Debates of March 19, 2004 (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's a very interesting proposal. While I won't commit to making a policy change at this point or implementing such a scheme, it is something that I would like to take a further look at. I had discussions this morning with the Yukon MP, Larry Bagnell. We had discussions about the need to work collaboratively as three territories to brand Canada's North, or brand the Canadian Arctic. I think we can get more bang for our buck if we work in conjunction. I had certainly indicated to him that I will be reaching out to the Ministers of Tourism in Yukon and Nunavut, to have discussions about this. The high cost of accessing our areas is certainly something that hurts us in that regard, and so is a lack of infrastructure. I think we have to do a lot to develop products.

I know it's certainly expensive to travel in this part of the world. Anything we can do that would help offset that I think is welcome. So I would like to sit down with the Member and discuss the proposal further. I think there are probably a lot of good ideas from people in the field. I rely on the NWT Arctic Tourism Association to come up with suggestions, as well, but I would really be interested in hearing from the regular Members with any proposals that they have. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just in follow up to that, my question is also to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. As Mr. Allen has stated, many of us, and I'm sure many people in the public service as well, travel extensively throughout Canada. We hand out business cards on a regular basis. There was an idea that had come forward some time back about utilizing the business cards that we hand out as an opportunity to promote travel and tourism in the Northwest Territories. I would like to know what the Minister could do to support that idea. Thank you.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 39-15(3): Promoting Travel And Tourism In The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it's a very inexpensive and great way to promote our territory. I believe the Development Corporation currently does it, and I would certainly be willing to talk to the departmental officials and to the Premier about seeing if we couldn't do this with a government-wide approach. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 39-15(3): Promoting Travel And Tourism In The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had observed on some NWT employee's business cards a word that says tourism…Or, it's two words. It says tourism information and a 1-800 number. It's just in regular print. Would the Minister commit to working with his department to develop something that looks a little more interesting, that might be a little more eye catching than just a regular print with a telephone number beside it? Perhaps a different font with some aurora passing through it, or something that we would be happy to put on our business cards. Thank you.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 39-15(3): Promoting Travel And Tourism In The North

Thank you. For Members of the Assembly, that's a decision the Board of Management would have to make, but I think it's a good idea. I think that reference to a Web site is probably more helpful than a 1-800 number. I see no reason why we wouldn't look at something like this. It's a very inexpensive way to promote the Territories. It would have to go to the Board of Management. Where it relates to RWED, I'll certainly have discussions about that with my staff. But I think it's something the Member should bring to the attention of the board. Thank you.

Mrs. Groenewegen, supplementary.

Supplementary To Question 39-15(3): Promoting Travel And Tourism In The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would be happy to work with my colleagues on the Governance and Economic Development committee, under which tourism falls, to bring that to the Board of Management. Would the Minister undertake to have a prototype designed of something that would be standardized, so that we don't have a lot of different logos and symbols and words out there? Would he commit to have that design undertaken, then allow us to bring that back to our Board of Management which would at least get it on the business cards of the Members in this House, and perhaps others as well? Thank you.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 39-15(3): Promoting Travel And Tourism In The North

Certainly, we can do that. I will do that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the honourable Minister of RWED. My question is with regard to a matter earlier brought up in the House regarding a 14-day maximum stay in our territorial parks. It has been brought to my attention that this policy has been updated, and I'm enquiring to the honourable Member if he would make that policy available for all Members of AOC when the update is completed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 40-15(3): Changes To The Territorial Parks Regulations

Certainly, I will do that. I have had my staff approach the AOC committee staff to make sure that we put the offer out there for a briefing on this policy. I know that we're very jammed up here trying to get a budget through by the 31st, and it's likely something that will happen after session, but I would like to come before committee and talk about it. I'm not sure if it was the GED committee or the AOC committee; I'll certainly check. Obviously we can make that available to all regular Members. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 40-15(3): Changes To The Territorial Parks Regulations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the honourable Minister would speak just in general at this time about some of the anticipated changes -- maybe not specifics if we're not in a position to do that -- if the honourable Minister could speak to the types of changes we should be expecting. I note that the committee that this may go to would probably be GED, and I would appreciate if it goes to all Members by a copy of the letter. Thank you.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 40-15(3): Changes To The Territorial Parks Regulations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is right; the offer has been made to GED. I don't know how the protocol will work in this Assembly, but certainly in the past committees were able to invite other regular Members who had an interest in participating to participate in those meetings. If that's not the case, then I will certainly make the offer to AOC.

I would say that the nature of this policy change is related to the 14-day stay at territorial campgrounds. I know that it has been a difficulty, especially here locally and in Hay River, that the local residents can only stay in any territorial campground for 14 days. It's a problem, especially with the proximity of the campground here at Fred Henne Park to the city. It's very convenient for local residents. We want to make sure that camp spots are available for tourists, but we have to also be able to accommodate the local population who obviously want to enjoy our beautiful campgrounds, as well. So the policy change surrounds that 14-day stay, and we're looking at relaxing that 14-day maximum in the shoulder seasons. I don't have those exact dates before me, but we're talking about spring and fall. In the peak times, I think we'll still have to maintain the 14-day standard, but I think we can relax that when there's less demand on the park. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this being Friday, I would also like to touch on a lighter topic, but an important point and it has been raised by two other Members already. It is with regard to the messages and slogans, sort of the branding of the Territories. I do believe the previous questions focussed on this idea as a tourism strategy. But someone has brought to my attention -- I believe she's in the gallery -- the fact that the NWT does not have an NWT-wide label or a brand name or a slogan or something that we use repeatedly that is recognizable around the world. I can think of departments having that. For example, the Department of Transportation has a sign that says "On the Move." I think that's a good name that recognizes the department.

My question is to the Minister of RWED. In his deliberations and considerations of the points that were raised earlier, would the Minister consider adding into that a slogan for the NWT? Thank you.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 41-15(3): Promotional Slogan For The NWT

I will certainly bring this point and this discussion to the Premier's attention. I think it's important if we're going to have a corporate message for the Government of the Northwest Territories, that obviously it's his department that needs to take the lead. But as the Territories are concerned, territorial-wide and as it relates to tourism, I think we do need to do and make more of an effort to brand the Northwest Territories around the world. It's a competitive market for tourism expenditures and there are many countries and many jurisdictions in the world for tourists to visit. We’d like to make sure that they come here. I think it does make sense to have a consistent message when the various pieces of this government and other agencies outside the government are out and are speaking about the Northwest Territories. A clear, concise and consistent message coming forward on behalf of the Northwest Territories would certainly be helpful. I’d like to speak to my departmental officials in tourism about that, but, most importantly, the NWT Arctic Tourism folks who I think have done a lot of good work in this regard, and see where we are at this point. Thank you.

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 41-15(3): Promotional Slogan For The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following on that, would the Minister consider conducting a contest among the residents of the Territories? Not a huge money-spending venture, but a contest on a Web site or polling where people could click on with different ideas of what the slogans are. Maybe we could end up with the top three and then we could have a final match. Would the Minister consider something like that? Thank you.

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

Further Return To Question 41-15(3): Promotional Slogan For The NWT

It is a very interesting idea. I suppose I would ask the Member if she is proposing that we revisit the "Within Reach but Beyond Belief" message or slogan that we have had on behalf of the Arctic in the past. Is that the suggestion, that we need to sort of retool that and come up with another message? Thank you.

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 41-15(3): Promotional Slogan For The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just want to be clear that I am going beyond the message for tourism. I think that message for the tourism industry is a good one and it has been used for a long time. I am suggesting something different, a little slogan for the whole Territories, NWT government or the NWT as a whole. In British Columbia, for example, they use the slogan “Beautiful British Columbia,” I don’t know if this is for tourism. I think PEI has a short message that everybody understands, which I can’t remember at the moment; sorry. So I am looking for something beyond tourism ideas. Something that is for the NWT, something like “On the Move” for transportation, that works for the department, but something short and precise. I don’t know; I am not going to suggest that now, but something short for the NWT. Would he consider that? Thank you.

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

Further Return To Question 41-15(3): Promotional Slogan For The NWT

I think it is probably best at this point, before I try to propose something and embarrass myself thoroughly, that I take this to the Premier and we have some discussion about this as a government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank God it is Friday.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, it was interesting hearing from the Minister of Health and Social Services on the aspect of the Nechi training. I am also a product of the Nechi training that was held in the Northwest Territories. I would like to ask the question to the Minister, would he continue his support for the Nechi training, especially in the Sahtu region, in light of the potential impacts that may happen down the Mackenzie Valley? My question is to the Minister of Health and Social Services. Would he continue on with the Nechi training in the North? Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 42-15(3): Social Impacts Of Pipeline Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, currently I understand there are five staff that are engaged in taking Nechi training. As I committed to the Member for Hay River South, we will be coming forward with a package which we will share with the Social Programs committee to get their feedback and advice so that we can come up with the best plan possible for community wellness workers so that we have some formal training that clearly encompasses the addictions component, as well as other areas of their job description. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 42-15(3): Social Impacts Of Pipeline Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Minister. The Sahtu region got together on March 2nd, 3rd and 4th. One of the themes that came out of that leaders meeting for our future government in Norman Wells was the social impact of potential resources that may happen down the Mackenzie Valley. I would like to ask the Minister if he would work with the other Ministers in terms of preparing for the potential development in the Mackenzie Valley, especially the Sahtu region where they voiced a lot of concern in regard to preparing for some potential development in the region. Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 42-15(3): Social Impacts Of Pipeline Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are currently working groups that are at work due to the issue of the social impact of major resource development, as well as the government through the social agenda policy conference that was held. Our response to that conference was we committed $1 million to do some pilot projects in the impacted areas to try to help the communities get ready for the impact of major resource development. We have just concluded the first year of that process. We are evaluating what has been done to date. We were somewhat late getting started, but we are committing to that process as well, and will be coming back to Cabinet with the results of the first year. So, yes, Mr. Speaker, we are committed to working with the affected regions and the communities as a government as we try to deal with and anticipate the impact of major resource development. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I referred to a study on the national child benefit supplement, and I would like to table the document this morning offered by Alternatives North called “Stop the NWT Clawback of the National Child Tax Benefit Supplement.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, March 22, 2004, I will move that Bill 4, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2003-2004, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

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

---Carried