Debates of May 11, 2007 (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. I will allow the Minister to answer that. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 59-15(6): Income Support Program Treatment Of Impact Benefit Compensation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a lot of things that may happen only once. For instance, gifts that people are given that are considered as income. The exclusions we offer now through the program are those that are provided for as compensation for some purpose like the wrongdoing that happened at residential schools. IBAs are not considered the same way. It’s a contractual arrangement. It’s not seen by our government as compensation. So on that difference of opinion, that’s where we stand between the Member and the government.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 59-15(6): Income Support Program Treatment Of Impact Benefit Compensation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Okay, well let me ask the Minister this, if he can explain to me what the difference is between the Inuvialuit regional claim distribution payments and IBAs. I don’t see any difference in it, Mr. Speaker. I would like the Minister to tell me what that difference is. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 59-15(6): Income Support Program Treatment Of Impact Benefit Compensation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One flows from a modern treaty -- the settlement of a land claim -- and the other flows from something that is not part of a treaty, but is in fact a separate contractual arrangement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, I spoke about my constituent, Ms. Carmen Tees, who is in the gallery today who is suffering from MS, as well as depression, austio arthritis, sleep apnea, and she’s shut in most of the year. She is not allowed to move into the new apartment building that is barrier free because she has a cat. Mr. Speaker, I have two small points to make. The Yellowknife Housing Authority has made a no pet policy for this building and that is a human rights breach. Mr. Speaker, I would like to hear the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation position of whether the NWT recognizes medical therapeutic, other benefits companion pets can provide our elderly and disabled constituents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 60-15(6): Pet Policy In Disabled Housing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We certainly respect and recognize the use of animals, pets, if you want to call them that, who are considered to be service providers. For example, a seeing eye dog. But in terms of companion pets, I really don’t know, Mr. Speaker, that the Housing Corporation has a position on that.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 60-15(6): Pet Policy In Disabled Housing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I have letters that have been sent in from doctors, clinical therapists, even the former president of the Housing Corporation and directors of the Housing Corporation that have all said in a timely way they will make sure she gets a unit. By the way, Ms. Tees was one of the genesis clients to go out there to find out what they need for a disabled building to suit disabled people’s needs. So, Mr. Speaker, will the Minister of the Housing Corp go back and have this policy reviewed in a fair way, because it’s my opinion that it’s a human rights breach? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 60-15(6): Pet Policy In Disabled Housing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is the Yellowknife Housing Authority that is responsible for the policies with regard to the management of the units that the Member is referring to. Mr. Speaker, it’s their policy decision. I will ensure that they have knowledge of the Member’s concern and that they take it into consideration. But we have to keep in mind they are responsible for managing the units. They have the authority to set the policies and we don’t want to interfere in something that is their authority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 60-15(6): Pet Policy In Disabled Housing

Mr. Speaker, if I can refer without reading them, I have two NWT Housing Corp letters, one from the president and one from the director of policy and programs, instructing the Yellowknife Housing Authority to accommodate this constituent as soon as any facility becomes available that is absolutely suitable. Mr. Speaker, we have an eight-plex next door right out her front window, Mr. Speaker, or side window, sorry. The fact is it’s there and now they have obstructed her entering this building because she has a cat. Are they afraid of a little cat, for goodness sakes, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Speaker, will the Minister of the Housing Corporation go back and tell the housing authority to let this woman in, because it is an absolute necessity for her well-being to have this cat in there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 60-15(6): Pet Policy In Disabled Housing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure they are afraid of a cat, but they might be.

Mr. Speaker, I will make sure that they are aware of the issue that the Member has raised. But as I said before, this is their authority. They are the Yellowknife Housing Authority. They have the right to set the policies. They have no right to break human rights legislation or rights, but, Mr. Speaker, they have to take into consideration the needs of all of the tenants in the units that they occupy. I will make sure they are aware of this concern. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 60-15(6): Pet Policy In Disabled Housing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister’s position on the fact that they are not allowed to breach human rights. So, Mr. Speaker, I would like to get a commitment from the Minister today because we own the buildings and we can set policy, territorial-broad policy, not just one housing authority, all housing authorities. I would like him to agree today that he will go in and investigate this problem and make sure that we do not have to march down to the Human Rights Commission office downtown to make sure this lady gets into this unit, because she absolutely deserves to be there. Even the Housing Corp president has mentioned that and the director has mentioned that she should be in this building. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 60-15(6): Pet Policy In Disabled Housing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, this is within the jurisdiction of the Yellowknife Housing Authority. I will make sure they are aware of the concern the Member has raised. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Human Resources. I would first like to start off by saying thank you for allowing me to have a look at the Hackett report that was done last year. I have never held $500,000 in my hands before, so it was quite amazing to know what $500,000 feels like. Thank you, Mr. Minister.

---Laughter

I want to ask the Minister today of the recommendations that were contained in that report that was done over a year ago. I would like the Minister to provide us with a status of where those recommendations are and how they are being proceeded upon. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister of Human Resources, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 61-15(6): Delivery Of GNWT Human Resource Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have implemented a number of the changes recommended in the Hackett report. The structural changes to the Department of Human Resources are in progress. They are substantially underway. I can't say they are 100 percent complete, because a lot of the changes required that we work to move people around as the work gets done. For instance, we have a significant backlog in pay and benefits that we have been trying to deal with. We need to keep people in that area until that backlog is dealt with, but we are moving towards the final transformation. I would expect that we should be able to, over the course of the next year, conclude the transformation of the department.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 61-15(6): Delivery Of GNWT Human Resource Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if you look on the Government of the Northwest Territories website, go to the phone directory and have a look at Human Resources, you see no fewer than six managers managing six people. They each manage one person in the benefits section. I would like the Minister to explain to me how it’s a proper business process to allow the department to have six managers managing six people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 61-15(6): Delivery Of GNWT Human Resource Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, the department is in the midst of a transformation process and that won’t be the final status of the department. So as the work gets caught up and brought up to date, as we finish the movement into the latest version of PeopleSoft and as self-service rolls out, the structure will be in line with what has been recommended in the Hackett report.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 61-15(6): Delivery Of GNWT Human Resource Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Keeping with the business processes, I would like the Minister to explain to me how it is that an employee who works at HR who has been an employee of the government for 20 years, 20-plus years, and has had glowing performance reviews all through that 20-year history in the Northwest Territories, all of a sudden finds himself on the outs at HR and is being rushed out the door. I would like to explain how we have employees who work for us for 20 years and all of a sudden they are discarded. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 61-15(6): Delivery Of GNWT Human Resource Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would be careful to say that our employees are discarded. We value the employees who work for this government and know that the public service have nothing but the best of intentions and always want to do the best job. Mr. Speaker, as this whole transformation process has taken place, it has meant that some people are having difficulty finding a spot in which to fit. When you bring a bunch of people in who have been out in the departments doing different jobs and try to build one centralized structure, it’s sometimes difficult to find the exact fit. So we are working with employees to ensure that training is offered and we are endeavouring to ensure that we can find positions to suit all of the employees that we have. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 61-15(6): Delivery Of GNWT Human Resource Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am wondering if I can get a commitment from the Minister today to come back to committee to discuss in further detail the recommendations that are outlined in the Hackett report and how it is we are moving forward with the recommendations that are in that report, so that we can deliver a more streamlined, efficient Human Resource service for our employees and the public. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 61-15(6): Delivery Of GNWT Human Resource Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would be pleased to do that. Anytime we are requested by the committee, we will make ourselves available. Mahsi cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to continue with my question to the Premier in terms of Imperial Oil dropping the bomb in Norman Wells by cutting the fuel supply off to the town of Norman Wells. I want to ask the Premier if he would inform me, inform the House, inform the good people of Norman Wells in terms of what specific things this government is going to do to help residents of Norman Wells to look at possibly a conversion of the household products to keep their homes heated and operational once Imperial turns the tap off April 1, 2008. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 62-15(6): Future Of Norman Wells Gas Field

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me say again, in terms of power, the Power Corporation has an agreement with Imperial to supply energy for power until 2010. When it comes to homes, then Imperial will no longer provide gas to the domestic users after April 2008. The town has advised us that they have hired a consultant who will be taking a look at the options. Our departments are looking at this situation. As soon as we have information together, we have committed to meeting with the town and, at that point, we will determine which operation is the best to put forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 62-15(6): Future Of Norman Wells Gas Field

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the town of Norman Wells and the residents of Norman Wells appreciate the Premier’s comments in terms of how this government is going to help with the natural gas supply. Mr. Speaker, the town of Norman Wells made comments to myself and Members of this House that when we had a meeting with them in terms of NCPC, the power rates would go up by using the NCPC supply. They want to maintain a certain level of affordable rates and again I am asking the Premier in terms of helping the people in Norman Wells make a conversion of their hot water tanks, electricity, fuel, is it something similar? Is Cabinet discussing something similar where the town of Inuvik had this situation and the Government of the Northwest Territories helped out the residents of Inuvik? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 62-15(6): Future Of Norman Wells Gas Field

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As well as the concerns by the residents in Norman Wells, we also have some issues that we have to deal with ourselves as a government and that has to do with the school, the health centre, the airport. We have a lot of government facilities there, so we are working on that side.

With regard to the Power Corporation, we should be fine until 2010. We have a diesel generator there, but after 2010 if we had to produce our own power, then it may be necessary to add another generator in there. Of course, with community-based rates, that would have to be borne by the users, Mr. Speaker. That’s looking forward to post-2010. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 62-15(6): Future Of Norman Wells Gas Field

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the use of diesel means that then once a decision has been made by the town of Norman Wells, the power rates would go up and we would convert over 200 homes into diesel that are on natural gas now. Should the pipeline go through and Imperial says we are opening shop again, we have natural gas and you have to convert back if they want to go back to natural gas. That’s what the town is asking. Is there some assistance if they choose not to go into the diesel because of the power rates? Do they have some assurance that the Government of the Northwest Territories will help them like they did with the town of Inuvik in converting their household furnaces and heaters into propane if they wanted to go with propane? Would the government help the town of Norman Wells? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 62-15(6): Future Of Norman Wells Gas Field

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of options to look at. One of them would be to switch over and begin to produce power and so on with diesel. Another one would be to just simply switch to propane and if we believe gas is coming through the pipeline anyway and it’s going to be a matter of five or six years, then it’s much less expensive to switch the units over to propane and use propane for a few years and if natural gas is available, go back to natural gas rather than go to the expensive route of diesel. Mr. Speaker, a consultant has been hired. Our people are looking at it. We will see what the options are. Then we will meet with the town and with them, decide what is the most appropriate and what level of support might be necessary. Thank you.