations, and negotiations only picked up as recently as March and we’ve had some initial discussions. What is holding us up from signing a deal is lack of an agreement at this point and the discussion over the allocation of the money. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Supplementary To Question 51-15(5): Pursuing Federal Public Transit Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has been well aware, since the initial announcement in June of last year, that this transit money was coming. The Minister is also aware, because he just pointed out, that in November, seven months ago, that the deal was being processed. So now we are talking about March of this year and who knows what else is going to be the next stumbling block. So obviously the Minister is probably glad to see him here to help straighten him up. We have three problems. The first one is Yellowknife has the only transit system; the second is the federal money was earmarked for existing transit systems; and, thirdly, we know this money has been in existence for over a year. Again, I have made that point. So what is the obvious stumbling block, from MACA’s point of view, of defining what a transit system is, when I can show him if we go outside here? I will show him a bus that goes by. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 51-15(5): Pursuing Federal Public Transit Funding

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the offer of the Member to straighten me out, but first he has to get his facts straight. Mr. Speaker, the definition of the public transit funding and what projects and programs can qualify under there has not been defined. There is a general terminology that has been used that allows a number of initiatives to qualify, but rapid transit, buses, intelligent transportation systems, bike lanes, these things are all general terms being used. However, in jurisdictions such as the Northwest Territories there is, in the agreement, the provision for greater flexibility. We have yet to have the opportunity to sit down and negotiate what those terms will be and we plan to do that as soon as the federal government gives us a slot where we can start negotiating. That is where the holdup is. We need to sit down and negotiate an agreement. There is not an agreement we can just sit down and sign. That agreement does not exist up to this point. So we have to sit down and negotiate the terms, come up with an agreement that we are both satisfied with and then be able to sign the agreement. I would expect that to take place later on in the calendar year. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 51-15(5): Pursuing Federal Public Transit Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the definitions the MACA Minister was rambling off don’t apply to the Northwest Territories. I have lived here almost 30 years and I have never seen a bicycle lane. I haven’t seen some of the infrastructure he’s talked about. None of them apply directly to the Northwest Territories. Yellowknife has the only transit bus system here. So can we get some type of commitment from the MACA Minister today that we will at least start by committing 80 percent of that funding, which rightly belongs to the City of Yellowknife, which has said it belongs to the City of Yellowknife through the paperwork, before we lose this million-plus dollars? Will the Minister commit to that fact? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 51-15(5): Pursuing Federal Public Transit Funding

Mr. Speaker, we will commit the money that would go to Yellowknife once we have that defined. We have yet to go and have the discussion with the NWT Association of Communities. We will look at the criteria that is required across the Territories. This is not Yellowknife money, as the Member has referenced these dollars for. There are a number of criteria possible. There is community vans, handy vans, bike lanes, intelligent transportation systems. There are a number of things that could qualify. That is something that is available to us to negotiate. There have been special provisions provided to the Northwest Territories for us to do this and we will take the due diligence and the time required to negotiate a proper deal for all the residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Supplementary To Question 51-15(5): Pursuing Federal Public Transit Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, the Minister is dithering over these explanations because there is no intelligent transit system in the Northwest Territories. Again, there is no bike lane system in the Northwest Territories. Is he suggesting now that we are going to start funding bike paths on this transit money? Maybe we should get some clarification from the Minister on his context of what transit system means. I think that is the issue. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister be clear on what transit system means, because we seem to mean everything under the sun? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 51-15(5): Pursuing Federal Public Transit Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess first thing we have to get clear is the NWT is made up of 33 communities and this initiative is geared towards the Northwest Territories. We will define what the criteria is through negotiations, through discussions with the NWT Association of Communities. If that does mean bike lanes and we would like to create bike lanes, then that’s what we will do. We have to have that discussion. We have not had the discussion with the NWT Association of Communities and set up a working group and have this talk to further define what will be allowed. We need to have the federal government take the time to sit down and negotiate an agreement. That’s all going to take time and is part of the process we have to work on. Once that happens, we will inform the Member what will be going to the City of Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment with respect to the news item on small town students faring poorly on standardized testing in the NWT. I really raised my eyebrows when I saw that in the news of late. The Minister did comment on it. The Minister probably had more time to think about it and it’s a huge thing, because I represent lots of small communities. Can the Minister detail for me some of his outlooks on the report and perhaps even mention what type of plan he has to address this very pressing need in the communities? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 52-15(5): Results Of The Alberta Achievement Tests In Rural Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, while we had hoped to see better results from all the communities in the Alberta achievement tests, the Member is right that the results themselves from the small communities caused us some concern. I think we were aware that we have in the Northwest Territories a challenge with literacy and numeracy and, because of that, we already have started to strengthen the program and curriculum to deal better with those challenges.

In a small community, it is more difficult to offer the breadth of programming and the level of service. Sometimes the small communities in the past have been challenged with…(inaudible)…with distance education, for instance. This government has moved to try to correct that for next year and we are hoping that over the next few years we will see a significant improvement in the numbers from all communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 52-15(5): Results Of The Alberta Achievement Tests In Rural Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that the standardized testing is something new that we are gauging our students in the North on. With the initial results, does the Minister have an interim plan, or will he look at some type of plan to address what the core issues are? I understand there was a small school report that was done three or four years ago. It spoke in there about classroom size and just the range of students being serviced by one or two teachers was an issue. Is there an initial plan or some kind of overview that the Minister will address this issue with? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 52-15(5): Results Of The Alberta Achievement Tests In Rural Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will certainly be following up on this. We have had some initial discussions with the chairs of all the divisional education councils across the Northwest Territories. Since the report the Member talks about has come out, there have been some changes to the formula that is used to fund schools and the funding has been disproportionately increased for the small schools in comparison to larger schools in recognition of some of those challenges. We are planning to continue our work with divisional educational councils to ensure that we are delivering as good a program as possible in the small communities, but I would like to say, as I said in my statement on Friday, we have some good news.

While it’s not all great news coming out of the Alberta achievement tests, you have to remember that those tests are not designed for our population. We are not positive that they reflect our population, particularly in small communities where students may be coming in with another language as their first language. So we have to recognize that the best indicator of how students are doing is their teachers. The fact that we are seeing an increase in 34 percent of the numbers of students from small communities registered to write departmental exams this year leads us to believe that we are on the right path when it comes to delivering education in the small communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 52-15(5): Results Of The Alberta Achievement Tests In Rural Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Another item that the actual article speaks about, Mr. Speaker, is that the challenges of the parents or single parents in the smaller communities helping their children. Is there some type of plan that the department would look at in order to assist our families back in the smaller communities in helping their children as well? I know that as more of our adult population returns to school, it just becomes more of a…students can look up to their parents and community more. Is there another way of helping our adult population out there help their children, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 52-15(5): Results Of The Alberta Achievement Tests In Rural Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This, too, is something that I have discussed with the chairs for the divisional educational councils over the past couple of years. There are a number of different initiatives, depending on the community, ranging from elders who act as mentors or counsellors for families to homework clubs and assistance in after school programs to learn how to do things like homework and how to help out. So, yes, it is something that almost needs to be handled on a community-by-community basis. I know that from talking to divisional educational councils, they are interested in looking for whatever works. In some communities that is finding counselling services to help. In others, it is by finding assistance with childcare. So this is an area that, yes, all divisional educational councils are aware that there is a need to work with individuals and families to support parents getting their kids into school. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 52-15(5): Results Of The Alberta Achievement Tests In Rural Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister know if these standardized tests compare to other jurisdictions like the Yukon, Nunavut or any other rural ridings in the other provinces? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 52-15(5): Results Of The Alberta Achievement Tests In Rural Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We need to be careful that we are not using these tests for comparison purposes, because we can’t. These tests are administered in our jurisdiction in a far different way than they are anywhere else that they are used. We don’t allow or don’t have the exclusions that are found in other jurisdictions, so that means that all of our students are participating in these exams whether they are on an individual education program or a modified program. In many other jurisdictions, that doesn’t happen. So we don’t have comparison.

These tests are designed for us to take a look at over time. This year, we have baseline information. As we get the next five years’ results, we will have an indication of whether or not our system is improving. That is the sole purpose for these tests. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, after the federal election, I asked the Premier about the status of the royalty talks. It has been four months now. I would like to ask the Premier again, has there been any progress made in the status of the devolution and royalty talks? Thank you.

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

Return To Question 53-15(5): Update On The Status Of Devolution And Royalty Negotiations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there has been progress. In fact, substantial progress has been made in the last couple of months. With regard to resource revenues, royalties, as the Member referred, we did receive the report of the council federation expert panel. It was made available on April 6th. It was a report that was very favourable in terms of how the three territorial governments should be treated on resource revenues.

Mr. Speaker, this morning, the federal Minister of Finance made available the federal government’s expert panel report. So we now have that report. Mr. Speaker, I will say the Minister of Finance will be making a statement on that one tomorrow, once we have a chance to look at it more carefully.

Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of progress. The reports, the experts across the country have come out in agreement with our position regarding resource revenues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 53-15(5): Update On The Status Of Devolution And Royalty Negotiations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, travelling down the Mackenzie Valley in some of the communities, a wise man once told me that our common goal should be greater than our common enemy. With that being said, I would like to ask the Premier, is part of the delay the inability of the leadership of the Northwest Territories to get at the table and be on the same page? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 53-15(5): Update On The Status Of Devolution And Royalty Negotiations

Mr. Speaker, yes, we have a number of aboriginal governments and aboriginal organizations across the Territories. Some have settled claims and they would like to get on with and join the economic benefits that come from their claim and from economic activity. We have others who are in the process of negotiating claims. They would like to settle those negotiations first.

Mr. Speaker, let me say, when Minister Prentice was in Norman Wells in April for the Circle of Northern Leaders, he was quite clear there that he was ready to proceed in what he called the best interest of the majority of northerners. Mr. Speaker, at some point, in spite of differences, and I think I agree with Mr. Prentice, we have to move forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 53-15(5): Update On The Status Of Devolution And Royalty Negotiations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Premier for the update. Two hundred seventy-five million dollars left the Northwest Territories in 2004, and that was just from the diamond mines. That should cause the leadership of the NWT a great deal of concern. As we continue to try to hash this out, money continues to flow to Ottawa. As my final question, what is our next step? Where do we go from here? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 53-15(5): Update On The Status Of Devolution And Royalty Negotiations

Mr. Speaker, there are a couple of things that are happening simultaneously. First of all, the majority of aboriginal leaders agree with what the Member has said. They want to move forward. The Aboriginal Summit has created what they call a working committee. On their side, it is three representatives from the summit. On our side, it is three representatives from our Cabinet: myself, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of ITI. We have had a phone meeting. We have made a commitment that, as soon as we got the second expert panel report, we would brief them. We will try to go forward from here working together.

Mr. Speaker, as well, as I mentioned in my sessional statement, I am going to Edmonton on Thursday to meet with the other Premiers of provinces and territories to continue to negotiate any questions to be briefed on the expert panel report.

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of things going on. I think generally we are seeing a coming together of the different views. I am optimistic that, over the next months, we will move forward in a way that doesn’t pre-empt anybody, but, at the same time, allow us to benefit from those rather huge and increasing resource revenues that are coming from the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to address some questions to Premier Handley. This is in relation to the ongoing and, perhaps this is the point of my question, Mr. Speaker, whether or not there is indeed any ongoing activity related to the Northern Strategy process.

Mr. Speaker, indeed, we have seen some positive things flow from this, not the least of which was the $120 million fund that the previous government set aside for all three territories. We are now, in fact, going through the process in deciding how to invest our $40 million. The Council of the Federation and the expert panels have also given their thumbs up to the kinds of things we want to see, but the real crunch is, is there a process underway between Canada and the three northern territories to continue the ideals that were started about a year and a half ago, Mr. Speaker?