Debates of March 10, 2005 (day 53)

March
10
2005
Day
53
Speaker
Paul Delorey
Word
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 17: Modernization Of Benefits And Obligations Act
Bill 20: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2004-2005
Committee Motion 44-15(3) Recommendation To Review The Sharing Of Resources Possible For The CEO To Assume Administrative Responsibility for Municipal Elections, Carried
Committee Motion 45-15(3) Recommendation To Develop A Web-Based Interactive Educational Site And Curriculum For Schools, Carried
Committee Motion 46-15(3) Recommendation To Conduct A Comprehensive Review Of The Elections Act, Carried
Further Return To Question 426-15(3): Establishment Of Council Of Sport And Recreation Partners
Further Return To Question 497-15(3): WCB Appeals Tribunal
Member's Statement On Fort Simpson Long-Term Care Facility
Member’s Statement On Affirmative Action Policy Application
Member’s Statement On Application Of The GNWT Affirmative Action Policy
Member’s Statement On Appointment Of The Mackenzie Valley Land And Water Board Chairperson
Member’s Statement On Broadband Business Alliance
Member’s Statement On Carnival Season In The Beaufort-Delta
Member’s Statement On Federal Appointment Of The Mackenzie Valley Land And Water Board Chairperson
Member’s Statement On Fort Smith Volunteers
Member’s Statement On Market Housing Initiative
Member’s Statement On Nunakput Report
Member’s Statement On Spending Priorities
Member’s Statement On Women And Children’s Healing And Recovery Program
Minister's Statement 110-15(3): 50th Anniversary Of The Courts
Minister's Statement 114-15(3): North American Occupational Safety And Health Week
Minister’s Statement 109-15(3): NWT Protected Areas Strategy
Minister’s Statement 111-15(3): Northwest Territories Games Pilot Project
Minister’s Statement 112-15(3): Progress On The Deh Cho Bridge Project
Minister’s Statement 113-15(3): Community Justice
Motion 31-15(3): Performance Audit Of The Workers’ Compensation Board
Motion 34-15(3): Appointments To Standing Committees And The Board Of Management
Motion 35-15(3): Objection To Mackenzie Valley Land And Water Board Appointment
Motion To Amend Bill 17, Defeated
Petition 5-15(3): Removal Of Fort Resolution Social Workers
Point Of Privilege
Question 583-15(3): Jackfish Creek Bridge Repair
Question 584-15(3): Planning For Infrastructure In Small Communities
Question 585-15(3): Closure Of The South Mackenzie Correctional Centre Remand Unit
Question 586-15(3): Appointment Of The Mackenzie Valley Land And Water Board Chairperson
Question 587-15(3): Management Assignment Program
Question 588-15(3): Shared Affiliations With The United States
Question 589-15(3): Women And Children’s Healing And Recovery Program
Question 590-15(3): New Deal For Community Governments
Question 591-15(3): University And College Entrance Program
Question 592-15(3): Lottery Revenues
Question 593-15(3): Chipseal Program In The Sahtu Region
Speaker's Ruling
Tabled Document 124-15(3): GNWT Response To Committee Report 7-15(3), Report On The Review Of The Information And Privacy Commissioner’s Annual Report, 2002-2003
Tabled Document 125-15(3): List Of Interactivity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 For The Period April 1, 2004, To February 8, 2005
Tabled Document 126-15(3): Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund 2003-2004 Annual Report
Statements

Question 585-15(3): Closure Of The South Mackenzie Correctional Centre Remand Unit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are going to be for the Premier of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, this is my last opportunity in this session to talk about the closure of the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre remand unit in Hay River. Mr. Speaker, soon Regular Members will be out of sight and out of mind, and I'm afraid the Premier and the Justice Minister are going to forget about me.

---Laughter

Speaker: AN HON. MEMBER

They never would.

Mr. Speaker, I have compiled every word I have said on the remand centre during session, and I put it into a binder with my picture on the front.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, I'm going to present this as a parting gift to the Premier, and I would like to know if he would take the time to re-read and reassess what I had to say about the remand centre. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 585-15(3): Closure Of The South Mackenzie Correctional Centre Remand Unit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am just overwhelmed with the gift.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, yes, I will definitely read the document. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

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

Supplementary To Question 585-15(3): Closure Of The South Mackenzie Correctional Centre Remand Unit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In all seriousness, if the Premier feels compelled by the arguments that have been made and the comments and the positions that have been taken by all the Members on this side of the House, their comments are also in here and excerpts from Hansard. If he feels compelled to do so, as a result of re-reading this, would he consider bringing the remand closure back to FMB and consider reinstating those funds? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 585-15(3): Closure Of The South Mackenzie Correctional Centre Remand Unit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will and I believe there was a recommendation to that effect to bring it back, so it will be brought back. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

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

Supplementary To Question 585-15(3): Closure Of The South Mackenzie Correctional Centre Remand Unit

My last supplementary on this, Mr. Speaker, is I would just like to ask the Premier if he would keep me and my constituents apprised of any movement or decision on this, as there are many people in Hay River very anxiously waiting to hear if the government will respond to the position taken by the Members and myself in this House. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 585-15(3): Closure Of The South Mackenzie Correctional Centre Remand Unit

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I expect that the recommendations from the committees will be reviewed at the next regular FMB meeting, and either myself or the chair of the Financial Management Board, our Minister of Finance, will certainly apprise the Member. Thank you.