Debates of March 16, 2004 (day 1)

Minister of Justice.

Further Return To Question 4-15(3): Rising Crime Rate And Public Protection

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The RCMP can do that and have done that in the past, but it is entirely the RCMP's decision as to when they should make that sort of announcement.

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 4-15(3): Rising Crime Rate And Public Protection

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's good to know that they can do that, and I would suggest that the Minister let them know that they ought to do that in situations like this. My follow-up question, Mr. Speaker, is in this offender's case there are reports that clearly state that he's at high risk, that it is mostly likely that he will reoffend. There were reports on him saying that on the previous two occasions. Now he has gone to jail for another seven years. Would he look into whether or not in cases like this -- where there are professional assessments, where there are mental health treatment programs and assessments show that he's likely to offend -- there is something that we can do as a government? Could the Minister do anything to make a note of that and to make sure that that sort of offender who goes on probation is watched and supervised and the community is properly notified? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 4-15(3): Rising Crime Rate And Public Protection

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can certainly, as I said I would to Mr. Hawkins, take a look at the issue of a registry and see whether or not that would work in the Northwest Territories. In this sort of situation, the new Youth Criminal Justice Act would allow a different approach, and that is an intensive supervision program. So in the future with this kind of offender, it's likely that there would be a more intensive supervision program in place that would reduce the chances of this kind of offence happening again. Unfortunately, that wasn't in place when he was released the last time. I'm referring to the individual in this case, Mr. Speaker, because the Member is right; the sentence has been issued in this case that she's referring to. I do think that in the future with that kind of support, there's less chance that this sort of reoffence would happen. But the federal law has changed in the interim since his previous release. So I’ve already answered the first part of her question and to the second part, the federal law has changed to allow a different kind of supervision to ensure this sort of thing doesn’t happen again.

Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 4-15(3): Rising Crime Rate And Public Protection

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could I ask the Minister to provide us with his precise action plan as to what he plans on doing, a very specific implementation plan as to what he is prepared to do or what he’s putting into place for situations like this kind of offender? I realize we don’t have a lot of them, I hope, but in cases as precise and dangerous as this, what specific steps is he putting into place so that if he comes out into the open or anybody else of similar criminality that they will be supervised and monitored? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Justice.

Further Return To Question 4-15(3): Rising Crime Rate And Public Protection

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d be happy to provide that to the Member. I’m not sure if she wants me to provide that in writing so that she’s got it in a lot of detail. As I’ve said earlier, one of the first steps is to try and respond to the RCMP business plan to make sure we have adequate policing here in the Northwest Territories. We are supporting community programs like the Wellness Coalition and the Citizens on Patrol program, which again should help to reduce the opportunities for this sort of offence to ever take place. Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act there is a new sentence that allows for intensive supervision of offenders, which again is another opportunity that would make sure that the offence does not get repeated. Those are just some of the steps, but I would be happy to follow up with the Member in terms of other steps, if she would like. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Mr. Speaker, everybody seems to be referring to newspaper articles today. I have an article here from the Yellowknifer, November 12th, 2003, and the headline reads, “Handley says RWED will be Split in Two: Potential Premier Provides Commitment to Upgrade Tourism.” I’d like to ask the Minister, Mr. Bell, what is the status of any kind of a plan or a study or anything to undertake such a thing as splitting RWED? Thank you.

Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 5-15(3): Plans To Divide RWED Department

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to assure the Member that no decisions have been made at this point. We’re simply reviewing options internally. I’ve asked the department to have a look at a number of options and come back and discuss them with me on a continuum to help us more effectively deliver services and programs which would isolate both the environmental and wildlife aspects of the department from economic development.

The Member knows that there are many things that are driving this discussion, not the least of which is the immense development going on in the Northwest Territories at this point. As all Members know, I’m working on this internally and once those range of options have been presented to me I’ll be coming back to all 19 Members so that we can have a discussion. Certainly nothing will be done prior to that discussion with all 19 Members. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 5-15(3): Plans To Divide RWED Department

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m aware that there may be some very real merits to something like this being undertaken, that there will be a lot of considerations of things such as costs. Can the Minister just perhaps summarize some of benefits? He made reference to wildlife and environment versus the economic development side. Could he just articulate some of the benefits that might be achieved by seeing these two activities separated? Thank you.

Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 5-15(3): Plans To Divide RWED Department

Thank you. As the Member has indicated, cost will be a factor. I think we’ll need to strike a balance. Obviously if we’re going to make any substantial change, it may cost money initially. I believe it will cost money initially, but this has to be about improving program and service delivery. I think this government has always said that one of our priorities is the protection of the environment, the protection of our wildlife. I think what may inevitably happen is that as a government we’ve been so focused on economic development, the need to train people, the need to make sure that northerners are able to take advantage of economic development, I think that is of critical importance. But we can’t lose sight of the need to also protect the environment, protect our wildlife and make sure that this pristine North is here for future generations. Will this cost money? Potentially it will, but we’ll have some discussion about that and I hope Members will be prepared to sit down and look at a range of options. I think we need to strike a balance that’s going to be about the most effective program and service delivery at the end of the day. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 5-15(3): Plans To Divide RWED Department

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister has made reference to consulting the 19 Members of this House and I very much appreciate that and would look forward to having a look at those options once they’ve been generated. He did mention that these options were coming from within the department, so they’re internal options that are being brought forward and I’d just like to know if he’s had any early responses from any of the stakeholders in these areas as to how they would receive this change. Thank you.

Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 5-15(3): Plans To Divide RWED Department

Thank you. As the Member indicates, there are a number of stakeholders and many people who will be concerned and will want to know what we’re proposing to do, not the least of which are employees of this government who may be affected. We will certainly keep all of these stakeholders and all of these folks in the loop, but as preliminary at this point we’ve simply asked, I’ve asked the department to go back and have a look at a number of these considerations and discuss a range of options so that we can sit down with the Members of this House, all 19 Members. At that point, after getting some sense from the Members as to what their priorities are, we are proposing that we’ll then engage the various stakeholders and make sure that everybody understands where we’re proposing to go. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement today I made reference to the Arctic Winter Games and for myself, Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Winter Games are very important both to the North and to the residents of the Northwest Territories. Apart from athletes participating in the games, there’s also an awful lot of interest generated in who is going to host the games and where they’re going to be hosted from year to year. As the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs may be aware, there are competing interests right now as to where the next Arctic Winter Games would be held. I know a lot of this rests with the international committee, but I was wondering if the Minister could inform the House as to whether he’s met with the international committee during the Arctic Winter Games this year and how this meeting went. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Zoe.

Return To Question 6-15(3): Bidding Process For The Arctic Winter Games

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I did have an opportunity to meet with the Arctic Winter Games International Committee. There was concern raised by a group of people south of the lake in regards to the bidding process. The policy that the international committee has does not really comply to the needs of the people that want to put a bid forward. I did raise that concern with the Arctic Winter Games Corporation International Committee and I’ve asked them to see the possibility of amending the policy so that other members across the Territories can have a fair chance of bidding for the 2008 Arctic Winter Games here in the Northwest Territories. I did raise that concern with them and they will be replying to me in writing in the near future. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 6-15(3): Bidding Process For The Arctic Winter Games

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if this government doesn’t agree with the decisions or the policy that comes forward from the international committee, what avenues do we have to object to any of their decisions or influence a decision that they’re making in policy or any other decision as far as the international committee is concerned? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of MACA, Mr. Zoe.

Further Return To Question 6-15(3): Bidding Process For The Arctic Winter Games

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated, I did raise that issue with the international committee. I’ve ultimately suggested to them that this was a big concern for some residents in certain regions of the Territories that want to put forward their bid. I asked to see the possibility. As you know, 2008 is quite a ways away from now and I’ve already had an opportunity also to talk to the people from south of the lake regarding my discussions that I had with the international committee. We are waiting for a formal response from them and I’ve made a commitment to the people south of the lake that once I receive that correspondence I will share it with them and we’ll proceed to the next step. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 6-15(3): Bidding Process For The Arctic Winter Games

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge the fact that the Minister says the next games are not until 2008, which is quite a ways away. In actual fact, when you’re planning for the games and make commitments to host the games, four years is not that long a period of time. I would like to get a commitment from the Minister though that the international committee did not close the door on another proponent. I was under the impression that they had said pretty well flat no, that they weren’t willing to change the policy. Is the Minister committing that they are willing to look at the policy again, possibly making changes as to who can host the games? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of MACA, Mr. Zoe.

Further Return To Question 6-15(3): Bidding Process For The Arctic Winter Games

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m making a commitment to the honourable Member for Hay River North that I am going to pursue this further. As soon as I receive the formal response, as I’ve said, I’ll share it with the people from south of the lake to see what avenues we can take to continue to try to convince the Arctic Winter Games International Committee to change their policy. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 6-15(3): Bidding Process For The Arctic Winter Games

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that answer and I look forward to that information coming forward. Maybe when that information comes forward -- or maybe the Minister can tell me right now -- when the Arctic Winter Games were first established, who made the decisions on where the games were held and when was the international committee established? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Zoe.

Further Return To Question 6-15(3): Bidding Process For The Arctic Winter Games

My recollection is way back in 1970 when the Arctic Winter Games were first introduced it was with Commissioner Hodgson, the Governor of Alaska and the Premier of Yukon who originated these games. In terms of your other question on the international committee, the international committee is a separate corporation that was set up so that it’s an arms-length away from all governments. We wanted them to undertake these games so that it’s all fairly done in all regions in the three, when it was initially started, Alaska, Yukon and Northwest Territories. Now, in that each jurisdiction appoints two members to the international committee, in our case, today, the government appoints one for the Government of the Northwest Territories and we also have one from the private sector. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my statement about March being the month to recognize aboriginal languages, my question is to the Premier, the leader of the Government of the Northwest Territories. I’d like to know what the Premier is doing in terms of the government in the direction of all the departments that he works with in terms of strengthening and respecting our languages in the Northwest Territories, especially in the Sahtu where our older people have the access to speak freely in their languages, rather than to run around and look for translators here and there. In all departments our people, it seems, have to always wait for a translator. I guess the question for the Premier is what are you doing to direct your Ministers to ensure that all the aboriginal languages are easily used in the communities?

Premier, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I’ll refer that question to the Minister responsible for official languages. Thank you.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 7-15(3): Access To Aboriginal Language Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the previous government responded to the 65 recommendations of the Special Committee on Official Languages in 2003 and one of the responses was the passing of the new Official Languages Act. One of the things that will be happening by July 1st of this year is there will be an aboriginal languages revitalization board established and the purpose of that board will be to maintain, promote and revitalize NWT aboriginal languages. I will also, by July 1st, be announcing the establishment of an official languages board which would advise myself on issues related to the provision and administration of the Official Languages Act. We are also right now in the process of developing a framework for the creation of an official languages secretariat to support the two boards.

We’re moving this year to set up these two boards to provide advice to this government on how we can better revitalize and protect aboriginal languages. That’s in terms of an overall, government-wide response to official languages.

The Member talked in his statement today about the importance of understanding your own culture and language in order to be successful, and that is certainly reflected in the philosophy of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment as well. One of the goals is to make sure that schooling is available in all the communities in the first language of that region. So we are working with the divisional educational councils and ECE to help provide resources to make sure that can happen. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 7-15(3): Access To Aboriginal Language Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I ask the question again to the Premier. He may refer me to the Minister. However, Mr. Speaker, the other part of my Member’s statement has to do with the culture and we have a lot of people from outside the Sahtu that come into the Sahtu from the southern parts of Canada to work in their profession such as policing, nursing, teachers, social workers and other workers that come into the Sahtu region. I want to know what the government is doing to support those workers in terms of doing some cross-cultural training. There are some agencies doing it voluntarily, some doing it in terms of it being good for the people. Is there any policy or mandate that people who come into a small community do a cross-cultural training or is it done just on a voluntary basis? I wanted to ask the Premier that question in terms of what this government is doing to support cross-cultural training.

Again, I’d just like to remind Mr. Yakeleya, you’re dealing with a different subject. You started off with languages, now you’re talking about cross-cultural matters. It is sort of a new question, but I will allow the Premier to take the question. Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 7-15(3): Access To Aboriginal Language Services

Mr. Speaker, without doing a survey of all of the departments in the government and all the boards and agencies that carry out work on our behalf, I can’t be 100 percent accurate. But most of the government departments, for example, Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment and so on, do have their own cross-cultural training programs. For example, the Dogrib Community Services Board or education board takes the teachers out on the land and they spend a number of days out. I think the same is true with the Department of Health and Social Services. They do training with their employees that are going to small communities. With the RCMP there is a lot of training that goes on. I’m not sure if it’s required or if it’s one that they do voluntarily. The private sector is another matter. I think there it’s up to a decision that’s made by each employer. Our government would not have the authority to require everyone to provide cross-cultural training. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 7-15(3): Access To Aboriginal Language Services

I apologize, Mr. Speaker, for using my questions up. I will keep it to language this time. Mr. Speaker, the language programs are key to the survival of the aboriginal people in our communities and I want to let the Minister responsible for language know that I want to keep in close contact in terms of the availability of our languages in the Sahtu region and in other small communities. I am not too sure if I am going to end up with a question here, Mr. Speaker, I think it is just a comment so I apologize.