Debates of October 28, 2004 (day 30)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to provide a brief update to Members of the House on meetings held earlier this week in Ottawa, including a meeting with Prime Minister Martin and Members of his Cabinet on October 24th and the First Ministers' meeting that the Honourable Floyd Roland and I attended on Tuesday, October 26th.

On Sunday, October 24th, the Premiers of Yukon, Nunavut and I met with the Prime Minister, Ministers Goodale, Robillard, Scott and Blondin-Andrew to discuss the commitment set out in the Throne speech to develop a comprehensive strategy for the North. The Prime Minister provided his assurance that he would work with northern Premiers on developing and implementing this strategy.

Mr. Speaker, in summary, we agreed the strategy must be jointly developed by the federal and territorial governments and in cooperation with aboriginal people and northern residents, should include joint priorities and would include short, medium and long-term objectives.

Mr. Speaker, an important outcome of this discussion was the commitment made by the Prime Minister that the strategy would be developed on the principle that northerners must have control over their resources and be the primary beneficiaries of development in the Northwest Territories.

Our officials met with federal officials a number of times this week to jointly develop a work plan on how to move forward with the development of this strategy. These meetings will continue next week. I hope that we will be in a position to formally launch this initiative with the Prime Minister in late November.

Mr. Speaker, a separate meeting was held in Ottawa between the Deputy Premier, the Honourable Floyd Roland, and federal Ministers Scott, Efford and Blondin-Andrew. The primary purpose of the meeting was to discuss resource development in the Northwest Territories and the need for the federal government to begin discussions with northern governments on an agreement that ensures northerners are the primary beneficiaries from the development of our resources.

This meeting follows the advice we received from the Members of this Legislative Assembly last week to pursue the negotiation of an agreement that provides northern governments with an equitable share of royalties from northern resource development.

Mr. Speaker, the focus of the First Ministers' meeting on October 26th was on equalization and territorial formula financing. These are the key federal transfer programs designed to allow all jurisdictions in Canada to provide reasonably comparable public services. The meeting on Tuesday focussed on three issues:

the total amount that Canada will dedicate to the equalization and formula financing programs over the next few years;

the allocation of those transfers amongst provinces and territories; and,

the mandate and makeup of the panel of experts that will be appointed to make recommendations on the issue of allocating equalization payments and territorial formula financing transfer in the longer term.

Mr. Speaker, I can advise the House that the First Ministers' meeting resulted in the following outcomes:

The federal government has committed to provide the three territories with a minimum funding floor of $1.9 billion in 2004-05 and $2 billion in 2005-06. This is an increase of $68 million in 2004-05 and $100 million in 2005-06 in new funding over the most recent federal estimates for 2004-05.

The total base funding amount will escalate by 3.5 percent on an annual basis starting in 2006-07.

The three territories have agreed on a funding allocation based on the average grant provided by the Government of Canada over the last three years. Under this arrangement, the Northwest Territories will receive 35.7 percent of this. This will result in increases of approximately $25 million to the Northwest Territories grant this year and $38 million next year.

An expert panel will be established to make recommendations on how equalization and territorial formula financing levels should be allocated in 2006-07 and beyond.

In addition, this arrangement includes an agreement that the federal government will not rebase the tax effort adjustment factor next year. The net result of this is a further increase of approximately $50 million next year.

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Mr. Speaker, this new arrangement is a fundamental change in the way our formula arrangements have worked over the last 20 years. The base funding allocation to the territories will now be fixed, as it is for the provinces, and will escalate at a fixed amount of 3.5 percent annually starting in 2006-07. After the initial two-year period, the allocation of the grant amongst the three territories will be decided based on recommendations by an independent outside panel.

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of outstanding issues with respect to the treatment of adjustments for prior years and other technical issues with respect to the territorial formula financing agreement. We intend to work with the federal government to resolve these issues over the coming months.

Mr. Speaker, in summary, the First Ministers' meeting and the bilateral meetings we had when in Ottawa were a good beginning. We are committed to work with the federal government to develop a forward-looking northern strategy. We are also committed to working with our aboriginal government partners to ensure that northerners benefit fully from the development of our resources. With respect to future First Ministers' meetings, we are looking forward to working on other critical issues facing the North and Canada, including the issues facing aboriginal peoples, childcare and post-secondary education. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Handley. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that Minister's Statement 70-15(3) be moved into Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. There is a motion on the floor, the motion is non-debatable. All in favour? Opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak today about the urgency for whistle-blower protection legislation in our jurisdiction.

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I appreciate, Mr. Speaker, that this was a topic of discussion nationally, prior to the last federal election, but it somehow fell off the federal agenda with the call of the June election. I do not know when this will get back on their agenda, but I don't believe we need to wait around for some other governments to do the job. I believe we need to do this ourselves, and the sooner we deal with it, the better, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the primary responsibility of an MLA, as I see it, is to be the voice of the people we represent. Our job is to listen to their views and to their grievances. We are to learn from their views and to work hard to help them resolve them, but this is very difficult when people are afraid to speak out. Even when they get enough will and courage to contact their MLA, we're limited in what information we can use as long as they are afraid of having their identities known.

Mr. Speaker, the fear is the greatest among those who work for the government, even if it is a legitimate issue that they are entitled to raise as a private citizen, regardless of the fact that they work for the government. The latest concerns being raised from employees from correctional facilities is one more example, but I've seen this from people who bring up concerns about their WCB claim, health care professionals, or those who are concerned about the split of RWED, goings-on at the Power Corp, and the list goes on and on, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I believe we all understand deeply that democracy is a very fragile machinery, and that all of us need to be ever so vigilant in protecting her every day. Democracy means protecting its citizens from the authoritarian tendencies of their government, and undue powers of the people in the system who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Surely one of the most important things to protect in democracy is the people's right to speak out against the government in their private time and in private life. We need to make sure that the freedom of the citizens to speak out without the fear of retribution or fear of losing their jobs or fear of losing their livelihood is secure at all costs. I believe, Mr. Speaker, our very own whistle-blower protection legislation will make this possible, as well as providing safeguards and checks and balances for all the parties involved. I would urge the government to put this on the top of their legislative agenda immediately. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to use my Member's statement today to tell my colleagues in the government about an individual who is an employee at North Slave Correctional Centre. This story, Mr. Speaker, epitomizes the concern that many have, that something is definitely wrong with the way in which human resources are handled at North Slave Correctional Centre. I have heard the Minister of Justice stand up in this House time and time again and defend his department and insist that nothing is wrong. He is still not ready to admit that there are problems at North Slave Correctional Centre.

The story begins with this individual who has been a casual at North Slave Correctional Centre for three years. This person is one of the few casuals who work at the centre who has an education in the field, and they have a diploma in law enforcement from a recognized college. They have applied for a full-time position on two separate occasions. The first time they applied, the department said sorry, you failed your interview. They appealed the decision and, to their surprise, they were denied the appeal.

The individual then went on to write the entrance exam for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. On that exam, they scored 92 percent, Mr. Speaker. Normally only 25 percent of applicants even pass that RCMP exam.

Another job competition then comes for a full-time position. Again, the individual applies on the position. This time, whether or not his previous appeal had anything to do with it or not, they didn't even get an interview. What they did get was a six-question aptitude test. They were informed that they could not get to the interview stage because they failed the first question on that aptitude test. The first question, Mr. Speaker, on that aptitude test was "Why are you here today?"

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Mr. Speaker, I don't understand how human resources could fail anybody on that question.

Shame, shame.

This employee then went on to his interview for entrance into the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and, Mr. Speaker, they passed that personal interview with flying colours.

How can the Minister of Justice still maintain that there are not problems in human resources at the North Slave Correctional Centre? This individual I'm speaking about is deemed worthy of protecting the interests of national security; however, they cannot get a full-time position at North Slave Correctional Centre.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Ramsay.

Yet, Mr. Speaker, this individual is deemed worthy of looking after interests of national security, but they cannot get a full-time position at North Slave Correctional Centre, even after three years of service as a casual. The person was away and they are unable to be interviewed for the current review that's underway for the human resource issues at North Slave Correctional Centre. Mr. Speaker, this is an example of what is wrong. It has to be told, Mr. Speaker, and the Minister has to finally admit that he has some serious issues at North Slave Correctional Centre to deal with. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Every northerner watches daily, nervously, as the world price of oil rises. It looks more and more like it's going to settle in the $50 U.S. a barrel range, and that means yet more dollars out of pockets for essential heat and transportation and fewer dollars for the other necessities of life. We look at a world suffering more and more from the effects of pollution from fossil fuels, how it affects our health and the environment around us, and we know that our northern regions, Mr. Speaker, are going to take the earliest and the most severe hit from global warming.

We all know this is a no win, lose/lose situation. Yet here in the NWT we have one of the answers. It flows around us everyday, 365 days a year, and is as constant as the sun. The answer is our rivers. This government has been engaged for the past three years in a concerted effort to increase awareness of this potential among northerners, and to increase the understanding of the impacts and the benefits of hydro development. I believe these efforts are paying off, Mr. Speaker, as there seems to be a growing acceptance among aboriginal and community groups of the value of hydro power to our economy and there is an appetite to take the process to the next business steps.

Mr. Speaker, the further development of the NWT’s hydro capacity can turn the energy future and fortunes of the NWT around. It can turn the lose/lose fossil fuel crisis into a win/win for us, for our environment and our economy. It will eclipse the value of the diamond, oil and gas resources that we have and, Mr. Speaker, we know how much we are getting out of that these days. But with hydro it’s an economic resource that we control, that we manage, and that can be a legacy for many generations to come.

We have been producing hydro power in the NWT since 1938, Mr. Speaker. Sixty-five percent of our electrical energy comes from it today. We can be part of Canada’s energy future and it deserves our continuing attention and investment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Mr. Speaker…(English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to what I consider to be a failing on the part of this government. I refer to the situation regarding alcohol and drug counselling services in the community of Fort Liard. The point I wish to make is there are no alcohol and drug counsellors in Fort Liard.

Shame, shame.

Until a short time ago, those services were available. There was a counsellor working in the community who was hired by the band through a program sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Services. The department, in an effort to consolidate alcohol and drug programs, decided to cut the funding. The intent was to hire a new counsellor who would be a departmental employee and thereby standardize their service across the NWT. At the time the department first proposed the move, it created a lot of controversy amongst community residents. People were concerned about losing a valuable resource, a counsellor whom they knew and who knew them, in exchange for an unknown entity.

Well, the department finally made its move. Funding to the program was cut, the counsellor closed up shop and no one has been hired to replace him. The very thing people were afraid would happen has happened: they lost their alcohol and drug counsellor.

Mr. Speaker, we presume this is only a temporary situation, that one day the community will see another counsellor; that is what has been promised. But, Mr. Speaker, the community was also promised there would be a smooth transition and continuity in service as the government made changes to the program, and that didn’t happen. I find that inexcusable, and I will be asking the Minister responsible to account for this during question period, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to go back a bit to October 3rd to 9th, which was Family Violence Awareness Week in Canada. I would like to recognize this special week in the importance of violence awareness in our lives.

There were many activities held across the North trying to raise awareness of family violence. In Hay River, as you are no doubt aware, Mr. Speaker, the Hay River Hub published a very informative seven-page section on family violence in their September 29th issue, which we both helped to sponsor. I thought this section was particularly well done. It focused on letting young people know what family violence is, what constitutes abuse, and how to recognize when you are in an abusive relationship. It also provided information on where to turn for help. It is important for all residents of the Northwest Territories to know that they have the right to say no to unwanted sexual attention, and that being hit, verbally abused, or degraded are not things that happen in a normal, healthy relationship.

Parents have a role to play in ensuring that they model what a healthy relationship is to their children. The studies are very conclusive that a person who has been exposed or subjected to abuse is very likely to become an abuser themselves. Parents also have to make sure their children are in healthy relationships and watch for warning signs, such as withdrawal or moodiness, that may signify something more than just ordinary teenage angst.

Teachers, family and friends all have roles to play in ending family violence. If you think a friend is being abused at home or is in an unhealthy relationship, talk to them or talk to someone in authority who can help.

Mr. Speaker, the statistics in the Northwest Territories paint a grim picture. The use of family shelters is eight times the national average. There were 221 spousal assaults reported between January and August in 2003, and there were 28 reported cases of sexual assault on young people under the age of 18. We need to all work together to help the victims, to educate young people and the general public, and to make sure that abusers get the help that they need to deal with their issues so that they can become better parents, partners and family.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and thank the staff of the Family Support Centre in Hay River who continue to work tirelessly towards providing a safe and secure environment to those in need in my home community and they are: Crystal Ball, executive director; Annette Rideout, administrative assistant; Jennifer Lennie and Angela Farnsworth, family violence support workers; and Melissa Beck, the youth activity coordinator at the Family Support Centre. Thank you for all that you do to help others. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked a very significant day for the Tlicho people. The national spotlight was on us as Bill C-14, Tlicho Land Claims and Self-Government Act, passed second reading in the House of Commons.

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As Members are aware, it was a great disappointment for our people when this bill died on the order paper before the last federal election, so this latest progress is very welcome.

Mr. Speaker, as I said last week when I spoke to the Tlicho Community Services Act currently before our Assembly, the Tlicho people have been waiting a long time for their land claim and self-government agreement to come into effect, after many years of long, difficult, expensive negotiation.

Mr. Speaker, this will be the first self-government legislation for the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, aboriginal people across Canada will be watching to see how Parliament handles this legislation and will look to the Tlicho agreement as the new standard. I hope that they will be inspired and encouraged by what we have accomplished to seek just settlements for themselves. We are proving that it can happen.

Mr. Speaker, indications are that third reading of the bill is expected within the next six months. The Tlicho people’s dreams of regaining our lands and powers to govern ourselves is fast becoming a reality and our future is looking very bright. Thank you.

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Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to talk about a significant step towards improving an education program within my constituency. Mr. Speaker, next week, on November 2nd, there will be a celebration to mark the unique educational programming initiative in Lutselk’e that was spearheaded by four organizations.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Lutselk’e Education Authority, South Slave Divisional Educational Council, Aurora College and the Fort Smith regional office of Education, Culture and Employment for working collaboratively on this important undertaking of raising awareness in the community on the value of education for all persons, by establishing a unique community learning network partnership.

Mr. Speaker, because this jointly-funded initiative will provide better access to education programs and courses for residents, this venture makes it possible for all residents of Lutselk’e to enjoy the varying courses and training being offered that will better suit and develop their interest and their skills which they can eventually use in pursuit of their employment aspirations in the various sectors of our northern economy.

Mr. Speaker, cooperation and goodwill among one another can and will achieve great things, such as addressing the educational concerns that are prevalent in all our smaller communities. This is a good example of what community organizations and community members working together cooperatively can accomplish on a very important issue, such as continued education, personal growth, and seeing recognizable achievements to advance career developments for both youth and adults in small communities. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, all too often I hear stories from my constituents about government contracts for work in the Sahtu being awarded to companies outside of the region, and about local people being turned down for government jobs. All too often, Mr. Speaker, I hear excuses from government, like they did not meet the educational requirements, did not meet our standards. These excuses tell me that the GNWT is not living up to the spirit of the Sahtu Land Claim Agreement and, in particular, the economic measures chapter.

There are many capable people and businesses in the Sahtu, and there are no excuses for them not to be getting government jobs and contracts. If the GNWT is really convinced that the Sahtu people and businesses are not up to their standards, Mr. Speaker, then what is the government doing to change this? The economic measures chapter mentions a lot of things that should be happening: training, assistance to develop commercially-viable businesses, encouragement of the employment of the Sahtu people, including employment in public services and public agencies. It also says the government shall -- shall, Mr. Speaker -- review job qualifications and recruitment procedures to remove any corporate requirements in respect of cultural factors, experiences and education. All these are written in the Sahtu Land Claim Agreement. For me and for the people of the Sahtu region, we like to think that means that they're as good as written in stone.

Mr. Speaker, the Sahtu Land Claim Agreement was signed in 1993. The government had 11 years to figure out how to live up to it’s economic measures obligations. It is time this happened. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Hear! Hear!

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I am very concerned about the world oil prices and how they can effect and cause crises elsewhere in the world. Mr. Speaker, years ago we could not assume what happened somewhere else would have an effect locally. One hundred years ago, you know, the perspective on the world was much different; 50 years ago it was much different; and even this summer oil prices were much different and we never would have thought that they would have a link.

Mr. Speaker, today what happens in Iraq and Venezuela has an effect in the Northwest Territories, not just Canada. Mr. Speaker, I am getting at the fact that the reality has changed. We are not just a global economy, but we are a global community and we need to look at those issues. Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about the quagmire that we are heading into because of our reliance on non-renewable resources and the fact is, it is a fact of today.

Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about how we, as a government, are dealing with this situation. Are we monitoring this crisis, or are we going to wait until the bills show up and just act as a reactive process? Mr. Speaker, I would like to see this government be proactive. What are we doing about these problems? What are we doing to reduce our usage? Are we looking at dialling back those heat registers? Are we looking at turning off the lights at the end of the day?

Mr. Speaker, we need to take proactive choices and they need to be implemented now. Mr. Speaker, I would like to see this House someday, in the near future that is, set up a policy where we reduce every area by five percent based on consumption, not on the end bill, but clearly consumption. We need to change the attitude, and with the crises out there as it is, it’s insane.

Mr. Speaker, at lunchtime I went to a website to find out the current crude oil price. It’s $50.80 per barrel. The 52-week high was $55.67. Mr. Speaker, this summer I believe the 52-week low was $28.26. Realities have changed and we have to get on board with the changes that are happening. Mr. Speaker, I need to see drastic action and I hope our government will be taking drastic action through a policy to work towards solving this issue. We need an action plan based on consumption.

Mr. Speaker, I will be closing in seconds, but I want to emphasize I don’t want to see March madness for oil bills, Mr. Speaker. I don’t have a crystal ball or magic eight ball to tell me what to do or what not do on this problem, or else if I did I would have invested in oil this summer. Mr. Speaker, I foresee a lot of special warrants coming forward in the spring, I see a lot coming in the new year. Later this afternoon I will have questions for the appropriate Minister at that time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a friend of this House and my partner at Tim Horton’s and still my very favourite MLA, Mr. Tony Whitford. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

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Thank you, Ms. Lee. Indeed, welcome to the Assembly, Mr. Whitford. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize some people who are in the gallery for the Northern Teachers’ Council. Amanda Mallon is president of the NWT Teachers’ Association.

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Mr. Dave Roebuck is the executive director of the NWTTA.

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Mr. Ian Oostindie is president of the Yukon Teachers’ Association.

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I understand he is also the Premier’s brother-in-law.

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Dennis Rankin, the executive director of the Yukon Teachers’ Association, is with us.

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Lou Budgell from the Nunavut Teachers’ Association is in the gallery.

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Jimmy Jacquard, who is vice-president of the Nunavut Teachers’ Association. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Dent. Indeed, welcome to the Assembly. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I, too, wish to acknowledge Mr. Whitford. From my understanding, Mr. Whitford has an extra smile on today and I believe he got a special phone call, so I think this Assembly needs to recognize Mr. Whitford. He will explain the phone call later to all Members, but I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot more of him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased, as well, to recognize my brother-in-law from the Yukon and welcome him here. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today in my Member’s statement I spoke about the economic measures chapter of the Sahtu Land Claim Agreement and how businesses and people in the Sahtu do not feel that this territorial government is living up to its obligations under this chapter. It’s very disappointing for my people to see the government taking 11 years to work on this chapter here. My question is to the Premier. Would the Premier be willing to meet with the Sahtu people to hear about their concerns and disagreement about the economic measures chapter and to work with them to develop an implementation plan? Thank you.

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

Return To Question 325-15(3): Sahtu Economic Measures Chapter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am certainly willing and, in fact, eager to meet with the people in the Sahtu to talk about the implementation plan which was just recently negotiated. I did want to go there a while ago, but the weather prevented it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 325-15(3): Sahtu Economic Measures Chapter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Premier knows that I also tried to get into that region to meet with the Sahtu people. How soon would the Premier be able to contact the Sahtu officials to set up a date and a meeting with them? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 325-15(3): Sahtu Economic Measures Chapter

Mr. Speaker, my information is that the three parties -- the Sahtu, GNWT and Government of Canada -- are planning on meeting November 16th to 18th in Inuvik and I’m not sure why Inuvik was chosen, but that is where the scheduled meeting is, I believe. I intend to be there, if at all possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 325-15(3): Sahtu Economic Measures Chapter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Premier assure me that there will be a process set up for coordination amongst the departments that will have a role to play in implementing the economic measures chapter? For example, Aboriginal Affairs, RWED, Education, Culture and Employment, Public Works and Services, and FMBS. Thank you.

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

Further Return To Question 325-15(3): Sahtu Economic Measures Chapter

Yes, Mr. Speaker, it’s our intention to have that sort of arrangement set up. I don’t know the structure of it, but we will do that. Thank you.