Debates of May 10, 2007 (day 4)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear the Minister is committed to working with other aboriginal language organizations in different respective regions. Mr. Speaker, I would like to continue with my question concerning these distinct and philosophical differences each group expressed in the development of the original curriculum. Is the Minister prepared to provide the same amount of financial support to Athabaskan language communities for the work on the new curriculum? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 49-15(6): Aboriginal Language Curriculum Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In order to develop the curriculum for the different language groups we have in the Northwest Territories, it may take more in some areas; it may take less in others. We are prepared, over the next few years, to spend what it takes to develop appropriate curriculum in each region. We have to work within existing budgets, so it may take longer to do in some areas or it may take less time depending on how quickly the work can get done.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 49-15(6): Aboriginal Language Curriculum Development

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when questioned on this issue -- it was addressed during the previous session -- the Minister informed this House all the areas that are part of the curriculum in the Northwest Territories have to receive attention and make sure there is an important curriculum in place. Considering the state of our languages and the rapid rate of language loss, the need for aboriginal language curriculum is urgent. What measures will the Minister take to ensure that the language curriculum is given equal priority to other subjects and funds are found to guarantee its success? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 49-15(6): Aboriginal Language Curriculum Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member is aware, we have issued a directive ensuring that all of the DECs and education councils have to deliver aboriginal language and culture according to the directive. We want to see the money spent where it is going to do the most good. We have the same commitment to aboriginal languages as we have to social studies to English to all of the other areas of the curriculum. We are investing in those areas.

Mr. Speaker, one of the other things we’ve done recently is make sure that this year we have a base-funded program to help the college deliver a program for aboriginal language and culture instructors, and those people will also be needed to help us develop the curricula. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 49-15(6): Aboriginal Language Curriculum Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, maybe I can throw in another angle. Assuming that the DEAs, the teaching and learning centres, the language communities, have committed to working together to create a language curriculum that fits their needs in the regions, will the Minister at least commit to considering the work plan and suggestions put forth by the Aboriginal Languages Special Advisory Committee? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 49-15(6): Aboriginal Language Curriculum Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of course we can consider work plans that are brought forward by people who are specialists in that area from the region. It’s important to remember, though, like the development of the Dene Kede which took many years to develop in each of the regions so that it actually works for all of the different cultures in the Northwest Territories, it’s going to take a number of years for us to develop all of the curricula for languages in the North. But we are committed to doing that work and working with people who are experts in that area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement yesterday I spoke to the practice of asking employees to sometimes provide a medical prognosis from a doctor when they get a medical leave form. Twenty-four hours later my opinion hasn’t changed. I still think it’s unfair. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Human Resources, Mr. Dent. I’d like to ask the Minister if there’s a policy in place that requires employees to have a prognosis if they’re getting a medical leave form from a doctor. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Human Resources, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 50-15(6): Prognosis For GNWT Medical Leave Requests

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I listened, with interest, to the Member’s statement yesterday and I understand the concern that he’s expressed, particularly if there was some thought that a patient’s personal information could be included in a prognosis. Our policy allows the employer to get a prognosis from a doctor to get an indication of when an employee might be able to come back to work and whether or not they’re going to be able to resume work without some limitations. So quite clearly, under the policy of sick leave, Human Resources, or part of the human resource manual that deals with sick leave, the policy clearly says that it’s a statement from a medical practitioner which outlines the long or short-term impact of the employee's medical condition on the employee’s ability to carry out all or some duties. The medical prognosis does not provide detailed information respecting the condition, but provides information respecting the employee’s medically endorsed precautions and capabilities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 50-15(6): Prognosis For GNWT Medical Leave Requests

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The doctor's leave form says an employee can’t be at work for a week. Is that not sufficient enough? Does this apply to all employees who have received a medical leave form or just a select few? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 50-15(6): Prognosis For GNWT Medical Leave Requests

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The medical prognosis isn’t required with all employees, but it can be requested of any employee. It’s something that each manager is left to determine whether or not it’s something they should ask an employee to provide. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 50-15(6): Prognosis For GNWT Medical Leave Requests

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister if there was a particular reason this policy was brought forward. Were they having problems with employees taking advantage of medical leave forms? Is that why this policy was brought forward? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 50-15(6): Prognosis For GNWT Medical Leave Requests

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can’t speak as to why this item would have been included in the sick leave policy, but I would say that it’s certainly something that an employer would be interested in knowing whether or not there are terms or conditions, or there are certain conditions, that the employer should be aware of in making sure whether or not there’s an accommodation required for an employee, or how long an employee might be expected to be off work, and whether or not there should be a plan put in place to ensure that when they return to work they are able to continue.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 50-15(6): Prognosis For GNWT Medical Leave Requests

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll repeat once again, the medical leave form usually has a date of return from the doctor. So in his opinion, that’s when the employee can return to work and perform their duties. In my opinion, that sometimes questions the integrity of the doctors by asking for a prognosis on top of the medical leave form they’ve already given to the employer. I’d like to ask the Minister if the NWT Medical Association was consulted in any way on this particular policy. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 50-15(6): Prognosis For GNWT Medical Leave Requests

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can’t say whether they were consulted on this policy or not.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of ITI and it’s to follow up just briefly on my Member’s statement and the fact that many countries around the world, from New Zealand to Sweden, Norway, and countries in between, have taken to looking at the development of nature-based tourism as a way to provide more support and revitalize their rural communities. Given the North’s tremendous natural assets, beauties and marketable tourism attractions, and the fact that many communities don’t have other resource-based development on their doorstep, I’d just like to ask the Minister if he would commit to instructing his officials to build some reference to the potential of this particular type of marketing that’s been developed into the 2008-2009 business development plan so that the incoming 16th Assembly will have an opportunity to consider how they want to move on this type of opportunity? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 51-15(6): Support Of The Ecotourism Sector

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to assure Members that we’re certainly doing what we can to support this sector. I think we can do more but, as Members will be aware, in the 2010 proposal and documents, since about 2003-2004 we’ve essentially virtually doubled the marketing money that we’re spending in tourism; the amount of money of the contribution that goes to our partner, NWTT. They are spending a lot more on marketing. One of the areas they’ve targeted, Mr. Speaker, is outdoor adventure.

I think that Members have probably by now had a chance to see the 2007 Explorer’s Guide. A nice feature in there, some 13 pages of operators who are advertising and promoting outdoor adventure. There’s a nice piece on south of the lake. We’re doing a number of things related to this segment. I think the Member’s region is probably particularly very well suited for this and the promotion of this industry. So we will continue to work with him in that respect, but, as I say, this has been now I think our third year of the 2010 program. There’s more to come, but I think we are off to a good start. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 51-15(6): Support Of The Ecotourism Sector

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the whole area of ecotourism has some fairly stringent accreditation requirements that are developed in the jurisdiction. There’s some marketing requirements and it’s a specific way of doing business that’s been developed through trial and error in other countries. So the question once again to the Minister is, given all the opportunities in the North, would he commit to having his officials build a reference into this particular area the way it’s done in other jurisdictions to see if there’s an applicability here in the Northwest Territories for the 2008-2009 Business Plan? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 51-15(6): Support Of The Ecotourism Sector

Mr. Speaker, I would propose that I could meet with the NWTT to talk about this. They have identified the segment as outdoor adventure. I think, in their minds, this includes ecotourism. If there are some specific nuances here or references here to programs internationally that have been successful, that’s certainly something that I’d like to learn more about. I could talk to the Member. I’m also, Mr. Speaker, in the process of trying to plan for a trip south of the lake to both Hay River and Fort Smith and when I have some acceptable dates identified, I will come back to the Members of those communities and talk about meetings that might be scheduled. Probably a good meeting with the Member if he’d be prepared to work with me to host to bring in some tourism stakeholders into the community, possibly with the mayor and council. We could talk about that kind of thing. But that’s certainly something that I think is a good idea and I’d be prepared to discuss further. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 51-15(6): Support Of The Ecotourism Sector

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s offer. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m going to be in the community or even in the territory the week that he’s thinking about being there. However, the question still is, Mr. Speaker, that this is a very specific type of development. The Minister is going to be in office for another four months before we all hit the hustings, or those of us who are going to run again are going to hit the hustings. The key is the development and building this into the 2008-2009 business planning process. While I appreciate the words of support from the Minister that we also have this other process that the 16th Assembly will pick up. So the question is, in addition to those words of support, will he ensure that it’s built into the 2008-2009 Business Plan? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 51-15(6): Support Of The Ecotourism Sector

Mr. Speaker, I will certainly meet, as I periodically do, with our tourism marketing advisory committee. They are industry stakeholders, representing the tourism industry, and they’ve been tasked with identifying our business plan priorities. There are four of them this year: recreational vehicle general touring, outdoor adventure, German and Japanese markets. I will sit down and talk to them about ecotourism and outdoor adventure, make sure I understand the nuances, and if we can work to build that into their priorities, that’s something that I’m prepared to do. What they do is bring this forward, this business plan, after the industry has looked at it. We endorse it and make the contribution. So it’s very much one of working with our stakeholders. I’ll continue to do that, but I appreciate the Member’s suggestions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are on the Premier’s statement yesterday about the negotiations going on about the concession agreements and the project financing of the Deh Cho project. I think the questions could be answered by either the Premier or the Minister of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, I just want to preface it by, obviously even though I support this project 1,000 percent, it has to stand on its own leg and make a sound business case. But business case for public business is a little different than a private business, which is profit motivated. A bridge like this is a public project and we need to look into costs and benefit analysis. But we throw into that a lot of benefit questions and one of the most important things being reducing the cost of living for northern residents and businesses. The toll that’s being proposed will be imposed on commercial trucking and commercial trucks and commercial haul, and the cost has to be something that the commercial market can bear, and that it needs to be an investment on the part of the government to make this project viable. The fact that the federal government will not come into play as of yet is unfortunate. But if the GNWT can bear the cost and make it viable, I think it’s something that warrants our support. So I’d like to ask the Minister, as the Premier or Minister, whoever’s going to answer the question, about what is the extent of the negotiations that’s going on under the concession agreement and project financing? What are the parameters they are looking at to make sure that the cost and benefit analysis of this will make it viable? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The question is probably most suited for the Minister of Transportation. I’ll address it to the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Menicoche.

Return To Question 52-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. There has been a cost-benefit analysis done many, many, many times on the Deh Cho Bridge project. Certainly as of last fall or even last year, when we deferred the project, it was because it wasn’t self-financing and needed additional expenditures or money from government. At this point, we’re hopeful that the federal government will still buy into it using the P3 money available. They’re willing to, their P3 project right now as it stands, they’re willing to contribute up to 25 percent of a P3 project, and It is on their National Highway Strategy for the federal government as well, Mr. Speaker. We know that they’re looking at it seriously. It is with the top P3 projects on their books across Canada, Mr. Speaker. Up until this point, that’s where it stands without any formal written commitment. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 52-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding of this project is that government will make an investment, whether it be the GNWT or federal government, to lend the money to the corporation and the corporation will levy enough toll to pay for the project and make a little bit of profit so that the communities can benefit from that. But the return on investment has to be viable. So I’d like to ask the Minister to confirm whether the cost of the project and the increase that’s going on is still making it viable for the corporation to be able to pay the money over a period of time that’s been determined and still make a little profit. I guess I’m asking if, I have to assume, and I’d like the Minister to confirm that this is still an economically viable project for the corporation and for the government. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 52-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Once again I’ll commit to continue to share that with committee. In fact, we’re trying to find a time slot sometime early next week. Some of the details the Member is referring to, of course, are in the concession agreement and being negotiated and is confidential at this point. However, once we’re in committee, we’ll be able to share as much as possible that we can with the Regular Members there, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 52-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier’s sessional statement indicated that the negotiations are underway and that construction could begin as early as this fall. So I’d like to ask the Minister about what the timeline is. While he cannot reveal all the details, it certainly sounds like the deals are imminent. So could he give us an indication as to whether it’s weeks away or months away or what is the timeline of that negotiation? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 52-15(6): Deh Cho Bridge Project