Debates of November 30, 2007 (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is my last supplemental. I’m also wondering if the Minister is working with Aurora College and those sorts of follow-up programs to establish the learning and the knowledge in the North that we need for these renewable energy projects to come to fruition. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 93-16(1): Wind Energy Conference

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In fact, I had the opportunity to meet with the college Board of Governors yesterday at noon, as well with the president, to talk about the NRTP course, the need to work together, the role of the Aurora Research Institute up in Inuvik, the need to set a collaborative science agenda between the government and Aurora College. So we’re setting the framework in place to have those type of discussions that will lead to the resolution and the moving forward of the issue that the Member has raised. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is in response to the Minister’s answering my questions before. He said that it’s not moving, so it’s not costing us anything. If that’s the case, then there’s a lot of things within the government not moving, but they’re costing us something.

---Laughter

I would like to ask the Minister, and maybe I should rephrase my question. Obviously there was a cost to transporting this piece of equipment to James Creek, 150 kilometres away. Is the Minister aware of the cost of transporting it from Tsiigehtchic on the Dempster to James Creek, 150 kilometres away? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Yakeleya.

Return To Question 94-16(1): Ice Road Construction Equipment Storage At James Creek

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to say to the Member from Twin Lakes I apologize for not being very clear on this question. I will look at the issue in terms of what it costs the department to move it over to James Creek, and what it’s costing us to have it there, and what it would cost if we were to move it to another location that would be satisfactory to him and other members of the Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 94-16(1): Ice Road Construction Equipment Storage At James Creek

Thank you. I thank the Minister for that. I’d like to ask the Minister if he is aware of the last time that this piece of machinery has been used. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 94-16(1): Ice Road Construction Equipment Storage At James Creek

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my discussions with the department, I’ve been told that this machine was used at the Mackenzie crossing, in terms of experimental project, and that it was used only the one time. However, if he needs the specific dates and times, I certainly will go into sending that over to the Member for him for his review.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 94-16(1): Ice Road Construction Equipment Storage At James Creek

Well, I appreciate the Minister’s answer and I would like to say that I spoke with someone who had an opportunity to use the machine and said that the machine worked beautifully and it did the job that it was supposed to do. It sped up the opportunity to get goods and services to the Beaufort-Delta. I would like to ask the Minister, who made the decision to not use that machine again and store it at James Creek? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 94-16(1): Ice Road Construction Equipment Storage At James Creek

Thank you for the specific decisions there. Mr. Speaker, I would get that to the Member. It’s my understanding that he knows that I’ve also come from areas that have this kind of concern and that’s certainly something that I’d be happy to talk with the Member about. This certainly does raise some questions; however, I will provide that information to the Member when I can get it from the department.

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

Supplementary To Question 94-16(1): Ice Road Construction Equipment Storage At James Creek

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s answers to my questions. I would also like him to undertake to find out why the machine is not stored at the Transportation yard at the Mackenzie ice crossing in Tsiigehtchic. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Yakeleya.

Further Return To Question 94-16(1): Ice Road Construction Equipment Storage At James Creek

I’ll certainly get the information for the Member, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’ll certainly again ask the Member from Twin Lakes that I certainly want to work on this issue. It’s an important issue, I know, for the people in the Mackenzie Delta. It’s something that I’ll bring up with the department in terms of a list of priorities of our infrastructure needs and across the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice, Mr. Lafferty, in regard to a situation that occurred in Fort McPherson regarding a young lady that passed on. Before she passed on, apparently she was in police custody. She was arrested, put into police custody, released to the health centre, and then later put back into the jail, and then later released on her own recognizance. Later, she passed away. So I’d like to ask the Minister, exactly was there an investigation by the RCMP or by anybody in Justice and the Department of Health to look at the circumstances of this and, also, suspicious or not, is there a report on this particular incident?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Lafferty.

Return To Question 95-16(1): Investigative Follow-up To Death Of Constituent In Fort McPherson

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the particular incident, the department is looking into that. When Mr. Krutko first approached me, I notified my department to say has there been any investigation and so forth. So it has been brought to my attention. I’ll certainly be more than willing to share that information once it’s in my hands. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I don’t have that detailed information. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 95-16(1): Investigative Follow-up To Death Of Constituent In Fort McPherson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to also thank the Minister for continuing to look into this matter, but I believe it’s severe enough, I hate to call for a public inquiry into this, but I think it does include other agencies: the Department of Health, Justice, and also in regard to the RCMP. So I think it’s important that we do it right, we look at this. So I’d like to ask the Minister if he could also include the Minister of Health in regards to the health side of this situation where it included the health centre in Fort McPherson. So I’d like to ask the Minister if he could also include his colleague on this report.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Lafferty.

Further Return To Question 95-16(1): Investigative Follow-up To Death Of Constituent In Fort McPherson

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with these kind of incidents, there are various parties involved. The coroner area, their office. Also the Department of Health and Social Services and our Department of Justice. Certainly I will be working closely with my colleague and also the coroner and see what they have on file. Again, I committed to, and I am willing to share that information with Mr. Krutko. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Supplementary To Question 95-16(1): Investigative Follow-up To Death Of Constituent In Fort McPherson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I’d like to thank the Minister for that. But I think we kind of lose sight of the family members who are affected by this. I’d like to ask the Minister, once the report is concluded, if an effort could be made, either by himself or someone within his department, to sit down with the family and explain what the findings of that report is?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Lafferty.

Further Return To Question 95-16(1): Investigative Follow-up To Death Of Constituent In Fort McPherson

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, once the report is due, then we’ll certainly make that effort to meet with the Member and also the family. We’ll have our department conduct that. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier.

Will the Premier table a comprehensive government response in this House by February 8th, 2008, to the recommendations contained in MP Bevington’s Diamonds are Forever, Our Mines are Not report, which was released publicly on November 29, 2007? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table a document, an e-mail communication from the Department of Executive to the Legislative Assembly staff, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Tabling of documents. Pursuant to section 14 of the indemnities allowances and expenses regulations of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, I hereby table the statutory declarations of residents of the following Members of the Legislative Assembly: Mr. Paul Delorey, Member for Hay River North, declaration dated November 30th, 2007; Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, Member for Hay River South, declaration dated November 30th, 2007; Mr. Robert C. McLeod, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, declaration dated November 29th, 2007; Mr. David Krutko, Member for Mackenzie Delta, declaration dated November 29th, 2007; Mr. Kevin Menicoche, Member for Nahendeh, declaration dated November 28th, 2007; and Mr. Jackie Jacobson, Member for Nunakput, declaration dated November 29th, 2007.

Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Notices of motion for first reading of bills. Motions. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters. Reports of Committee of the Whole. Third reading of bills.

Members, I would like to take a moment to thank the Pages who have assisted us this past week.

---Applause

We have had students from St. Patrick’s High School and Sir John Franklin High School here in Yellowknife. Having our young people here in the Chamber and taking part in the work of the Assembly offers a visible connection to the youth and the future of our territory and our institution, and we appreciate their presence and the work that they do for us.

On a rather pressing matter, I would also like to take this opportunity to remind Members of the necessity to meet the reporting requirements of Elections NWT. I would hate to see any empty seats when we return to the House in February.

---Laughter

Although I may be premature, I would also like to publicly wish each and every one of you the very best of the holiday season. I know that your schedules are full. Committee meetings continue during the next week and on through the holidays; however, Cabinet will continue to meet their duties and we will all be very busy with constituency work, but we will not sit together again in this House until February of 2008. I will, therefore, take this opportunity to extend my very best wishes to you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a happy New Year.

I know we can all get up in the volume and the importance of the work that we do and I offer this advice to all of you: Ensure that you carve out some time to spend with your family and friends over the coming holiday season. I look forward to returning to our work in the New Year.

Monsieur le president, monsieur le premier ministre, messieurs et Mesdames les deputes, Mesdames et messieurs, et amis.

It is once again a pleasure and honour for me to be here and to prorogue this First Session of the 16th Legislative Assembly.

Using this time for a few personal comments before I begin my formal duties, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the people we have lost over the past few months.

I particularly want to mention Willie Laserich, owner, operator and chief pilot of Adlair Aviation, who passed away on November 12th. Many northerners across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut owe their lives to Mr. Laserich and his crew of pilots and medevac nurses who have safely transported and cared for thousands of northerners over the years. In addition to this, Mr. Laserich and his family have operated a vital charter flight and freight hauling business for many years and is legendary. Some of you know that Mr. Laserich was often the first pilot in the air to begin searching for missing people in the Kitikmeot region. Now his sons, daughters, pilots and ground crew will continue this special legacy.

I would also like to offer condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of RCMP Constable Christopher Worden who was killed on duty in Hay River on October 6th. His tragic death has touched all citizens of the Northwest Territories and we grieve his loss tremendously.

Also in our thoughts and prayers, mine in particular, are the family and friends of Doris Lemouel Francheschi. Doris worked as an administrative assistant to three Commissioners over the years and brought great stability to our office.

On a happier note, I look forward to watching the important work of your new government coming together through sincerity and hard work for all northern people.

Being in politics is a difficult task, not just for you Members but for your families, as well. Without the support of your families, your jobs here would be much more difficult, if not impossible. To them, we all owe a great deal and I extend my admiration and gratitude to your families on behalf of all northerners.

The agenda you will set for yourselves will be ambitious, and your commitments to the people of the Northwest Territories will inspire each of you to do the very best work possible in the coming years.

Sometimes your deliberations will be difficult, but ultimately your work will serve to improve the North's general condition and have a positive effect on the lives of northerners.

Now, as we leave this House to return to our home communities for the holidays, I wish you safe and pleasant travels. As this House will not reconvene until the New Year, may I be the first, the second in this case, to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, peaceful, prosperous and safe New Year.

Prior to proroguing this First Session of the 16th Legislative Assembly, I wish to announce that the Second Session of the 16th Legislative Assembly will convene on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at 1:30 p.m.

As Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I hereby prorogue the First Session of the 16th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, merci, quanami, mahsi cho.

---Applause

---PROROGATION

The House adjourned at 13:09.