Debates of February 15, 2005 (day 36)

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 386-15(3): Nahendeh Air Proposal

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to assure the Member that the department is supportive of initiatives like this. The Member knows that we did fund $20,000 to the consortium of six bands who were looking at purchasing both Wolverine and Simpson Air and amalgamating and creating Nahendeh Air. There was $20,000 a couple of years ago to develop business planning. Our suggestion is that the next steps need to be an application, probably to us, for funding to further review this proposal and add some detail to it. We think there needs to be some refinement of detail; we’ve had that discussion with the consortium.

Our understanding is, as is the Member’s, I believe, that Chief Norwegian is the lead on this. We think that there are other funding partners like INAC, Aboriginal Business Canada, and we’ve identified those. Our regional staff have been in discussions with Aboriginal Business Canada to see if they would be receptive to receiving the business plan and considering it. Of course, we can’t forward that business plan; that has to come from Chief Norwegian. They’ve indicated they would be receptive, but it would require a transmittal from Chief Norwegian and they have informed us that they have not received that.

I think there are some other funding partners potentially waiting in the wings, and we’re hopeful that that business plan will be forwarded. But I think this highlights the need for us to ensure there are good communications between ourselves, our regional office and the consortium of six bands and, principally, Chief Norwegian on this issue so that we can move it forward. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 386-15(3): Nahendeh Air Proposal

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, it has been over a year, Mr. Speaker, since the business plan has been completed and the request has been in the department, and we’ve asked time and time again for their assistance and to keep this moving forward. It is a time sensitive issue, as one of the interested parties is willing to sell outside the region and that’s not something the community or the region wants, Mr. Speaker. So I would like to get the Minister’s assurance, Mr. Speaker, that he will continue from hereon in a time sensitive manner and secure and assure the consortium that the government is behind them, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 386-15(3): Nahendeh Air Proposal

I can give the Member and the consortium that assurance here today. We think that this is an absolutely perfect way for the region to be able to take care of some of the business opportunities that are going to come their way. Lots of activity will be forthcoming because of the development in the regions, and it would be an absolute shame to see that business go to southern businesses. I’m also aware of the Member’s recent request for some help in order to further cement an expression of interest with one of the proponents. We had hoped that the business proposal would be finalized, the details could be flushed out, so that we could make a decision on a business case. I hear the Member saying that it is very time sensitive. So I’ll have to consider that when making a decision on whether or not we’re prepared to forward funds to one of the proponents in order to ensure that they are willing to wait until we have this proposal finalized. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 386-15(3): Nahendeh Air Proposal

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m just curious as to the process the department used over the past year to help this Nahendeh Air proposal move forward. Earlier last year I spoke and said let’s get somebody from the department identified to work with the groups, to help them through the proposal stages, and at this time I’m here again asking the department look, there was a process here, we asked for your assistance. What happened on your end because from the community level, from the proponent's side, they are doing the best that they can, Mr. Speaker? Will the Minister continue his assurance that he will help the proponents fill out the proposal and get them to the department so that they can act and make the best decisions possible? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 386-15(3): Nahendeh Air Proposal

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will continue to work with the region and I will ensure that my department knows that this is of highest priority. I could take the Member through our understanding of the timeline and the various steps and the correspondence back and forth and the discussions between our department and the consortium. I don’t know if that would be helpful. That’s my perspective, standing here today. Clearly, from the Member’s line of questioning, that would not be shared by Chief Norwegian and by the consortium. So I’m willing to sit down and discuss this with the Member. I can show him the information that I have, but this is of highest priority and we will move forward. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 386-15(3): Nahendeh Air Proposal

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m glad to hear the Minister speak about it being a high priority, because it is, indeed, a high priority for the communities because deal breaking is imminent and I don’t want to see this deal fall through. It doesn’t make our government look good when you have the opportunity to create a deal and then we miss that opportunity. It already happened once, as my honourable colleagues keep speaking about, and I don’t want to see this happen in our region, particularly something of this much importance that has the backing of all the chiefs, of all the communities, of all the regional members. I strongly believe and I strongly think that our government should continue and make this dream a reality for the Nahendeh Air proposal. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions this afternoon are for the Honourable Brendan Bell, the Minister of RWED and responsible for the GNWT’s diamond file. One estimate has it, Mr. Speaker, that some 200 people, including families, are involved in the sorting and cutting and polishing industry here in Yellowknife, using Canadian diamonds to make Canadian jewellery. But if you want to go and buy this, you have to pay 10 percent more than anywhere else in the world and that’s not really a very good situation. My question, Mr. Speaker, is has our government considered John Duncan’s private Member's bill in Parliament -- Bill C-259 -- and are we in support of it? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 387-15(3): Support For Jewellery Excise Tax Removal

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The short answer is yes, we have and, yes, we are supportive. I think we’ve had some discussion around this with committee. I believe the Member would be aware that I’ve written Finance Minister Goodale and essentially expressed our sentiment that this, indeed, as the Member has put it, this tax should be axed. It has been around since 1918 and is the last luxury excise tax on the books. We don’t think it makes sense. The entire industry doesn’t think it makes sense. It has been one of the tenants of the National Diamond Strategy. The Retailers Jewellery Working Group did a survey of all their members who overwhelmingly supported the notion of doing away with this tax. So we continue to further that position and do intend on making a presentation to the Standing Committee on Finance, the federal committee reviewing this bill. They have not yet set the meeting date, but, when they do, we will make sure we are there to make a presentation. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 387-15(3): Support For Jewellery Excise Tax Removal

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has volunteered quite a bit of information there. I appreciate it and it’s, thankfully, no surprise that we are behind this bill. I wanted to ask further to this, the NWT has shown leadership in the formation of a National Diamond Council and I wanted to see if the Minister could tell us are other provinces, which are undoubtedly going to be involved in the diamond trade as well, also behind this excise tax amendment and are they also signalling their approval for this amendment? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 387-15(3): Support For Jewellery Excise Tax Removal

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can think of no jurisdiction that would not be in favour of doing away with this tax. Obviously the federal government is the concern here at this point. The Member indicated the amount of potential revenue loss to the federal government. We think that would be more than offset by the creation of jobs and potentially by the people who don’t report coming back from other countries and don’t submit the taxes that are lost to the federal government. So industry is behind doing away with this, and all of the provinces and territories are. It is a matter of impressing this on the federal government and having them sort of cede to the wishes of everybody in jewellery. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 387-15(3): Support For Jewellery Excise Tax Removal

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not expecting the Minister to speak for the Minister of Finance for Canada, but I’m wondering if he might be able to tell us from his perspective what are Canada’s or does the Department of Finance in Ottawa continue to have objections? I understand that that committee has twice heard recommendations to amend this act; it has twice refused. Why are they continuing to do so? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 387-15(3): Support For Jewellery Excise Tax Removal

Despite continued lobbying from the Canadian Jewellery Association over the past four years by this government, my predecessors have written numerous letters to the federal government and they have not conceded at this point. It is our understanding that this was potentially coming out a couple of budgets ago and didn’t make the final cut. We were very disappointed by that. We’re hopeful that we can move this agenda forward and we think the National Diamond Strategy might be the vehicle that can bring together all of the interests of both industry and the provinces and bring the adequate pressure to bear, but the holdout, obviously, is the federal government who are holding all the cards in this one. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Health and Social Services and it’s with regard to a lack of youth shelter that can remain open after midnight. Mr. Speaker, I was first informed about this need over the holidays at Christmastime, and I did write to the Minister, but I have not heard back from him. So I would like to ask the Minister about what programs there are available under his guidance that could benefit those between 15 and 18 who find themselves homeless after midnight on any given day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 388-15(3): Need For A Youth Shelter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is a facility in town called the SideDoor that has been providing services to youth, and it’s my understanding that the department and authority are working with the SideDoor to look at a weekend program for youth that will help address that issue. They have targeted the weekend nights as the most important time for that service. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 388-15(3): Need For A Youth Shelter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, it is also my understanding that the SideDoor is in the process of trying to get some assistance from the department. One of the issues that this group will need help with, aside from some funding, which I understand that this is not going to be something that’s expected of the government to carry 100 percent. I think there are interest partners, there might be some money with the Homelessness Coalition and other crime prevention funding and such, but I think there’s a key role for this government to play. So there are funding issues that we would like the government to partner with. The other thing a group like this runs into problems with is liabilities. So would the Minister’s department be willing to consider looking at that to see where the government could help with that? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 388-15(3): Need For A Youth Shelter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated, the department and authority are working with the SideDoor to look at establishing a weekend program for youth. They will be looking at all the variables that are out there that impact on establishing such a program, such as the funding and the liability issues and any other issues that come into the mix as we move ahead on this issue. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 388-15(3): Need For A Youth Shelter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s answers, but over the years I’ve learned to listen to the Minister’s answers very carefully and in listening to him, I’m not sure if there was any indication there, strong enough anyway. The Minister is suggesting that the government is working with them, but I don’t have as strong an indication as I would like for the Minister’s support in this project. Could the Minister indicate whether he supports the agency’s proposal? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 388-15(3): Need For A Youth Shelter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department over in Centre Square is working with the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority. Those are two major players in the health and social services system. The board is responsible for services in Yellowknife, and the Department of Health and Social Services, which has oversight and responsibility territorial-wide, is working with the SideDoor. They are there in good faith and they are there to try to work with that operation to see if they can establish a program for youth on the weekends. So I think the fact that they are at the table and they are all working together, should be the assurance and comfort the Member needs. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Your final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 388-15(3): Need For A Youth Shelter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll take that as a yes and ask the Minister, Mr. Speaker, I think there are larger issues in question here, and those are the gap years between 16 and 18 and the lack of support or the crack in the law and the legal limbo that these teenagers get into because they are not under 16 where there are other protections, and they are not over 18 where they could tap into programs that are available for adults. So I would like to know if the Minister has any plans to review those and see where the gaps can be filled. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 388-15(3): Need For A Youth Shelter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is an issue, but to me the real issue is the fact that these young people have homes, they have parents, and what do we do to work with the families and the parents and the young people to make the right choices so that they are not on the street at night where they feel that they’ve been abandoned and have no place to go. It is the fundamental parental responsibility and the fundamental role of the young people, as well, to work together. So, to me, that is an issue that we have to keep paying attention to.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House again today because I’m concerned about a news story I read today with regard to someone being reprimanded for the usage of French. Mr. Speaker, French is an official language not just in the Northwest Territories, but in Canada. Mr. Speaker, languages should never just be tolerated, but they should be celebrated. The respect for language goes much more beyond a household, it must be acknowledged publicly. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Premier of the Northwest Territories is what is the Premier’s position and the government’s position on the usage of official languages, both territorial as well as national, in our bureaucracy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Speaker, I’m going to refer that question to the Minister responsible for official languages. Thank you.

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

Return To Question 389-15(3): Government Position On The Use Of Official Languages

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government supports the use of people's first languages as much as possible. We want people to be able to celebrate their language and culture, and it is the position of the government that people should be able to use their language with people around them. Of course, if there’s a situation at work that requires that everybody understands what is going on, we would expect that there would be use of a common language. But we do respect the use of all languages in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my household, we speak approximately four languages, three languages of Chinese -- one would be Cantonese -- and, of course, English, because that is the main one I understand. Mr. Speaker, Canada is a melting pot of acceptance. It is kind of like a secret recipe of culture, but when you start throwing out the right to use one’s language, it is like revealing the recipe or throwing out an important element of that recipe. Mr. Speaker, my first question was not answered. What is the Premier’s position on the usage of the official languages in the Northwest Territories, as well as our national languages? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Premier referred your line of questioning to the Minister responsible for official languages. I don’t think the Premier has to give his official opinion on this, so I will ask you to rephrase your question, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 389-15(3): Government Position On The Use Of Official Languages

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Premier have a position on usage of official languages, not the language Minister?