Debates of May 27, 2004 (day 14)

May
27
2004
Day
14
Speaker
David Krutko
Word
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 10: Forgiveness Of Debts Act, 2004-2005
Bill 11: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2004-2005
Bill 12: An Act To Amend The Education Act
Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Legal Profession Act
Bill 8: Miscellaneous Statutes Amendments Act, 2004
Bill 9: Write-off Of Assets And Debts Act, 2004-2005
Committee Report 4-15(3): Report On The Review Of Bill 5, Tlicho Community Government Act
Committee Report 5-15(3): Report On The Review Of Bill 6, Payroll Tax Act, 1993 And The Income Tax Act
Member's Statement On Apology From The Member For North Slave
Member's Statement On Delivery Of Health Services In The Yellowknife Correctional Centre
Member's Statement On Financial Support For Team NWT And The Canada Senior Games
Member's Statement On Health Concerns Of Dust In Communities Of The Sahtu
Member's Statement On Health Hazards Of Moulds In Home Construction
Member's Statement On Identity Theft In Canada
Member's Statement On Involving Constituents And Students In The Work Of The Legislative Assembly
Member's Statement On Lifeguard Services At Fred Henne Territorial Park
Member's Statement On Residency Criteria Of The Affirmative Action Policy
Member's Statement On Resource Development Negotiations In The Mackenzie Delta
Member's Statement On Salute To The Cooperative Teamwork Approach Of This Government
Member's Statement On Salute To The Fire Department - Fire At Samuel Hearne Secondary School
Minister's Statement 29-15(3): Auditor General's Report On Land Claims Implementation
Minister's Statement 30-15(3): National Diamond Round Table
Motion To Receive Committee Report 4-15(3) And Move To Committee Of The Whole, Carried
Motion To Receive Committee Report 5-15(3) And Move To Committee Of The Whole, Carried
Question 143-15(3): Lifeguards At Fred Henne Territorial Park
Question 144-15(3): Potential Impacts Of Resource Development In The Mackenzie Valley
Question 145-15(3): Examination Of The Affirmative Action Policy
Question 146-15(3): Delivery Of Health Services In Yellowknife Correctional Centre
Question 147-15(3): Disciplinary Action For The Conduct Of Minister Zoe
Question 148-15(3): Incidence of Identity Theft In The Northwest Territories
Question 149-15(3): Disciplinary Action For The Conduct Of Minister Zoe
Question 150-15(3): Community Freezers In Paulatuk And Holman
Question 151-15(3): Health Concerns Of Dust In Sahtu Communities
Question 152-15(3): Treatment Of Persons With Developmental Disabilities
Question 153-15(3): Mould In Housing Units In The Communities Of Nahendeh
Question 154-15(3): Staff Morale Concerns At Yellowknife Correctional Centre
Question 155-15(3): Conduct Of Minister Zoe
Question 156-15(3): Conduct Of Minister Zoe
Question 157-15(3): Conduct Of Minister Zoe
Question 158-15(3): Nature Of The Conduct Of Minister Zoe
Question 159-15(3): Update On The Tl’oondih Healing Society
Question 160-15(3): National Sex Offender Registry
Question 161-15(3): Condition Of Fort Good Hope Bridge
Question 162-15(3): Conduct Of Minister Zoe
Question 163-15(3): Premier’s Confidence In Minister Zoe
Question 164-15(3): Conduct Of Minister Zoe
Return To Written Question 17-15(3): Rent Assessment For Seniors In Public Housing
Tabled Document 43-15(3): Agreement Between The GNWT And The City Of Yellowknife Re Lifeguarding Services
Written Question 20-15(3): Income Support Clients
Written Question 21-15(3): Land Access Agreements
Written Question 22-15(3): Guidelines For Contractors To Deal With Mould
Statements

Question 150-15(3): Community Freezers In Paulatuk And Holman

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement yesterday, I requested community freezers for Paulatuk and Holman for the 2004-05 season. I would like to take another shot at requesting this and will continue to, so we can resolve the problem. Mr. Speaker, given the recent response of the Minister of RWED towards the contract offered to the City of Yellowknife for $15,000 and the city turning down the offer, can Minister Brendan Bell take that $15,000 and put it towards the community freezers in Holman and Paulatuk? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 150-15(3): Community Freezers In Paulatuk And Holman

Mr. Speaker, that’s an interesting question and I would say and restate that I am certainly wiling to come to the Member’s riding and sit down and better understand the needs of the community as it relates to this piece of infrastructure. We can talk about what it actually costs to run. I would like to see it. Obviously we have concerns about the health risk. We have talked in past about liability. Internally in the department we have had discussions about that. That is becoming more and more of a concern for public governments. I know our Department of Finance risk management division have advised us on several cases. I can’t speak specifically to this one, but in other cases there are liabilities that potentially would prohibit us from feeling comfortable with an arrangement of this nature. The earlier point about a contract, stating that that allowed us to be outside of any obligation or liability, there are concerns about any party's ability to contract out of obligations and liabilities. So there were a number of concerns around this. The short answer is I think it would be more appropriate if I sat down with the community and we met and discussed options. As I have said, the preferred option is not to keep this piece of equipment running, and we have made offers to all members of a community who need them of chest freezers at no charge, I would add, Mr. Speaker.