Debates of March 9, 2005 (day 52)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In response to my correspondence, the Natural Resources Canada Minister did indicate that he appreciated the invitation to meet and come to the Northwest Territories to meet with the people in the Sahtu to discuss this issue. I am going to have a chance, I believe, prior to that -- hopefully, in April -- as we set out meetings in Ottawa and look to arrange meetings. I am certainly going to attempt to arrange meetings with the Natural Resources Canada Minister and the Environment Minister. This is at the top of the list for discussions, so I will be able to engage him and remind him that he has this outstanding and longstanding commitment to come north and discuss the strategy for this low level waste management plan going forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, what is he doing to ensure that there is clear legislation and responsibility for these organizations to be fully responsible for their own site cleanup that they leave behind once a project is complete in the Northwest Territories. Is there any type of legislation coming forward? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a very good question. I think our strategy and approach has been, through the devolution negotiations, to make sure that the federal government owns up to their responsibility for the cleanup of past contaminated sites. I think we have identified something in the neighbourhood of 700 sites in the Northwest Territories that are not our responsibility. They are a federal responsibility to clean up. They have identified monies recently -- $3.5 billion -- to start to move forward on some of this cleanup. We want to make sure that there aren’t sites out there that we don’t know about. I think, in future, the difference is going to be that we will have control over lands and resources. This government and aboriginal governments can make sure that when development takes place, these contingencies are put into place prior to the development going ahead so that we ensure that the cleanup does, in fact, happen. In regard to the pre-existing legacy of contaminated sites, we will continue to force the federal government to recognize their responsibility and make the commitment to clean them up through the devolution negotiations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with the development of the affirmative action policy in the early 1990s, there was an Affirmative Action Advisory Committee developed and tasked with the responsibility to provide direction and recommendations to the various departments for the implementation of the affirmative action policy. I have a question to the Minister responsible for the FMBS, Mr. Speaker. It is obvious that the committee is off to a slow start, Mr. Speaker. I just want to ask the Minister if he would entertain the idea of reinstating and revamping the Affirmative Action Advisory Committee. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. The honourable Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in a response to another question earlier this week regarding that committee, it has been quite some time since that committee has been in operation. We have started down a course for the Human Resource Service Centre modules that is going on. Approximately 140 employees have been affected by this change. We have been working with them through this. We want to get through that stage first. As I have committed to Members in this House, I will be coming forward with a plan in the fall around the affirmative action side and, at that point, will be willing to look at the idea of continuing on with that and getting something going. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the human resource amalgamation and consolidation of human resource functions throughout the government, I don’t think there is a better time than now to reinstate or revamp the Affirmative Action Advisory Committee to provide some input into this whole amalgamation and consolidation of human resources. I will ask the Minister again, will he entertain the idea of revamping the advisory committee so that they can have some direct input into the human resource amalgamation model? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not willing to stop the process where we are now. We have started on this course. We’ve reviewed the information that has been provided. We have looked at the plans and we are proceeding down that road. We have, as I stated, 140 affected employees. Of that, 50 of them are aboriginal people who have had input into the work that is going on. Through this change, there are going to be some people who are not happy with the results of the changes and how things are proceeding. But at this point, I have no plans of stopping the process to get a committee going to review where we are today. We have done that work. We are moving forward. As I have committed to, we will be presenting some information to Members this fall with regard to some of the other policies that affect our human resources. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess I wasn’t requesting putting a hold on any process with this human resource development. I know that there has been some aboriginal input by employees and non-government employees. If that input is not really being seriously considered, Mr. Speaker, then I don’t see any value in having people to provide input if it is not going to be seriously considered. I just want to maybe ask the Minister when this human resource amalgamation and consolidation planning committee was formed, and who comprises this committee, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of human resources in the government has been one that can be said to have been plaguing us for quite some time, since the changes that we had back in the mid-1990s when the Department of Personnel was done away with and each department then started doing their own human resource functions.

There have been some concerns about fairness to employees, following the policies within government, and Members of assemblies have raised the issue. A number of reports were done. As a government, we have looked at that. We have decided to move on that. I have looked at the plans. I have been informed of the process. I have brought that to my colleagues within FMB and decisions were made to move on that. We have started down that process and feel that, overall, it is a healthy and positive process and will end up being more positive for those that we serve, both within our own service and those that are applying for government jobs. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me just be simple here. Who is on this committee and who put this committee together? Was there any memo that went out to all government employees to see if they’re interested in being on the committee? How has all this come about? That hasn’t been answered yet, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. There are about three questions there. Mr. Roland, you can answer one or all three. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 573-15(3): Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is no committee in place. What we did is once we came up with a plan and decided to put it in action, we started off with the corporate human resource service portion we had within Executive, moved it over to FMBS, and from there involved all of the staff who were involved with the delivery of corporate human resource services and started expanding out from there, putting a plan together and involving them. We met with just about every individual that is involved with human resource services and got some input into how things would flow, as well as how we would proceed. Once that first phase was done, we looked at the second phase and that’s where we are now; putting people into the matching positions and looking at filling those positions. Beyond that we’ll be going into the actual office makeup and the changes that will need to happen in the regions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier today. There’s been a recent article in the newspaper indicating that the federal government is close to appointing a new chair for the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board. This was referenced as well in Mr. Zoe’s comments yesterday in the House. My question for the Premier today is when the federal government sets out a policy with respect to federally appointed boards and makes rules around how they select board members and how they select chairs and capable and competent people’s names go forward to the Minister and he doesn’t choose one of those, what ability do we have as a government to play a part in that or to intercede in that? Because certainly the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board, as was said by Mr. Zoe, the people who sit on that probably have a bigger influence on what’s going to happen with this mega Mackenzie gas project than even we do as MLAs sitting here as a government. This is a hugely important position at this point in time. What opportunity do we have to participate in the process of the appointment of that chair? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The purpose of the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board and the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board is to have a vehicle for northerners to have more input into decisions that are going to affect their lives and land. Both of these boards are under federal legislation. The appointment of the chair is a decision that rests with the Minister of DIAND. The appointment of the chair is -- and I don’t believe it’s laid out in the act -- but the convention is that he will appoint from a list that is provided by the committee of each of the boards themselves. So, Mr. Speaker, we expect that’s what he’ll do. Now, what authority or opportunity do we have for input? Mr. Speaker, the only opportunity we have is through persuasion, but we don’t have any legal authority. Through persuasion and advice I suppose we do have some clout. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to make it very clear that I have no issue with the particular individual whose name has shown up on the short list. I’m sure they are a very intelligent person. But the thing is we want people who have a vested interest in how this development is going to impact us for many generations to come here in the North. I think that’s the idea of having a northerner. If the federal government and the federal Minister overrules us, I’m sorry, I take it as a slap in the face. What’s the Premier prepared to do? Is he prepared to speak to the federal Minister to ensure that our voice is registered on this? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When I was last in Ottawa I raised this issue with our MP and the Minister responsible for Northern Development and also with Minister Scott. Mr. Roland, the Finance Minister, and I raised this issue with him. He knows our views on it and, Mr. Speaker, I’ve written to him as well on it and intend to follow up with him next week when he is here in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, does the Premier have any knowledge that the appointment of this chairman or chairperson is going to be imminent and perhaps actually take place prior to Mr. Scott’s visit to the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Good question.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Mr. Speaker, I’m hearing through the grapevine that the appointment is imminent. In fact, I’d heard that the security checks were already underway and so on. But I’ve had nothing from the Minister of DIAND’s office formally to tell me that this is going to be happening soon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the very important nature of this appointment to northerners, I would like to ask the Premier then, he has previously spoken to the Minister, he intends to speak to the Minister next week, will he take the opportunity to speak to the Minister today? Would he attempt to get his officials to get a hold of him by telephone and register the concerns raised on this matter in the House today? Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 574-15(3): Federal Board Appointment Process

Mr. Speaker, I will ask my staff to try to find out today if they can get any information on it at all. They have been trying to follow this one almost daily, but we will make that effort again. If I can’t, then I assure the Member and this House that I will speak to the Minister on this when he’s here next week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment stated that forcing them, meaning children, to be there when their parents don’t support them being in school is a waste of time. I’m concerned that the Minister would consider developing programs and services to encourage children to do well in school is a waste of time. Does the Minister actually stand by that statement he made in this Assembly yesterday? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I didn’t say that it was a waste of time to develop programs to encourage children to be in school, nor did I say it was a waste of time to encourage families to make sure that their kids attended school. But there’s a big difference between finding a family that isn’t sending a kid to school because he hasn’t got any shoes and finding a way to support getting some shoes on the feet of that kid so that he is comfortable coming to school.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have to admit I was lost there because we’re not talking about shoes; we’re talking about making sure that kids go to school here. Maybe my question was too fast. Mr. Speaker, I got these comments from research, who read the blues which are the unedited Hansard. I put a lot of faith in their questions, or their development of some of these questions.

Mr. Speaker, will this Minister agree to look into the problem of dealing with absentees and truancies by putting a community liaison such as a social worker in each educational authority in the NWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If an education authority wanted to put their money into providing that kind of service within their school area, they could. Mr. Speaker, I just want to be clear about my previous answer. Many of the kids who are not attending school tend to come from poorer families and we need to address that issue before we start addressing finding those families and making them even poorer to put them back in school. The Member has been recommending that we use the law to try and enforce attendance at school by finding families if their kids don’t attend. What I said yesterday was that that’s the wrong approach. We have to be supportive of families and kids, and make sure the families are supporting their kids to be in school. But there is nothing in the Education Act that would stop a school district from putting their funding into providing a liaison person within their system. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The NWT

Okay, Mr. Speaker. I can see we’re playing an interesting game because yesterday the Minister was challenging me. Now I challenge him back by saying that these kids are poor. Now he’s saying the poor kids are coming to school from the regions. Well, who knows where these facts are coming from? So I challenge him to prove that the poor kids can’t go to school because they don’t have shoes. We live in the North, everybody knows we have shoes and boots here; we’re not talking about who knows where. Mr. Speaker, I didn’t say yesterday to use the law. I asked about why we aren’t using the law when we have truancies. Mr. Speaker, we have a law in the book that we don’t even use, so let’s just take it away. We’re wasting paper space by having it. I’m talking about innovative approaches, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister consider innovative approaches by helping our DEAs with implementing a community liaison social worker in their schools? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 575-15(3): School Attendance In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If a DEA agrees that is the approach they want to take, they are welcome to take it and we will support them in doing it. We would be very happy to do that. There are an awful lot of innovative approaches being taken by DEAs across the Northwest Territories right now. In Lutselk’e they’ve been running an on-the-land program, which has been proven to dramatically increase the attendance rate for kids who are typically at risk for not attending. There are attendance programs that are run at schools all across the Northwest Territories. So this is an issue that I have discussed with the chairs of the boards and we work together, the department and the DECs with the district education authorities, to encourage programs to stimulate attendance in school. There’s no question that attendance is a problem in the Northwest Territories, but it is one that we are working with DEAs and we are prepared to look at any solution that a DEA proposes. Thank you.