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YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Page 498 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD March 30, 2004
Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly
3rd SessionDay 1115th Assembly
HANSARD
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
Pages 455 - 502
The Honourable David Krutko, Speaker
Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
Members of the Legislative Assembly
Speaker
Hon. David Krutko
(Mackenzie-Delta)
Mr. Roger Allen
(Inuvik Twin Lakes)
Hon. Brendan Bell
(Yellowknife South)
Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development
Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board
Mr. Bill Braden
(Great Slave)
Mr. Paul Delorey
(Hay River North)
Hon. Charles Dent
(Frame Lake)
Government House Leader
Minister of Education, Culture and Employment
Minister of Justice
Minister responsible for the Status of Women
Mrs. Jane Groenewegen
(Hay River South)Hon. Joe Handley
(Weledeh)
Premier
Minister of Executive
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
Minister responsible for Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation
Mr. Robert Hawkins
(Yellowknife Centre)
Ms. Sandy Lee
(Range Lake)
Hon. Michael McLeod
(Deh Cho)
Minister of Transportation
Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation
Minister responsible for Youth
Mr. Kevin Menicoche
(Nahendeh)
Hon. J. Michael Miltenberger
(Thebacha)
Minister of Health and Social Services
Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities
Minister responsible for Seniors
Mr. Calvin Pokiak
(Nunakput)
Mr. David Ramsay
(Kam Lake)
Hon. Floyd Roland
(Inuvik Boot Lake)
Deputy Premier
Minister of Finance
Minister of Public Works and Services
Chairman of the Financial Management Board
Mr. Robert Villeneuve
(Tu Nedhe)
Mr. Norman Yakeleya
(Sahtu)
Hon. Henry Zoe
(North Slave)
Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs
Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board
Officers
Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
Mr. Tim Mercer
Deputy ClerkClerk of CommitteesAssistant ClerkLaw Clerks
Mr. Doug SchauerteMr. Dave InchMr. Andrew StewartMs. Katherine R. Peterson, Q.C.
Mr. Charles Thompson
Box 1320
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 669-2200 Fax: (867) 920-4735 Toll-Free: 1-800-661-0784
http://www.assembly.gov.nt.ca
Published under the authority of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRAYER455
MINISTERS' STATEMENTS455
22-15(3) - Meeting with Chairs of Education Boards455
23-15(3) - Waste Reduction and Recovery Programs455
24-15(3) - North Slave Correctional Centre Opening456
MEMBERS' STATEMENTS456
Mr. Delorey on Mackenzie Valley Environmental Review Board Pipeline Consultation456
Mr. Yakeleya on Gameti Spiritual Healing Workshop456
Ms. Lee on Waiving of Business Incentive Policy457
Mr. Ramsay on Waiving of the Business Incentive Policy457
Mr. Allen on Taxation to Facilitate Spending in the North458
Mr. Hawkins on Comments on the Business Incentive Policy458
Mr. Pokiak on Health Care Staffing Shortages in Nunakput458
Mr. Menicoche on the Importance of the Business Incentive Policy459
Mrs. Groenewegen on Investing in the North to Develop Capacity and Affordable Housing459
Mr. Villeneuve on Supporting the Community Involvement of Seniors459
Mr. Braden on Consistent Application of Government Policies460
RECOGNITION OF VISITORS IN THE GALLERY460
ORAL QUESTIONS461
WRITTEN QUESTIONS471
RETURNS TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS471
TABLING OF DOCUMENTS472
FIRST READING OF BILLS472
Bill 6 - An Act to amend the Payroll Tax Act, 1993 and the Income Tax Act472
SECOND READING OF BILLS473
Bill 5 - Tlicho Community Government Act473
CONSIDERATION IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE OF BILLS AND OTHER MATTERS473
REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE500
THIRD READING OF BILLS500
Bill 1 - Appropriation Act, 2004-2005500
ORDERS OF THE DAY500
ii
YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
Members Present
Mr. Allen, Honourable Brendan Bell, Mr. Braden, Mr. Delorey, Honourable Charles Dent, Mrs. Groenewegen, Honourable Joe Handley, Mr. Hawkins, Honourable David Krutko, Ms. Lee, Honourable Michael McLeod, Mr. Menicoche, Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Mr. Pokiak, Mr. Ramsay, Honourable Floyd Roland, Mr. Villeneuve, Mr. Yakeleya, Honourable Henry Zoe
March 30, 2004NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARDPage 497
ITEM 1: PRAYER
---Prayer
SPEAKER (Hon. David Krutko): Item 2, Ministers statements. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.
ITEM 2: MINISTERS STATEMENTSMinisters Statement 22-15(3): Meeting With Chairs Of Education Boards
HON. CHARLES DENT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. On February 24th and 25th, I met with the Chairs of the NWT education bodies, including the Chairs of the divisional education councils, the Commission Scolaire Francophone de Division, the two Yellowknife district education authorities and Aurora College.
I discussed with the Chairs the comments and suggestions made by Members of this Assembly regarding schooling. I noted that Members expressed how important schooling is to the futures of our students and our Territory.
The Chairs and I discussed a number of issues including the importance of student success and the need to focus on improving the results of our school system. During the meeting, we talked about programming offered at the high school level and many of the Chairs highlighted the need to meet the needs of all students and ensure that more students complete their studies.
We also discussed the need for an increased focus on accountability and oversight of budgets as they related to program delivery particularly with respect to special needs funding.
In addition, I shared with the Chairs, the importance of a coordinated approach to adult learning so northerners have better access to the post-secondary and skills training required to take full advantage of current and future employment opportunities.
It is important to recognize that our education system has made significant progress over the past 15 years. We now have more students graduating from high school, including an increased number of aboriginal graduates and graduates from community high schools. This growth and development is the result of the hard work by all partners in the education process, especially families and communities who recognize the importance of schooling.
Mr. Speaker, the Chairs and I have committed to meeting two times each year to ensure that we have a regular forum for sharing our ideas and our views on providing the best possible education for meeting the needs of all our students.
I thank the Chairs for their ongoing commitment to educating our children and youth and I look forward to meeting with them next November to hear their ideas, concerns and aspirations for our NWT education system. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause
MR. SPEAKER: Item 2, Ministers statements. The honourable Minster of RWED, Mr. Bell.
Ministers Statement 23-15(3): Waste Reduction And Recovery Programs
HON. BRENDAN BELL: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take this opportunity to update this House on the implementation of the Waste Reduction and Recovery Act.
As Members are aware, the legislation to enable the development and implementation of waste recovery programs was passed by the 14th Legislative Assembly in October 2003. The new act establishes a framework for waste reduction programs and provides for the formation of a Waste Reduction and Recovery Advisory Committee. This committee will play a vital role in the establishment and operation of waste recovery programs developed by this government, including the proposed beverage container recovery program.
A recent call for expressions for people interested in serving on this committee was very successful. A number of qualified women and men representing industry, business, municipalities, and environmental organizations, as well as those with an avid interest in recycling from throughout the Northwest Territories, put their names forward to serve on the advisory committee.
I expect to appoint Members to the Waste Reduction and Recovery Advisory Committee within the next few weeks. It is my hope that the committee can hold its initial meeting in April when they can begin discussions on the first proposed program, the beverage container recovery program.
Mr. Speaker, the success of any waste recovery program will depend in large part on the participation and support of the residents of the Northwest Territories. I believe the Waste Reduction and Recovery Advisory Committee will be instrumental in ensuring the necessary support and participation in these worthwhile endeavours. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause
MR. SPEAKER: Item 2, Ministers statements. The Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.
Minister's Statement 24-15(3): North Slave Correctional Centre Opening
HON. CHARLES DENT: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on March