Debates of June 8, 2006 (day 8)

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Dent. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 100-15(5): Seniors' Rent Subsidy Policy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again because the switch has happened to be talking about the subsidy program, which right now seniors do not pay rent in public housing, if we’re going to change that, the whole subsidy situation would be Mr. Dent’s area. If we’re talking about the overall rent scale and how that’s affected, some of that responsibility still remains within the Housing Corporation. Rent scales do belong within the Housing Corporation, but for actual policy change, clarity I guess is going to have to be sought here from the Member if Mr. Krutko is going to have to deal with the seniors Independent Housing Program. You’re talking about rent in public housing and the subsidies, Mr. Dent will, as he stated, report back to this House of any changes. If you’re speaking to subsidies for seniors in public housing, that area would go into Mr. Dent’s responsibility and he’s indicated now there will be no changes to that program. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland.

We still don’t know what the Minister is going to suspend. We’re going to be in suspense wondering.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two documents I’d like to table today.

WHEREAS section 16.(2) of the Northwest Territories Human Rights Act provides that the Human Rights Commission is composed of such members, between three and five in number, as may be appointed by the Commissioner on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly;

AND WHEREAS two of the five Commission appointments will expire on June 30, 2006;

AND WHEREAS the Board of Management is tasked with recommending individuals to the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Assembly is prepared to make a recommendation to the Commissioner;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that the following individuals be appointed by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories to the Human Rights Commission for the Northwest Territories effective July 1, 2006: Ms. Rita Mueller of the hamlet of Behchoko, for a term of four years; and Ms. Tammy Rogers of the town of Inuvik, for a term of two years.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. A motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on June 8, 2006, it shall be adjourned until Tuesday, October 17, 2006;

AND FURTHER, that any time prior to October 17, 2006, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. A motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2006-2007, be read for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. A motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 2 has had third reading. Third reading of bills. Before I go on to orders of the day, Mr. Clerk, would you ascertain if His Honour, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, is prepared to enter the Chamber to give assent to bills? Before we bring the Commissioner in, Members, I would like to draw your attention that his Honour is having his 65th birthday on Sunday.

---Singing of Happy Birthday

---Applause

Please be seated. I see the rules of the House have changed a bit here.

---Laughter

I wonder what item on the agenda that would have been. Thank you very much. It’s certainly an honour to become a senior on Sunday. I shall be officially a senior.

---Applause

And now back to work. Monsieur le president, madams et monsieurs les deputes, madams et monsieur, et amis.

Even though it’s a short time since I last met with you, many notable things have happened. I welcomed royalty to Canada on your behalf and I am looking forward to a very special guest visiting us here in the North.

This past weekend, I have had the pleasure and the honour of representing you in Calgary and in Edmonton during the visit of Their Royal Highnesses the Earl and Countess of Wessex. Their Royal Highnesses were in Calgary and Edmonton celebrating with young Canadians who received the Duke of Edinburgh Award. I was especially proud to be in their company at the ceremony as two northerners were presented with their distinguished medals. Greg Reardon of Fort Providence and Scottie Monteith of Iqaluit were awarded the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Gold Medal. As well, bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards medals were presented to other members. We were also invited to a reception and gave a first-class presentation to Their Royal Highnesses about their home community.

As you know, the Duke of Edinburgh Award is a self-development program available to all young people. It equips them with life skills to make a difference for themselves, their communities and their country. The program works to develop self-esteem, self-reliance and leadership in young Canadians by encouraging and awarding their accomplishments. It is not easily won, but takes dedication, commitment and lots and lots of hard work. On behalf of all northerners, I would like to commend and to congratulate Greg, Scottie and Trevor on their excellent achievements.

---Applause

You have made your families, your friends, your communities and, indeed, all northerners, very proud.

I mentioned earlier that I was looking forward to welcoming a special guest to the North. I am very pleased to inform you that Their Excellencies the Governor General of Canada Michaelle Jean and her husband Jean-Daniel Lafond will conduct their first visit to the Northwest Territories this month. Their five-day visit will include Yellowknife, Fort Simpson and the Nahanni National Park. The Governor General will be here to celebrate National Aboriginal Day and to have discussions with women's groups, youth and the aboriginal community. I am sure you will look forward to warmly welcoming Their Excellencies to our territory as I do.

Before we go to orders of the day, Members, I would just like to take this opportunity to mention a few things. First of all, I would like to thank the Pages that are with us and have been working with us today, and for all the Pages who have been working for us over the past eight days and for doing a great job for us. We surely do appreciate the work that they do for us. Thank you to the Pages.

---Applause

Also, I would like to acknowledge the fact that one of the staff who have been sitting at the table here with us, Darrin Ouellette, this is his last day in the House with us today. He is moving on to take a job with Aboriginal Affairs. Darrin, thank you for your work at the Assembly.

---Applause

Another staff person who has been working here for some time, probably well known by everybody, Julia Heyland is also taking a job elsewhere and will be leaving us in June.

---Applause

As we leave the Chamber today, the last day of this session, I am well aware that committees have a lot of work lined up for them over the coming months. Needless to say, Cabinet is busy all the time and has a lot of work to do over the summer. I do hope all of you take some time to enjoy the summer, especially some of the festivities coming up around National Aboriginal Day and Canada Day. Hopefully you will take some time to spend with your families and recharge your batteries for the fall session. I want to wish you all a very safe and enjoyable summer and look forward to getting together with you again in the fall. All the best to all of you.

---Applause

Orders of the day for Tuesday, October 17, 2006, at 1:30 p.m.

Prayer

Ministers' Statements

Members' Statements

Returns to Oral Questions

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Oral Questions

Written Questions

Returns to Written Questions

Replies to Opening Address

Petitions

Reports of Standing and Special Committees

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

- Bill 9, Write-off of Assets Act

Second Reading of Bills

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Report of Committee of the Whole

Third Reading of Bills

Orders of the Day

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until Tuesday, October 17, 2006, at 1:30 p.m.

---ADJOURNMENT

02 p.m.