Debates of October 20, 2006 (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I spoke on the transfer of rental assessments and that from Housing to ECE. I'd like to ask the Minister of ECE, there's been a lot of concerns brought to my attention, and I'm sure other Members on this side of the House as he heard yesterday, so I'd like to ask the Minister, one of the reasons that they gave was they wanted one-stop shopping; you have to have the shops set up, the shopkeepers have to be trained properly, so I'd like to ask the Minister if they have a review of whether this program is working or not. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 146-15(5): Transfer Of Public Housing Rental Assessments

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said in the House yesterday, we have a very senior committee set up to take a look at this and it includes Mr. Polakoff who's the president of the Housing Corporation, and the deputy minister of ECE. They meet on a regular basis. We have brought together regional people from both the housing authorities, the Housing Corporation and ECE. When we find areas where there are problems, for instance on a recent tour through Mr. Pokiak's riding some problems came to light in Ulukhaktok. We sent a team in from both agencies to deal with the issues and try and resolve them. So, yes, we recognize that with any transition there's going to be some problems, and we are working to resolve those. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 146-15(5): Transfer Of Public Housing Rental Assessments

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Transitions, there are problems, but sometimes the transitions weren't needed in the first place so we wouldn't be bringing up this concern. You have a committee working group of senior officials. We're talking tenants; what's good for the tenants, what's good for the local housing authorities, not getting their money on time. So I'd like to ask the Minister -- and I don't know if this is a question for the Minister of ECE -- if he's hearing back from all the LHOs and tenants to see if this program is working. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 146-15(5): Transfer Of Public Housing Rental Assessments

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We do work very closely with LHOs. ECE and the regional people with the LHOs are working closely together. We've agreed that we're going to set up focus groups, so it will involve tenants throughout the Northwest Territories, in order to make sure that we're hearing from tenants, what the problems are and how we can address them. So, yes, Mr. Speaker, we're doing that.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 146-15(5): Transfer Of Public Housing Rental Assessments

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have our own focus groups and I call them constituents.

---Laughter

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They do call us and they do tell us that this program is absolutely not working. It's affecting the LHOs; it's affecting their flow of funding. Some of them may go into deficit because of this. So I would like to ask the Minister if he would commit his department into revisiting this whole transfer and if it's not working, let's go back to the way it was. It was working for the tenants. I don't know how well it was working for headquarters, but I do know it was working for the tenants and I've heard from tenants and they've said they do not like this program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 146-15(5): Transfer Of Public Housing Rental Assessments

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I've said before, we're constantly prepared to review our programs. This was not put together because anybody said it wasn't working before. The reason for it was that this government has $125 million in direct subsidies to the residents of the Northwest Territories being delivered by a number of different departments. As part of the process to try and realign how our subsidy programs are offered to the public, we agreed, early on, that we would try and bring the programs together, and this is the first step and the first time that we've tried to do this. What we're trying to do is make sure that we have a comprehensive, cohesive approach to this, and that's why the income security review is underway. We're trying to make sure that each of the programs we have deliver the services to the public in a way that doesn't penalize them, but is designed to help people become more independent. We have programs now that don't work together; we're trying to make them work together. Yes, there may be some hiccups, but we're working to improve them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker…(English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, community bylaw officers have proven beneficial in the past in the community of Behchoko. These officers dealt with issues within our community, such as vandalism, littering and break and enters. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Justice tell me if there are any plans to re-establish the aboriginal community bylaw officers program in the communities? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not familiar with the specific program that the Member is referring to, but I will say that obviously we have an RCMP detachment in Behchoko. We are working very closely with the community to improve community policing in the entire region. I also am aware and know that MACA provides core operational funding to communities. Some of them have chosen to establish bylaw officer positions. I believe there are about 19 across the territory. So some communities are using funding from MACA in that regard, and I'm not sure if that avenue is open to Behchoko but that would likely be a question better put to the MACA Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the community of Behchoko in the past has trained a couple members from the community of Behchoko. I do believe it was under the Special Constable Program through MACA, Municipal and Community Affairs, but it was in partnership with the RCMP, as well, under the RCMP guidance. It was a very successful program, but, unfortunately, the funding was cut. So I guess my question to either Justice or MACA, would the Minister direct the RCMP and the Tlicho leadership in Behchoko to create a partnership that will sustain or reinstate the Aboriginal Policing Program that was very successful in the community? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of things going on. We do have an Aboriginal Community Constable Program in the RCMP and there are four positions across the territory that have been earmarked, and that essentially is additional funding provided for positions where can have aboriginal officers trained and then take positions in communities. I believe there is one such position in Behchoko. The former Special Constable Program that the RCMP had, the Member's right, has expired. We have had a number of meetings and lobbied the RCMP to restart a program of this nature. The federal government is talking about setting up something called a Community Safety Officer Program. We're in consultation with them now. We've had some preliminary discussions. We're very supportive of this, except that, as I mentioned to the Member for Sahtu, we want to ensure that this program is relevant for our smallest communities, and so we're working to make sure that it will be. But I do expect a new program coming forward. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm glad to hear that there's a program that's forthcoming. At the same time, I'd like to ask the Minister if he's willing to work with his counterpart, the MACA Minister, Mr. McLeod, on specifically dealing with this particular issue, re-establishing the program. I realize there's program dollars that may be forthcoming from the federal counterparts that was highlighted earlier. But there again, can the Minister work with his colleague, Minister McLeod, on re-establishing the program to the community? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Mr. Speaker, thank you, and I thank the Member for the question. I do know that this is a priority for the community of Behchoko. I think the Member remembers about six months back we met with his community, the RCMP and with the leadership, Chief Lafferty, to discuss policing issues generally. At that point there were some questions about bylaw. I will certainly sit down again with the MACA Minister. We'd be prepared to talk again with the community leadership and the Member to discuss how we can best provide policing and bylaw services in that community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Your final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I'm glad to hear from the Minister that he's willing to work with his colleague. I guess my next question would be how soon can we expect the Ministers to come out to the community? Mr. Speaker, the sooner the better. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the urgency. I know it's a priority for the community, and as soon as our schedules can be coordinated, we will look to do that. So I'll have my office speak with the community. Some help from the Member will be wonderful and we'll make sure the two of us can do that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have to first start off by saying I am so excited to hear that the government is responding to demands from MLAs in fighting the crime, Mr. Speaker. So on the heels of my Member's statement today, I'm quite taken aback because sometimes Members bring forward discussion ideas and proposals and I was so pleased that the Premier brought forward the safe communities initiative in his opening statement. So my question, then, to the Minister of Justice would be, Mr. Speaker, what are some of the details and timelines of a proposed new bill on Safe Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 148-15(5): Safe Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me thank the Member for his questions here today and his questions in the House in the past. This is something we're very interested in pursuing and I appreciate the impetus from Members on the other side of the House. I think it is a fine example of how consensus government can work effectively, Mr. Speaker. We are developing a consultation program. We will go out to communities to explain what safer communities legislation is all about. It really is about moving unwanted activity from our communities and shutting down operations; illegal gaming, prostitution, drug activity. Sometimes the RCMP now are able to lay charges and stop one individual, but it requires compiling a lot of evidence. If we have continued complaints from a community, we would be able to do something with safer communities legislation to shut down these illegal operations. So it's certainly something we're excited about. We're talking with other jurisdictions. We'll be out to consult with communities and be back to the Social Programs committee with a legislative proposal I believe, I think we can do it probably in November. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 148-15(5): Safe Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I really appreciate that answer from the Justice Minister. Mr. Speaker, the Minister did talk about bringing forward a proposal to the Social Programs committee. My next question would be, although he sort of answered it just for clarity of course, can the good Minister foresee that new legislation or a new act would be brought forward in the life of this Assembly to deal with this crime problem? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 148-15(5): Safe Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

The answer is yes, Mr. Speaker, we're going to do everything we can to make sure we can pass this legislation in the life of this government. Obviously we're interested to hear what the Regular Members think about this. I'm sure they'll want to talk to their constituents. I think it's going to be a very positive and well received piece of legislation, which should enjoy the support of the House. So we think we can do it in this government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 148-15(5): Safe Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, this is an initiative that's welcomed by my constituents. When the Premier had mentioned it the other day, I actually got a couple phone calls yesterday. The concern is that we've got these cockroach drug dealers in our communities and we have to get that infestation out, and by putting the light on it, they scurry away. So we're dealing with them, Mr. Speaker. To me, it's finally putting the light on crime and we're cracking down. So my last question, I think, to the Minister of Justice, is what type of consultation in the sense of partnership is he building, or has he built yet, that he can talk about? Has he had a chance to work with the RCMP on this? Will this dovetail with some of the programs they're dealing with in dealing with crime? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 148-15(5): Safe Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Absolutely, Mr. Speaker. We first went to a couple of other jurisdictions that have similar legislation to understand how it works and talk about whether or not it could be adapted for our smaller northern communities. They believe it can. We've talked a number of times now with the RCMP. As the Member, I think, and Members would understand, we need the RCMP to endorse and support this kind of legislation. There has to be a cooperation agreement. I was very pleased to hear from them that they were excited about this, as well, and very supportive. So we'll work very closely with the RCMP. They are our first and best partners in fighting crime, obviously, and we'll continue to work with them. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. In my Member's statement today, I spoke of the hardships that are being faced by students that are unable, for various valid reasons, to meet arbitrary application deadlines imposed under the Student Financial Assistance Program. I also spoke of the fact that the vast majority of Canadian SFA programs either have no deadline or allow students to apply for SFA after they have already started their semester. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister today, could he outline, for this Assembly, the reasons why the department has the policy of setting this arbitrary application deadline? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 149-15(5): Application Deadlines For Student Financial Assistance

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that previous Ministers were bombarded by Members when their constituents didn't get their SFA on time for the start of school, and so the deadline was imposed in order to make sure that SFA could be delivered before school started if people applied before that. But I'm not sure; this was something that was imposed some time ago and I can't speak for why the rule might have come into play. But I can advise the Member that I have given direction that the regulations for the deadline be changed.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 149-15(5): Application Deadlines For Student Financial Assistance

Well, that sort of takes the wind out of my sails now for the rest of my questioning here, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

Okay, I have a good question. How long will it take the new regulation to be put in place? First of all, I want to thank the Minister for this. We need to do everything we can to encourage our students to seek post-secondary education and avail themselves of every opportunity to enhance their life.

Hear! Hear!

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So hats off to the Minister for changing the regulations, but when will the regulations be changed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 149-15(5): Application Deadlines For Student Financial Assistance

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would agree with the Member that we need to do all that we can to encourage our students to pursue post-secondary. I was having trouble understanding why we had the arbitrary time limit in there when I first had it brought to my attention by Members and constituents in this House. So in August I asked the department to contact Justice about getting the regulation changed. As I understand it, it is in the process right now of being translated in Justice, so it's very close to finally being changed; probably within the next week or two.