Debates of March 31, 2004 (day 12)

March
31
2004
Day
12
Speaker
David Krutko
Word
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Topics
Assent To Bills
Bill 2: An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act
Bill 3: An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act, No. 2
Bill 4: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2003-2004
Bill 6: An Act To Amend The Payroll Tax Act, 1993 And The Income Tax Act
Member’s Statement On Affordable Housing For The Sahtu Region
Member’s Statement On Annual Muskrat Trapping Greetings
Member’s Statement On Beaufort-Delta Oil And Gas Education Program of ConocoPhillips
Member’s Statement On Improving The Legislature’s Budget Approval Process
Member’s Statement On Investing In Tourism In The Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement On Lack Of Consultation On Policy Changes
Member’s Statement On Legal Aid In The Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement On Literacy Award For The Lutselk’e Dene School Literacy Committee
Member’s Statement On Modernization Of Liquor Legislation In The Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement On Northern Leaders Meeting In Hay River
Member’s Statement On Recognition Of Pages From Rae
Member’s Statement On Salute To The Inuvik Ice Devils
Member’s Statement On Success Of Diamond Jenness Secondary School Trades Program
Minister’s Statement 25-15(3): Northern Leaders Meeting
Minister’s Statement 26-15(3): CARS Awards For 2003
Minister’s Statement 27-15(3): North American Occupational Safety And Health Week
Motion 3-15(3): Extended Adjournment Of The House To May 26, 2004, Carried
Motion 4-15(3): Appointment Of The Human Rights Commission Members, Carried
Motion 5-15(3): Appointment Of The Director Of Human Rights, Carried
Motion 6-15(3): Spirit And Intent Of The Business Incentive Policy
Motion 7-15(3): Support For Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Development
Motion 7-15(3): Support For Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Development, Carried
Question 120-15(3): A New Liquor Act For The Northwest Territories
Question 121-15(3): Pilot Project For Log Homes In The Sahtu Region
Question 122-15(3): Waiving Of Business Incentive Policy
Question 123-15(3): Income Support Program Impacting Trappers
Question 124-15(3): Rent Assessment Of Seniors In Social Housing
Question 125-15(3): Cost Benefit Analysis Of The BIP
Question 126-15(3): Tender For 22 Mobile Homes
Question 127-15(3): Review Of The Rent Scale Program For Public Housing
Question 128-15(3): Improving The Budget Approval Process
Question 129-15(3): Implementing The Action Plan On Tuberculosis
Return To Written Question 14-15(3): Government Investment Into The Northern Manufacturing Industry Over The Last 10 Years
Return To Written Question 4-15(3): Request For Travel Expenditures By Department
Tabled Document 27-15(3): Promoting Independence: NWT Housing Corporation 2002-2003 Annual Report
Tabled Document 33-15(3): Statutory Declaration Of Residence For Mr. Roger Allen
Written Question 17-15(3): Rent Assessment For Seniors In Public Housing
Written Question 18-15(3): Power Rates
Written Question 19-15(3): Harvesting Assistance Program And The Income Support Program
Statements

Member’s Statement On Legal Aid In The Northwest Territories

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise on our last day of this session to talk to you about one of the important issues. I was going to talk to you earlier about issues such as tourism and the fact that this government treats tourism almost like an ugly cousin who is twice removed. But, today, I want to finish this session with the way I started it, to talk to you about legal aid.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that this government could be doing better. Mr. Speaker, I believe that we have good people working out there who make legal aid happen. I believe we have dedicated people who are not being compensated fairly for what they do, but they do it because they take pride in the service that they do and the fact that they know people out there need help. The Minister has recognized this. The Minister has even pointed out that we are only funded at 50 percent. The fact is that he is not exactly sure how long it has been since there has been growth on the government’s side of contribution, and he has committed to get back to this House on that measure.

Mr. Speaker, it has also been brought to the attention of this House the fact that annual reports have finally made it to the light of day in this Assembly. We are still absent of one that is only a year late. If we can wait for one that was seven years late, I guess I can wait for one that is only one year late. Mr. Speaker, I cannot tell you enough that this is a frustrating issue. At this rate, I am going to have to wait until something freezes over before we obviously get some serious action knocking at our door.

Mr. Speaker, I have brought to the attention of the House earlier in this Assembly that it is now seven months since this person consulted with legal aid to get their application started, but yet they are still waiting to get a maintenance order, custody order, or divorce in place. There are many issues as well as safety that are always mentioned as a concern for that family. I called for action, yet I have heard none.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I am going to say that I have brought this to the attention of the House, yet very little action has been seen. Therefore, I will be grabbing the reins and whipping these horses. I am going to start calling my own consultations with our community because, if this government doesn’t act, somebody needs to take responsibility on this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

----Applause