Debates of March 9, 2005 (day 52)

Good afternoon, colleagues. Before we go to orders of the day, Monday, March 14th, is Commonwealth Day. The second Monday in March is observed annually by all member nations of the Commonwealth to promote understanding about global issues, international cooperation and the work done by modern Commonwealth.

The theme of Commonwealth Day 2005 will be Education - Creating Opportunity, Realizing Potential. The theme reflects the Commonwealth’s commitment to education by promoting efforts to achieve universal primary education, eliminate gender disparities, improving quality in education, using distance learning to overcome barriers, supporting education in difficult circumstances and mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS in education.

Commonwealth Day is celebrated in many different ways. Many cities, for example, hold multi-faith observances. Parliaments and legislatures also mark the day with speeches and events. On Monday, the Royal Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, will be flown along with the Canadian Flag on all Government of Canada buildings and establishments across Canada to mark Canada’s membership in the Commonwealth Nations. We will also be flying the Union Jack here at the Legislative Assembly, along with the Northwest Territories Flag and the Canadian Flag.

Thank you, all Members, for joining me as we mark this very important day.

--Applause

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that on May 2 to 6, 2005, we will be hosting our sixth annual Youth Parliament. It is an opportunity for grades 9 and 10 students in the Northwest Territories to assume the role of MLAs and Members of the Legislative Assembly here in Yellowknife. The Legislative Assembly hosts this event each year and we encourage all Members to participate and help make this experience a memorable and rewarding one for all our young participants. Thank you, Members.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report on an initiative being undertaken by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. MACA and “G” division of the RCMP have been exploring options to more fully integrate each organization’s emergency management functions and enhance the effective overall response to emergencies.

Plans have been made for the operation of a common, integrated emergency operations centre, located in the “G” division headquarters to respond to security threats or natural disasters.

These discussions started after the Government of Canada’s new national security policy was approved in April 2004. This policy is a national framework and action plan to ensure the Government of Canada is prepared for and can respond to current and future threats.

Although national security focuses on threats that have the potential to undermine the security of the state, it is also closely linked to personal security. The SARS outbreak showed how threats to individuals can impact all of society, so national security must be considered in this broader context.

Any natural disaster can affect the normal functioning of society. Whether the threat is a security issue, a fuel spill, flood, forest fire or power outage, a coordinated response by all parties to deal with the consequences of the threat will be required.

MACA is the government’s lead department on emergency measures and the RCMP is the primary enforcement agency in the Northwest Territories with national security responsibilities. At the same time, both agencies are involved in emergency planning and response at the territorial level and with individual communities.

For this reason, bringing together each organization’s senior emergency management function will lead to a more effective overall response to the consequences of a security threat or to security issues related to an emergency response operation.

I am also pleased that the federal Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada has committed to establishing a presence in the North with a regional position in Yellowknife. This position will serve the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut as part of the national integrated system.

Co-location with provincial/territorial emergency operation centres is one of the key measures identified for the federal government in the national security policy. Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada has announced its intention to establish this regional office serving NWT, Yukon and Nunavut in the new MACA/RCMP integrated Emergency Operations Centre.

Plans are underway to set up this integrated office. I am pleased that the RCMP and Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada have taken such a cooperative stance in working with the department to advance our common agenda, which is to enhance emergency preparedness arrangements in the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Over the course of the last few days, we have discussed a proposal -- and I say proposal -- to build a courthouse, a brand spanking new courthouse for Yellowknife in the future. Mr. Speaker, we also spoke of other projects in the Northwest Territories to be constructed in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I am receiving feedback to the logic or the reason why we have put a brand new courthouse as a priority in our spending of public funds, especially with the type of figure of $41 million. Mr. Speaker, with $41 million, we could put some serious dollars into the Community Justice Program many times over. We could establish well-operated, well-funded, well-trained community justice legal workers, now known as community justice coordinators.

Mr. Speaker, one of the most important distinctive characteristics of our society is its laws; our laws that govern our way of behaviour and the existence of laws to live by. Mr. Speaker, Canada is a multinational, multicultural nation, therefore there are different views on the nature of the laws outside the dominant culture, especially aboriginal traditions, and that is my point, Mr. Speaker; the $41 million that we are not putting in resources into our system when we often speak of only a few cents here and there.

Mr. Speaker, this government has brought forward the request to begin the courthouse concept and has received some support. However, Mr. Speaker, with all the cuts that were tabled and the increased needs in our communities, this request does not make sense and has turned a lot of people off in our small communities to the priorities and the way this government prioritized its spending.

Mr. Speaker, in today’s age of 2005, in the small community of Colville Lake where there are about 135 people who live above the Arctic Circle, there is no running water in the public school, there is no running water in the public community office or washrooms. There are only two dentists that visit the community each year. Dentists and doctors are lucky to get into the community three or four times per year; while medical specialists, well your guess is as good as mine, whenever they can make it in. Mr. Speaker, the cost of living in Colville Lake is out of this world. That is the way we take care of the people in Colville Lake. They feel like they are out of this world, on another planet. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, for $41 million we can surely build a decent outhouse for Colville Lake. At least they can enjoy one function in comfort and know that in this government we care. Mahsi.

---Laughter

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, later this month, March 25th to 27th, Yellowknife will be celebrating its 50th annual Caribou Carnival. Mr. Speaker, every year since 1955, Yellowknife residents have celebrated the coming of spring with this annual carnival. Incidentally, the Caribou Carnival is as old as the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories, which we are celebrating. I wonder if there are any connections.

Caribou Carnival, Mr. Speaker, began in the 1950s as a competitive event. Hunters and trappers from far and wide emerged from the bush to compete for the title of Bush King. The title went to the man who proved he had the most skills needed to survive the harsh northern winters. Women were not left out, Mr. Speaker. Speed and dexterity and muskrat skinning and tea boiling were the qualities of a queen.

Caribou Carnival has gone through huge transitions since those early days. Yellowknife has grown from a small mining town to a thriving metropolitan city. Fortunately for us soft city types, today the crown goes to whoever can sell the most raffle tickets.

But, Mr. Speaker, the early days have not been forgotten. The snow stage still features competitions in wood chopping, tea boiling, fire starting, log carrying, log splitting and nail hammering, and the scariest and most heart stopping one for me, the snowmobile race. Mr. Speaker, for those who are all beauty and no brawn, there is always the ugly dog and truck contest in which to shine.

I am always happy to see lots of our neighbours from surrounding communities that descend on our capital city, Mr. Speaker. This year’s schedule of events promises something for all ages and all interests. There are the Caribou Capers talent show, the fiddle dance and, of course, the Canadian Championship Dog Derby. The cultural tent will showcase games from across the NWT: Dene hand games, Inuit games, blanket toss and finger pull. I would like to report to you, Mr. Speaker, that the Yellowknife MLAs will be out there once again in full force to brave the cold and to dish out delicious and toasty hotdogs to our beloved constituents, while they are watching the fireworks, free of charge. I would like to encourage everyone to come out and help us celebrate this big event for the 50th year and I would like to take this opportunity to thank in advance all the organizers and volunteers, especially Carol Van Tighem and her team who have been working tirelessly to make this event happen. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. In my statement last week, Mr. Speaker, I noted that 25 percent of households in my constituency have a core need for housing. This means that 200 out of 754 households in Nahendeh are either overcrowded, unsafe, too expensive, or all the above.

As I said last week, if the Housing Corporation would just build a four-plex in Jean Marie River, it would take care of 90 percent of their housing issues; 90 percent, Mr. Speaker. So I support the Housing Corporation's strategy to build multiple family dwellings like four-plexes.

Hear! Hear!

Four-plexes are more economical to heat, they have shared water and sewage lines, and greater savings can be found by having tenants make use of shared facilities like laundry rooms. Four-plexes are also a good way to offer independence to elders or people with disabilities, Mr. Speaker.

The apartments are smaller, easier to maintain and there is no shovelling or need for expensive maintenance by the residents. The also make great starter homes for young families, who sometimes need to learn about the responsibility of taking care of their own place, paying their own bills and owning their own home.

Mr. Speaker, the government needs to do something, and they need to do something now about the housing crisis in Nahendeh. I receive e-mails and phone calls from constituents on a daily basis who live under terrible circumstances. These people can’t wait a few more years for a house or an apartment. We need solutions now. The government says that they have made provisions for suitable, adequate and affordable housing a cornerstone of their strategic plan, Mr. Speaker. I would like to encourage this government to be more innovative and find quick, creative solutions to our housing problems. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I will be speaking once again on my concern with this government's lack of dedicated oil and gas staff in the regions, with the major oil and gas reserves and exploration activity. On Monday, in response to a question by my colleague Mr. Ramsay, the Minister of RWED said that he agreed that there are probably over 20 positions government-wide dedicated to the oil and gas industry. I am looking forward to seeing the actual numbers from the Minister some time soon.

Where are these 20 or more positions, Mr. Speaker? Certainly not in the Beaufort-Delta which has 85 percent of the gas reserves, not to mention the oil reserves. According to the National Energy Board, we have six trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves and another 55 trillion cubic feet of potential reserves. We have a whole two GNWT positions dedicated to oil and gas.

The positions are not in the Sahtu, which has 85 percent of the oil reserves, substantial gas reserves and already has a pipeline going south. That is worth two positions. Not in Nahendeh either, which has a large share of the gas reserves and sits right in the middle of the proposed pipeline route. I believe they have two positions, only one of which is filled.

Mr. Speaker, we are talking about six positions out of at least 20 government-wide and three regions that probably have 99.9 percent of the reserves. Why, Mr. Speaker, does this government have only six positions in the areas most affected by oil and gas development?

The Minister of RWED has stated that he is not entertaining the thought of moving any oil and gas positions to the Beaufort-Delta. I hope he has not completely shut the door on the idea. I understand the decisions being made to have the Mackenzie Valley pipeline office in Hay River, but there are other positions out there. He still hasn’t convinced me that the petroleum-related positions from the minerals oil and gas division shouldn’t be moved to Inuvik. We would be happy to take the director too, if that is a concern? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Hear! Hear!

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to speak to my continued support for the efforts of this government to develop an effective recovery program for beverage containers.

Mr. Speaker, we must maintain progress on this initiative to bring a program of recovery of beverage containers and other recyclable materials to communities across the NWT. As Members, we understand that transportation and capacity limitation across the NWT present unique challenges to the development of a territorial-wide recovery program.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage the government to get recovery facilities up and running as soon as possible, where possible, and to continue to work on how best to implement the program territory-wide in the near future. The smaller communities must be involved and we need to encourage their interest in participating and help them find the most efficient and effective ways to participate. We, as MLAs, have a role to play, as well, in spreading the message in our communities to ensure all communities buy into this important initiative.

Mr. Speaker, it is the responsible thing to ensure that commercial and public stakeholders are properly consulted in the development of our recovery program. The Waste Reduction and Recovery Advisory Committee have brought meaningful representation from across the NWT and across the various business sectors. Some implementation delays have been encountered, but this is to ensure that affected stakeholders' concerns or ideas are properly considered in the implementation planning process.

Mr. Speaker, waste recovery and recycling is important to our residents and our environment and we must keep moving forward, but at a pace that ensures that we do it right. As we bring all communities on line, we will ensure that the implementation of our program represents our conservation ethics. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to use my Member’s statement today to raise some level of attention towards the human resources consolidation process this government is currently undertaking; more specifically, to task the Minister responsible for the FMBS to take a thorough more in-depth analysis of what the proposed changes will mean to northerners, especially northern aboriginals with an education.

Mr. Speaker, the consolidation of the human resources function of this government is a step in the right direction. But if there are numerous concerns and questions arising with respect to who is developing this new human resource model and what degree of aboriginal input has been considered into the development of this new model, then I feel that this government is again going to roll out something that will not be favourably received by northerners in general Therefore, I would like the Minister responsible for the FMBS to seriously consider the claims of educated aboriginals and indigenous northerners who are at the root of all these proposed changes, that the new human resource amalgamation policies are already being rewritten to better reflect a personal preference as opposed to preferences of northerners in general.

Also, serious consideration is the least the Minister could do to be mindful of what all educated aboriginal and indigenous northerners want and what we deem not only as fair and equitable, but also supportive and in line with what this government's goal of achieving a truly representative public service is.

In summary, Mr. Speaker, I would like to see a more vigilant approach to the human resource amalgamation plan, which considers all concerns and questions raised by employees, potential employees and interested parties, some who have already been directly or indirectly affected, and not just leave the task of finding a suitable human resource model up to a small group of government hire-ups, who often refuse to act on the constructive criticisms received from public service employees. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The subject of my Member’s statement today is addictions. I have come at this addictions issue from a variety of different angles and today I have another one. The North Slave Correctional Centre is located in the riding of Kam Lake. Being that Kam Lake is the riding I represent, I get to speak with many persons who are incarcerated at North Slave Correctional Centre. Just last spring, I was presented with a petition from the inmates in regard to the health services that were being provided at the centre. The Department of Justice made the necessary changes to the delivery of health services, and today I believe this came about because the inmates at the North Slave Correctional Centre spoke up about the situation.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will table a petition that has been signed by 98 inmates from North Slave Correctional Centre. The petition calls for the government to address the need for treatment centres being reopened here in the Northwest Territories. I would like to thank all the inmates that signed the petition, and especially the ones that I have spoken to personally.

I believe that no one really wants to be in jail and certainly there are many obvious reasons why people end up in jail, but a common denominator is often addictions to alcohol and drugs. The more that this government can put into being proactive in fighting addictions, the better off we will be and the less we will have to spend being reactive.

I have heard the Minister of Health and Social Services speak of the need to be working with community groups to look at getting some type of residential treatment centres reopened. These centres do not have to be government issue, multi-million dollar cost overrun facilities. They only have to become a reality. I believe it should be a collaborative effort between government and the interested community groups and I look forward to watching closely to how this government will accomplish the goal of getting residential treatment centres reopened for addicts.

We will have to pay attention to what our residents need to help them combat their additions. If we don’t, then we should start planning another jail because, Mr. Speaker, we will need it. Thank you.

Hear! Hear!

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories is blessed with the highest increase in gross domestic product in Canada. Our per capita income is the envy of Canada. But, Mr. Speaker, the distribution of this wealth is so widespread that from the top to the bottom they are a universe apart.

Mr. Speaker, 15 percent of tax filers in the year 2002 reported incomes of under $25,000. Now government has a duty to respond and redistribute that wealth and help to put it into the hands and pockets of the people who need it most. Indeed we do, we have done so, Mr. Speaker. In the last four years this government has put one-hundred-million new dollars into social safety programs and living subsidies.

---Applause

That is a tremendous record. But, Mr. Speaker, I have to take a look and ask is it doing any good? I will use child poverty as one measuring stick of this. Mr. Speaker, between 1998 and 2002, according to the Bureau of Statistics' numbers, we have only managed to hold the line. We have not made a difference, despite that huge investment and the immense wealth, the astounding wealth that we have. We have not made a difference in the levels of child poverty. For kids under 17, Mr. Speaker, we still have about 3,000 children, or a quarter of the total number of children under 17, considered in low income situations. That means they are probably not adequately housed, fed or educated.

Mr. Speaker, we are undergoing a review of all of this government's social services and cost of living subsidies. There are something like 17 of them spread across just about every one of our departments. This is an area that must receive the absolute highest priority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

(English not provided)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a need for transportation services for elders and frontline workers throughout my constituency. During my campaign and subsequent visits to Paulatuk, Holman, Sachs Harbour and Tuktoyaktuk, many elders voiced their frustrations about the lack of transportation; for example, to help them to get to medical appointments and to attend local functions. Needing to get to the health centre, elders are often expected either to take a taxi or find other alternatives.

Mr. Speaker, the Hamlet of Holman does operate an elder handy-bus, but it is at this point where they are having trouble maintaining it well enough to keep it running. Paulatuk has identified a need for some sort of transportation for their elders so they are able to attend and participate in community events.

Not only elders are left behind to find their own rides, Mr. Speaker, but it is also the case for some of our frontline workers. Tuktoyaktuk does have a van that the nurses and community health workers use mainly for home visits to elderly people. In Sachs Harbour, the community health worker informed the Minister of Health and Social Services that she uses her own snowmobile and ATV four-wheeler to visit elders and patients. She also uses her own money to pay for the gas and repairs.

This government should be ashamed that it is not giving our frontline workers the basic tools to do their job and look after our people and expect them to do this out of their own pockets. Mr. Speaker, I am sure there are solutions out there that would not be very costly. For example, in a small community like Sachs Harbour or Paulatuk, one government vehicle may be able to serve more than one purpose. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would ask that Health and Social Services work with other government departments to come up with a way to provide appropriate vehicles and transportation to elders and frontline workers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am going to again talk about support for truancy in our schools. Yesterday I spoke about the lack of tools available to our schools in dealing with that truancy issue. Minister Dent then proceeded to list off all the various methods used by different schools and education authorities to deal with truancy.

What was made clear by his response is that there is no clear territorial legislative, regulatory or policy base in dealing with truancy other than the fine that we never use. Every educational jurisdiction is free to deal with this issue of truancy how they see fit. The Minister was quite emphatic that the fault for a lot of the skipping students lies with the parents. I truly can’t dispute that some of the responsibility does lie there. But what I will dispute, Mr. Speaker, is that the lack of parental responsibility somehow absolves his department from having any issue in dealing with this at all. So, Mr. Speaker, I totally do not accept Minister Dent absolving himself of that responsibility.

I have spoken to educators who follow up on student absences. In some cases they tell me once the parents realize the schools are phoning, they just stop answering the phone. So, Mr. Speaker, educators also tell me that health and social service authorities refuse to get involved with truancy cases because they say or they believe that they are being downloaded that responsibility. They don’t want it at all.

Mr. Speaker, if I may mention, CTV News did a report on truancy titled, “One in Four Canadian Students Misses Classes Regularly.” During the report, Doug Willms, who wrote it, stated, and I quote, “I think truancy really represents a boredom factor, an apathy factor, and we really need to pay attention to that.” He further goes on to say, “We ought to take these results very serious. They are associated with a number of social issues.” The article goes on to talk about the rates in Canada where a lot of students miss one in six days or more a year. It ranks the NWT second to Newfoundland at 59 percent of the worst rates in absentee.

Mr. Speaker, finally on this issue of the article by Mr. Willms, he also says, “Canada, on a global level, is tied with Iceland and recognizes one of the worst countries in the developing world for truancy.” So, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services doesn’t care. The tone of the response, as I understood the Minister to say yesterday, didn’t sound like he cared either. Someone needs to care. Mr. Speaker, at this time, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member’s statement?

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Especially, thank you, Mr. Dent.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, I really want to see the department show initiative and take care and demonstrate that they care. We need to start thinking broadly, not blaming families on this issue for their kids not attending classes. We need to start thinking out of the box. Yes, parents do play a role in this issue, but the department needs to play a leading role in new initiatives to support our DEAs on this problem. Approaches we could consider are things like community liaison social workers in each district education authority. We could put one in every authority. In most cases, these truancies deal with social envelope obstacles which a social worker could help the schools.

So, Mr. Speaker, in closing, block funding is very prescriptive, and it doesn’t allow a lot of movements for these school boards to deal with these issues of truancies, so we need intervention at the highest level, such as the ministry. As I said yesterday, and I am going to close with it again, truancy is a symptom, and it could be blamed on a thousand reasons. We need to owe it to ourselves and to these students to take an interest and to find out why they do not attend school. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, a few minutes ago…oh, yes. I believe we still have some people in the gallery today. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a constituent, a tireless volunteer and a candidate for royalty in the upcoming Caribou Carnival, Ms. Mildred Wilke. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have the pleasure to introduce the quest for the crown candidates on behalf of my colleagues. The candidates running for Caribou Carnival queen this year; that is, again, Ms. Mildred Wilke, Kelley Merilees-Keppel, Itoah Scott, Lila Fraser-Erasmus, Katie Bourgeois, Mary-Ellen McGonigle-Roberts. Now, for the princess list: Twyla Bruler-Vachon, Stacey Grandjambe and Jesslyn Strand. Just about as I sit down, Mr. Speaker, I will remind all people to buy their Caribou Carnival tickets to support these candidates. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a friend that I made over the last two days, a retired teacher who is visiting from Vancouver, British Columbia. She is here with family who is attending the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories. Her name is Mrs. Bev Wong. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize a constituent, Carol Van Tighem, a tireless volunteer and the fire and vigour behind this year’s Caribou Carnival. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last fall in the House, I made a statement about the contaminated soil mound in Tulita. I asked the Minister some questions. My question is to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development in regard to his commitment to meet with the federal Minister of Natural Resources Canada about the federal government’s unacceptable delay in the cleaning up of contaminated sites in the Northwest Territories. Will the Minister please advise this House as to the result of that meeting? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have had discussions over the past months with both Minister Efford, the Natural Resources Canada Minister and Minister Dion, the Minister for the Environment, related to contaminated sites and their cleanup. Most recently, the Member is aware, I have reiterated these concerns in writing to Natural Resources Canada Minister Efford. He has agreed to start a process and ensure that the agency responsible for nuclear waste meets with the community of Tulita to begin a process and discuss options for the permanent removal of these contaminated soils from the community. So I look forward to that process. I think there are a number of options before us. It is important to work through some constructive process that the community is in support of. We will continue to push Natural Resources Canada and the nuclear agency to do that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Supplementary To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister provide to the House here in terms of a strategy and a date when this agreement of seeing actual movements of these mounds of contaminated sites along the Mackenzie Valley will be moved out to some location outside of the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can’t give you the exact process that the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is proposing to use at this point. They have indicated to me that a precursor to the development of a long-term waste management strategy for the soils is to sit down and define the waste volumes and ownership and some other issues around the site. The Minister has assured me that it is his goal to clean that up and make sure that the low level radioactive contaminated sites are dealt with. I want to, again, assure Members and the public that the Natural Resources Canada Minister has indicated to us that the research tells us that the community is not in any danger from these sites, but still recognizes a long-term strategy was never put in place and that needs to take place. The soils need to be removed from the community. I will continue to ensure the Natural Resources Canada Minister recognizes that this is a priority for our territory. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the Minister may have a difficult time in terms of commitment on behalf of the federal government. I am looking forward to a commitment from the Minister in terms of meeting with the people in Tulita and Sahtu regarding these contaminated sites in that region and also right down to the border here in the Northwest Territories. In Ottawa, our federal government can say that these sites are not dangerous, but out of sight, out of mind. It makes it easier for them to say that. They have to live in the communities, so I would like to ask the Minister again, can he look at some commitments and dates in terms of meeting with the people who are affected by these contaminated sites? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 572-15(3): Cleanup Of Contaminated Sites