091 Hansard
Whitehorse, Yukon
Wednesday, April 23, 2008 — 1:00 p.m.
Speaker: I will now call the House to order. At this time we will proceed with prayers.
Prayers
Withdrawal of motions
Speaker: The Chair wishes to inform the House of changes that have been made to the Order Paper. The following motions have been removed from the Order Paper as they relate to the Child and Family Services Act which has passed this House: Motion No. 26, Motion No. 189, Motion No. 329 and Motion 347, standing in the name of the Member for McIntyre-Takhini; Motion No. 37, standing in the name of the Member for Mayo-Tatchun; Motion No. 345, standing in the name of the Member for Klondike; and Motion No. 375 and Motion No. 387, standing in the name of the Leader of the Official Opposition.
The following motion has also been removed from the Order Paper because it relates to the Smoke-free Places Act, which has also passed this House: Motion No. 300, standing in the name of the Member for Vuntut Gwitchin.
DAILY ROUTINE
Speaker: We will proceed to the Order Paper.
Are there any tributes?
TRIBUTES
In recognition of Administrative Professionals Week
Hon. Mr. Hart: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
As the minister responsible for the Public Service Commission, I rise today to acknowledge Administrative Professionals Week and to pay tribute to public servants who work in administrative capacities.
As the public face of so many government services, Yukoners who are working with the government rely on the program expertise, the guidance in manoeuvring through application processes and the corporate knowledge of these professionals. Their central and coordinating role within the office environment provides a hub for information flow and demands a broad range of skills and resourcefulness. There are many different hats that are worn by administrative professionals and a spectrum of roles and responsibilities within the territorial public service.
Au nom de mes collègues, je suis heureux de rendre hommage aux professionnels de l’administration et au rôle essentiel qu’ils jouent dans le travail quotidien des employés de la fonction publique.
On behalf of my colleagues, I am pleased to pay tribute to the administrative professionals and to the integral role that they play in the day-to-day work of the public service.
Speaker: Are there any further tributes?
In recognition of Canada Book Day
Hon. Mr. Rouble: Mr. Speaker, I rise in this House today on behalf of all members to pay tribute to Canada Book Day.
Canada Book Day is celebrated on the same day as World Book and Copyright Day, a yearly event organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright.
Here in the Yukon, schools will be celebrating libraries and reading, and the diverse pleasures to be gained from books. Students will be participating in literacy games, taking in displays and listening to guest speakers.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish everyone a happy Canada Book Day and thank all the organizers, volunteers and educational professionals for all of their hard work.
In recognition of Tammy Beese
Hon. Ms. Taylor: Mr. Speaker, each day women’s work in our respective communities contributes to the economic, social, legal and political fabric of our territory.
Today, on behalf of all Members of the Legislative Assembly, I am pleased to pay tribute to a young woman whose professional work has indeed made a difference in the lives of Yukoners and has earned recognition at both the local and the international level.
Tammy Beese is the founder and publisher of the bi-weekly arts and entertainment magazine, What’s Up Yukon. This is a concept which originated from the desire to provide northerners one place to learn of fun activities and events about northerners themselves.
In February 2005, this dream was fully realized with the first issue of What’s Up Yukon hitting the Yukon streets.
The promise of “All Northern. All Fun” has and continues to be the company’s recipe for success — the writers being the most important ingredient.
Whatever the field of expertise, chances are readers are likely familiar with one, some or all of the 75 writers who today contribute 100 percent of the content covered in the publication.
Since the inception of Beese Entertainment Publishing, Tammy’s vision of bringing northern entertainment and northern expertise to northerners by northerners has grown by leaps and bounds, with no end in sight.
In addition to What’s Up Yukon, Beese Entertainment Publishing now includes How’s Business Yukon, a quarterly introduced to show the personal side of business, and the newest semi-annual publication, How Ya Feeling Yukon, showcasing what is available to northerners in the caring arts.
From an initial complement of 12 writers, Beese Entertainment Publishing now has 75 writers among the three publications.
Readership has grown as have advertising sales. Likewise, the company has also grown, employing seven individuals today.
In 2007, the Business Development Bank of Canada named Tammy winner of the Young Entrepreneur Award for Yukon.
Last year, the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce also awarded Tammy for her contribution to the community.
In this year’s May edition of Chatelaine magazine, Tammy was chosen as one of 80 amazing Canadian women to watch as newsmakers of tomorrow. Among those selected, Tammy was one of six women in Canada chosen in the business category, in recognition of her success and doing what some would say, “the impossible” — that is, making an independent magazine profitable, and doing so within less than two years.
It is fitting that we pay tribute to Tammy Beese for what she has accomplished. As a long-time resident of the Yukon, a mother of two, and a successful businesswoman, she is to be congratulated for helping build Yukon’s economy, enriching the lives of Yukoners and inspiring others to do the same.
On behalf of the Yukon Legislature, I would ask all members to join with me in welcoming Tammy, her husband, Mark Beese, and their children, Ben and Emily Beese, who have joined us here in the gallery today. Congratulations.
Applause
Speaker: Are there any further tributes?
Introduction of visitors.
Returns or documents for tabling.
TABLING RETURNS AND DOCUMENTS
Mr. McRobb: I have for tabling a document dated April 22, 2008, entitled “Bioenergy”.
Speaker: Are there any further returns or documents for tabling?
Reports of committees.
Are there any petitions?
Are there any bills to be introduced?
Speaker’s ruling
Speaker: Before the House proceeds to notices of motion, the Chair will rule on Motion No. 410, notice of which was given yesterday by the Member for Klondike. According to annotation 565 of Beauchesne’s Parliamentary Rules and Forms, “A motion should be neither argumentative, nor in the style of a speech, nor contain unnecessary provisions or objectionable words.”
Motion No. 410 was argumentative and written in the style of a speech. However, of particular concern to the Chair is the motion’s wording. Specifically, the Chair is concerned by the suggestion in Motion No. 410 that the Member for McIntyre-Takhini should retract a statement made in this House or resign his seat. This is a concern because the House does have the power, by resolution, to declare a member’s seat vacant. As such, the mere suggestion by motion that a member should resign should not be made lightly.
Historically, legislative assemblies have been reluctant to use this power — and for good reason. There is perhaps no more serious a decision that an assembly can make than to remove a member who has been duly elected. To suggest that a member resign for statements made in this House falls below the historic standard used in Canada. Therefore, Motion No. 410 is not in order and was not placed on today’s Notice Paper.
Motion No. 410 is the latest example of an unwelcome pattern that the Chair has observed during this sitting. Since the beginning of this sitting, members have given notice of a number of motions that single out other members, urging that member to explain some statement made or action taken in this House or in a committee. While these motions have been in order, members might wish to rethink this approach. These notices of motion have added to the personalization of proceedings in this House. The Chair recognizes that there are important public issues raised in motions, and the Chair would only suggest that the wording of motions focus on those issues, not other members.
We will now proceed to notices of motion. Are there any notices of motion?
NOTICES OF MOTION
Mr. McRobb: I give notice of the following motion:
THAT this House urges the Government of Yukon to encourage the development of bioenergy in our territory, with the goal of making our entire forest industry the first Canadian jurisdiction to be classified as carbon-neutral, by taking immediate action that includes the issuance of a request for proposals for such projects to make practical use of beetle-killed forest, as the Government of British Columbia has already done.
I give notice of the following motion:
THAT this House urges the Government of Yukon to amend the Public Service Act to apply the conflict-of-interest guidelines for deputy ministers to the heads of Crown corporations and agencies, including both the positions of chair and president.
Mr. Edzerza: I give notice of the following motion:
THAT it is the opinion of this House that:
(1) some First Nations and the Committee on Abuse in Residential Schools have raised concerns that recent deaths in First Nation communities may be related to the residential school settlement payments;
(2) the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations have called for a moment of silence and prayer on April 30 in response to the pain and loss in their community;
(3) recalling past abuses without counselling or other supports can leave victims of the residential school experience re-traumatized and vulnerable; and
THAT this House urges the Yukon government to work with the federal government to allocate emergency funds to provide counselling and other support services, such as financial planning advice, to claimants going through the residential school compensation process.
I give notice of the following motion:
THAT this House urges the Minister of Economic Development to work closely with the Town of Faro, as well as with representatives of industry, labour, First Nation governments, the Government of Canada, Yukon College, the receiver for the former Anvil Range Mining Corporation properties and other interested parties, in order to assist the people of Faro to achieve their goal of sustainable economic development through such initiatives as a centre of excellence for mining reclamation and an integrated industrial training centre to make the best use of the abandoned mine sites in the Faro area.
Mr. Cardiff: I give notice of the following motion:
THAT this House urges the Government of Yukon to develop and implement a public education campaign about comprehensive land use planning and how it works, so that people in all areas of Yukon are able to participate knowledgably in the process of defining how Yukon lands and resources can best be used for the benefit of current and future generations.
Speaker: Are there any further notices of motion?
NOTICES OF MOTION FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PAPERS
Mr. Fairclough: I give notice of the following motion for the production of papers:
THAT this House do issue an order for the return of the engineering report done by the Department of Community Services on the Fry Recreation Centre in Dawson City.
Speaker: Is there a statement by a minister?
This then brings us to Question Period.
QUESTION PERIOD
Question re: Asset-backed commercial paper investments
Mr. Mitchell: Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Finance minister about the $36 million of Yukoners’ money that he misplaced sometime last summer. The investments didn’t follow our Financial Administration Act. A couple of weeks ago in Ottawa, a committee of the House of Commons held a public hearing on this matter. What a novel idea: answer questions in a public forum about what has happened to the people’s money. We have a committee here that could do the same thing; it is called the Public Accounts Committee.
Last year, members of both opposition parties who sit on the committee asked for a public hearing to be held. The Yukon Party has a majority on that committee and it voted as a bloc to stop those hearings from going ahead.
$36 million is at stake. Will the government side agree to support these public hearings?
Hon. Mr. Fentie: We have heard all this before, and I think it is important that we note that the member opposite, in claiming there was a cover-up, quit the Public Accounts Committee of his own volition. I see no validity or merit in his question whatsoever.
Mr. Mitchell: What a surprise; personal attacks from the Premier. The Public Accounts Committee can’t function properly if it only debates topics the government wants to talk about. It must be free from political interference. Currently it is not. I resigned over that principle; I won’t be a rubber stamp for this government.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Yukon is stuck with $36 million in these bad investments. A couple of weeks ago one of the players who sold this stuff announced a plan to buy it back. They in turn are selling it to third parties for 60 cents on the dollar.
This confirms what we have been saying for months. The stuff has lost considerable value since the Premier bought it.
Will the Premier admit that the investments he made last summer are worth considerably less today than they were when he bought them?
Hon. Mr. Fentie: No, because the simple fact is they are not. The government, and all involved with this issue, recognize that fact. We have not come to the final end of that process in reaching agreement on how this is going to go forward. For the member to suggest that there is political interference in the Public Accounts Committee is absolutely ridiculous. It is the member opposite who claimed that there was a cover-up. He publicly claimed that there was a cover-up involved in the Public Accounts Committee and he quit of his own accord. I challenge the member to provide to the public the evidence of such nonsense, when even the Auditor General’s Office itself said they see no purpose in a public review of this issue. Those are the facts, Mr. Speaker. The member opposite has to explain his actions; the government side certainly doesn’t have to explain its side.
Mr. Mitchell: The government side can’t explain their actions, is what the Premier means.
Mr. Speaker, this Premier’s plan is a shaky one at best. He has bad investments that are now worth perhaps 60 cents on the dollar. He hopes they will get back up to their original value in five or perhaps eight years. If he were to try to sell them today, they would be worth around $21.9 million. There would be a loss of $14.6 million.
Across this country, public governments and private companies who hold similar investments have recorded this loss on their books. In Alberta and Ontario, both governments have admitted the obvious and written off millions of dollars. Just this week, CP Rail increased its writedown on its investments in ABCP to 30 percent of the total. Everyone is writing this stuff off, except the Yukon, because this Premier is unwilling to admit the obvious. Why is the Premier refusing to acknowledge what everyone else in the country already knows: we have lost money on these bad investments?
Hon. Mr. Fentie: The facts are we haven’t lost money at all. The government has made money on its investments and continues to make money on its investments.
Secondly, I will not accept the member opposite’s arithmetic. We all know how incorrect the display of numbers really are that the Official Opposition bring into this House.
The facts are we are not required at this time to take any writedown. We, along with others, are in the process of working through a solution to this matter. Furthermore, it is this member who makes this constant claim that the government officials in the Department of Finance, in making investments as far back as 1990, are careless, overzealous and misinformed. This is an attack on officials. It is certainly not an attack on the government side. This is a display of what the Official Opposition really thinks of our officials in departments such as the Department of Finance.
Question re: Asset-backed commercial paper investments
Mr. Mitchell: Well, Mr. Speaker, this Premier has achieved new records. He is the first Premier ever to lose $36 million. Mr. Speaker, on Friday of this week everyone who holds non-bank ABCP will be casting their vote on a restructuring plan. The Government of Yukon will be voting because the Premier went outside the Financial Administration Act and invested $36.5 million of taxpayers’ money in these junk bonds. This is the $36.5 million that the Deputy Premier said was guaranteed. Of course, it was not guaranteed and the Auditor General of Canada said so.
The Premier has tried to blame the banks for his poor decisions on these investments. When you sign on to the agreements, you give up your right to sue the banks involved. The Premier is going to support the plan and his officials have confirmed that. If the banks are really to blame, as the Premier suggests, why is he giving up Yukoners right to sue?
Hon. Mr. Fentie: Once again the member opposite really doesn’t understand the process that has been underway for some time regarding this. I want to remind the member there was a guarantee — it was a guarantee of liquidity, by the banks. No matter what the member may say, that guarantee was certainly in place.
Secondly, that guarantee was the creation of the federal regulator on these matters — OSFI, Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions — allowing for conditional guarantees of liquidity. So the member opposite, again, is searching desperately for something to give some sort of public creditability to the Official Opposition considering the debate that they have conducted over the last number of weeks in this sitting.
I say again, Mr. Speaker, if the member wants to debate the issue of investment and stands on the floor and says that we’ve lost money, how does he explain the fact that in actual numbers the government has made approximately $20 million in investments. This is not a loss; I call that significant earnings.
Mr. Mitchell: Well, the member opposite, the Finance minister, should do the math. He says we’ve made $20 million, but he’s misplaced $36 million. It sounds like a net loss of $16 million.
Yukoners know who is responsible for losing this money. It’s the Premier; it’s not officials. The buck stops at the Premier’s desk. He should stop blaming others — banks, officials, and everybody else.
Under the proposed restructuring, we’re getting new bonds that are worth about 60 cents of their original value. And we know that because some of them have been sold recently, and that’s the going rate. The new bonds are only guaranteed by one rating agency; they’re not guaranteed by Canada or a province, and they’re not guaranteed by a bank.
In other words, the new bonds we’re going to get as part of the restructuring process appear to be illegal under our Financial Administration Act. Do the new bonds meet the requirements of the Financial Administration Act? Yes or no?
Hon. Mr. Fentie: Once again, the process we’ve embarked on with other governments and all involved here is underway. We’re not going to make any presumptuous decisions, as the member opposite continues to do, in suggesting that there are losses, in suggesting that the Premier sat at a computer making investments — you know, tickling the keys of the keyboard. All of these things — the member then tries to say that we’re blaming others. We’re merely stating the facts on the floor of the Legislature so that the public understands what’s really going on. They can’t accept the information coming from the Official Opposition; it’s incorrect.
How does the member explain, when he uses an example of something completely disconnected from the situation the government is in with the investments, a deal made for the small investors through Canaccord Capital. There is no relationship to our investment and the process we’re in. It was an attempt by those involved to find solutions to deal with those smaller investors.
Mr. Mitchell: The point that seems to have gone right over the Premier’s head is that, when Canaccord sold some of the ABCP to pay those small investors; they got 60 cents on the dollar.
Last summer the Premier went out and gambled with $36.5 million of our money. Now we are seeing the bonds that he bought last summer are only worth about 60 cents on the dollar. That is what they sold for.
The bonds the Premier bought last summer were outside our Financial Administration Act. That was confirmed by the Auditor General of Canada.
Despite the Premier’s attempt to discredit her, I know that Yukoners take her word over that of the Premier when it comes to financial matters. I recall her officials, since he likes to refer to them, saying, “If there is no loss, then show us the money.”
The Premier won’t answer a direct question about where these new bonds are within the law. If the Premier thinks the bonds are okay, he should provide some proof that they are.
I will ask him this question. Will the Premier refer the question to the Auditor General? Will he ask her if the new bonds meet the requirements of our Financial Administration Act?
Hon. Mr. Fentie: Actually, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Finance is, on an ongoing basis, working with the Auditor General.
By the way, to suggest that we were discrediting the Auditor General’s Office is absolutely absurd. There is no such thing. This is coming from the member opposite. It is pure conjecture, and frankly has no place in this Assembly. It is another attempt to try to create a misconception in the Yukon public.
Therefore, Mr. Speaker, we will fully disclose the end result of the process we are in when we get to the end of that process. What we are working on is a resolution to this matter along with other jurisdictions like Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, Canada Post and all others involved.
This is a significant exercise we are in and we intend to see it through to ensure that we continue to earn money on our investments as we have to date.
Question re: Faro as an industrial training centre
Mr. Edzerza: A couple of days ago, I asked the Education minister some questions about the idea of creating an integrated industrial training centre at the abandoned mine site in Faro. I’d like to follow up on that idea with the Minister of Economic Development.
The Town of Faro has a proud history of contributing to the Yukon’s economy. Even in hard times, since the mine shut down, the people of Faro have never lost hope.
The proposal I brought forward earlier this week could provide a real economic stimulus for that community and for the whole central Yukon region.
Is the minister willing to commit some seed money to explore the feasibility of creating an integrated industrial training centre in Faro?
Hon. Mr. Rouble: We certainly concur with members in this Assembly that it’s important to have training opportunities here in the Yukon. We need to train Yukoners for Yukon opportunities.
In fact, if you just look at this budget right now, you’ll see there’s about $18 million in it for Yukon College and about another $8 million for labour market programming. We’re committing over $26 million to training Yukoners for Yukon opportunities, and that includes training people for the licensed practical nurse program.
We’ll also continue to work with our community training trust funds. These are programs we have in place to work with specific industries and the companies involved to ensure that people in that industry have the right kind of skills.
We’re also working very closely with the Yukon Mine Training Association. This is an industry-led organization that’s working with Yukon First Nations to provide training in the Yukon, in conjunction with Yukon College and other partners, on what the member opposite is asking for.
Mr. Speaker, I would encourage him to work with folks in the Yukon Mine Training Association. They are the people who work in the mining companies and are working with people looking at continuing with their education. They’ll make some of the best decisions about what training to offer and where to provide it.
Mr. Edzerza: Well, the minister dodged that question; he wouldn’t commit to putting any money into the Town of Faro.
I have discussed the idea with some very knowledgeable and committed people in Faro. Let me say that the response so far has been terrific. I’m sure the minister is aware that the Town of Faro has been exploring the possibility of another major initiative related to the mine site. In fact, the town recently received the results of a pre-feasibility study into the idea of creating a centre of excellence for mining reclamation.
I also understand there will be a meeting soon with the minister’s officials to discuss this concept. In my mind, these two ideas could be a perfect match.
If the people of Faro are agreeable, will the minister encourage his officials to broaden that discussion to include the idea of an integrated, industrial training centre that would be compatible with a mining reclamation centre of excellence?
Hon. Mr. Kenyon: For the member opposite, his claim that this government has not put any money into Faro is bordering on humorous. Just simply looking at one of our funds, over the past while we have put over $454,224 into the Town of Faro.
When we look specifically at the mine reclamation at Faro, regional economic development branch has provided financial assistance to the Ross River Dena Council and Selkirk First Nation. It has assisted them to be in a position to partner with a major corporation and to respond to the opportunities arising from the Faro mine closure.
Regional economic development branch is working closely with that closure office and has assisted by ensuring First Nations were able to respond to the recently released interim care and maintenance contract.
Mr. Edzerza: Well, we’re just offering some help in creating excellent ideas to go forward. One thing I learned from my discussions with people in Faro is that there is a considerable amount of equipment at Grum deposit, which a receiver may be turning over to the federal government fairly shortly. There are also buildings at the Grum site that could be used for classrooms and practical training. In the Town of Faro itself there are vacant residential buildings that are in good condition. There are many other services in Faro and the nearby communities of Ross River and Carmacks that could be enhanced by having such a major economic generator in this area.
Mr. Speaker, our caucus believes very strongly in regional economic development that will keep rural Yukon communities strong and vital. Here is a golden opportunity in central Yukon. Will the minister go to bat for rural Yukon by working with all the players involved, including industry and labour, First Nations, the federal and municipal governments, Yukon College — and especially his own colleagues — to help the people of Faro achieve their goal?
Hon. Mr. Kenyon: Regional economic development branch has facilitated meetings between the Ross River Dena Council and Selkirk First Nation regarding the Faro mine closure. These meetings have resulted in both First Nations agreeing to work together to maximize benefits from the mine closure. We have funded the Selkirk First Nation, who acts as the administrative agent for both First Nations, to create the proper corporate vehicle to participate in opportunities arising from that mine closure.
Regional economic development branch is actively working with Energy, Mines and Resources through the Faro mine closure. I do appreciate the member opposite’s enthusiasm and zealousness at the end there though, Mr. Speaker. It is certainly an honour for it to be the first question on economic development from any member opposite since last year.
Question re: Liquor Act amendments
Mr. Cardiff: The minister responsible for the Yukon Liquor Corporation said the amendments to the Liquor Act, “provide several practical improvements to the act that reflect the wishes of Yukoners as expressed through the 2001 public consultation process and as reflected in the recommendations made by the Liquor Act Review Committee.”
The problem with that statement is that there are changes the public wanted that haven’t made the cut. There were also amendments that made the cut that the public never asked for, like allowing Yukon businesses to manufacture wines and spirits.
Can the minister responsible for the Yukon Liquor Corporation enlighten the House as to how he determined which of the 49 recommendations in the Liquor Act review actually made it into the amendments to the act?
Hon. Mr. Kenyon: The government carefully reviewed all of those recommendations, and 28 of the 49 recommendations had actually already been implemented before this act. We’ve addressed key economic recommendations to allow the production of wines and spirits, which the member specifically mentions, and I would refer him to — I believe it is number 25 in the recommendations, which recommended that we look at this.
So we have dealt with the things we can do. We dealt with them in regulations before we opened the act; we dealt with them in this new act, and there are a few outstanding ones, which really didn’t appear to make any sense. I leave that with the member opposite.
Mr. Cardiff: Sometimes we wonder whether the minister makes sense.
We’re pleased to see fines and penalties for liquor offences increased. We think that’s a good thing. In spite of these changes, though, the current amendments proposed basically amount to the further liberalization of liquor laws.
The minister said the changes will reduce red tape for businesses involved in industry. He said that they’ll provide restaurant operators with more flexibility in providing food and liquor services to Yukoners. He said they would give employers greater flexibility in hiring servers and kitchen staff.
The problem I have is that this business-oriented approach to liquor is light on the social responsibility side of the ledger. Why has the minister chosen to ignore virtually all of the recommendations from the 2001 consultation that speak to social responsibility?
Speaker’s statement
Speaker: Before the minister answers, I’d just like to remind the Member for Mount Lorne — a request rather than a reminder — to not personalize the debate.
You have the floor, minister.
Hon. Mr. Kenyon: For the member opposite who in the past has taken an attitude of almost supporting prohibition, one of our concerns — and our primary concern —
Some Hon. Member: (Inaudible)
Speaker’s statement
Speaker: Yes, I was just coming to that. Same warning: please do not personalize the debate. One side starts it, the other side answers. This is call and response, folks. If this is how you want it to carry on, this is exactly what’s going to happen.
Members, we’re all responsible for our own conduct here. Minister of Economic Development, you have the floor.
Hon. Mr. Kenyon: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For members on this side, we appreciate the interjections.
One of the things we did in looking at this act — the substance abuse action plan had to be in place first. Safer communities legislation and all these things had to be in place before we went to look at this act. That is one of the reasons for the delays in implementing that.
The things that were mentioned in the review that are outside of what we did at this point in time involved a number of things. For instance, number 9 is that the government should produce a multi-purpose identification card. Community Services is looking at this in conjunction with the driver’s licence and the possibility of an enhanced driver’s licence. A liquor card will be in there, a general identification card for those who don’t drive, for use on airlines, et cetera. This is all underway.
This is an example of one of the recommendations that were not addressed in that, and there are very good reasons for all of these.
Mr. Cardiff: The minister ignored the recommendation that servers should be able to refuse service to a pregnant woman. Given the persistent problem of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder — FASD — in the Yukon, the Liquor Act could be strengthened to address this.
The minister ignored the recommendation that a liquor licence be contingent upon the licensee and all servers completing the Be a Responsible Server — BARS — training. He also ignored the recommendation that the BARS program be reviewed, evaluated and strengthened.
He ignored the recommendation that the Liquor Corporation profit should be directed either wholly or in significant part toward socially responsible alcohol education and/or treatment programs.
When the bill comes forward before the Committee, is the minister willing to entertain amendments that would address the glaring gaps around social responsibility?
Hon. Mr. Kenyon: I would like to pick a couple of the member opposite’s favourites on that. By directing the profits into social treatment, for instance, of alcoholism, that could actually end up — since this government spends way more money on these programs than is made by the Liquor Corporation, it could be interpreted as actually a reduction.
For the member opposite, in terms of serving liquor to pregnant women, I remind him that any woman of childbearing age could effectively be pregnant long before that pregnancy is detected or diagnosed. Therefore, the logical information that would come out of most of the social responsibility is that no woman of child-bearing age should consume alcohol. While perhaps on a scientific basis it’s a good thing, I suspect that most women would not be appreciative of that. I would remind the member opposite that the legal problems that could come out of that are enormous.
Question re: Patient navigation program
Mr. Mitchell: I have a question for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Last fall we asked the minister questions regarding a medical advocate in Edmonton, Vancouver and Calgary. The minister’s response was that Yukon had entered into a contract with Capital Health Authority in Edmonton to provide a patient navigation program, but the program was not up and running yet.
As we pointed out before in this House, many seniors and elders are very intimidated by being dropped off in a large city that they have never been to before. Will the minister confirm that the program is now up and running and Yukoners will have that service available to them in these cities, should they have to travel Outside for medical care?
Hon. Mr. Cathers: We have had some challenges with this, recognizing of course — as the member has not in his comments — we are contracting a service in another jurisdiction through Capital Health Authority. We have had more challenges than were anticipated in actually getting that program up and running, recognizing again that they are the ones who will be running the program through the funding we give them.
I anticipate it will be in place very shortly. We have been working with Capital Health on that program arrangement and, contrary to the member’s words — the member is referring to it inaccurately as a “patient advocate” or some such term; I am not quite sure what he is getting at. The program is for a patient navigator who will assist people in accessing those services. This is in addition to the services we currently provide. Those who need to have an escort — when it is deemed medically necessary for them to have an escort travel with them — the government will of course pay for that escort’s travel as well.
Mr. Mitchell: The minister’s colleague, the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, used that terminology in his budget speech, so we thought that the government had changed its description.
We are still getting calls from Yukoners. Vancouver and Calgary have problems; there appears to be no service for Yukoners in those cities.
On December 6, 2007, the minister said that we have already signed an agreement with the Capital Health Authority in Edmonton to provide a patient navigation program. Agreements are pending in Vancouver and Calgary.
It is very frustrating for members on this side of the House when they get calls from Yukoners complaining about this government’s inaction and this minister’s inability to get the job done.
When will there be a patient navigation program in place in Vancouver and Calgary?
Hon. Mr. Cathers: It is unfortunate the member is choosing to use rhetoric and spin. Mr. Speaker, as you have ruled and reminded members about the increasing personalization of debate, I would —
Speaker’s statement
Speaker: The Chair is in a quandary. If the Chair would find anything out of order, it would be terminologies like “rhetoric” and “spin” as opposed to personalizing debate. So honourable minister, please keep that in mind while you are giving your response, please.
Hon. Mr. Cathers: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The type of language being used is unfortunate. The member should recognize the fact that we are entering into a contract or we have in fact entered into it — we have been having challenges with the Capital Health Authority getting the program up and running.
If the member pays any attention to the news, he would note the challenges being faced in Alberta in their health care system are much larger than ours, and that Capital Health — as an example — had tents erected during this winter to try to deal with the backlog of patients that they were trying to serve in hospital. They have been having some significant operational problems at the Capital Health Authority. They have taken significant steps to address those, and we appreciate the working relationship with them. Once it is up and running, we will be very happy to announce that.
Question re: Energy conservation program
Mr. McRobb: I would like to follow up with the Energy minister about his lack of performance with respect to energy conservation programs in the territory.
He declared on Monday he was looking at energy conservation and added that he has yet to actually produce any product. Finally, Mr. Speaker, that’s something we can agree on.
Well, I checked the Web site for both his department and the Crown corporation for which he is responsible and found no available energy conservation programs. Obviously, this minister is satisfied to just keep looking and talking while doing nothing to provide programs or incentives for consumers.
Why hasn’t he produced energy conservation programs for Yukon consumers?
Hon. Mr. Lang: In addressing the member opposite, this side of the House — the government of the day — certainly is looking at conservation in many of our departments. The Energy Solutions Centre is moving ahead with conservation programs. Yukon Housing Corporation has many, many programs to help the consumer conserve energy.
This side of the House is doing the job that was assigned to them and we are working. But there is more than one department in this government and this government works in unison with all departments to resolve issues like this.
Mr. McRobb: Unfortunately for Yukoners, the minister has been asleep at the switch again. He should have had programs in place to help consumers reduce their electrical consumption before he hiked up power bills 30 percent —
Speaker’s statement
Speaker: Order. Personalizing debate — just keep that in mind, please, Member for Kluane. You’re doing a good job but just keep the personalizing debate issue in mind, please.
Mr. McRobb: Thank you.
Instead of taking this more responsible approach to assist Yukoners as Energy minister, he has decided to rate-shock consumers into conserving power. That’s the reality of it, Mr. Speaker. That’s the Energy minister’s approach: rate-shock consumers into using less rather than ensuring they first have an opportunity to access energy conservation programs.
Why didn’t the Energy minister provide the necessary programs for consumers before rate-shocking them?
Hon. Mr. Kenyon: Unfortunately, the member opposite seems to have missed a few issues here. In July of 2007 the Yukon Housing Corporation and the Energy Solutions Centre introduced six new energy efficiency initiatives designed to assist existing homeowners and those looking at building new homes and owners of rental suites. They are designed to provide property owners with valuable technical information and affordable financing.
Interest-free loans — one-time grants for Yukoners with access to affordable funding streams to build or repair their homes to enhance energy efficiency. Loans of up to $30,000 are available for alternative energy systems with the interest rate set at zero percent for the first 10 years — one percent less than the posted home repair program. There are zero percent interest rates available to owners of rental properties who undertake energy efficiency. A grant of $400 is available to offset the cost of energy evaluation, which then leads into federal programs — information of which I would be happy to send over to the member opposite if he missed that. We also have a grant of up to $1,750 for homeowners accessing the home repair program who upgrade their homes to meet YHC's green home standards. These programs were all put in place for these purposes, and the member opposite completely missed them.
Mr. McRobb: Why must the Yukon be the last Canadian jurisdiction to have programs in place like Power Smart? Look at BC Hydro — it offers a suite of energy conservation programs and has launched a new initiative called the “smart metering and infrastructure program” that will deliver about 1.7 million smart meters to its customers. These smart meters are automated and replace the old manually read meters. This new technology provides customers with real-time consumption and billing data, enabling them to make smarter decisions about their energy use.
Yukoners aren’t so fortunate. Their Energy minister doesn’t believe in smart metering and, for more than three hours during debate on our net metering bill, argued reasons why Yukoners don’t deserve them. Why has the Energy minister decided that Yukoners must do without?
Hon. Mr. Rouble: I feel it necessary to enter into debate and let the member opposite know that all government departments are working on many of the initiatives he’s bringing up. For example, the Yukon government strongly supports the green building movement in general and is already involved in the leadership in energy and environmental design — or LEED — program. In fact, up to 10 kindergarten-to-grade-12 schools built since 1980 will be selected for the project. LEED for schools recognizes the unique nature of design and construction of the kindergarten-to-grade-12 schools and will be addressing existing as well as new buildings, incorporating real building performance into the rating system.
The Department of Education will continue to take a leadership role in ensuring our schools are becoming more and more energy efficient and that we’re using our resources wisely. Not only will we teach our children about that, but we’ll also practice that in our schools.
Other departments are also offering grants up to $4,500 for the construction of new certified green homes, up to $750 to offset design and inspections, and up to $450 from the Energy Solutions Centre for the purchase of Energy Star appliances.
There are programs going on throughout the entire government, including the Department of Education, Energy, Mines and Resources, and Yukon Housing Corporation, to address the issues the member is bringing up.
Speaker: The time for Question Period has now elapsed. We will proceed to Orders of the Day.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT PRIVATE MEMBERS’ MOTIONS
MOTIONS OTHER THAN GOVERNMENT MOTIONS
Motion No. 276
Clerk: Motion No. 276, standing in the name of Mr. Nordick.
Speaker: It is moved by the Member for Klondike
THAT this House urges the Government of Yukon to continue expanding education and training programs in areas of particular relevance to the north, such as First Nation governance, mining, tourism, resource management, construction north of 60, health care professionals, care providers and teachers.
Mr. Nordick: I am pleased to speak to this motion. I am also proud of our government’s record on education and training. This speaks to our government’s commitment to achieve a better quality of life for Yukoners.
I will start with First Nation governance. One of our commitments was to work with First Nations, Yukon College and its community campuses and the private sector to provide training for Yukon First Nations for land claim implementation, especially in relation to capacity development for First Nation governance.
In meeting this commitment, our government established the governance liaison capacity development branch of the Executive Council Office. This branch is committed to implementing capacity development strategies in cooperation with First Nations to support and strengthen cooperative governance in the Yukon.
A few examples of capacity development projects are approved under the northern strategy. One of them is $150,000 to the Carcross-Tagish First Nation to provide training to develop community peacekeepers, mediators and negotiators.
Another example is $1.05 million to Champagne and Aishihik First Nations to develop Yukon First Nation executive leadership and management programming.
Another example is $950,000 to the Kwanlin-Dun First Nation, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and Carcross-Tagish First Nation to assess First Nation capacity in areas of land and resource development, develop strategies for improving capacity and develop long-term capacity strategy through education and training.
Another example is $400,000 to Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation and the Council of Yukon First Nations to develop and deliver training for members of boards and committees and other enhancements, such as one-on-one consulting.
A further example is $500,000 to Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation and Champagne and Aishihik First Nations to develop comprehensive training, certification and capacity building programs for water and waste-water system operators Yukon-wide.
Mr. Speaker, Energy, Mines and Resources has finalized a multi-year contribution agreement with the Yukon Mine Training Association. I’m sure the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources will speak on later today, so I won’t spend a lot of time on that portion.
The Yukon Mine Training Association, a partnership between the Yukon mining industry and First Nations, is currently working with Yukon College, NAIT and Aurora College to develop and deliver a mineral process technician course at the Minto mine. It is also working with Pelly Construction and ek pass to develop a certified heavy equipment operator pilot project.
It is working with the Mines and Aggregates Safety and Health Association to deliver a localized safety program for the front-line supervisors in the mining industry. It is also working with Yukon College, Rem Ricks and Aurora College to deliver the Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources Environmental Monitoring program this spring.
It is also working to deliver the School of Exploration and Mining’s reclamation and prospecting program targeting First Nation youth.
It is also working to deliver Comprehensive Mineral Exploration Association certification for the spring and summer.
Mr. Speaker, we are very proud of our Yukon apprenticeship and trades qualification programs, which provide Yukoners the ability to develop work skills through on-the-job experience and in-school technical training, as they train for well-paid jobs in trades and careers.
The Yukon trades qualification program is available to those who hold trades certification from other countries or from other jurisdictions in Canada and to individuals who have gained the required trade experience, but have not been able to access certification through a formal apprenticeship program.
Apprenticeship numbers vary month to month, depending on the availability of work and the number of graduate apprentices.
Our government is committed to supporting, as an option of choice, apprenticeship training for high school students transitioning to the workplace.
Mr. Speaker, another initiative is the skilled worker/critical impact worker program. The intent of the Yukon nominee program is designed to attract business expertise, investment capital and to fill critical labour shortages in the territory. The skilled worker/critical impact worker program are employer driven, designed to assist Yukon employers, sectors or governments to identify and nominate potential, qualified immigrants to fill positions that cannot be filled by the territorial or national labour markets.
Mr. Speaker, I will now speak with regard to occupations that we certify in the Yukon. There are 48 occupations designated in the Yukon and under the Apprentice Training Act for which apprenticeship and training and certifications are available. For most of these trades which I will list later, Yukon uses interprovincial standards red seal examinations at the completion of their apprenticeship and for certification.
To list these trades: automotive painter, automotive service technician, baker, barber, bricklayer, cabinet maker, carpenter, communication electrician, communication electrician in regard to switching and in construction, communication electrician in total, construction electrician, cook, communication antennae television technician, electric motor system technician, electronic technician with consumer products, floor covering installer, gas fitter — first and second classes, glazier, hairstylist, heavy-duty equipment technician, heavy equipment and truck transport technician, industrial electrician, industrial and instrument mechanic, industrial mechanic millwright, industrial warehouse worker, insulator — heat and frost, machinist, motor vehicle body prepper, motor vehicle body repair — metal and paint, oil burner mechanic, outdoor power equipment technician, painter and decorator, parts person, plumber, power system electrician and power line technician.
Mr. Speaker, I could continue with the entire list, but I would be here quite some time, so I will stop with that.
Apprenticeship is a training program combining both on-the-job and in-school technical training. Employers provide employee apprenticeships with hands-on trade experiences under the supervision of a certified tradesperson.
Advanced education branch provides for the registration, monitoring, arranging of in-school technical training and coordination of individual apprentice training in any of their apprenticeship occupations in the Yukon.
Many Yukon employers will be eligible for the Government of Canada’s apprenticeship job creation tax credit for registering new apprenticeships. Mr. Speaker, many Yukon apprentices completing the first and second year of their program may be eligible for the Government of Canada apprenticeship incentive grant. Also, apprentice mechanics may also be eligible for the Government of Canada tax deduction for tools purchased.
Mr. Speaker, the Yukon government apprenticeship program is a flow-through apprentice training program. Apprentices under this program are trained in the government workshops throughout the Yukon. The program duration varies between three to four years depending on the individual’s experience and training and the requirements of the particular occupation.
All applicants must meet the education entrance requirement for particular occupations as prescribed by the apprentice training regulations. Other requirements for individual positions are stated in the advertisement for the position.
Mr. Speaker, Yukon apprentices do not pay for tuition during the in-class component of their training. Apprentices are usually required to pay for student association fees, material fees and books required by the institution they attend. A $200 book allowance is available for apprentices for each in-class session they attend during their apprenticeship training.
The following support may be available from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada for their apprenticeship during the in-class component of their training: dependant care — support may be available to assist with the cost of supervised care; for commuting — all apprenticeships are eligible for $20 a week commuting allowance for actual weeks of training only; if an apprentice has to travel more than a total of 40 kilometres daily to get to and from school, the rate of mileage is 24.5 cents per kilometre. This support is not available if apprentices are living away from their home.
Living away from home — if an apprentice is maintaining a permanent residence and is paying for a second residence while on the course, they may qualify for $200 a week if the second residence is in the Yukon or $170 a week if the second residence is in Alberta.
Mr. Speaker, there is travel support available to help with transportation costs between home and school. This support is based on mileage of 24.5 cents per kilometre. If you are driving to the location where you will receive your training, you may claim up to three overnight stays at $72 per night.
There is also weekly income support. Yukon registered apprentices will normally qualify for employment insurance while away from work completing the in-class component of training.
No apprentice will receive less than the EI rate determined to the average amount currently paid to the apprentice on the claim.
The Yukon secondary school apprenticeship training program is open to Yukon secondary school students who would like to explore a skills trade and complete high school at the same time. Many secondary school students work part-time while attending school or during the summer break period. Some of those students are working in trades designated in the Yukon for apprentice training. Those students working in a trade can be registered as apprentices with their employer and receive credit for their trade experience, even if the work is on a part-time or short-term basis.
Once they have completed high school — defined as “not returning to high school for the following semester” — their apprenticeship agreements convert to regular apprentice training schedules. They then can continue their on-the-job training and access in-school technical training as regular apprentices.
Secondary school students should contact the apprenticeship office and their school counsellor to discuss options available for them to work in a trade and gain credit for their trades training while attending and completing high school.
The Yukon tradesperson qualification program provides trade certification and in most cases, interprovincial standards recognition, for trade workers in occupations designated in the Yukon. The program is available to individuals who have gained the required trade experience, but have not been able to access certification through a formal apprenticeship program.
It also provides to those individuals who hold trade certification from other jurisdictions in Canada or other countries an avenue to gain Yukon certification.
Applicants must submit completed application forms, accompanied by verification of work experience in the trade and any applicable training and qualification certificates. Requirements for the various occupations are outlined in the specific trade regulation schedule.
We are accomplishing so much with these initiatives and are working to accomplish more. I’ve spoken about First Nation governance, mining, Yukon apprenticeship and trades program, skilled work and critical work programs, which I spoke in greater detail.
I will touch briefly on tourism. Our 2007-08 budget allocates monies to community training funds to promote our tourism and cultural industry. Some examples are $50,000 to the heritage training fund, which provides limited-term training for independent heritage workers, groups and sectors to enhance skill development for employment; $75,000 to cultural industry training fund, administered by MusicYukon, is training for individuals employed by or are working in Yukon cultural industries.
We have a hospitality co-op program — advanced education branch is working with the public schools branch on exploring the nature and availability of program pathways for secondary students who wish to gain experience and enter the tourism field.
Tourism Industry Association provides training in the tourism industry. Preliminary steps will be to explore the types of programs available to high school students in order to allow them to move from high school to post-secondary tourism education programs. Education will work in partnership with TIA on this initiative.
Construction north of 60: our government is seeking federal government support to develop the climate change research centre of excellence at Yukon College and the cold climate technology and innovation cluster. This cluster would provide valuable training and business opportunities.
As well, the University of Alberta will offer the first instalment of the construction administration program, administration control systems, from June 16 to 20, 2008.
Mr. Speaker, regarding health care professionals, our Education minister and our Health and Social Services minister recently announced that a licensed practical nurse program will be offered in September at our Yukon College campuses, brokered through Bow Valley College. This two-year program will not only allow and encourage Yukoners to remain in the Yukon; it will also speak to Yukon’s demand for health care professionals. Students will be eligible for the health profession education bursary available through the Department of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, regarding care providers, in cooperation with Yukon First Nations, our Yukon College offers a four-year bachelor of social work program. In this program, attention is given to the social needs, values and aspirations of Yukon First Nations.
With teachers, the Yukon College offers the Yukon native teacher education program, which is a four-year bachelor of education degree. This program focuses on elementary education, specializing in Yukon and cross-cultural content. This program is offered to both aboriginal and non-aboriginal students.
I am proud to be part of a government that offers so many educational and training programs. The Department of Education is doing great work to make a more reactive education system that enables all who desire to learn to succeed.
I have only touched on some of the educational and training opportunities that our government offers. I look forward to continuing to expand these programs in areas of particular relevance to the north.
I will now leave the floor to my colleagues and the members opposite to discuss this motion. I look forward to a unanimous support for this motion.
Mr. Fairclough: I’d like to speak to this motion very briefly also. I do want to be brief on it because I am a bit surprised that the Member for Klondike would bring a motion like this to the floor of this Legislative Assembly.
Why would that member bring a motion like this to the floor for debate?
When you read it, Mr. Speaker, it asks that government continue doing what they are doing. This is not the first motion that that member has brought to the floor for debate on motion day. It’s not the first one like this.
We’ve had other debates urging government to continue on doing what he feels that they are doing. I have a problem with this, Mr. Speaker. This motion coming from the Member for Klondike is a back-patting motion; that is what it is; it pats the government on the back. It is not giving new direction, or urging government to go in a new direction or explore something; it is asking them to continue and a lot of these points are argumentative, if we get into it.
For example, what are they expanding when it comes to First Nation governance? If they are going to educate the First Nations on this — and the member went on and on about this — what about doing it themselves within their own caucus?
A week ago, the Official Opposition brought two bills forward to the floor of this Legislature for debate — good bills that should have been talked about. What happened to those bills, Mr. Speaker? The members opposite adjourned debate on them with no good reason. It was opposition motion day; we should be able to bring these for full debate in this House, and it didn’t happen.
An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act debate was adjourned debate by the Member for Lake Laberge. The Apology Act debate was adjourned by the Premier. An Act to Amend the Cooperation in Governance Act was brought forward by the Leader of the Official Opposition; that debate was adjourned by the mover of this motion.
What about the Net Metering Act? That debate was adjourned by the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources. Not once, but twice, we’ve brought it to the floor here for all members to debate. It was adjourned twice by that minister. He went on and on for hours, filibustering this bill.
Some Hon. Member: (Inaudible)
Point of order
Speaker: Order please. The Member for Klondike, on a point of order.
Mr. Nordick: I am having trouble seeing any relevance to the motion that is presently in debate. I think that has been ruled out of order in the past, if you are not on topic to the motion.
Speaker’s ruling
Speaker: I don’t think there is a point of order. I think the Member for Mayo-Tatchun is bringing himself right on to the motion that we are discussing today, and it is only a matter of moments before he is right on it.
Mr. Fairclough: I’ve been right on it all the time and that’s why we on this side of the House are not going to have a whole lot of debate on Motion No. 276 that was brought forward by the member opposite.
Why would they do it? Why would they urge government to continue to do what they think that they’re doing? Why? There are only two reasons. Either the Member for Klondike is bringing forward this motion because he knows things that his caucus may not know or that we may not know on this side of the House, or his government may be going in a different direction and he has to bring forward a motion to urge them to continue. Isn’t that something? Or it’s back-patting. I think it’s the latter; it’s back-patting. It’s nothing more than that. The member is going to bring out numbers that they have in their budget, and if they really want to hear debate on the budget, they would have brought it forward a long time ago.
That member is not bringing anything substantial to the floor for debate through this motion. It’s great that we have initiatives in the Department of Education, and we’re going to be debating that soon. I know we’re going to have some good debates, because I’ve asked the Minister of Education questions in the past and he has given me some pretty good answers. I’m hoping that others can look to him as an example of how to maybe get things done, not through a motion like this. I think the members opposite should be ashamed this has been read into the record and debated here on Wednesday.
Hon. Mr. Rouble: It’s an honour and a pleasure to rise today in the Assembly to debate — what I’m sure all members would agree is one of the most important responsibilities a government has, that being the education of Yukoners.
I am very proud to be a member of a government that has recognized education as such a priority. This goes back to the days of the election campaign. The first three pages of the platform were dedicated to education.
When the Assembly opened a couple of weeks ago for this sitting, the first five or six pages of the Premier’s budget speech were dedicated to education in our territory. Clearly, this government has made education a priority, not only with our programming but with our expenditures.
We only have to look at the spending of governments and how it has grown. When we first took office, $100 million a year was being spent on education in this territory and now it tops $130 million.
Mr. Speaker, I will move specifically to advanced education. This is the area that looks at post-secondary education training and continuing education for people. We’ve seen that grow, Mr. Speaker, from annual investments of $20 million to over $26 million in recent years. These substantial increases in investments demonstrate the commitment that the government has to education and to Yukoners.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Member for Klondike for highlighting education in this motion. It has been said in this Assembly by more than one person, “If we can’t debate the budget, we’ll have to ask questions in Question Period.” Well, Mr. Speaker, if members opposite don’t want to hear the budget or refuse to debate the Education budget, as members opposite did during the supplementary debate, we’ll need to find some avenue to bring forward some of the information about the direction in which the government is going.
Mr. Speaker, members opposite refused to debate the Department of Education in the supplementary budget where questions about Education could have been answered, and that is one of the reasons for bringing forward this motion in debate today, to provide more information to members of this House so that they can support the government and the direction in which the government is going.
Mr. Speaker, we all recognize that learning does not end once one has graduated from high school. Lifelong learning is something that each and every one of us is committed to doing. We must continue to grow not only as a human being but also in our career and employment opportunities.
We in the government recognize the importance of providing opportunities for lifelong learning to all Yukoners. We will continue to work with our advanced education branch in order to do this.
We in the government also recognize that education plays two roles. One is to develop the individual so he or she can be all that he or she can be, to grow up to lead a happy, satisfying life. But we also recognize that education plays a very important role for our community. It’s very important for our communities to train people to provide those necessary services and functions that we rely on in our community. We need to educate people who can provide our services, such as nursing, teaching, carpentry, trades, or plumbing. There are certain needs we have in our civilized society and we need to work to train our citizens in order to fill the needs in our community.
Simply said, Mr. Speaker, it means training Yukoners for Yukon opportunities.
We’re committed to doing that. We’re committed to working with all our partners in education, all the stakeholders affected, all the non-government organizations and various other orders of government in order to accomplish this.
One of the things that we’ll be doing to ensure we continue to be on the right track is to undertake a number of initiatives to address the labour situation here in the territory. The Department of Education is taking a lead role on an interdepartmental steering committee to oversee the development of a labour market framework to address labour market shortages over the next 10 years.
As I said, this will be an interdepartmental approach. As we discussed during Question Period today, when the government looks at energy savings, for example, it looks at it on an interdepartmental level and will continue to look at working with the different departments in government to ensure we are addressing the needs in our territory.
Mr. Speaker, the labour market framework will be based on four pillars. This will include national and international recruitment efforts to attract more workers to live in the Yukon; retention initiatives to make Yukon an attractive and welcoming place to live and work; training and development to promote lifelong learning, foster partnerships and expand training and employment opportunities; and a collection of relevant labour market information that will assist public policy, education training, business planning and personal career decision-making.
We will take a holistic approach on this within government, involving external partners and stakeholders and other orders of government, and will continue to use all of the tools that government has at its disposal.
This will include our post-secondary education opportunities. I am proud to say that over 770 Yukoners currently receive the student grant to attend post-secondary institutions. I believe the average amount is close to $5,000 — I might be off by a couple of dollars — which is a significant investment that the Yukon government is making in the lives and the future of these individuals, and an investment we are making in them so they will come back and share their new skills, knowledge and abilities with all Yukoners.
We are continuing to work on that. Also, members will see in this budget that there is an indexing of the student grant, and that means we will be increasing it on a regular basis to ensure that the student grant continues to meet the needs of students as they study.
Also, Mr. Speaker, it is very interesting to note that the students receiving the student grant attend over 100 different post-secondary institutions across North America. I am very proud to say that Yukon students attend universities, colleges and training institutions from coast to coast to coast, and they often take advantage of centres of excellence throughout North America for their training.
As I’ve said, this government in this budget will be indexing the student grant to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of students.
With the work that we’re doing here in the territory on apprentices, we now have a record number of registered apprentices here in the territory. We now have 382 registered apprentices in a variety of different programs — again, training Yukoners for Yukon opportunities. We will continue to work with the federal government on this and with other training institutions, as well as Yukon College, in order to provide this necessary training — to provide the necessary skills and trade-specific information that Yukoners need to receive.
We will continue to work very closely with Yukon College. I believe this budget contributes approximately $18 million for Yukon College to continue to put forward the programs they deliver that are indeed responsive to the needs of Yukoners. These include programs such as the Yukon native teacher education program, the social work program and other established programs that Yukon College has been offering. I am also very gratified to see that Yukon College is being responsive to the needs in the territory — the needs of employers, the needs of consumers and the needs of students — by increasing the programs they are offering.
With the assistance of the territorial government and our additional support this year, they will be offering a licensed practical nurse program, a survey technician program and a housing maintenance — or a housing maintainer — program.
It’s great to see that we, as a territory, are recognizing that we have the need here in our community for these types of skills, for people with these characteristics and attributes, and that we are working to train Yukoners to provide these very necessary services in the territory.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I’m very gratified to see that Yukon College is working very closely with other post-secondary institutions such as the University of Regina, the University of Alberta, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Royal Roads University and many others in order to facilitate Yukoners accessing additional post-secondary and university level education.
It is great to see that they are doing that in partnership with our local Yukon College and that they are providing assistance so that people can access some of these programs from a distance. These programs are not just available to people here in Whitehorse, but people in the communities also have access to it.
Also, Mr. Speaker, another approach that the Government of Yukon is using to address many of these issues of expanding education and training programs is through the use of the community training funds. Mr. Speaker, the current budget of $1.5 million for this will work with several different organizations, whether they be trade specific or community specific. That will allow, Mr. Speaker, people throughout the Yukon to access a variety of different training programs. Some of these are in the area of the tourism industry, the heritage industry, cultural industries and hospitality. Some of the community-based ones, Mr. Speaker, include communities of Carmacks, the Campbell region, Haines Junction, the Klondike region and the Silver Trail region that have access to specific community-based funds as well as the economic sector-based areas.
Mr. Speaker, we have seen these funds be used, for example, to provide additional assistance to people in Pelly Crossing to develop skills to allow them to seek employment on the Pelly transmission line program. Again, Mr. Speaker, this is a great example of recognizing a need and identifying the training required so people can take advantage of work opportunities in the community.
There are also examples of programs, such as working with the Carcross-Tagish First Nation on a roadwork program that happened on the Atlin Road.
We’ll also work with the northern strategy, which means involving the federal government and First Nation orders of government in order to provide additional training for Yukoners.
There are programs in there that do speak to building board and committee capacity, to working with culture and heritage, and there is quite a wide-ranging list of programs and initiatives that are available under the northern strategy program. I trust that another member who has more time available will address those in greater detail.
As well, we’ll work with the federal government on our labour market development agreements and our labour market programs to ensure they serve the needs of Yukoners and allow Yukoners to develop the skills they need to take advantage of Yukon opportunities.
We’ll work with the various orders of government as well — First Nation governments and municipal governments — to ensure that the educational training we are providing is meeting the needs of their organizations.
We’ll also continue to work with many of the not-for-profit organizations that exist in the Yukon that are dedicated to training. These can include organizations such as the Yukon Mine Training Association, which I spoke of earlier. This organization will be working with First Nation governments and the mining community in order to identify training needs and training programs. I expect they will see a wide range of programs at a variety of levels to ensure that Yukoners are being trained at the appropriate level necessary to them, so that they can take advantage of many of the new opportunities that are coming available.
As well, Mr. Speaker, there are other organizations, such as the Yukon Tourism Education Council, which continues to work with the hospitality and tourism industry. There are other organizations out there, such as Yukon Learn; I was pleased to increase funding for them. By working with my colleagues in government, we were able to increase funding for Yukon Learn in order for them to cover some of their rising costs.
Mr. Speaker, I really support this motion. It certainly clarifies the direction that the government is heading in. We recognize that it is important to provide access to post-secondary education. We recognize a need for students to have the opportunities that they need to succeed, and we also recognize that we have needs and opportunities in our community and we need people to be trained to fill those needs.
Mr. Speaker, we need to train Yukoners for Yukon opportunities and, by working with all of our partners, we will continue to recognize the very urgent and pressing needs in our community.
I recognize that we could add to this list of what people should be training for and preparing for. Indeed, when you open up any college or university calendar, there is a wide variety of programs that are available out there.
These are some of the very pressing needs in our community now, and some of the very good opportunities, so these are the priorities, if you will, Mr. Speaker.
I recognize that, in the past, when we’ve talked about priorities in here, members have come forward and put forward amendments to motions to increase the list of priorities from five to 25. I think we can all agree that that kind of approach does not work. What we need to do is to sit down and to take a look at what is needed in the community and then identify training programs that will provide those opportunities for Yukoners to be responsive to the opportunities that are available to them.
Mr. Speaker, I would again like to thank the Member for Klondike for bringing forward this motion. It is important that we have an opportunity to discuss education and post-secondary education here on the floor of the Assembly. I would seek the support of this motion from all members in the Assembly. I believe then we can send a very loud and consistent message that members of the Assembly believe in post-secondary education, in addressing the priorities and the needs of Yukon, and that we need to go forward and continue to work with all of our partners in education in order to best satisfy the needs of Yukon students and Yukon employers.
Mr. Edzerza: This motion brought forward by the Member for Klondike is a very good motion. I think that any time one gets to expand on training and education, or training in a profession or trade, it is always a good thing. It helps to build the self-esteem of the individual. There is a lot of good in it. I believe it is one of the tools that can be used to address poverty or social problems. Whenever a person has an opportunity to improve their contributions to society, it is always a good thing.
Quite often, government appears to get into a tunnel and it is always the same old repetitious kind of approach to education. A lot of governments can’t seem to think outside of the box. They’ve got a blueprint and a pattern that they stick to and that’s unfortunate.
A good example of thinking outside the box is when I was the Education minister, we developed the Individual Learning Centre. That is something that was really needed in the Yukon.
That’s being creative. That’s thinking outside of the blueprint a little bit. And, lo and behold, it turns out to be quite a success, and it’s good to see that.
When we talk about improving our education, what does that mean? What does it mean to improve your education? Well, the government of the day has to start looking at a whole bunch of initiatives, right from young people who are living in rural communities and having to come to Whitehorse for high school. We have to look at that and see what kind of impact it has on the young person, having to move from a small community to a place like Whitehorse. There is a real impact; it’s a social impact. We have to start looking at those issues.
One area that I believe would really be worth looking at is developing a dorm in one of the rural communities with a high school that’s not filled to capacity. A lot of high schools in the rural communities are running at a very low capacity. We need to start looking at putting infrastructure in the community that would support a person going into post-secondary or high school. They shouldn’t always have to move to Whitehorse.
I believe in my heart that this does contribute a lot to the dropout rate in high school — young people not being able to cope with the change. People coming from Old Crow, for example, into Whitehorse to go to high school might do a lot better if they were to go to the high school in Dawson, for example, if there were living accommodations and dorms in Dawson to assist those young people from Old Crow to complete high school.
Or it could be that there would be a high school developed in Faro, for example, that would accommodate students from small communities. Rather than having to come to Whitehorse, they would have the opportunity to go to a smaller community that is more similar to their style of living.
I want to also talk about some of the experiences that I have had in my life when it came to education. When I went to the vocational school, for example, and took welding in 1967, I had a very difficult time getting a job after I completed the course. It was always due to the fact that I had no experience in the mining field; I had no experience working in the shops; I had no experience, period, except for what I had done in the classroom. This is part of why I have been bringing these issues to the floor for the last couple of days. I feel they are very legitimate and they’re worth looking at.
I don’t believe everything should be happening in Whitehorse. The NDP caucus is very very community minded. We think a lot about the people in the communities and how difficult it is to find work and how difficult it is to earn a living in a small community; therefore, I strongly believe that any government that is in power — it doesn’t matter which party it is — has to be aware of the fact that everything shouldn’t be centered in Whitehorse, and it doesn’t have to be. I worked in Faro for approximately six years. My children spent a lot of their elementary school years in Faro.
The town basically has everything it needs to sustain an education training program. As I stated earlier, it is very difficult to go from a classroom on to a job anywhere. Having said that — and as recently as today, having had lengthy discussions with some of the people in Faro — they are very excited and believe this is exactly what would help their community. It would bring it back to life. They would be delivering a service that could benefit people right across Canada, not only in the Yukon.
I don’t know of any other place in Canada that would have a set-up like they could have in Faro. They have all the land and space needed. It has already been disturbed. You don’t have to disturb new ground, cut down new trees or dig up new ground to be able to put a training plan in place like our caucus is talking about.
I have worked in the mines. I know how big the equipment is and I know how much room you need to be able to, for example, move a 40-yard drill around that would drill an 8-inch hole for blasting. Where else could you get experience in actually doing some blasting? There are several benches in the pit where the Anvil mine operated and dug the ore out that would serve that purpose. The ground is there and it is all prepared; it is just sitting there waiting to be used.
I believe that the whole reclamation process would be somewhere around $200 million. What we are suggesting is that we put money into the Town of Faro and do the reclamation through the training program.
When I was the Minister of Education, I did mention this to an individual from Ottawa whom we were questioning about reclamation. I put this idea past him four years ago. The individual thought it was really something worth looking into, because you not only do the reclamation but you also would have the opportunity to train people from right across Canada on the big equipment.
I know from experience that there are programs that provide on-the-job training, but that would be very very different from being able to go into the Town of Faro and take all the practicum that you need and get all the classroom knowledge that you need to be able to get on to a D10-Cat or whatever and learn all the safety involved in being able to work in an environment where there is a lot of heavy equipment moving around. It would give the individual the practical experience and awareness. When I worked in Faro, you were in the mine pit where there were a lot of safety precautions that you had to be aware of. You always had to be aware of where all the big ore trucks were. You had to be aware of where someone was working with the big shovel or a loader. That is the kind of practical experience that you don’t get in the college.
One of the things that could be included in this is on-the-job training for welders, mechanics, electricians and first-aid people. This could be almost like an international training ground for the mining industry.
Now, the Yukon and the Yukon Party government are adamantly looking at opening mines daily and, if they could open one a day, they probably would.
Again, there is a shortage of operators, welders, electricians and carpenters right across Canada. In fact, I hear stories about speeding up immigration so that we can attract working people. Well, I have to say — and put on record — that we have a lot of people in Canada who are unemployed, and we need to start training those people so the number of people on welfare will be minimized.
Again, Mr. Speaker, this is sort of a vision that would be developed outside of the box of government. Government has to start thinking along these lines. I don’t believe that there is another place in the Yukon that is set up so perfectly for training people on the size of the equipment that is used in open-pit mining.
As a matter of fact, there is even an area within the Faro mine site that could also produce and develop underground miners. They have the geological location that’s perfect. They do have living accommodations. Like I said earlier today in Question Period, there is an opportunity coming up very shortly to get a lot of equipment from the government. The federal government can do wonders here alongside the Yukon government and the municipal governments, if they all put their heads together, work together and really made this vision become a reality.
Some of the people I talked to in Faro today were very excited about this. They stated they have been thinking along these lines for several years, have tried a couple of times to have something capitalized along these lines and have been unsuccessful.
I would encourage the Member for Pelly-Nisutlin to really have discussions with people in the Town of Faro, just to see, and they can confirm everything I said is true. They do want something of this nature to take place in Faro. I don’t blame them, because it will sustain the town for generations to come. It will help the town to grow and it will help the businesses in Faro. It’s about time the smaller communities started to be recognized and given more opportunities to contribute to the sustainability of the Yukon Territory.
Without government assistance, a lot of things don’t get started. If the government doesn’t buy into it, it won’t happen, unless there’s a government like the NDP that certainly would look at these issues and work hard to see them capitalized. There is always that possibility; there’s an election in four years — who knows?
I also want to talk a little bit about the arts institute in Dawson. That’s another example of thinking outside the box and getting something established in a rural community that benefits that community. I was somewhat instrumental in helping with that project, as was the Minister of Tourism and Culture and other ministers at the time. There were a number of people who worked on that initiative. That’s what it takes: commitment. If there hadn’t been commitment from some of the MLAs, it would never have happened. It would probably still be a project that is just being discussed, but it took interest to be able to do it.
So today I ask the members in government and the other MLAs in government to really look seriously at this initiative that we are proposing for the Town of Faro. I had a hard time getting a job as a welder when I left college. No experience in the mine; no experience in the shop. This is an opportunity where you can get all that experience. When you finish your course there, you are going to be able to work just about any place where a tradesperson would work as a mechanic, welder, electrician, carpenter, first-aid person or driller — there is just so much to this.
I have about four more items I would really have liked to talk about but I realize I have run out of time. I certainly hope that the government will start considering the smaller communities as a base for training.
Hon. Mr. Lang: I would like to thank the member opposite for his insight on this motion brought forward by the Member for Klondike.
It is an interesting motion in the sense that the expansion of education and training programs in areas of particular relevance to the north are very important because, at the end of the day, we need a trained workforce at every level. As we know from a Canada-wide perspective, the workforce is becoming more and more in demand, and of course we have to compete Canada-wide. This government has worked over the last six years.
One of the first things we as government did in 2003 was put money into the hands of the Minister of Education, the Member for McIntyre-Takhini, so he could go out to our schools and provide whatever resources they required for their physical operation, to bring them up to a workable, better standard. We did that immediately upon taking office.
Of course, at that point, the Minister of Education had the support of caucus, because without the support of the government caucus, we certainly wouldn’t be seeing what we’re seeing today. The Individual Learning Centre is a prime example, and the member brought that up. That was one of the projects brought forward by the Premier. It was worked on by the Minister of Education and our caucus to make sure that our youth, who don’t work well in a structured education situation, had an opportunity to go back and get an education so they could move on with their lives. That program is oversubscribed today and is a success story that bodes well for the decision made by the Premier to provide the resources for it.
The Member for McIntyre-Takhini was looking at the Dawson City success story. That was led by individuals in Dawson City, but over the last six years, this government has provided resources for it, to the point where it’s at today. Without our government’s support — financial, moral and directional — it wouldn’t be in the position it is today. So this government takes that kind of thing very, very seriously.
The arts, and all that comes with the art programs in Dawson — the fine arts programs that are going on there — are very important for Yukon, because that is a very important part of our community.
The member brings up the Faro situation and the opportunities in Faro. This government and Energy, Mines and Resources have taken the task of bringing the receivership to a closure and moving forward with the closure plans. That is all being done in due course, and it will be done in the next six months. Certainly, an education component with the closure plan is one of the many opportunities the territory will have when we get our closure plan and there will be an opportunity to work on that closure plan in Faro.
As far as this government is concerned, we’ll look at all opportunities for the community of Faro to make sure that Faro is a success story. If it is part of an education program to work on equipment throughout the closure plan — the many things that the member opposite talked about this afternoon — those are all opportunities for Faro. This government is committed to working with Faro to make sure they can take advantage of all the advantages that the closure plan will present to the community and also to the First Nations in Ross River, Pelly and Liard. All of southeast Yukon will benefit from that closure plan. Education is always part and parcel of whatever programs we put forward.
If had listened in Question Period this afternoon about our energy programs and what we’re doing as a government, what you would know of the many departments that work on energy conservation. It’s not just the Energy Solutions Centre or just Energy, Mines and Resources; it is not restricted to one department. We’re working as a team here on this side to make sure that we keep abreast of opportunities for energy conservation, but education is not the sole responsibility of the Department of Education.
We can certainly have the Minister of Education up here today talking about the many programs that they are doing and I compliment them. The Department of Highways and Public Works has opened up opportunities to train individuals in the communities outside of Whitehorse so that they can participate in the opportunities the Highways department presented to the communities. This has been very successful.
Our government believes that if we can train people who are already living in the communities, and bring them on-line as intricate parts o