Debates of May 28, 2004 (day 15)

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 166-15(3): Enhancement Of The Northern Studies Curriculum

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in fact through our participation in the Western Canadian Protocol we have enhanced the curriculum across all western provinces in both territories to include more history of the North, and in the social studies curriculum you will find that in particular starting even as early as Grade 4 that there is a fair emphasis on northern history. In addition to that, Mr. Speaker, through the teacher education program at Aurora College there is again a significant emphasis on northern history so that teachers who come through the northern system are even more aware of the history of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Allen.

Supplementary To Question 166-15(3): Enhancement Of The Northern Studies Curriculum

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad to hear that, because I think the teachers of those who teach northern culture would be very pleased that the Minister had responded positively. I just wanted to ensure that he continued to work with his curriculum consultants, that teachers may broaden their teaching modules so that it may be extended right from K to 12. It enhances the post-secondary component of our education system. If I could get that commitment from the Minister, would he make that in the House today? Thank you.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 166-15(3): Enhancement Of The Northern Studies Curriculum

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are certainly prepared to continue with our commitment to make sure that northern teachers are better prepared to teach about northern culture and history, and we will continue to work with our partners in the Western Canadian Protocol to strengthen significantly, where possible, the curriculum, or, where appropriate, the curriculum to deal with northern history. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, thank you. My questions this morning are for the Honourable Brendan Bell, Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, and our Minister responsible for the tourism portfolio as relates to the difficulties now encountered by Aurora World Corporation and the GNWT's involvement in this corporation. I would like to ask the Minister what is the Government of the Northwest Territories' exposure in the difficulties encountered by this corporation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 167-15(3): GNWT Involvement In The Aurora World Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Obviously this is a difficult situation, but I think it's going to eventually be a good-news story going forward for the industry. We know that aurora visitation numbers have declined drastically, after 9-11 and other geopolitical events: the war in Iraq, there was also SARS and a number of events I think Mr. Braden has alluded to. Things have been a little more difficult since then, obviously. I think things are starting to turn around. I'm hopeful; I'm optimistic. Obviously this company had a couple of choices to make while things were improving. I think they felt that there was just too much to overcome, so they filed for protection from creditors under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Hopefully a workable business model will emerge from that. Obviously our exposure as a territory is twofold. There are a lot of people employed in this industry. We want to see it successful. We want to see it back up to pre-9-11 levels and even better in the years beyond. There are a lot of businesses that rely on this tourism. There are a lot of people whose jobs are at stake if the tourism sector isn't viable. As well, we are also a creditor, as the Member knows, so there is financial exposure in that respect, and obviously I have an interest in seeing us protect the public purse. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 167-15(3): GNWT Involvement In The Aurora World Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the Minister for that response. I had asked what is the GNWT's exposure. There may be conditions in the business agreement that do not permit the Minister to disclose that. I would like to leave that question on the table, and further ask, Mr. Speaker, is the GNWT considering investing any new money in this corporation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 167-15(3): GNWT Involvement In The Aurora World Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the Member is looking for the amount of money owed to the government, or the BCC specifically, from this company. I am unable, because of our legislation, to give the Member the number. The Member will remember we have had many past discussions about the need to balance the privacy and the protection of proprietary interest with the need for the public to know. This is a difficult balance. I think it is a discussion that we'll continue to have going forward. I look forward to that discussion, but without the agreement of the parties involved, I can't divulge the amount of money. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 167-15(3): GNWT Involvement In The Aurora World Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What is the Government of the Northwest Territories doing to promote and sustain the continuation of the aurora tourism industry? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 167-15(3): GNWT Involvement In The Aurora World Corporation

Thank you. The Member will remember the $250,000 contribution that this government made at the end of the last assembly. It was for aurora recovery. That money was further levered through the Canadian Tourism Commission and amounted in what we believe is around $900,000 in investment spent both domestically and in Japan to try to reinvigorate the industry. We are hearing from the NWT Arctic Tourism Association and others that they believe this has been very successful. They are thankful for the support. Really the proof will be in the pudding with the upcoming season in terms of visitation numbers, but we're very optimistic that with this level of support that we'll have made significant inroads. Thank you.

Final supplementary.

Supplementary To Question 167-15(3): GNWT Involvement In The Aurora World Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It might be a bit early yet, but from my experience in the tourism industry, now is when the sales teams should be out there filling the order books for the coming season. Given the trends in world tourism, in local tourism and the situation at hand, Mr. Speaker, what information could the Minister provide on the viability and strength of this industry going into the winter of 2004-05? Thank you.

Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 167-15(3): GNWT Involvement In The Aurora World Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would say that the individual tourism providers, I believe, are out at tourism shows. I know they will participate going forward and are out, as the Member indicates, with their sales books and trying to book tours for the upcoming season. My information, looking at the numbers from this past season, is that things are improving, if only slightly. We haven't seen the dramatic recovery that we were looking for, but I have spoken with two of the three operators who are involved in aurora visitation, and they are optimistic about the numbers and recognize that this may be a slow recovery but we're going in the right direction. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, I understand that Health Canada has an office in Ottawa that administers non-insured health benefits for the people in the Northwest Territories. My question to the Minister is has there been any discussion in terms of the GNWT and the federal government for moving that office to the Northwest Territories?

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 168-15(3): Moving Health Canada Office To The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have had discussions with Minister McLellan before she moved from her portfolio, with Minister Pettigrew, about the possibility of moving those people from the northern secretariat who administer programs in the health area on behalf of the people in the Northwest Territories to the North. At this point they are only discussions, but the intent across the board is as we look at devolution in talking with DIAND and in talking with Health Canada is to have those services and programs that are administered by federal civil servants as close to the people they serve as possible, which would mean to the North. So, yes, there have been discussions. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 168-15(3): Moving Health Canada Office To The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's good to hear that there are discussions happening. I would like to ask the Minister a more specific question in terms of what guidelines this government may look at in terms of having these services moved to the Northwest Territories. It's a crying shame that in today's day and age that is operating out of Ottawa, whereas the Government of the Northwest Territories is looking at becoming more administrative as a territory. I would like to ask the Minister of some timelines that we could possibly see some actions where these services would be transferred to the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 168-15(3): Moving Health Canada Office To The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this issue has been on the government agenda for many years. In fact, my recollection is the federal government itself did a review of the positions that could be moved north and there were a substantial number, but the federal government decided not to move on that, the main rationale being that the public didn't really want to move out of Ottawa and other southern jurisdictions where they currently did their business. It's not an option that was given in '67 when they moved the capital north, but it was the one that the federal government used.

Mr. Speaker, this is going to be an ongoing issue as we discuss this. There are no set timelines. It's on the table as an ongoing part of discussions with the federal government. I know on the health side we also want to look at the supplementary health benefits and exactly how non-insured health benefits are provided. Is the vehicle of the federal government the best way to do it? We are now a program administrator. Should there be discussions through this supplementary health review to in fact look at a possible different arrangement which would see that program fully taken over by the territorial government, is one possible suggestion. There are a number of options out there that are going to require our attention over the coming months. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 168-15(3): Moving Health Canada Office To The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the delicate discussions happening with Health Canada in terms of the northern secretariat being moved to the Northwest Territories. I would like to see this government take some leadership of some of the positions of some people who do not want to be moved to the Northwest Territories. We have enough qualified people in the Northwest Territories to take on those positions. Once and for all we should be able to say, if it's part of the discussions, that we have qualified people in the Northwest Territories. It requires some delicate negotiations, however, I think this government needs to take a stand in saying that we have people here ready to take over those positions if people in Ottawa do not want to move. I would like to ask the Minister if he would look at this strategy in terms of having some commitment to having this office moved here and not having the negotiations held up because a few people in Ottawa do not want to move to the great white Northwest Territories.

Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 168-15(3): Moving Health Canada Office To The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories, like the other 12 provincial jurisdictions will all be getting their lists ready for post-June 28th when we know who in fact the government in the land will be at the federal level. So I can assure the Member that the issue he has raised in this House is one that is on our list and we will be moving on that when we, once again, know who the government of the day will be at the federal level. Thank you.

Colleagues, I would like to direct your attention to the presence in the visitors' gallery of a Grade 5 class from St. Joseph's School and their teacher, Ms. Chiasson. I would like to welcome you to the Legislative Assembly. I know you received a little tour of the House, and I would like to welcome you back. So welcome to the Legislative Assembly.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, mahsi cho. My questions are directed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Given that the government's strategic plan calls for implementation of school programs that support indigenous language and culture, does the government's strategic plan include measures for the training and professional development of qualified aboriginal language instructors to teach these school programs?

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 169-15(3): Qualified Language Instructors In NWT Schools

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the strategic plan may not specifically mention that sort of program, but it is certainly one of the basic tenants of the teacher education program and one of the reasons for offering the program right through to the baccalaureate or bachelor degree stage in the Northwest Territories. We are anxious to see more teachers who are born in the Northwest Territories and conversant in the language of their community who have been able to go through the process and become fully qualified teachers with a B.Ed. to work in the North. That's one way in which we are strongly continuing this. While it may not be mentioned in the strategic plan, it is certainly something that has been in the business plans of Education, Culture and Employment, so it is an ongoing process that we continue to support.

Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 169-15(3): Qualified Language Instructors In NWT Schools

Mr. Speaker, does the government and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment have plans to provide bursaries and scholarships to encourage teachers to develop aboriginal language teaching skills at the college level?

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 169-15(3): Qualified Language Instructors In NWT Schools

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the college has an aboriginal language and culture instructor program which is designed to prepare aboriginal language teachers to deliver aboriginal programming in NWT schools. This is a program that is offered on top of the teacher education program and it can be supported through the student financial assistance program, which also offers access to scholarships, as well. We find that many employers are prepared to support their employees to access this kind of program, as well. So the answer is yes, we make this programming available to assist teachers to become better qualified, and we do support it financially. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 169-15(3): Qualified Language Instructors In NWT Schools

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps the Minister could clarify for me again that the government does provide bursaries and scholarships to encourage more aboriginal language professionals with teaching skills and just to develop the capacities that I know are lacking in the regions and the communities. If the Minister can provide that answer for me. Thank you.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 169-15(3): Qualified Language Instructors In NWT Schools

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We don't have a program of scholarships and bursaries that are specifically limited to teachers who want to take this kind of upgrading or training. There is, however, a fairly large pot of money, which is part of the collective agreement with the NWTTA, that is available for teachers for upgrading purposes. What has been found to work best with courses like the aboriginal language and culture programming is part-time delivery in the regions, so that it can be delivered close to the workplace. Often this kind of upgrading doesn't require a huge investment of time or money on the part of the teacher. But if the teacher were to sign up for a full-time instruction course and were to take time off to do it, they would qualify for support. If they have gone to school in the Northwest Territories, they would qualify for student financial assistance if they weren't able to access the professional development funding that is part of the collective agreement. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 169-15(3): Qualified Language Instructors In NWT Schools

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just one further point on that is I was saying language and culture are very important to our government. Is the department looking at providing incentives and bursaries or a new initiative to reach out to our teachers to say, look, this is important to us, here are additional bursaries and scholarships that are available to you, rather that to just access the current pool but to create a larger pool of aboriginal language instructors for the North and our students? Mahsi cho.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 169-15(3): Qualified Language Instructors In NWT Schools