Yellowknife (Jun 12/06) - Great Slave Lake MLA Bill Braden questioned Premier Joe Handley last week on where things stood in attempts to increase the Northern living allowance.

This after a motion was passed on February asking the premier and finance minister to lobby Ottawa for an increase to the Northern Residence Income Tax Deduction.

While acknowledging that the issue is still on the radar screen, Handley noted it's more important for the territory to sort out a better formula finance and resource revenue sharing deal before moving to increase the Northern living allowance, adding it is "on the backburner."

"The reason (for this position is) that any increase in the Northern allowance residence reduction would also cost our government money," Handley explained. "For example, if we raised it from $5,475 to $8,500 per year, that would mean over a $3 million loss for us." There has been no increase in the living allowance since 1991.

Permanent police, please

Nunakput MLA Calvin Pokiak questioned Justice Minister Brendan Bell over what the current government is doing to get permanent RCMP services for Paulatuk and Sachs Harbour.

Bell said progress is being made and that in the case of Sachs Harbour, which he termed a "priority," a new building is required in order to facilitate a permanent posting there.

Earlier this month, Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche brought up similar concerns about Wrigley, which is without both a permanent nurse and permanent policing.

"This government has indicated that until the police are stationed in Wrigley, Health and Social Services will not station a permanent nurse there," he said. "No nurses unless we get policing, no policing unless we get funding for not two, but two and a half positions... all small communities simply ask for is better health care and better policing from our government."

Barriers to employment

Kam Lake MLA Dave Ramsay scolded the government for its failure to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities. "Disabled persons make up 13 per cent of our population. Yet, as a group within the public service of the GNWT, they represent 0.4 per cent. Yes, 0.4 per cent. This from a government which continues to preach inclusion. The government should be ashamed of themselves."

Minister of Public Works and Services Floyd Roland acknowledged the number "was not good," but says part of the reason for the low percentage is that some people already working for the GNWT have not identified themselves as disabled.

Roland also noted that his department is looking at an employment equity policy to take over what the Affirmative Action Policy, "has been identified to do," with respect to hiring disabled candidates.

Five bills passed

The fifth sitting of the Legislative Assembly, which wrapped up Thursday, saw five bills passed.

These included two supplementary appropriations; one for $850,000 and the other for $114 million, pushed through the house in order to free up funds from the last fiscal year to complete outstanding projects.

Other bills were an Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, another to Amend the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act and an Act to Amend the Territorial Parks Act, which gives more teeth to park officials who enforce rules and regulations on park grounds. The sixth session of the 15th Assembly is scheduled to commence on Oct. 17.