Debates of November 30, 2007 (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 75-16(1): Transportation Infrastructure Priorities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would be prepared to try to arrange a meeting with the Member and his community leaders when we can find some time; probably early in the new year at some point, but I would be prepared to set some time up with the Member and go into his community. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, getting back to my Member’s statement from earlier today, during the last federal budget, an announcement was made of a $33 billion infrastructure program called the Building Canada Fund. I’d like to ask questions to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs about this fund. On Wednesday, I’d asked questions of the Minister of Transportation about whether a list existed from this government to the federal government in terms of what the priorities were. Here we are 48 hours later, less than 48 hours later and I’d like to ask the Minister of MACA, does a list exist and what’s on it? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 76-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have not provided any projects to the federal government at this point. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 76-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess that wasn’t the answer to the question that I was looking for. Again, I’d like to ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs what is on the list and how did the government arrive at making those items that are on that list a priority? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 76-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member asked me what was on the list that we provided the federal government. Mr. Speaker, we have not provided a list to the federal government. Mr. Speaker, the list that the Member is referring to has not been compiled yet. There are a couple of projects that we’d like to announce once we have our framework negotiations completed. The list that’s being requested would be developed through the interim appropriations discussions and the capital planning and more than likely be targeted towards projects already in our business plan. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 76-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m wondering if the Minister can let the Regular Members of this House know how the government plans to consult with Regular Members when it comes to making things a priority of this government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 76-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you. I think, Mr. Speaker, we’ve done and taken the first step towards that by meeting with the committee and informing them of the process and the steps that we need to take. The first step, of course, is to sign a framework agreement. We hope to do that by sometime in December, and then we’d like to move forward with a funding agreement. We’ll be sitting down with committee to address the priority areas and the areas that we would like to see investment in. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 76-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On this list, is there a regional balance in terms of projects that’s going to the federal government? Can the Minister comment on that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 76-16(1): Building Canada Fund

Mr. Speaker, I’m not sure what list the Member is referring to, so I’d have to get him to clarify that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my statement, I mentioned that the current subsidy program for day cares creates difficulties for them to manage their operation on a budget which is always changing. Does the Department of Education, Culture and Employment fund day cares…Sorry. Why does the department fund day cares based on a daily attendance subsidy?

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.

Return To Question 77-16(1): Subsidies For Day Care Operations

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the funding is, most of the day cares in the Northwest Territories are based on the enrolment of the students. I’m sorry, the children and based on attendance. But there has been some, I would say, increase in the contribution in 2007 in the childcare facilities. So those are the things that we are looking at, that our department is planning on, depending on the priorities and planning that’s coming out as a strategy. So if that fits into that, then we will certainly work with that. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Supplementary, Ms. Bisaro.

Supplementary To Question 77-16(1): Subsidies For Day Care Operations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I heard the Minister say that there has been an increase to the funding, but if there is an increase to a daily subsidy which continues to be based on attendance of children, it really doesn’t assist the day cares in maintaining a constant funding formula and be able to budget efficiently and manage their operation. So will the Minister clarify that and will the Minister agree that there needs to be a review of the application of this particular subsidy?

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Lafferty.

Further Return To Question 77-16(1): Subsidies For Day Care Operations

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when we first heard of the closure of this facility, it was a one day closure. Our department had been notified immediately. I met with my staff to deal with this issue and what kind of solutions and options that could be offered by working with the facility, working with the communities. Because it is not only one facility, it is across the board, Northwest Territories as a whole we have to look at. It is an ongoing discussion. I can commit to working with the colleague, Ms. Bisaro, to work on this solution. When there is a problem, there is always a solution. We need to move forward. I am committed to working with her. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Supplementary, Ms. Bisaro.

Supplementary To Question 77-16(1): Subsidies For Day Care Operations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased to hear the information from the Minister that they are looking at this particular situation. I totally agree with the Minister that this is not a problem that is limited to Yellowknife. It is definitely a problem for any day care anywhere in the Territories. I happen to be aware of an example in Yellowknife. So I ask the Minister, if there is a review underway, when can we expect to get some results from this review and a possible change to the current subsidy application? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Lafferty.

Further Return To Question 77-16(1): Subsidies For Day Care Operations

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I stated, there is discussion. They are taking place within my department and working with the day care facilities on identifying the needs of the day care facilities. This will be an ongoing discussion as we speak now. I am hoping that we can see a review document by early in the new year somewhat integrated through the strategy planning that we are strategizing for the 16th Assembly. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, an unsettling number of employees suffer from what can be called a toxic workplace, one where workers literally live in fear of a tyrannical supervisor. These workers can be so scared and oppressed that they find themselves unable to securely and safely communicate their situation to those who can help, at least not without risk of severe repercussions. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents, I would like to ask the Minister of Human Resources how this department plans to detect and deal with these pockets of fear and oppression that exists now within our government departments.

---Applause

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

Return To Question 78-16(1): Human Resource Issues In GNWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Member for the question. The government has a workplace conflict resolution policy. That outlines how we would deal with those toxic environment situations that he described. Generally we depend on our management and the employees in question to report on those types of situations. We take them very seriously because the safety of our employees is our first priority. If we do become aware of any such situation, we take immediate action in a variety of different ways. If we feel that there is an immediate danger, we will take steps to remove the employees in question or send them home or take some action so that there is no possibility of something more serious occurring. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Bromley.

Supplementary To Question 78-16(1): Human Resource Issues In GNWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure that answered my question of how those pockets will be detected without sort of endangering our employees to the wrath of their supervisors. I would like a little more detail on that. How can we be sure employees will be protected? There must be an element of confidentiality or something in that to ensure that either the supervisor is not directly involved or that there is very close oversight. How will the department ensure that protection? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 78-16(1): Human Resource Issues In GNWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member right now is talking about a hypothetical situation. Employees that do find themselves in such a situation are encouraged to contact their senior management or to contact the department. We have invested a lot of time and effort to train investigators. We have a number of positions within the Department of Human Resources that have been trained to specifically deal with workplace conflict situations and also to conduct investigations into these types of situations. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Bromley.

Supplementary To Question 78-16(1): Human Resource Issues In GNWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to assure you that there is absolutely nothing hypothetical about the situation I am presenting. I understand that the department initiated a review towards considering whistleblower protection. Has this review resulted in the intention to develop such legislation? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 78-16(1): Human Resource Issues In GNWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that the whistleblower initiative is geared to a much broader application whereby if individuals or employees see situations occurring which they feel is improper or that they can report on it. I think in this instance we are talking about specific situations on the job. In those cases, I would like to reassure the Member that we take them very seriously. The individuals in question, the information they provide, will be respected and their privacy will be accommodated. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Bromley.

Supplementary To Question 78-16(1): Human Resource Issues In GNWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that assurance. It is a very serious subject with some of my constituents. The Government of Canada, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia all have whistleblower protection. I wasn’t clear on the answer. Are we moving forward with developing legislation in the form of whistleblower protection? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 78-16(1): Human Resource Issues In GNWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This issue came up in the previous government. A discussion paper was enacted. I believe there were 69 responses to the discussion paper. This is something that we will consider again as this government goes through establishing its priorities for the next four years. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the cost of living in Lutselk’e are very high due to freight costs, no all-season road, cost of transportation, flight costs, the cost of gas for boating and snowmobiling back and forth, all translates a very high cost for food, and power costs in Lutselk’e is also very high. I would like to ask the Premier today if he would consider looking at appointing a Minister to be the point Minister for the cost of living, similar to a Minister of Youth and Seniors. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 79-16(1): Cost Of Living Issues

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the area of cost of living is one that is important and affects communities in quite a number of ways through power generation, goods and services, and the high cost of housing. There are a whole number of areas that other departments do fall into. Part of their responsibility as we proceed, how they would address that, I am not sure if appointing a Minister responsible for that one that is across the boards. What I would offer up is a solution in the sense of Cabinet working together and a number of Ministers who may have more responsibility in those areas to sit down together and look at this initiative. Thank you.