100 Hansard

Whitehorse, Yukon

Thursday, May 8, 2008 — 1:00 p.m.

Speaker:   I will now call the House to order. At this time, we will proceed with prayers.

Prayers

DAILY ROUTINE

Speaker:   We will proceed with the Order Paper.

Are there any tributes?

TRIBUTES

In recognition of Betty Irwin

Hon. Ms. Taylor:    Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise today to pay tribute to Betty Irwin, a tireless advocate for women in the trades, who retired earlier this spring as the program coordinator for Yukon Women in Trades and Technology.

The Women’s Directorate, the Department of Education, Yukon College, Skills Canada, industry and numerous others who have had the opportunity to work with Betty over the years on a number of initiatives in support of Yukon tradeswomen have been continually impressed with the dedication and energy she brings to her work.

Among her many achievements, and perhaps the greatest accomplishment of Betty’s, has been that of her instrumental role in the formation of Yukon Women in Trades and Technology in 2000 and its continued work to increase women’s participation in trades and technology employment.

Mr. Speaker, as members are aware, Yukon Women in Trades and Technology is an education and advocacy organization dedicated to promoting and assisting in the recruitment, training and retention of women in technology, operations and trades work.

Since its very inception, YWITT — as it is otherwise known — has worked toward making women of all ages aware of the importance of the trades to the social and economic well-being of the Yukon, the financial benefits of skilled trades and that it is indeed possible to earn while you learn.

YWITT’s belief is that gender should not be a barrier to pursuing opportunities in areas of employment that need highly skilled and technologically sophisticated employees. Rather, YWITT’s mandate is to work toward increasing the participation of women in well-paying and in-demand technology jobs through ongoing projects designed by women for women.

Examples of such projects include the home make-over initiative for the Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre and more recently, YWITT has also offered to join forces with Habitat for Humanity, which is currently working on the construction of its second home in the Copper Ridge neighbourhood.

Thanks to Betty’s vision, and that of YWITT, more women are engaging in the trades, whether it may be home-repair clinics or training as an apprentice in a registered trade.

Mr. Speaker, it is very noteworthy that back in 1984, Betty earned a red seal ticket as a radio and television repair technician, becoming the first woman ever in Canada to be certified in that discipline.

Since then, Betty has been a partner in two electronics repair facilities. From 1998 to March 2004, she was co-owner and operator of Holodeck — an Internet and computer gaming centre.

In 1987, Betty also became a member of the first Yukon Advisory Council on Women’s Issues and served as its chairperson from 1989 to 1991.

In 2006, Betty Irwin was awarded the Commissioner’s award for public service.

Earlier this year, Betty stepped aside as YWITT’s program coordinator and is now the program development officer for JarWin Enterprises Ltd., a company which she co-owns with her husband.

Though retired as YWITT’s program coordinator, Betty plans to continue her activities promoting the trades to women in her new position as well as her work as program coordinator for the trades, exploration and preparation for women at Yukon College.

Ironically, she was also — as I just learned earlier today — elected to the board of directors to YWITT. Continuing her dedication to enhancing young women’s exposure to a variety of trades, Betty continues to be a cornerstone organizer of the annual Young Women Exploring Trades Conference, which brings together grade 8 girls from across the territory for a fun introduction to the trades.

Betty’s work has indeed enhanced opportunities for Yukon women in non-traditional careers, which in turn has contributed to women’s economic security.

The Women’s Directorate, and certainly the Government of Yukon, would like to express its support for Yukon Women in Trades and Technology and the organization’s work to support Yukon tradeswomen and increasing women’s participation in trades and technology employment.

On behalf of the Government of Yukon, please accept our sincere thanks for all your hard work and dedication, Betty Irwin, and our very best wishes for your next and many adventures ahead to be sure.

Thank you.

Applause

Mr. Cardiff:   I would like to also pay tribute to Betty on behalf of all of us on this side of the House. It’s a little more personal for me, I guess. Betty is a constituent of mine. She’s tireless in her pursuit of what she believes in.

As a tradesperson who has worked in construction for almost 30 years — when I was working in construction at the beginning of my career, there weren’t a lot of women, although there is one sitting in the gallery with us today, who I do remember working on construction sites. Betty’s work over the last 15 or 20 years involving women in skilled trades has been tireless. I would commend her for it.

I would also like to personally thank her for involving me in some of her work and asking me to participate in the Young Women Exploring Trades workshops. I might not have done it without her encouragement. I took it up as a challenge and found it very rewarding to teach those grade 8 young women how to weld. What really brought it home to me at the end of the day was when I was in the welding booth with those young women and they were challenging themselves. It’s a frightening experience to actually strike that arc. When I flipped the helmet up and looked in their eyes and said, “What did you think of that?” I could see the look of satisfaction in their eyes that they did something they were afraid of and felt challenged to do.

It’s a challenge for men and women to take up a trade, but I think it’s especially challenging for women, because it’s typically a non-traditional occupation. I don’t think it was all the time. If you go back to the Second World War, there were probably more women working in trades than men during the war effort. I’m glad to see women returning to the workforce in trades and construction. It makes a much more humane place to work.

I would just like to congratulate Betty on her retirement and thank her on behalf of myself and all of us on this side of the House.

Speaker:   Are there any further tributes?

Are there any introductions of visitors?

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Hon. Ms. Taylor:    I would ask all members of the Assembly to join with me in extending a warm welcome to His Excellency Walter Deplazes, Consul General of Switzerland. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to Betty Irwin and her partner, Craig Jarvis, who has also joined us, alongside some of her former colleagues and members of the Women’s Directorate. Welcome.

Applause

Speaker:   Are there any further introductions of visitors?

Returns or documents for tabling.

Are there any reports of committees?

Are there any petitions?

Are there any bills to be introduced?

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bill No. 52: French text

Hon. Mr. Cathers:   I’m tabling a bill and amendments that contain what I believe to be a true translation of the English text into French of Bill No. 52, Workers’ Compensation Act, and amendments to the act agreed to in Committee of the Whole on April 8, 2008.

Speaker:   Are there any other bills to be introduced?

NOTICES OF MOTION

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   I give notice of the following motion:

THAT, pursuant to section 18 of the Conflict of Interest (Members and Ministers) Act, the Legislative Assembly do reappoint David Phillip Jones as a member of the Conflict of Interest Commission for a three-year period.

Mr. Mitchell:    I give notice of the following motion:

THAT this House urges the Yukon government to undertake a two-year pilot project in conjunction with the City of Whitehorse to offer free public bus transportation to all residents of the city with upgraded and more frequent routes so that residents can:

(1) reduce the harmful carbon emissions and thus make a very significant reduction in global warming,

(2) reduce their dependence on high-priced gasoline and diesel fuel, and

(3) assist their families with their transportation needs by possibly reducing their dependence on having to have a second vehicle.

I also give notice of the following motion:

THAT this House urges the Yukon government to undertake a review of ways of preventing the controversial drink, “Blow”, which is sold as a white powder, is packaged with a mirror and a credit card, contains 240 milligrams of caffeine, uses the street slang for cocaine, and has packaging which resembles drug paraphernalia, from being sold in Yukon.

Mr. Cardiff:   I give notice of the following motion:

THAT it is the opinion of this House that:

(1) one of the cornerstones of democracy is the people’s access to government information, and

(2) the federal government has recently scrapped the coordination of access to information request system, known as “CAIRS”, and

(3) CAIRS has been a vital public resource allowing the media, the public, political parties and other interested groups to navigate through the millions of previously released government documents, and

THAT this House urges the Premier to write to the Treasury Board president and ask him to reinstate the coordination of access to information request system and to update the laws and institutions that ensure that people have reasonable access to government information in the interests of strengthening our democracy.

Mr. Hardy:   I give notice of the following motion:

THAT the current sitting of the Legislative Assembly be extended until at least May 22, to give members more opportunity to attend to important public business, including completing their review of the 2008-09 main estimates and other outstanding matters, such as the proposed amendments to the Liquor Act, as well as conducting detailed scrutiny of the government’s long-awaited climate change action plan.

I also give notice of the following motion:

THAT this House urges the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee to schedule a meeting of the committee before the end of the current legislative sitting for the purpose of determining areas of government spending and financial management that should be subject to scrutiny by the committee over the next year, including such subjects as the delays and cost overruns associated with the Watson Lake health facility, the follow-up by the Department of Highways and Public Works to the Auditor General’s report on the operations of that department and the long-term implications of the Yukon government’s recent investment practices.

Speaker:   Any there further notices of motion?

Is there a statement by a minister?

Hearing none, Leader of the Official Opposition, please.

MOTION OF URGENT AND PRESSING NECESSITY (NO.1)

(Standing Order No. 28)

Aid for Myanmar cyclone victims

Mr. Mitchell:      Mr. Speaker, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No. 28 of the Standing Orders of the Yukon Legislative Assembly on a matter of urgent and pressing necessity. I would ask for the unanimous consent of the House to call Motion No. 449 which states:

THAT this House urges the Yukon government to send aid through the Canadian International Development Agency to help rebuild Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) from the devastating effects of the May 2008 cyclone.

Mr. Speaker, disaster has once again hit Central Asia, this time, the result of a deadly and massive storm. Myanmar, more commonly known as Burma, was devastated by Cyclone Nargis, approximately five days ago.

Vital aid is only just beginning to trickle in, as aircraft loaded with much-needed supplies await clearance from the government to enter the country.

On Wednesday, Shari Villarosa, the most senior U.S. diplomat in Yangon, said the number of dead could eventually exceed 100,000 because safe food and water is scarce, and unsanitary conditions are widespread.

Relief teams and aid material are waiting to be brought in from Thailand, Singapore, Italy, France, Sweden, Britain, South Korea, Australia, Israel, the United States, Poland and Japan, according to minutes from a UN relief meeting in Geneva obtained by the Associated Press. Of course, Canada has also pledged relief. 

The Member for Whitehorse Centre gave notice of motion yesterday in which he said that there may be other agencies, such as organizations of monks that are on the ground and may also be able to facilitate providing relief funds. There is also International Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and many other organizations that Yukon could use as vehicles to get relief rapidly to those on the ground who most need it.

The issue is not how we send relief; rather, that we do so, and do so quickly. There is, of course, a precedent: we did so several years ago in 2005 when Yukon supported Red Cross Katrina relief with a contribution at that time of $25,000.

As I have said, the Canadian government has committed $2.1 million, which no doubt is far less than the funds that will be needed. The people of Yukon would like to be part of this humanitarian effort. Yukon has the capacity to make a substantial donation, but it must be done now. Every day that we wait, thousands will die. We must act decisively and we must act now. I would ask all members to support me in having this debated this afternoon, rather than simply another notice that will simply die on the Order Paper.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker:   Is there unanimous consent?

All Hon. Members:   Agreed.

Speaker:   Unanimous consent has been granted.

It has been moved by the Leader of the Official Opposition

THAT this House urges the Yukon government to send aid through the Canadian International Development Agency to help rebuild Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) from the devastating effects of the May 2008 cyclone.

Mr. Mitchell:    I don’t have a lot more that I’m going to put into the record on this. I think all members here are aware of the facts.

We’ve heard that more than 100,000 people may have perished. The initial figures were 2,500, then it went to 10,000, then 22,000 to 25,000. I think we’ve seen when we look at past disasters such as the tsunami that hit, that because of the poor communications from these areas of the world — and what communications there were having been wiped out in the disaster — that the numbers inevitably rise. The ultimate disaster is more far-reaching than we ever think at first.

We are, by all accounts, very fortunate to live in Yukon. We are well off, although we have people who live below the poverty line in Yukon — and we’ve addressed that many times in this Assembly. I think all Yukoners’ hearts, regardless of their own personal situation, go out to the people in Myanmar and would want to be a part of this.

We know that the government has surplus funds available to it. From this side of the House we cannot amend the budget and propose putting particular amounts of funds into the budget, so I will look forward to hearing from the government side the contribution that they feel we can make and how they want to do so. This isn’t a matter for partisan dispute based on political philosophies, but it’s rather an opportunity for us to get together and do this. I’m very pleased that we had unanimous consent to debate this today. I don’t think that we need to have endless speakers on this but rather hear from each side and make sure that humanitarian aid goes forward in a timely fashion with Yukon’s participation.

Ninety-five percent of the buildings were destroyed in the Irrawaddy delta. Food and water are in short supply. There is a very real risk of disease outbreaks as long as this continues. Relief workers have warned that time is of the essence for bringing in vital supplies, including food and water purification tablets, if a worse humanitarian crisis and higher death toll is to be avoided.

Richard Horsey, Bangkok-based spokesman for the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Aid, said, “If we don’t get enough aid to the people who need it, there is a significant risk of a second wave to this disaster in the form of water-borne diseases, and they could take a terrible toll.”

Access to the worst hit areas remains a major problem for aid workers, who can only reach many of the flooded areas by boat or helicopter, which are in short supply. Much of the Irrawaddy delta remains submerged. “It's a huge, huge problem just to get these goods out. [This is] a major, major disaster we're dealing with.” said Horsey.

There are other humanitarian coalitions working on this. CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec and Save the Children are working across the affected areas to help and support families and communities. Any of those organizations might be a vehicle we could use. The Humanitarian Coalition I just described — of those organizations — is appealing to the generosity of all Canadians to help in this time of crisis.

We know there have been many demonstrations in recent months across the world in support of the Burmese people. We know about the political difficulties that are occurring in Myanmar and we all have our opinions on that, but this is simply a time for us to gather together as people who care and provide help.

I urge all members of this House, and particularly the government to act on our behalf quickly, and on behalf of all Yukoners, to help these people in their time of need.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Mr. Speaker, the government side certainly recognizes that the Leader of the Official Opposition and indeed the members on the opposition benches, as all of us, are shocked and saddened by the devastation and suffering being endured by the people of Burma, given the recent cyclone.

We on behalf of the government extend our deepest sympathies to the citizens of Myanmar in their time of human tragedy and desperate need.

I am astounded — to say the least — at the gravity of the situation, the loss of life and the suffering that is being endured by so many today. As the Leader of the Official Opposition has just stated, reports are coming in now that up to 100,000 people could be dead and more in the days ahead, given the many challenges: access to food, safe drinking water, shelter and other severe impacts due to the cyclone that has hit Myanmar.

I must say, however, to all members of the House — and indeed to the public — that the government has acted quickly in this regard, as we have in the past with such global catastrophic events as the tsunami in Southeast Asia. The government has quickly made a contribution through the Canadian Red Cross. I have contacted Ms. Becky Rowe, the representative of the Canadian Red Cross for northern B.C. and Yukon, to inform her of that contribution. It is at this time on its way.

As we have in the past — and staying consistent with Yukon doing its part as a member of the global community — we are making our contribution. However, that does not in any way preclude Yukoners who may also want to step forward as we did during the time of need after the tsunami in Southeast Asia, for example, to even do more. As part of the global community, we encourage all — all nations, all regions, provinces, territories, whomever it may be — to step forward.

Our choice to use the Red Cross as that vehicle for our contribution is consistent with the view that the Red Cross has a long history in addressing these types of human tragedies. The Red Cross is one of the first agencies always on the ground and we have continued to support the Canadian Red Cross in their efforts and endeavours, and should future tragedies take place, the same will apply.

Amendment proposed

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   In that regard, and I am sure others may want to add their voice to this debate, regarding what we have already done as a government I have a friendly amendment for the motion, Mr. Speaker:

I move

THAT Motion of Urgent and Pressing Necessity (No. 1) be amended by replacing the words “Canadian International Development Agency” with the words “Red Cross”.

Speaker:   The amendment is in order.

It has been moved by the Hon. Premier

THAT Motion of Urgent and Pressing Necessity (No. 1) be amended by replacing the words “Canadian International Development Agency” with the words “Red Cross”.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   I will close comments in regard to the motion and the amendment by stating that I think we owe a debt of gratitude not only to the Red Cross but all world organizations that, in times of need and tragedy such as this, act quickly to step in and provide that assistance.

We can only hope that the Government of Myanmar and others responsible in that country allow for expedient access so that the necessary supplies, medication, potable or safe drinking water, food and other forms of aid can quickly reach the people who are experiencing such great suffering.

Mr. Mitchell:    I want to thank the Premier for his remarks and I will thank him for the friendly amendment. I do see it as such. I did mention the Red Cross in my opening remarks.

As I said, it is not a question of which agency we choose but rather that we ensure that the relief gets to the people who most need it, and gets there quickly.

I do have a question for the Premier. If he or another member from this side is to speak before the final vote, I would ask how much money the government is sending on behalf of Yukoners. I know, on the previous occasion that I referred to, the amount was $25,000; that was several years ago. Our surplus is larger today than it was then and perhaps our opportunity is to be even more helpful today. I will not question the Premier on the amount other than to say that we would like to know the amount. I thank the Premier for acting expeditiously on behalf of Yukon and I appreciate the spirit of the amendment. Thank you.

Hon. Mr. Cathers:   It’s a pleasure to rise here and note again in support of the amendment that the Canadian Red Cross and International Red Cross and Red Crescent have a long record of service to the world of always being one of the first agencies that is there in times of need to assist those who have faced a disaster — whether it be a natural disaster such as this or issues such as drought and problems with starvation, et cetera. They have a long record and the long past practice in the Yukon has been that when we have provided aid to international crises, the Red Cross, due to their strong record and their demonstrated ability, is the organization we have assisted and, therefore, I would encourage members to support the amendment.

Speaker:  Are you prepared for the question on the amendment?

Amendment to Motion of Urgent and Pressing Necessity (No. 1) agreed to

Speaker:   Is there further debate on the main motion as amended?

Mr. Hardy:   Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Of course, my colleagues and I support this motion. It’s very similar to the one that we also brought in, as the mover of this motion has mentioned. Our motion is very similar to the Official Opposition’s motion. Our only concern is to not restrict it to one agency, and that has already been identified in here.

There are many, many agencies over there right now on the ground, working. We have to remember, though, that there are many agencies in Burma — I call it Burma. There are many agencies that have been in Burma for a hundred years, working on the ground. It’s not just people coming in now to help Burma. There are people who have given their whole life’s work, far beyond what we can ever give in a few dollars, who are there now trying to help the people of Burma. This tragedy that has happened is horrendous, but we must not forget the struggles that exist in Burma and the many hundreds of thousands of people who have been killed there through the junta, the military dictatorship that exists there.

Much of the disaster that has happened over the last few days could have been prevented if there had been a democracy and recognition of the elected people in Burma. That has not been allowed to happen. Much of the finger pointing is now saying that this military dictatorship that exists there knew about this cyclone coming 48 hours in advance and did nothing to warn the people.

We must not forget the struggles of the people there. We must act now and act as fast as possible to assist with what has happened, but let us not forget that this struggle — whether it is a natural disaster or a manmade disaster — has been going on for many, many years. It has been what the people of Burma have lived with and have fought against.

Many people in this natural disaster are now dead. They are predicting over 100,000, but there are more still missing. We do not know the numbers and they keeping coming in. When you add the people who are injured, we’re not talking about 100,000 that are impacted. We’re talking about millions who are impacted here.

It’s going to take years to recover. We must not just send money. We must keep those people in our hearts and in our minds, and do what we can, both as the caring society that we call Canada, the caring territory that we call the Yukon and each and every one of us as humans who care for the rest of the people around this world.

Saying that, what are we doing personally? That is another challenge that hasn’t hit the floor yet. I have already made my pledges to various organizations. Some of them have been mentioned: World Vision, the Humanitarian Coalition — which is made up of Oxfam, Free the Children and two other organizations; I don’t have the full list in front of me. There are Red Cross and the International Burmese Monks Organization, which has been on the ground, working for these people. They are the ones who challenged the military dictatorship that has suppressed and starved so many of these people. They are on the ground. They are working there right now. We are only reaching out and trying to assist through monetary means. What is going to make a change are the people there, helping each other. We can only assist to a certain degree but, individually, we can all assist.

I put a challenge out to this Legislative Assembly on an individual basis, not just as a government, but as individuals, to send money. We are a rich nation. We are rich people in the world view. I have made my pledges. I challenge each and every member here to go back to their offices; I can supply people with the Web sites that list a bunch of the agencies. They can contact them right now, either through the Web or on the phone. They are listed. Members can make a pledge using their credit cards.

That’s the challenge to us as individuals. Never mind just the Legislative Assembly sending government money there, but each and every one must do what we can.

We also have to stand up when we see dictatorships that suppress and kill people. We have to challenge that as well. Natural disasters we must and should respond to as human beings, but we also have to protect people or use what means we have to respond in ways that we can influence how dictatorships suppress their people. Let’s not forget all the other disasters out there; let us not forget Rwanda, or the battles in Tibet that are just happening regarding the freedom of that country; it just goes on and on. I won’t go down that path right now. I am saying that this is a good motion and is recognized by every member in here. I applaud each and every member in here, and I am glad we can work together on this, but we also have to do it as individuals. We can’t just do this and think we have done our share; this is a vigilance that we must keep in our hearts for all around the world.

Hon. Ms. Taylor:    Mr. Speaker, I am also very pleased to rise in support of this motion, and I would like to thank the Member for Copperbelt for bringing it forward in such an expeditious manner.

I very much appreciate the comments made by all Members of the Legislative Assembly thus far. I think that, as our Premier pointed out, unfortunately, sometimes it is international events such as this that really serve as a reminder of the struggles abroad such as the people of Burma are experiencing, and certainly the Leader of the Third Party has just articulated that very passionately and very eloquently.

I concur with the Leader of the Third Party. It’s not just as a public government we are inclined to respond, but as citizens of the territory. Yukoners have risen to the occasion when required, for outside catastrophes such as this, as well as disasters within the Yukon. Yukoners continue to show their commitment to promoting peace, order and good government in other parts of the world, as well as rising to the occasion when aid is required.

I agree we all need to make our personal pledges, continuing to provide assistance where required. This is no exception.

Much has been said here. I’m not going to go on too much longer about this. However, the numbers are absolutely shocking. They figure there are well over a million who are missing. Those are just the folks who are homeless, those missing. Those who are deceased — we’re probably looking at the population of the City of Whitehorse who are deceased as a result of this catastrophe.

Aid is required and requested from all corners of our nation. We are pleased as the Government of Yukon to rise in support and send aid for this particular event that has struck the Burmese individuals.

I know assistance was very much needed, whether food, water or even mosquito nets, purification units — you name it. Any assistance is very much appreciated by all.

When one looks at the level of catastrophe that has occurred, I can only imagine it to be a logistical nightmare in terms of looking at the roads, sanitation, et cetera.

I very much appreciate the motion coming forward and urge all members to make their personal pledge to join in support of this motion as well as to continue to make support available each and every day.

Hon. Mr. Rouble:    I rise, too, in support of this motion as amended. I appreciate the motion coming forward from the opposition party and their calling it today and accepting the friendly amendment to it to allow the aid to get from the Yukon to the affected area as expeditiously as possible.

We know that natural disasters such as this are a far too frequent occurrence on our planet. We are seeing an increase in these types of events; we are seeing an increase of these types of events here in the territory. One only has to look to last year’s high water levels that affected many of the communities throughout Yukon, including Carcross, Tagish and Marsh Lake. We all have to recognize that we do need to be prepared to face these types of situations.

I believe it is Emergency Preparedness Week right now, and we did hear a reminder that we need to take action in our own homes to become prepared for these types of situations, should they occur. It also reinforces the importance of having access to safe, potable water, of having access to transportation routes, the importance of that kind of infrastructure and the importance of our communications infrastructure in getting information around.

I am very happy to support this motion and urge not only the Government of Yukon to provide assistance but indeed all Yukoners individually and collectively, and indeed all people around this planet, to come to the support of our fellow citizens in their time of need.

Hon. Mr. Cathers:   Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and it’s a pleasure to rise on the motion as amended — pleasure is the wrong word, of course. I am pleased that we have the opportunity to stand together and to be supportive of action, but this is certainly a very tragic and awful occurrence, and I am sure that the heart of each member in the Assembly goes out to those who have been affected by this situation.

We are very fortunate in Canada that we do not face many of the challenges that these people do on a daily basis. Living under a military junta is something that fortunately we cannot even imagine what they face, and the fact struck me in the news coverage of this situation that one of the challenges being faced by international agencies and governments in trying to provide aid in a timely manner to the people who have been hit by the cyclone is that the military junta in Burma, or Myanmar, is not allowing them to access these people. They are blocking steps, such as the most expeditious delivery of some of the cargo, which would be through a C-130 Hercules landing — or a series of them, rather — and providing that aid directly to areas because of the ability of that plane to land on short airstrips and rough-hewn airstrips. However, as of this morning, the military junta in Myanmar was preventing that from occurring, presumably due to concerns of having international governments and other militaries involved in their area. But this is of course only adding to the crisis, to the tragedy and the deaths being faced by the citizens of that country, who are clearly not being well served by the government of their nation.

However, on those matters, those complications and those logistics, we are confident that the Canadian government and other international governments and agencies are doing their very best to ensure that aid arrives in as timely a manner as possible and to work with the government of that nation in getting them to remove the barriers that are in place to providing this aid.

Providing aid is something Yukoners, as other Canadians, have supported in the past when we need to assist our fellow citizens worldwide when they are facing such horrific occurrences. They have been supportive, not only through government, but also individually, in making contributions to efforts. I am confident that Yukoners wish us to do the same in this situation as has occurred already through a contribution to the Red Cross.

The loss of life from the cyclone is certainly significant and, as other members have noted, the tally is not even in, but is already very high. Also, the risk of secondary effects of starvation, disease and death from contaminated water, lack of food and contaminated food are a significant risk to the people of that country. That is one reason why it is important to have the aid arrive in as timely a manner as possible and that it be sufficient to address the needs of the country.

With that, I commend this motion to the House and look forward to comments from other members.

Mr. Cardiff:   I will be brief on this.

We have already stated our position regarding our support for this motion; I would just like to make a few comments about some of the other comments that have been made.

I think that there is a lot to be said. The Member for Southern Lakes mentioned the fact that we are witnessing these events more and more all the time. I think that in itself should be a wake-up call, not just for us, but for people all around the world — the fact that there are more severe weather events. The fact that we are talking about those severe weather events and providing assistance was mentioned. There is a precedent for what we are doing today in that we have provided that support before for victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and, again, we provided financial assistance in Indonesia after the tsunami.

I think that we need to take note of the fact that climate change is real, and it is affecting the weather. If there’s something we can do to turn that around — I know it’s a big boat and it’s going to take a long time to turn it around — but we should be thinking about that as well.

I also think that there are — as was said earlier — a lot of other areas of the world that require assistance — maybe we can’t do that as a Legislative Assembly — but I think as individuals we can make a difference as far as famines in Africa, people who are starving and people who are oppressed politically.

In closing, I think it is really shocking that this disaster has occurred, that the number of people in Burma who have been displaced, who are out of their homes, who don’t have a home to go to — is in the millions. The number of possible dead is said to be 100,000. The fact is that it is going to be logistically hard to get all of this assistance delivered on the ground.

I’m not suggesting this is a friendly amendment. What I would suggest is that maybe the Premier in his capacity could make a phone call. What has happened previously in some of these situations is that Canada has responded — not just with financial assistance — but they have actually responded with people on the ground. I believe it’s called the Disaster Assistance Response Team, better known as DART. If they’re available, this would seem like an opportune time to ask our federal government to step up to the plate and send our people.

Amendment proposed

Mr. Cardiff:   I’ve been asked to make another friendly amendment:

THAT Motion of Urgent and Pressing Necessity (No. 1), as amended, be further amended by adding after the word “cyclone” the following: “and that all Yukon MLAs show leadership in this regard by making a personal financial contribution to the relief effort.”

Speaker:   It has been moved

THAT Motion of Urgent and Pressing Necessity (No. 1), as amended, be further amended by adding after the word “cyclone” the following: “and that all Yukon MLAs show leadership in this regard by making a personal financial contribution to the relief effort.”

Mr. Cardiff:   I will be brief. I think that my colleague, the Member for Whitehorse Centre, made it fairly clear that, as leaders in our community, we can do this here in the Legislature. We can direct government funds, but our situation in life — everyone who lives in the Yukon, no matter what their situation, their hearts go out to the people in Burma who are suffering. The motion is urging all Members of the Legislative Assembly to make a personal contribution as well, and I know the Member for Whitehorse Centre has done that. The Member for Vuntut Gwitchin has indicated that he has, and possibly there are others here today who have done that as well. I will make a commitment here that I will do the same. I haven’t done that to this point, but I make that commitment here today that I will make a contribution. I hope that all other members will as well.

Mr. Mitchell:    On the subamendment, and then we will speak to the amendment; I can thank the Member for Mount Lorne for the subamendment. I don’t disagree with our making a contribution.

I don’t want this to be politicized, because the important thing is that we do the right thing. I know most of the members of this Assembly personally. I know that before I was elected, I worked with many members. I worked with the Deputy Premier for many years in one volunteer capacity — the food for learning program. We didn’t necessarily publicize it; we just did it.

Other members here each, in their own way, contribute. I expect most members here already have or will. I have spoken to my colleagues and they have contributed to this particular disaster relief, as we do many others. I think that it is important for us, as members, to show leadership, not just by voting public money, but by our own actions, whether by donating funds, protesting injustice or doing volunteer work. That is the important point. That is the spirit with which I make this motion.

I want to be careful in that I think one of the benefits of personal contribution — I make a number of them and I think we all do. I don’t publicize all the organizations and the amounts. Different causes touch each of us personally — cancer for many; maybe all of us. Polio is another; multiple sclerosis is another — there are many. One of the benefits of making personal contributions is that we each may focus on a different area, so more worthy causes may be helped, as opposed to all of us always doing the same thing.

In this case, I am fine with all of us doing it. I believe all of us will. I don’t have a problem with the amendment, but I just want to be clear that sometimes people make donations or do volunteer work that they choose not to make public for whatever personal reasons. It doesn’t devalue the work if politicians do things and it’s only known to those with whom we work.

That said I, do appreciate the spirit of the amendment.

Speaker:   The Hon. Premier, on the amendment to the motion as amended.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:    Mr. Speaker, first, I must say that I recognize clearly the spirit and the intent with which this amendment was brought forward, but I have to say categorically that I don’t need this Assembly or anyone to dictate to me my level of compassion when it comes to human suffering.

I think the spirit of the amendment is such that there are those in the House today who want to contribute in this process to try to demonstrate that we are extremely concerned, shocked and saddened, as said previously about the level of suffering and devastation being incurred by the people of Myanmar.

However, I think it’s incumbent upon this House to recognize that this institution has done its job with the motion that was brought forward by the Leader of the Official Opposition and, given the fact that the government has already quickly moved to contribute support to the Canadian Red Cross who will obviously be extending strenuous efforts to try to help the people of Burma — or Myanmar, as it is called today — that we have to move on.

I understand what the Member for Mount Lorne is demonstrating, but I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, my contributions and my level of compassion is mine. They are my personal decisions to make. It is my personal decision about what agencies or groups I make contributions to. I think we all in this House do it on a regular basis, regardless of what the contribution is for — whether it is the Cancer Society or contributions to Maryhouse, the list goes on. But I have to say that that is not something this institution has to direct me to do.

Mr. Hardy:   Mr. Speaker, the amendment that was brought forward just a few minutes ago by the Member for Mount Lorne is an amendment not specifically from the Member for Mount Lorne but from our personal belief. It’s an amendment about urging people to do this.

I don’t know who donates to what. We’re only accountable to ourselves ultimately on where we donate and what our priorities are. I don’t know who has already donated to Burma. That’s not the point. I have two points about this. One, if we’re spending public money as a donation, we should also be willing to spend our own — a little bit, even if it’s $20 or $200, whatever — out of our own pocket. It’s a different story when we as legislative members are voting to spend public money or send public money. Sometimes that individual leadership is extremely important as an indication to the rest of the people in the Yukon that this is what we do as individuals, this is what we believe in as individuals, but it’s also what we do, and what we believe in — collectively.

If in good faith some members find this — and it seems that both the other two leaders are a little uncomfortable with it — a little uncomfortable, in order to not put people to a vote on it, I would suggest that we can withdraw it. I’m not sure if I can withdraw it, because I’m not the mover of it. The Member for Mount Lorne needs to withdraw it. If the members here would allow the Member for Mount Lorne to stand up again, I think we will withdraw it if people are uncomfortable with it.

It wasn’t as some people have taken it. It was meant to show on an individual basis that we also contribute to this disaster, and it has nothing to do with all of the other donations that people have mentioned, all of a sudden. I am not talking about that and the mover of the motion wasn’t either. But this is a massive catastrophe. That’s all. We thought it was just another indication to the people of the Yukon but it is also an indication to all legislative assemblies in Canada to step up and do it as well. Can you imagine how much money could be raised on an individual basis if you start adding all the MLAs across Canada, all the MPs across Canada, and they start making a contribution and made it public so the rest of Canada can see that type of leadership on an individual basis, not just on a government level? Do you know how many lives that could save and how much impact it could have? All we wanted was that. If it makes some people uncomfortable, I am sure that my colleague will withdraw it right now so no one feels they have been put on the spot.

Speaker:   Order please. If there is an opportunity, the mover of the motion can withdraw the amendment to the motion, as amended, by requesting unanimous consent. That is the option we have on the floor.

The Minister of Health and Social Services had the floor.

Hon. Mr. Cathers:   The one thing I want to express with regard to the amendment as I think the Leader of the Third Party and his colleague, the Member for Mount Lorne, have proposed it — I accept their assertion that it was made with good intention. I have to concur with the Premier in this regard. I think in fact the approach that it takes cheapens any personal donation that any MLA might wish to make.

My personal opinion is that it for any one of us to contribute to a charitable cause such as this one, to a laudable cause that we believe needs to be supported, as most if not all of us do — good for us. It’s good for any citizen who does the same. But if we are doing it for public recognition of our personal individual contribution and political credit, it cheapens that contribution, it cheapens the support that we have made and it cheapens the personal contribution of every citizen of this territory and indeed this country who makes a personal contribution because they believe in that cause, not because they wish to be recognized for having made a contribution to the cause.

For that purpose, I would encourage the Member for Mount Lorne to follow the suggestion made by the Leader of the Third Party: withdraw the amendment and allow members to personally make their contributions, not for personal credit, not for political gain, but because of a personal belief in the importance of this cause.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Point of order

Mr. Cardiff:   If it really makes people feel that uncomfortable, especially the Government House Leader, I will request the unanimous consent of the Assembly to withdraw my amendment.

Unanimous consent re withdrawal of amendment

Speaker:   Is there the unanimous consent of the Assembly to withdraw the amendment to the motion as amended?

All Hon. Members:  Agreed.

Speaker:   Unanimous consent has been granted.

Amendment to Motion of Urgent and Pressing Necessity (No. 1) withdrawn

Speaker:   Is there any further debate on the motion as amended?

Hon. Mr. Kenyon:   I appreciate the chance to rise on the motion as originally amended. I appreciate that amendment because certainly by putting this into the purview of the Red Cross, we have a higher probability, I think, of getting the aid to where it goes.

The Leader of the Third Party mentioned there are many agencies on the ground there. I am suspicious under the current junta that there are actually a lot fewer than there should be, and that’s a difficulty. The problem right now, of course, is not as much in raising funds but getting the funds or the efforts onto the ground there. That is going to be a huge challenge.

People listening to the debate today and certainly reading articles in the paper have seen statistics all over the place. Again, this is a problem, because we don’t have the people on the ground. We don’t have people trying to verify the statistics. The figure of 22,000 is now up to 23,000, I think, but that’s coming from the military leadership, not from anything that is verifiable. A more accurate number is probably 100,000, but that’s coming from people outside of the country who really don’t know concretely what is happening there. Could it be even higher than that? Yes, it certainly could.

Given the debate of the last few moments, something I had debated long and hard for and for which I have been approached by people, I think it’s probably a good thing. I believe we have done it in the past. The Yukon Liquor Corporation is willing to put donation boxes into liquor stores and territorial agent offices. All those proceeds will be turned over to the Red Cross as well, so that people don’t necessarily have to use credit cards on-line. Of course, there is anything from a 1.5-percent or 1.6-percent cost, depending on how they’re juggling it with the credit card agency; that is, unless the credit card agency give a break on that.

This will allow people to make direct cash or cheque donations to the Canadian Red Cross without commission. The one hole in that proposal, of course, is that there is one community that has no such facility. I would ask my colleague from Vuntut Gwitchin to possibly set up a contact point in Old Crow that could also collect donations and turn them over to the Red Cross. That’s simply setting things up.

With that, I certainly support the motion. Hopefully, with this opportunity we can raise even more money for the Canadian Red Cross, and hopefully the international community will find a way to get that aid on the ground. I have been in a variety of parts of Asia and the population density is difficult for westerners to conceive and even more difficult to conceive up here in the Yukon, of course. It is a huge, huge disaster.

With those comments, I will let others finish.

Hon. Mr. Hart:    I would like to stand up and briefly discuss this motion.

In the wake of this recent tragedy we can take the time to reflect how the events of such a tragedy affect people, whether those people are half a world away or right next door.

I am saddened to see the outcome of this tragedy. This is an urgent matter, as the member opposite has stated. In this case, the victims in Myanmar, unfortunately due to the many years of their particular political and social systems, have suffered great devastation. As recent reports have demonstrated, there is a lack of readiness for this type of event in Myanmar. A disaster of this magnitude requires a response of equal magnitude. This is a disaster of international scale and requires an international response.

As members here have already stated, getting a response into Myanmar has been very difficult because of the current political situation with regard to the government. To date, as far as I am aware, only Thailand and India have been able to send items into Burma, while others are waiting to get in and waiting to get permission to land. Already we see the strength of the response from countries around the world, including Bangladesh, Italy, Korea, United Arab Emirates, United States, and of course our own federal government has already pledged some $2 million plus. I feel it is essential to provide aid money and I am proud that we are contributing to the Red Cross for this effort. I sincerely hope this money along with all the other aid money will go quickly to provide relief to those suffering in Myanmar.

I think many of us have seen the devastation on the news and just how widespread it is through the whole area. I think it is going to be very important, and as the Member for Copperbelt indicated, time is of the essence in order to get this relief there. It will be important for us to get permission to land in Burma so we can get our relief to the people who really need it.

To close, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that I support the quick response by this Yukon government to provide financial aid to the Red Cross international aid organization. I sincerely hope this money goes to providing relief to the victims of this tragedy in Myanmar.

Hon. Mr. Lang:    I rise here in support of the amended motion.

It’s very important for us as Canadians and as Yukoners that we accept some responsibility when it comes to our fellow citizens on the Earth. As we look at the television news channels and see the situation Burma is in, we can’t look at any other issue. As the Leader of the Official Opposition said, the human factor is devastating. I don’t think we as Canadians or as Yukoners can understand the devastation that’s going on in Burma. You can’t get that vision from what we see on television, which is bad enough. But if you could actually see what’s on the ground there, it would be very shocking.

We support this motion and the fact this government is moving ahead with a contribution to the Red Cross. The Red Cross is an accepted organization that works around the world. It works very successfully in situations that have arisen all over the world.

As an individual, I certainly agree with the third party that all Canadians have a responsibility to donate and work in whatever level we can. Any amount of donations is certainly something the Burmese people are going to need.

We understand that not only are we in the middle of a disaster in the nation itself, but we’re looking at an ongoing disaster when you think of the rice fields that have been devastated — which, by the way, has affected the rice centre for all of Burma. We all know the importance of rice in Asia.

There will be an ongoing rebuilding of a nation. Certainly the human factor is huge. One-, two-, or three-percent of the population is either disrupted in one way or another. That is hundreds of thousands of people.

We would like to compliment the government and Yukoners for any donation they can make. I certainly support this amended motion and look forward to Burma getting back on its feet and correcting some of the issues that this typhoon has created.

These kinds of disasters have arisen, whether Katrina in New Orleans, or in other parts of Asia. These are devastating things and very expensive things monetary-wise to get over, but the human factor is huge. I certainly would like to impress on the Burmese government how important it is for them and for their citizens to get this access to Burma as quickly as possible to bring in the aid that’s needed to jump-start this thing and get this thing moving in the right direction.

I certainly stand here in support of this and I look forward to the improvement that this could bring over the days and months and the years to come for all the individuals who live in Burma.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Nordick:    I am also deeply saddened by what has happened in Myanmar and is continuing to happen. With up to 100,000 dead and one million people homeless, the paranoid military regime continues to stall worldwide efforts to come to the aid of the victims of the cyclone.

One United Nations aid flight arrived from Italy to Yangon, formerly Rangoon, and two others were expected, all carrying food, water, tents and medical supplies for a population that has gone a full week without shelter, fresh water and electricity.

But the supplies arrived without the experienced workers trained to assess the situation and distribute the aid. International disaster relief experts are still cooling their heels, mostly in Bangkok, waiting for visas to enter the country. So instead of a systematic distribution plan, state TV showed smiling members of the military, which has ruled the former Burma for nearly half a century, handing out boxes of supplies to waiting citizens. It quoted one general telling them the situation in the country was returning to normal.

Mr. Speaker, that comment is heartbreaking.

There is increased concern that the Myanmar generals intend to keep foreigners out of the country until at least after this weekend’s referendum on a new constitution. They contend the vote is a step forward to democracy, but it is being widely condemned as a sham and there is intense criticism that it is even going to go ahead in many parts of the country despite the cyclone disaster.

According to eyewitness reports from the journalists who have managed to get inside Myanmar, the relief supplies that are trickling into the country are not getting to the people that most need it. They say that in the worst hit Irrawaddy delta area where the cyclone touched down directly, people have still not received any help.

According to the BBC, there is widespread flooding and bloated bodies, both human and animal, floating in the salt water. These kinds of conditions make Myanmar ripe for the spread of disease and further delays in aid supplies, which will only aggravate the situation. Cholera is now a major concern as is malaria. Some officials are warning privately that disease may end up killing as many as the cyclone itself did.

Mr. Speaker, I support this motion as amended and I believe in these times the global community needs to band together to support those in need.

Hon. Ms. Horne:    I would like to speak to and commend this motion as originally amended. I begin by expressing my heartfelt condolences to the people of Myanmar. No matter who we are or where we live, when a disaster like this befalls people, I think we all want to show our support and assistance to those affected.

The scope and magnitude of this disaster seems to grow with each passing day as more and more information becomes available. Just a couple of days ago some of the news stories I read and saw estimated some 22,000 casualties. I see media reports now indicate that U.S. officials think the cyclone may claim over 100,000 lives. According to one report from Australia, over one million people could be missing.

These numbers are staggering. A disaster of such magnitude would challenge the most sophisticated and resourced emergency response system.

Mr. Speaker, in my estimation, we are very blessed to be living in the Yukon and in Canada. We live in the greatest territory of the greatest country in the world. We have stepped up to the plate before to help our neighbours who have been affected by disasters. We donated money to help people recover from the Boxing Day tsunami. We donated money to help our friends in the United States recover from Hurricane Katrina. Clearly, we want to do something to help.

As I just mentioned, we all want to show our support and assistance for the people of Myanmar. This is true not only of us in this Assembly, but also throughout Yukon, across Canada and around the world. I see that aid is already arriving from different countries, as the world unites to address their suffering. What strength we depict when we act in concert.

In addition to what is already being done, however, there is still much more we need to do. As the member opposite noted, in addition to the initial disaster, a second one is looming. Those who survived the cyclone need aid and they need it now. He noted that getting aid from the ports to those in need remains a challenge. As the Premier noted in his comments, the Red Cross is, and has historically been, a leader in responding quickly to these disasters.

I totally support the Yukon, through the Red Cross, making a donation to help the people of Myanmar. The people of Myanmar are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

Speaker:   If the member speaks, he will close debate. Does any other member wish to be heard?

Mr. Mitchell:    I want to thank each and every member of the Assembly today for the thoughts in their hearts that each of them have put on the record. This includes the Member for Mount Lorne for his amendment, even though he later withdrew it.

I believe that everyone who spoke today spoke with the belief that we need to do as much as we can.

I said at the beginning I thought it was important that we not politicize or get into partisan debate. We’re speaking as colleagues in a humanitarian effort on behalf of the Yukoners we represent. I take that as the spirit in which people came forward today.

I know the Leader of the Third Party made some very passionate comments about the role of democracy in Burma and how these natural disasters become more than natural disasters when they’re exacerbated by political intervention. We’ve seen this in Africa with famines that are created by wars.

As the member knows, I agree with his views on that. I heard other members on the government side who expressed their views about the terrible government situation in Burma today, but that’s a debate we may have another day, because the important thing today is that we stand united to provide aid.

My colleagues in the Liberal caucus have asked me to speak on their behalf so we don’t use any more time here today, but actually get to a vote and get to whatever aid Yukon is sending, and that’s what I’m going to do.

Last year, if we didn’t know it before, we found with the flooding in the Southern Lakes that little barriers or borders of subdivisions don’t make much difference. Yukoners came together to help the people who were flooded in the Southern Lakes region.

We also know, from climate change that was mentioned here today, that borders are pretty irrelevant when you can look at the world as one globe from space today, as Canadian, American and other astronauts have done. We’re one world; we’re all people first; we’re Yukoners or Canadians second; we’re members of political parties far down the line.

I think it’s important, on behalf of Yukoners — because this is the Assembly that speaks for Yukoners — that we vote to send relief. I agree we will all do what we can on a personal level, as well, and I know the members of this Assembly and I know each and every one of them does that.

With that, I just want to thank everyone for their support of the motion today, as amended by the Hon. Premier. I would ask that we vote on it and make sure that relief is on its way. Thank you.

Speaker:   Are you prepared for the question on the motion as amended?

Some Hon. Members:   Division.

Division

Speaker:   Division has been called.

Bells

Speaker:   Mr. Clerk, please poll the House.

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Cathers:   Agree.

Hon. Ms. Taylor:    Agree.

Hon. Mr. Kenyon:   Agree.

Hon. Mr. Rouble:    Agree.

Hon. Mr. Lang:    Agree.

Hon. Ms. Horne:    Agree.

Hon. Mr. Hart:    Agree.

Mr. Nordick:    Agree.

Mr. Mitchell:    Agree.

Mr. McRobb:   Agree.

Mr. Elias:   Agree.

Mr. Fairclough:   Agree.

Mr. Hardy:   Agree.

Mr. Cardiff:   Agree.

Clerk:   Mr. Speaker, the results are 15 yea, nil nay.

Speaker:   The yeas have it. I declare the motion carried as amended.

Motion of Urgent and Pressing Necessity (No. 1) agreed to as amended

Speaker:   This then brings us to Question Period.

QUESTION PERIOD

Question re:  Hamilton Boulevard extension

Mr. Mitchell:    Mr. Speaker, yesterday evening, I had the opportunity to meet with residents from Lobird and discuss the blasting incident that occurred Tuesday evening that showered their homes with large rocks. Yesterday, the Minister of Community Services announced that the government would cease all further demolition work until an independent review was done.

While Lobird residents were pleased to learn that they will not have to fear feeling the ground tremble beneath them, I am wondering if they should run for cover. They are still afraid and concerned about what will happen when blasting does resume.

Can the minister inform us of whether the previous blasting plan was approved by government officials and were government officials supervising the blasting procedures?

Hon. Mr. Hart:    For the member opposite, I am glad to see that he was out in the Lobird Trailer Park, as were my officials, discussing with those who were directly affected. In addition, the contractor was also out in the area of those specific units that were damaged and repairs were underway in almost all of those units. I have since been advised that all of the units have been repaired or they are just waiting for supplies — some metal sheeting for the roof and/or siding to come along so that these items could be repaired.

In general, many of those residents have indicated that they are happy with the speed in which the contractor has been dealing with the situation. It is coming along. We are addressing the concerns of the residents. With regard to the blasting, as I indicated yesterday, we are having an independent third party assess the situation prior to any future blasting.

Mr. Mitchell:    I appreciate the update on repairs but the minister didn’t answer the question asked. Many residents told me that they cannot hear from within their homes the warning sirens that are supposed to precede each blast. They were very upset over the safety of the many children who ride their bikes and play outdoors in the evenings. One resident I spoke to had been working outdoors, heard the blast and looked up to see a shower of rocks heading directly at her in her own yard. She had to dive for cover as rocks landed all around her. She and other residents told me it was a miracle that no one was killed Tuesday.

Lobird residents would like the contractor to drive through the subdivision and signal with a siren blast or use a loudspeaker to ensure residents know there will be a blast in time for their families to take shelter indoors. Will the minister commit to making these changes to ensure that Lobird residents have proper notice of blasts occurring close to their neighbourhood?

Hon. Mr. Hart:    Our government is also very concerned about the situation that happened in Lobird Trailer Park — as much as the member opposite. This is a situation that should not have happened. We will be working with Occupational Health and Safety on dealing with how we can provide a warning system for the Lobird residents in the future.

I will state that we have located an independent party from Vancouver who should be up here early next week to do an assessment of this contract, and we will follow up on the recommendations brought forward.

Mr. Mitchell:    This boulevard extension is a government construction project done by the private sector. Residents need to be assured their safety is at the forefront of such projects. They need to know the government takes their needs seriously and will ensure their safety.

As I stated yesterday, this was not the first time rocks from the blast had made their way close to Lobird homes or actually hit homes. This raises the question of who is really liable for the incidents. If the government is not liable, then how can it guarantee the residents’ safety going forward and promise this won’t happen again? The government needs to take responsibility for the safety of all residents.

Will the minister please inform us who is liable for ensuring that blasting on this government contract will be conducted in the safest possible manner?

Hon. Mr. Hart:    I will repeat what I provided for the member opposite. We will be working with Occupational Health and Safety. We will be working with an independent expert in blasting. That individual will come from Vancouver. He is someone who has the expertise in dealing with this process and he will provide recommendations about it.

In addition, we will be in consultation with Occupational Health and Safety to deal with the issue of Lobird Trailer Park. When we can announce how we can better inform the residents of that area of the blasting when it comes in the future. We’ll also provide a public meeting for the Lobird Trailer Park when the review is complete from the expert to inform the residents of Lobird Trailer Park. At that time, we will also have Occupational Health and Safety there to assist in ensuring the safety of those residents.

Question re:  SCAN legislation

Mr. McRobb:   It’s been more than six months since we questioned the Minister of Justice about the effectiveness of the SCAN legislation.

Here’s what she said in reply to our question November 1, 2008: “We are discouraging the activity in one neighbourhood. They may move to another neighbourhood and then maybe move to another. It ceases. This activity does stop. We are very pleased that this act has provided a way to respond to concerns of Yukoners and neighbourhoods. This act is working.”

Mr. Speaker, it has turned out this act isn’t working as well as we were promised. The SCAN legislation has been in effect for two years now. One of the most notorious residences has been at 810 Wheeler Street. Area residents are again distressed because it appears to be business as usual at this particular residence.

What is the Justice minister going to do to satisfy the neighbours of this residence and uphold the intent of the law?

Hon. Ms. Horne:    I will not comment on any individual case. I thank the member opposite for bringing up our SCAN legislation. SCAN legislation is one of the enforcement tools we are using to deliver on our commitment to Yukoners to achieve a better quality of life in the Yukon. Our SCAN officials are continuing to address the problems throughout the Yukon.

We also have a partnership with the RCMP and we have an excellent working partnership in this case. We also have the street crime reduction team. I can assure this Assembly and the member opposite that SCAN is effective and it is working.

Mr. McRobb:   Wrong briefing note, Mr. Speaker.

This government has campaigned on zero tolerance for drug dealers and it touted SCAN as the remedy for such social maladies, but it is not working as well as it should. It has turned out that dealers who are evicted simply set up shop in another residence. Furthermore, this government has no idea of who is going where, because it doesn’t track the evictees.

It appears that we have come full circle. The first drug house shut down by the SCAN program is back in business. The SCAN program was supposed to stop this type of illegal activity, not just suspend it on a temporary basis. How will the Justice minister be fixing this obvious flaw in SCAN?

Hon. Ms. Horne:    I would remind the member opposite that this legislation was brought into effect with the unanimous consent of this House. As I mentioned earlier, I will not comment on specific situations.

Yukoners feel safe and happier in their homes and communities because of SCAN. They have told me personally that they feel safer.

When we brought this legislation into effect, our goal was to shut down the activities that cause social disorder. We are doing that. SCAN legislation is doing just that. The number of complaints received by the SCAN office indicates that Yukoners are confident about SCAN.

Mr. McRobb:   This minister was quick to respond to the pink notice that was put on 810 Wheeler Street, but now says she can’t comment on this matter — imagine that. This minister has ballyhooed the effectiveness of SCAN legislation on several occasions. To be deserving of such high acclaim, the SCAN legislation first needs to become as effective as possible and work successfully in situations such as at 810 Wheeler Street.

Neighbours are upset about this particular residence being back in business. We need to know what the particular weakness is with the SCAN legislation so we can attempt to fix it. If we need to amend the legislation, the minister has to act very quickly; otherwise, the next opportunity won’t be until next fall.

How can the minister explain that SCAN can be fixed so it can be effective in applying its intended purpose on the street?

Hon. Ms. Horne:    I reiterate that SCAN program is effective; it is working. The office first opened November 29, 2006 and from then until February 29, the office received 160 separate complaints about activities in 92 locations. Investigations of these incidents resulted in 17 evictions, one under the warning act.

Residents have voluntarily ceased their illegal activities in 20 locations. If these activities move and we receive complaints, our SCAN officials will investigate the complaints at the new location. We do not follow people; we respond to complaints and locations. We are very pleased that the SCAN program has provided a way to respond to the illegal activities in our communities. This legislation is working. It was designed to work and it is successful.

Question re:  Liquor Act  amendments

Mr. Hardy:   I want to follow up with the minister responsible for the Liquor Corporation about his plans to liberalize drinking laws in the Yukon, which already has one of Canada’s highest rates of booze consumption. I really hope we get some clear answers today from him because, quite frankly, many of his statements in defence of his proposed amendments to the Liquor Act have left me quite confused.

Can the minister explain in simple English the precise difference between a “food primary licence” and a “liquor primary licence”?

Hon. Mr. Kenyon:   I am very sorry that the member opposite is confused. I do have to correct one statement that is simply not true. Statistically, things have gotten produced — for instance a member who is now with his caucus, on April 24, claimed a graph from Statistics Canada compared per capita alcohol consumption. In fact the graph that that member at that time referred to was produced by the Globe and Mail, not Statistics Canada, and the Globe and Mail erroneously used Statistics Canada information on sales but titled the graph “consumption”.

The Yukon is a small jurisdiction, and consequently the large numbers of tourists who come through have a direct influence on that. If we look at the freight going up to the Dawson liquor store, for instance in November, as an average month, it is roughly 59,159 pounds. In December, at Christmastime when people are perhaps buying things for Christmas, it goes from 59,000 to 71,388 pounds. In July, when we have tourists, it is 266,686 pounds. That is a massive increase, which reflects the tourists. In reality, the studies that have been done looking at consumption put us right on par with the rest of Canada; there is no higher consumption in Yukon.

Mr. Hardy:   I beg to differ, and so do many people in the Yukon. The minister has had plenty of time to learn about this act and the amendments, especially since we’ve been trying to debate this act in Question Period, because it is not being called on to the floor of the Legislative Assembly at this time.

Here is a little quiz for the minister. Under the minister’s new drinking rules, one type of licence requires “that adequate facilities be provided for providing food to customers.” Another type of licence and again, I quote “entitles the licensee to sell liquor for consumption on the licensed premise with or without providing a meal at the same time to the person to whom the liquor is sold.”

Can the minister tell the House which of these descriptions refer to the “food primary licence” and which one is the “liquor primary licence”?

Speaker’s statement

Speaker:   Before the honourable member answers the question, I would just like to refer the Leader of the Third Party back to discussions the Chair has had with the members with regard to personalizing debate. I think the terminology the member used was under the minister’s new drinking rules. They are the government’s drinking rules, not the minister’s. It is legislation that is being debated on behalf of the government, so please keep that in mind.

The minister responsible for the Liquor Corporation has the floor.

Hon. Mr. Kenyon:   For the member opposite, and even now and going back into the 1970s and all through the former NDP government and the very short-term Liberal government, it is good social responsibility to provide food of some sort. It could be beer nuts, because of the fat content; it could be chips. Ironically the definition of the word “meal” is where it comes into effect.

I think Yukoners, if they haven’t come to this realization, would be surprised to know that if a member of this Assembly or a friend and I wanted to go and have some mushroom caps and a glass of wine to discuss something, that is currently illegal in the Yukon, because the definition of  “meal” is such a wide-ranging thing. By taking out the word “meal” it does not in any way mean that food is not available; it just means that you do not have to go in and have a full meal. You can go in and have wings and a beer while you watch a hockey game — something that is currently illegal in the Yukon.

Mr. Hardy:   On Tuesday, the minister said that someone under 19, working in the kitchen, could deliver a drink to a table. His actual words were, “They may not serve it; they may not pour it; they may not mix it; they may not open the bottle, but they can at least deliver it within those circumstances.” But, in fact, Bill No. 46 gives the government the authority to pass regulations. Again, I quote, “... (g) authorizing persons under the age of 19 years employed by the holder of a food primary licence to serve liquor in the licensed premise.” Anyone who works in a restaurant or bar knows that servers don’t just deliver open bottles to a table. They also take orders, handle cash and deal with drunken and belligerent behaviour. They often have to make quick judgement calls on whether or not someone should be cut off for being intoxicated or refused service for being underage.

Can the minister explain the obvious contradiction between what he said here on Tuesday and what the proposed law actually says about persons under 19 serving alcohol?

Hon. Mr. Kenyon:   The member opposite is confusing his licences here. In a food primary — in other words, a restaurant, to make it simple for people to understand — a server can go back to the bar to the adult who is completely in charge — that is still required — to pick up and deliver the drink to the table. That is not permitted in a liquor primary. In that case, the only time that a minor could enter would be someone under the age of 19 — both of these are with written parental consent. If people say that they don’t want their kid to be doing that, then don’t give parental consent. That’s the way they can do that.

In a bar, someone under the age of 19 could bring, for instance, an order of wings out and put it on the table. In a bar, or liquor primary, they may not touch alcohol bottles — serve, pour, open a bottle or do anything else. All they can do is drop that off. This also covers the apprentice who is working for the plumber who has to come in during working hours and work on a bar. That apprentice, with written consent, et cetera, can come in and do their work during their workdays. Again, they cannot drink; they cannot consume; they cannot be intoxicated — any of that.

Question re:  Whitehorse Correctional Centre budget/Liquor Act amendments

Mr. Hardy:   My question is to a different minister. The tender documents for the new correctional facility set the base price at something over $32 million. When you factor in a cost of preparing a site, furnishing the new facility and tearing down the old one, it isn’t hard to predict the final cost will probably be closer to $50 million.

Can the Minister of Justice give us a ballpark figure of what the annual operation and maintenance costs of the new Correctional Centre will be?

Hon. Ms. Horne:    I do not have these figures at my fingertips. I can check into that. It would be rather difficult to get those actual costs at this time because the interim design is still in progress. But I will get those figures to you, if I can.

Mr. Hardy:   I thank the minister for that answer. My concern goes back to places like the multiplex. The predicted O&M did not come anywhere near what they’re actually paying. There was a massive amount of overrun in the O&M and I wouldn’t like to see that happen with this facility.

Yesterday I read an excerpt from the overview of major issues in the corrections consultation final report, and I think it bears repeating. What it says is that, overall, the issues that received the most attention and were most intensely discussed were alcohol and drug abuse and after-care follow-up and support. In light of the Yukon’s excessive rate of alcohol consumption, not to mention our staggering rate of crime related to alcohol and drug abuse, on and on, does the minister support the efforts of her colleague from Porter Creek North to make alcohol more readily available to Yukoners and to expose impressionable young people to more alcohol consumption in commercial establishments?

Hon. Mr. Kenyon:   If we get back to the consumption thing, what I’d like to bring the members back to is the part of the act that has a re-jigging, so to speak, of fines and penalties, which make it much more difficult for offenders to offend, hopefully. It also allows the RCMP to hold someone who’s intoxicated for 24 hours, rather than 12. We are the last jurisdiction in Canada to do this. Someone who is a chronic abuser of alcohol, at the end of 12 hours, may still be highly intoxicated but the law, as it’s written now and was written through the entire NDP government regime, was that the RCMP had to release those people and often literally wait outside and re-arrest them for the second 12 hours.

We’re looking at everything from consumption in a motor vehicle to underage consumption. Many — if not most — of these infractions and proposed penalties are in effect doubled and some of them substantially more than doubled — in one case, a 100-percent increase.

So, all of these things put together will add to our substance abuse action plan and the SCAN legislation to get more responsible drinking overall.

Mr. Hardy:   There are amendments that are being brought forward I will put on record that I do support and some are those he just mentioned. But there are others that I do not.

Every year we spend millions and millions of tax dollars dealing with the consequences of alcohol and drug addictions, on law enforcement, on medical care, and on fixing broken families. Every year this government makes huge profits from the sale of alcohol and the minister responsible for the Liquor Corporation wants to sell even more. But when it comes to preventing substance abuse, or helping people break their addictions, we don’t spend anywhere near that.

Where is the money for land-based treatment? Where is the money for follow-up care? Where is the money to help young people with addiction problems? Will the minister go back to the drawing board with her colleagues, revise the substance abuse action plan to address the major issues that are still being ignored and provide the proper funding and human resources to tackle the Yukon’s alcohol and drug problem in a very significant way?

Hon. Ms. Horne:    The substance abuse action plan is a major initiative based on four strategic directions: harm reduction, prevention and education, treatment and enforcement. For example, the initiatives led by the Department of Justice that are now in place include new SCAN legislation and implementation, new RCMP street crime reduction, a new program for children who witness violence, Community Wellness Court, and substance abuse management programs that are offered at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre with over 15 certified staff.

Work is underway to develop a new community resource directory. A position to support the development of capacity building plans in communities has been recruited. Each action from the November 2005 action plan document has been assigned to a lead department. Most of the actions in the substance abuse action plan are included in the government’s priorities at this time.

Question re:  Government advertising in What’s Up Yukon

Mr. Elias:   I have a question for the Deputy Premier. About two weeks ago the minister made a big show of supporting a local businesswoman in this Legislature. She did a long tribute to the founder of the local magazine, What’s Up Yukon. The government couldn’t say enough about how much it supported this local business. Behind the scenes, the story is quite different.

This morning, a representative of the company was voicing concerns about a lack of support from this government when it comes to advertising in this local magazine. This government spends millions a year on advertising, yet this local business gets a pretty small piece of the pie.

I would like the minister to spend a little more time on working with this business. Will she do that?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Mr. Speaker, we are very cognizant of the fact that there are a number of media out there where advertising is possible. However, I have to go over some of the facts of how a government must conduct itself when it comes to advertising. In many cases, we have to advertise in publications whose readership best fits the particular initiative or issue being promoted by any related department.

There are also timing issues: whether these are daily, weekly or biweekly publications. But I can assure the Member for Vuntut Gwitchin that we feel very strongly about What’s Up Yukon as a publication, and we will continue to work with them and others in the medium of publications and advertisements whereby we can, in a balanced approach, at least distribute the investment dollars toward advertising across the territory in a manner that best reflects the needs of each department on a case-by-case basis.

Question re:  Tank farm property

Mr. McRobb:    It has been nearly a year since I asked the minister in charge of land development about the tank-farm property. This sizable property sits between Hillcrest and Valleyview and between the Alaska Highway and Hamilton Boulevard. The owner has been trying to develop the land into approximately 350 large fully serviced residential lots.

As the minister knows, for more than 10 years the National Energy Board has been dealing with issues related to this site, including remediation of the environmental concerns resulting from its past use as a fuel storage tank farm. But it turns out that there is only one intervener that has been holding up the process for a number of years: the Yukon government.

For the record, can the minister indicate exactly what his concerns are for holding up the process for so long?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Mr. Speaker, to suggest that any department responsible for protecting the Yukon taxpayers’ interests and indeed Yukon citizens’ interests when it comes to environmental contamination is somewhat irresponsible — however, I think we have to get to the facts of the matter.

There is a large environmental contaminant associated with these properties; it goes back a long way into history, and if the National Energy Board at this time is satisfied with the mitigating measures brought forward from the proponent, then we, as a government, see no reason why the National Energy Board can’t make the decision to allow the proposed project to proceed, indemnify the Yukon from any further liability, given the extensive environmental contaminants in this whole area — responsible, by the way, from another proponent, Russell Metals in this case — and indeed indemnify the proponent — if the National Energy Board is satisfied with the mitigating measures brought forward by said proponent.

Mr. McRobb:   Mr. Speaker, a year ago, the minister responsible for land said he has been working with the NEB to see what he could do to fast-track that property, and he promised to work with the NEB and the landowners to resolve the issue to get the land on the market. I have reviewed several documents related to this matter and one thing is very clear: the Yukon government is the problem, not the solution. It is the only registered intervenor in the process. Without this government’s intervention, the process would have concluded long ago. What is worse, this government was invited to take part in a mediation process to resolve any outstanding matters but has refused the offer.

Why did the minister responsible for lands promise to work with the owners, but in fact is really working against them?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   I will be kind in my response. The Member for Kluane is simply mistaken. We are not the holdup. If the National Energy Board, which is responsible for the environmental contamination on this site and all sites interconnected with this site here in Whitehorse, wants to make the decision, we encourage them to do so. We want to ensure, however, that the National Energy Board remains liable and responsible for any future issues that may arise from the extensive contamination that is not only at the tank farm in Whitehorse, but is in the community of Carcross and all along the pipeline route that used to run to Skagway.

This is a serious issue. This government will not allow Yukoners to accept that kind of liability. It is the federal government’s issue. It is the issue of the owner of the properties, in this case Russell Metals, and it is a decision that the National Energy Board should and must make. We want to ensure that not only is the proponent protected if the National Energy Board accepts the mitigating measures brought forward, but to ensure that Yukoners today and in the future are not going to be held liable for rising environmental concerns, given the contamination.

Mr. McRobb:   The liability concerns are valid; however, I have been assured that all the remediation work has been done. The fact is that this government has refused to participate in a mediated solution process. One has to wonder what the real reason is for the roadblocks put up behind the scenes by the government. We know that there has been a dire shortage of fully serviced residential lots within the city limits for a few years now. This won’t change until at least next year. This minister failed to keep his promise to provide a continuous supply of such lots. Now it has turned out that he didn’t keep his promise to work with the landowners to resolve the issue to get this land on the market.

The developer knows that these lots will be superior to the lots developed by this government in terms of location, price and size. Exactly why did the minister responsible for land refuse to take part in the mediated resolution process?

Hon. Mr. Fentie:   Once again, the Member for Kluane is on a fishing expedition and has come up with a red herring. This issue is entirely within the purview of the National Energy Board. If the National Energy Board feels that the mitigating measures brought forward by the proponent are sufficient to address the environmental contamination, then the National Energy Board should make the decision. It’s their decision to make.

We want to ensure here in Yukon that any future environmental issu