Debates of June 5, 2006 (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 57-15(5): Coordinated Approach To Caribou Management

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I haven’t seen the type of coordination the Minister speaks of. All I see is study one herd and another herd and try to bring it all together. I think what really needs to happen here is an all-encompassing, a comprehensive look from the east to the west, and that includes multi-jurisdictions, and have a look at the management of caribou in North America. I think that’s the important thing here. I think we just keep spinning our tires, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister specifically where the resources -- and I’m talking about the financial and human resources -- are going to come from to come up with the surveys that he talks about and to carry out the work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 57-15(5): Coordinated Approach To Caribou Management

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we’ve been working very diligently here for almost a year on this particular issue. We’ve been consulting. It’s a question of us getting our own house in order, getting our numbers clear, getting within the Northwest Territories a consensus on first the situation and then looking at recommendations and next steps. We as well have been in contact with our other jurisdictions, with Nunavut, with the Yukon, with Alberta, with Saskatchewan, on these issues as well. But before we launch into some major interjurisdictional gathering, we have to do our own homework which is what we’re doing. We have to get buy-in from all the stakeholders in the Northwest Territories. We’ve been using some of our existing funding. As well, we were given supplementary appropriation last year to keep the work going. As well, we’re building in additional funding in the business planning process that is currently underway right now. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 57-15(5): Coordinated Approach To Caribou Management

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to my knowledge there has never been, even in the Northwest Territories, a meeting of all stakeholders involved in caribou management here in the Northwest Territories. It’s one group, the department might be with one group, another group, and another group. They just don’t all come together and put all their cards on the table and discuss the issue of caribou management. I think it’s incumbent upon the Minister to try to get us to that stage where people can come under one roof and discuss caribou management.

Mr. Speaker, the next question I’ve got for the Minister, in terms of consumption, and that’s a big part of the caribou management plan that he unveiled late last year, I’m wondering if he believes the government or if he’s satisfied that his department is getting all the information from the mines, the outfitters, and the aboriginal groups in terms of consumption of caribou? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 57-15(5): Coordinated Approach To Caribou Management

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first to the issue of a gathering of the stakeholders in the Northwest Territories. I’ve indicated in this House just a few minutes ago that in fact we’re working on that as we speak. Planning is underway. I’ve made public announcements to that effect that once all the information is in, we are going to gather all the players together and we’re going to sit down and we’re going to look at what the information is, what it tells us, and start mapping out the next steps.

In the issue of consumption, Mr. Speaker, there are some areas that need further work. We can tell you how many tags we give to sports hunters, to resident hunters. The one big piece that is not clear and which we are working on with the co-management boards is the issue of the aboriginal harvest and that piece is being looked at as we speak, as well. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 57-15(5): Coordinated Approach To Caribou Management

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister says that, you know, a meeting of stakeholders will take place soon, but he already has a caribou management plan in the absence of a meeting like that taking place. That causes me a great deal of concern that people have not been able to come together to come up with a plan jointly. I’d like to ask the Minister, you know, will he revise this management plan if he can get all the stakeholders under one roof? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 57-15(5): Coordinated Approach To Caribou Management

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct; there has never been a territorial gathering to discuss the broad issue of caribou and all the various herds and all the issues that are at play here. The intent is to do that in the coming months, once all the census work and survey work is in. We have to look at what the numbers tell us. We have to try and factor in the hunting, the predation, the climate change, the development issues, and it’s a very complex issue. In the meantime, we can’t sit here in a vacuum. We have taken steps with the information that is available. We have put together a plan very clearly. Once we have a major gathering, that will, to a large degree, inform the next steps and further decisions that have to be made to adequately manage this wildlife that we’re looking at, caribou. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Honourable Brendan Bell, the Minister of ITI. I’d just like to tell the Minister that for several years now I’ve been trying to track down this SINED fund and I found it in today’s News/North.

---Laughter

The Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, they’ve changed their name again, too, by the way, Mr. Speaker, and they’re calling it now TIPs, Targeted Investment Program. I’m just wondering, how is our Department of ITI involved in this and how can we support that project to tap into these funds? Mahsi cho.

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

Return To Question 58-15(5): Accessing Federal Investment Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, this money is long awaited. The TIPs initiative was one that was rolled out or at least discussed when the SINED program was created. The SINED name was given. It really talks to some strategic focus for this money. The federal government has been in discussions with our government about areas that they would like to see supported. We’ve talked about tourism. We’ve talked about geoscience. There still will be a pot of money, I understand, that the federal government will have that will be application based. So residents from across the territory can apply for that pot of money. We had thought the funds would start to roll out in May. That hasn’t happened. We’re now being told June. So, Mr. Speaker, we are encouraged that the money we think is very close and as soon as I have some more information, I’ll certainly bring that forward to Members. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 58-15(5): Accessing Federal Investment Funding

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m glad to hear that response from the Minister. One of the projects that I’ve been championing for the Nahendeh region is, of course, Nahendeh Air. I’ve seen some guidelines with regard to transportation. Is this something that will fit that guideline and would the Minister support a joint submission that would support a regional airline for the Nahendeh riding? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 58-15(5): Accessing Federal Investment Funding

Sorry, Mr. Speaker. It’s tough for me to say if that would meet the program criteria and requirements. It is obviously a federal program, but as to our government’s support for that initiative, we have been very supportive. We’ve been involved in helping with the planning. We think there’s a lot of merit and we do think and would like to see regional interests more involved in the businesses in their communities and in their regions. So we’re firmly supportive of this and whether or not that will be eligible for SINED funding will be a decision that the federal government makes, but the Member can be assured that he has my support for this initiative. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier in this year the Conservative government initiated through discussion about $100 per month per child…National Childcare Allowance Program. As a parent with two little monsters, any extra money is certainly welcome. But the fact is, I’m not here to advocate the system that they’ve sort of instituted because the bottom line is their $100 a month pays for three days and what about the other 17? But, Mr. Speaker, my questions here today are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment from the income support point of view. With that said, Mr. Speaker, what will the policy be with respect to this money that these parents will be receiving, such as the $100 per month per child? Will it be clawed back if you’re on income support? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Return To Question 59-15(5): Status Of Universal Childcare Benefit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve sent a letter to all Members already advising that this money will not be considered income under the Income Support Program.

Good government.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Minister Brendan Bell made a statement today about tourism. I’d like to ask, I don’t know if it’s either him or it’s the Minister of MACA, in terms of the Northwest Territories tourism initiative. The birthplace of ice hockey in Canada in the Northwest Territories is at stake here. So I want to ask the Minister of Tourism if his department or staff could look at any type of initiative to support this claim here in the North here. Would the Minister provide me with some direction in terms of what can his department do to fully support the community of Deline and the Northwest Territories to bring prominence to the community of Deline in the Northwest Territories on the birthplace of ice hockey?

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

Return To Question 60-15(5): Support For Deline As The Birthplace Of Hockey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’re really getting down to it at the end of question period; it’s commitment time. I appreciate the work that the Member has done in raising the profile of Deline as the birthplace of Hockey. He did draw national attention to this. He’s done some good work in this regard. I know that the NWT Tourism Association has been interested in this. Certainly our department and region is aware of it and if there are proposals that come forward, I know that the department would consider those. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Supplementary To Question 60-15(5): Support For Deline As The Birthplace Of Hockey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Now the gloves come off here.

Oooh.

I’m looking forward to commitments from the tourism department. Why, Mr. Speaker, why can’t his department and his people go into Deline, talk to the elders and talk to them in terms of what the community wants to do? Why couldn’t he go in there, because it’s always up to the people? Something like this, you know, it’s going to take quite a lot of energy from a lot of good people just to put this thing on the map here. So the birthplace needs to be told and it needs to take the Minister from this department to go into Deline, talk to people, they have some wonderful ideas. So will the Minister direct his staff to go into Deline, talk to the original hockey players on the birthplace of hockey in Canada? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 60-15(5): Support For Deline As The Birthplace Of Hockey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wasn’t aware that anybody who played in that game was still around to talk to.

---Laughter

But seriously, Mr. Speaker, I think it’s a good initiative and I think there’s lots of reasons that we should champion an initiative like this. Of course, our department works with would be entrepreneurs who have business ideas. We want to support them. Our NWT tourism folks are the champions of our destination marketing and they would very much be involved. But I will, again, bring this to the attention of my regional people in the Sahtu who I am sure would be more than willing to sit down with the community and talk about their plans going forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Supplementary To Question 60-15(5): Support For Deline As The Birthplace Of Hockey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with bannock and lard we live long.

---Laughter

You know, the people in the Sahtu. So, Mr. Speaker, again, I ask the Minister of Tourism maybe if he can chat with the Minister of MACA in terms of can their departments get together and look at getting this…(inaudible)…sports and also tourism and come to a decision as to let’s put some money aside, let’s bring the community of Deline and the original birthplace of ice hockey on the map. It’s hockey time, it’s hockey season and it’s hockey night in Deline. Let’s do something for Deline and the people of the Northwest Territories and Canada and show them we mean business, okay? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 60-15(5): Support For Deline As The Birthplace Of Hockey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hockey night in Deline does have a nice ring to it and I don’t want to rope MACA in here as well, but, Mr. Speaker…

---Laughter

In our Tourism 2010 Strategy there is quite a bit of money for product development, but it has to be regionally driven, it has to be about regional priorities and it would have to be a community-based proposal and submission. But if that were to come forward, I know that we would work with the community to try to advance this as a priority. I think it makes a lot of sense notwithstanding whether or not MACA can be involved, I think government-wide there certainly is rationale for an initiative like this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Supplementary To Question 60-15(5): Support For Deline As The Birthplace Of Hockey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was hoping the Minister would give the hook to the Minister here in terms of pulling into this initiative in terms of at least documenting the oral tradition of Sir John Franklin’s diary into a written document by the elders. So can the Minister, again, I would ask him, I would appreciate his response, if we would ask the Minister of MACA to look at some form of funding or any one of his departments in terms of documenting this important history here. It’s got to be told, and let’s do it; our government is willing to make a motion and to pass it; let’s walk our talk in terms of putting some serious onto this statement here. Thank you

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 60-15(5): Support For Deline As The Birthplace Of Hockey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not sure what I’m able to do in terms of making the Minister of MACA aware of this initiative. He’s obviously right beside me, I know he has heard the questions and, Mr. Speaker, there’s not much more that I can say other than if there’s a community-based proposal, we’ll certainly work with the community. It is an interesting idea and it’s a fascinating and compelling story and if there’s a way for us to support Deline as the birthplace of hockey, that is something we’d be prepared to do. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My written question is for the Minister of Justice.

Please provide the number of charges per month since 2002 in the Fort Simpson district;

the number of convictions per month since 2002 in the Fort Simpson district;

the conviction ratio per month since 2002 in the Fort Simpson district; and

the number of charges per year and number of convictions since 2002 in the Fort Simpson district.

Thank you.

WHEREAS the vision for the NWT Arts Strategy is “to secure the stability of a vibrant arts sector that is integral to the economic, social and cultural fabric of the NWT and contributes positively to the quality of life within the NWT;"

AND WHEREAS government should contribute to the development, recognition and support of a vibrant artistic community;

AND WHEREAS a healthy artistic community creates economy, awareness and appreciation of northern culture;

AND WHEREAS there should be access to appropriate artistic expression in public places;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that the Government of the Northwest Territories establish a policy requiring it to spend the equivalent of up to one percent of the budget of each new GNWT building or major building renovation on northern art creations displayed or integrated into the design of that building;

AND FURTHER that the policy provide for the establishment of a selection process for deciding on acquisitions;

AND FURTHERMORE that the policy be in force by April 1, 2007.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the motion. The honourable Member from Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It is my honour to provide this motion to the House for consideration. It’s just one of the things that constituents of mine and the artistic communities throughout the North have always been looking for assistance to help them develop their trade, their craft and, indeed, too, all the micro industries like all the basket makers in Fort Liard and the slipper makers in Wrigley and just throughout the valley, Mr. Speaker.

I had the opportunity to travel to Alaska, Mr. Speaker, and I saw this in action. We actually went to visit a hospital in Alaska and we toured the facility, it was a very nice facility. On every floor there was these glass display cases. There was, like, well, totem poles are still part of their culture in Alaska, there were all these arts and aboriginal crafts displayed everywhere and I said oh, that’s pretty neat that the hospital is taking the time to purchase these products. But they had indicated to me there was actually a law passed by the state legislature there that offers one percent…It’s actual law that one percent of all infrastructure be produced to purchase arts and crafts to display in their buildings. I thought what a huge opportunity to bolster our own arts and culture and industry in the North if we’re able to do that. So that’s why this motion is here before you today, Mr. Speaker.

I’d just like to say that it’s a long time coming I believe, because just back in my own riding we’ve got Nats’enelu, it was run by the notable Mr. Darcy Moses for the longest time, but it had to shut down just because he wasn’t able to turn over the product fast enough. It created a real good economy in Fort Simpson alone. It was called Nats’enelu, which means let’s sew together. Just using that as a base it just means that the people were able to get together and share stories, but most of all it was able to keep the sewing alive, the crafts alive and it just created a bit of an economy, but our North wasn’t prepared for it yet. There was not enough disposable income and even though they had just started the online sale of those products too, Mr. Speaker, but it really didn’t take off because it was five, even seven years ago, being online wasn’t a big thing, but they weren’t about to successfully use that. So eventually that Nats’enelu closed down in Fort Simpson and it remains vacant to this day.

We do have one small business in Fort Simpson that sells crafts, but it’s too small that it can’t really turn over the crafts enough. As well, the people that are sewing out there, the people that are making arts and crafts, and drums and snowshoes, there’s just not enough market for them and they’re just not turning over fast enough. As well as in Fort Liard, we’ve got a beautiful craft shop there. It’s big and with the help of our government we’re able to use that one and turn over the products fast enough, but it’s very a capital intensive marketing program for that.

Having a program like this by our government would be a huge shot in the arm for the arts and culture industry throughout the North, Mr. Speaker. Just take, for instance, we’ve got a $40 million courthouse scheduled for Yellowknife. If you take up to one percent of the value of that building, that’s $400,000, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Can you imagine a $400,000 shot in the arm for the arts and culture industry? It’s huge. We can create a mini industry and a sustainable industry. When I look at $400,000 I just see all these elders sewing away like crazy, trying to keep up the product to provide for this building.

Also in the news of late as well, about two months ago one of our famed northern artists had to leave the North because there was not enough work here in the North. By having this motion pass, by having our government support this type of industry is just one small way of bringing our northerners back and giving our northerners a place to do their business, a place to work and a place to expand on what was there.

As I was thinking about the motion here earlier today too, Mr. Speaker, I’d just like to mention that growing up as a child and watching my mother sew and do her arts and crafts and tan her moose hide, you know, it’s probably a story that’s given throughout all the small communities. You know, they keep saying it’s a dying art and lots of people spend lots of time and try to tan hides and take the time to bring their children out there and it’s very labour intensive. To keep it going is very hard work, but people aren’t doing it as much. I’m thinking perhaps because it’s time nowadays has to be done for other things. Time is spent in survival. We need money to run our households and I think a lot of people are leaning towards that way. But if we can make money from a hobby, all the better, and if we can make money from something that we love, something that’s ingrained in us, something that we were brought up with and it was around us all the time, then I say I support that 100 percent.

That’s something that my mother and father did. Like many small units throughout the North and back in the old days, is that they were independent, completely autonomous, independent and they only went to town to pick up the supplies they needed like sugar and salt, basic supplies, but everything else was made, Mr. Speaker. The blankets were made, the stoves were made. In fact, the stoves were made from discarded drums, from 45 gallon drums that were left by the surveyors back in those days, but everything was made. Canoes were made, paddles were made, dog sleighs were made, knives were made, pretty well everything that we needed to survive on the land was made. If we simulate this and if we bring it back and get our youth out there…

One of the things that Trout Lake always talks about is that we bring our children onto the land, we give them an option, you know, give them a choice of how they want their future to be. I often think about that and often share that with people as I travel throughout the North, Mr. Speaker, and they’re absolutely right and they’re absolutely on the right track. Even though we’ve got this new modern world where we have to work on a pipeline, but that’s not true. If we want to maintain a simple lifestyle with arts and culture, I believe that should happen and this is one small way in which we can do that. We can support this form of life and give our arts and culture a big shot in the arm, Mr. Speaker.

With that, I’m really proud to have this motion before us today. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. To the motion. The honourable Member from Range Lake, Ms. Lee.