Debates of October 25, 2006 (day 15)

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

Supplementary To Question 179-15(5): Resources Necessary To Achieve Progress On Resource Revenue Sharing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Premier for those answers. What is the next thing on the Premier’s agenda with respect to this file? What’s up and coming and what do we have in our ability, within our ability…I want to say arsenal of tactics of things we can do. We’ve heard everything from taking down the flag of Canada to putting up a bronze statue. No, that one we don’t take seriously.

---Laughter

But we’re desperate. Desperate times call for desperate measures. What is the next thing on the Premier’s agenda and what do we reasonably have in our control to advance this? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 179-15(5): Resources Necessary To Achieve Progress On Resource Revenue Sharing

Mr. Speaker, I think the first essential piece we need is for all northern leaders to work together on this and recognize this as being the most important topic we can deal with. Mr. Speaker, there is a meeting of the Aboriginal Summit leaders on November 9th and that is a critical meeting. Following that I intend to, I hope the leaders are able to come to agreement on what their agenda is, who the membership is, and so on. Then I intend to meet with them and I’ve made that known to the leaders already.

Second, Mr. Speaker, with aboriginal leaders it’s not all the aboriginal leaders who see devolution and resource revenue sharing as the top of the agenda. Some of them see settlement of their negotiation processes as being an essential ingredient that they have to resolve first. Mr. Speaker, we have to find a way of being able to work with all leaders, including those who don’t see this issue as being the top of their agenda. They’ve got other things that are more important to them and I respect their wishes.

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the federal government, it’s true, as someone mentioned, there’s only 43,000 of us. We only have one seat in the federal Parliament, so we have limited authority. The federal government has all the authority on permits and land use and so on, except for bits of Commissioner’s land. So we don’t have that legal lever. Mr. Speaker, what we do has to be persuasion, it has to be in some cases assuming some space that is unoccupied. By this I mean taking things like on the financial side. We have to look, and the Minister of Finance has to look, very carefully at what areas could we occupy on taxation, for example. I don’t know what those are, but we need to look at what things can we do that are going to cause the federal government to pay attention to our needs.

The other one, Mr. Speaker, is we face a huge bureaucracy in Ottawa and I have to say quite frankly that in my view a lot of the bureaucrats working in Ottawa feel threatened by devolution and resource revenue sharing. Somehow this is going to challenge their right to a job. In that way they continue this colonial legacy that’s been going on for so many years. We have to get through to that bureaucracy.

So, Mr. Speaker, as I speak I know the Secretary to Cabinet is writing to Mr. Sulzenko who is the lead for Mr. Prentice on the pipeline file. He is also writing to Harvie Andre who is the lead on devolution file; being very clear with them of what our agenda is. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final, short supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 179-15(5): Resources Necessary To Achieve Progress On Resource Revenue Sharing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the Premier says there are groups or areas or regions in the Northwest Territories that do not see this as a priority, my next question to the Premier would be then what can he do as the Premier to convene a dialogue or something that will create the awareness? I mean development is proceeding here. The incentive for Ottawa to deal with this is going to get less rather than more as the increased amount of revenue flowing to Ottawa proceeds. So can the Premier give us a commitment that he will convene a forum where a dialogue to create awareness amongst leaders about the significance of this? Draw a picture, draw a map, explain what’s at stake. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 179-15(5): Advancing The Resource Revenue Sharing Agenda

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I couldn’t make it to the Dene Assembly meeting in Fort Good Hope last week, but I did meet with the national chief, as I mentioned. I want to build on the mood of partnership and working together that was started at that meeting. As I said, there is a meeting of the Aboriginal Summit leaders on the 9th. Following that I am going to invite, in fact before that happens I will invite all of the leaders to a meeting of the kind that Members referred to here. Just leaders. We don’t need a lot of staff, just ourselves as elected leaders. Mr. Speaker, I hope to do that in November, but it depends on the leaders’ agendas. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I was referring to in my Member’s statement today, the people of the NWT contribute to Canada. This is an amazing country and we do our share, Mr. Speaker. But respect is a two-way street. So as I pointed out in my little press story that could have been anywhere between yesterday and two years ago, Premier Handley says that we are close. Where are we on this deal? Where are we? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 180-15(5): Time Frame For Achieving A Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I have said we’re close, we’re moving in the right direction on several occasions. Mr. Speaker, during the past three years of our government’s life we’ve had to go through two federal elections, a number of band elections and so on. But the federal elections in particular tend to throw us off schedule. So we’ve had two of them and we may in fact have a third one before our government has completed its agenda. So those certainly slow us down.

Mr. Speaker, I think we’re closer.

---Laughter

I can tell you right now that the Prime Minister, this Prime Minister, has committed that northerners will be the primary beneficiaries. That is an agreement we never got out of any government before, any federal government, and we finally got that, and I take the Prime Minister at his word on it.

Mr. Speaker, the second thing is that the federal government has recently appointed a new federal negotiator. I take that as a sign that they want to get on with negotiations. Mr. Speaker, as I said, the Secretary to Cabinet is writing to that individual saying we want an agreement-in-principle by the end of this fiscal year and we’ll lay out what our plan is to achieve that.

Mr. Speaker, those are steps that we can take to try and move us along. I can’t guarantee it as I’m only one out of three parties that have to negotiate this. I’m saying that’s the aboriginal, our government and the federal government. But I can tell you, I’m doing everything in my power to be able to do that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 180-15(5): Time Frame For Achieving A Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This summer I was here when the Prime Minister had mentioned no pipeline, no deal; and he was referring to resource and self-government, devolution deals. Mr. Speaker, I want to hear the Premier of our Northwest Territories say no deal, no pipeline, because the pipeline has got the attention of the country, the federal government wants it. I’m not opposed to the pipeline by any means, but people want this, the federal government wants this, I want to hear how the Premier is taking offence to this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 180-15(5): Time Frame For Achieving A Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not going to tie a devolution and resource revenue sharing agreement specifically to the pipeline. But what I am going to tie it to is resource development generally. I don’t think the people up and down the Mackenzie Valley should pay the price. We should all, as northerners, be willing to make that sacrifice if it’s necessary in order to get a better deal and it doesn’t matter whether it’s mining in this area or pipeline or whatever, but let’s make it fair to everybody across the Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 180-15(5): Time Frame For Achieving A Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to reaffirm. I didn’t say that in the context that I’m against the pipeline or in the context that I’m against resource development, because I have significant environmental concerns as well as economic concerns. Until we get that control, we can’t control either of them. We’re in a difficult situation.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier had spoken about partnerships. I’d like to hear from him today about what is he doing with our local Dene Nation of the Northwest Territories or aboriginal groups to reach outside of the Territories and say, well, wait a minute, let’s contact the AFN. They’re a huge lobby group and they would morally help us fight for our rights. What about talking to guys like Buzz Hargrove? They have a huge membership and that would deliver a massive statement. What are we doing about delivering a message in the Globe and Mail, a full page to say the NWT has come of age, give us our rights back, or give us our rights to start with, Mr. Speaker.

So what is the Premier doing to advocate that and build those partnerships? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 180-15(5): Time Frame For Achieving A Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said earlier, I’ve spent more time and energy on this issue than any other one. In terms of getting us out there on the national stage, we have done everything we can and I can tell you we’ve had more coverage in this government in national media than any other government. Mr. Speaker, that’s been important. We’ve done that along with aboriginal leaders. I have worked very closely with the aboriginal national leaders. I was the first Premier to bring the national aboriginal leaders into the Premiers' meetings when we met in Inuvik, and that’s continued on and they continue to be strong supporters.

Mr. Speaker, with the other Premiers we have a very clear message and very clear support from Premiers across the country. We participated in the fiscal imbalance reviews and the fiscal imbalance reports and we’ve got strong support from the Premiers. Mr. Speaker, we have strong support from the Prime Minister. Mr. Speaker, what we need is to get more action going on the statements that have been made and we have a short window before the next election. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 180-15(5): Time Frame For Achieving A Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that was all well and good and I take it for what it was because it was good. But, Mr. Speaker, I did not hear about building the coalitions and the partnerships, Mr. Speaker. The real ones out there, like building it with the AFN. I heard a great statement by Premier Danny Williams about supporting the Northwest Territories’ right to exert our own control. Mr. Speaker, what is the Premier doing with the provinces in getting them to put forward motions in their Legislatures about it’s time that we get control over our own lands? So, Mr. Speaker, would the Premier take that extra step and start building individual coalitions with individual provinces who also have the right to slow this process down? Let’s get them on board. What will the Premier do?

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 180-15(5): Time Frame For Achieving A Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement

Mr. Speaker, we already have unanimous support from all the Premiers around the table. Every one of them without exception has given me that support. I have not asked them to take and make motions in their Legislative Assembly. I’ve not gone that step, but, Mr. Speaker, I don’t know if they’d feel comfortable doing things about another jurisdiction within their jurisdiction. We certainly have statements of support from those who have come here, and many of them have. We will continue to do that.

Mr. Speaker, I want to build those coalitions with them. I want to build it with the aboriginal leaders. I want to continue to build it with the business community. We have been working closely with the Business Coalition as well. We will continue with those and I want to do it with your support as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are addressed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and they’re in relation to the issue of proxy votes as they pertain to municipal elections. Mr. Speaker, my concern goes back to the 13th Assembly with the territorial government. When I first ran, there were very loose rules for proxy votes. There was a major court case in the Thebacha riding revolving around proxy votes. Legislation was changed; they were limited, but not eliminated. In the 14th Assembly, further changes were made where proxy votes were eliminated. Other options were put in place: mobile polls, special ballots, extended advance polls. I’ve noticed over the last few municipal elections that you can still, in a municipal election, get pieces of paper, proxy forms, and a person can just go up and down the street and collect votes.

Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is, is there any consideration being given to bring the municipal voting regulations as it pertains to proxy votes in line with the standards that are there for the territorial election? Thank you.

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

Return To Question 181-15(5): Municipal Elections Proxy Voting Procedures

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Local Authorities Elections Act provides for the use of the proxy votes. A number of issues have been brought forward over the last while regarding the Elections Act. We have looked at laying out a process to do a review and we are, right now, in the midst of putting together a discussion paper and we’re expecting that to come out at the end of this calendar year or very early in the new year, and I would expect this would be one of the issues that would be covered. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 181-15(5): Municipal Elections Proxy Voting Procedures

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that information. Could the Minister indicate the steps once this document is in? Are they anticipating that any changes would require legislative changes? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 181-15(5): Municipal Elections Proxy Voting Procedures

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The time frame around this whole issue regarding some of the issues that have been brought forward under the Elections Act, these concerns are being researched. The time frame we’re looking at, as I stated earlier, more than likely early in the new year. We don’t anticipate that we’d be in a position to change legislation in the life of this government, but it would be something that we would expect would take place in the new government of the 16th Assembly. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 181-15(5): Municipal Elections Proxy Voting Procedures

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final supplementary to the Minister would be, as we look at the transition from the 15th Assembly to the 16th and the work that’s being done to ensure that there’s continuity, would the Minister commit to ensuring that in the work that’s there, that’s put on the rails, that the target date is prior to the next set of municipal elections territorial-wide three years from now? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 181-15(5): Municipal Elections Proxy Voting Procedures

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not sure if I’m in a position to commit to something of that nature. There are a number of municipalities that have elections coming up on a staggered basis. So I will commit that this is an issue that’s been brought forward by a number of municipalities and also the NWT Association of Communities has this on their radar and it’s something we are in a position where we’re doing the research. We will lay out a number of the different issues, a number of the concerns that are out there, have discussion with the stakeholders. We will try to fast-track this as much as we can; however, I cannot make the commitment that this will be something that will be in place before the next election that the Member is referring to. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are going to be on the review of the situation at the Stanton Hospital. But seeing as that involves both Health and Social Services and Human Resources and we don’t have a permanent Health and Social Services Minister yet, I will direct my question to the Minister of Human Resources. I’m wondering, Mr. Speaker, given that whatever comes out of this review, I’d like to ask the Minister as the Human Resources Minister whether or not the government will be able to meet the deadline that was set by the former Minister of Health to finish that review, at least the preliminary results anyway, by the end of next week? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for Human Resources, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 182-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we’ve been working with both departments looking at the previous work that was done and fine tuning the previous human resource survey that was done in that facility and updating it and be prepared to bring it to Members to have a look at that and then set up a procedure for moving forward. So I believe we can meet the commitment that was made by the previous Minister. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 182-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think I’m prepared to accept being compassionate and considerate that the government may not be able to meet this two-week deadline, but I would be happy to just have the government follow up on the commitment made by the previous Minister that there will be a review of what is happening, all the array of staff issues and morale issues at Stanton Hospital, and that it will involve a direct communication of the CEO and the deputy minister, if necessary, with the front-line workers division by division. That was a big commitment. That’s more important to me than meeting the strict deadline that was committed to. So would the Minister of Human Resources commit to meeting that requirement? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 182-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to the involvement that Human Resources would be involved, we will be supportive in the initiative that commitment was made in this Assembly not too long ago. From the Department of Health and Social Services' side of the equation, we are looking at the process that was discussed and the plan was put there. A lot of initiatives are underway and we want to meet the commitment that was made here in this Assembly and we’ll work towards that end. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 182-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That answer was so general it’s really hard to tell whether he is saying that he’ll go with state of the status quo, the way it is now with the existing guidelines, or whether or not government is confirming its commitment made by the previous Health Minister that it will really take a look and be proactive to figure out what is going on at the hospital and what government has to do to fix it. So will the Minister commit that very specifically to the Stanton issue, not just human resource issues in government in general as he’s stating? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 182-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, from the Human Resources' side we are working with the Department of Health and Social Services to meet the commitment that was made by the previous Minister. From the Department of Health and Social Services side, reviewing the work that’s been done, where things sit is only part of the equation again and meeting the commitment that was made by the previous Minister and our goal is to do just that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 182-15(5): Stanton Territorial Hospital Human Resource Survey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last follow-up. As I’ve stated and other Members have stated, I do believe that there is no question that the biggest area of concern with what’s happening at Stanton is the recruitment and retention issue and management and morale issue, for whatever reason. I’m not assigning blame, but I think that’s the thing. That needs an involvement and leadership on the part of the Minister of Human Resources. So could I get the Minister to make a personal commitment, as Minister of Human Resources, that he’ll see to it that a solution is found and then acted upon? Thank you.