Yukon Legislative Assembly Number 167 1st Session 33rd Legislature HANSARD Wednesday, November 5, 2014 — 1:00 p.m. Speaker: The Honourable David Laxton YUKON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER — Hon. David Laxton, MLA, Porter Creek Centre DEPUTY SPEAKER — Patti McLeod, MLA, Watson Lake CABINET MINISTERS NAME CONSTITUENCY PORTFOLIO Hon. Darrell Pasloski Mountainview Premier Minister responsible for Finance; Executive Council Office Hon. Elaine Taylor Whitehorse West Deputy Premier Minister responsible for Education; Women’s Directorate; French Language Services Directorate Hon. Brad Cathers Lake Laberge Minister responsible for Community Services; Yukon Housing Corporation; Yukon Liquor Corporation; Yukon Lottery Commission Government House Leader Hon. Doug Graham Porter Creek North Minister responsible for Health and Social Services; Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board Hon. Scott Kent Riverdale North Minister responsible for Energy, Mines and Resources; Yukon Energy Corporation; Yukon Development Corporation Hon. Currie Dixon Copperbelt North Minister responsible for Economic Development; Environment; Public Service Commission Hon. Wade Istchenko Kluane Minister responsible for Highways and Public Works Hon. Mike Nixon Porter Creek South Minister responsible for Justice; Tourism and Culture GOVERNMENT PRIVATE MEMBERS Yukon Party Darius Elias Vuntut Gwitchin Stacey Hassard Pelly-Nisutlin Hon. David Laxton Porter Creek Centre Patti McLeod Watson Lake OPPOSITION MEMBERS New Democratic Party Elizabeth Hanson Leader of the Official Opposition Whitehorse Centre Jan Stick Official Opposition House Leader Riverdale South Kevin Barr Mount Lorne-Southern Lakes Lois Moorcroft Copperbelt South Jim Tredger Mayo-Tatchun Kate White Takhini-Kopper King Liberal Party Sandy Silver Leader of the Third Party Klondike LEGISLATIVE STAFF Clerk of the Assembly Floyd McCormick Deputy Clerk Linda Kolody Clerk of Committees Allison Lloyd Sergeant-at-Arms Rudy Couture Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Doris McLean Hansard Administrator Deana Lemke Published under the authority of the Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly November 5, 2014 HANSARD 4983 Yukon Legislative Assembly through times of war and peace from the Second World War Whitehorse, Yukon to the most recent conflicts in which Canadian forces are Wednesday, November 5, 2014 — 1:00 p.m. proudly and bravely playing a role. Veterans, including you, Mr. Speaker, and the Minister of Speaker: I will now call the House to order. We will Highways and Public Works — together in this Legislature, it proceed at this time with prayers. is important to acknowledge and show respect to our Canadian veterans but, above all, we must never forget. Prayers While I’m standing I would like to recognize and have the honour to recognize some members who are in uniform DAILY ROUTINE today — veterans and members of the Royal Canadian Speaker: We will proceed with the Order Paper. Mounted Police. I would like to recognize Joe Mewett, Tributes. Red Grossinger, Constable Brian Harding and Master Corporal Terence Grabowski who have all joined us today. TRIBUTES I would please ask you to join me in welcoming them In recognition of Veterans’ Week here today. Hon. Mr. Pasloski: I rise today to pay tribute to all Applause Canadian veterans. During Veterans’ Week of November 5 to 11, we recognize the selfless dedication of the women and Ms. White: It is an honour to rise on behalf of the men in uniform who have helped to define and defend Official Opposition to pay tribute to Veterans’ Week. The Canada’s values of freedom and democracy. Through their days and week leading up to Remembrance Day give us the sacrifices, Canada’s veterans have ensured not only the time to reflect on the meaning of November 11. We do this in protection of our country, but also the promotion of peace different ways and in different places across the country. around the world. Members of the Canadian forces have I want to express my gratitude, my sadness, my pride and helped to build a safe and secure society for all citizens. my admiration to the men and women of the past, the present The recent incidents in Ottawa and St-Jean-sur-Richelieu and the future who have chosen and continue to choose to put remind us that we must continue to stand on guard for the their lives on the line for the cause of peace and freedom freedom that we do hold so dear. These tragic events around the world. emphasize the need to support our military and police forces, In Canada, we have a special place that documents these as they are the ones who put themselves at risk and step sacrifices, a place where Canadians can go to see the names of forward to protect Canadians in times of crisis. the fallen. The Memorial Chamber is a beautifully crafted This year, Mr. Speaker, we also mark the 100th room with a vaulted ceiling. It has stained glass windows and anniversary of the start of the First World War. During the intricate carvings depicting Canada’s record of war. It’s a Great War, Yukon punched far above its weight with 561 restful place for peaceful remembrance. The centrepiece is the Yukoners enlisting, which was a per capita rate far higher than First World War Book of Remembrance. It sits on an altar in the rest of Canada. Each Yukon resident also donated more the centre of the room in a glass case of finely tooled brass. money to the war effort than those of any other part of this Small statuettes of angels kneel at each of its corners. country. The steps leading up to the altar are made from stones Commissioner George Black, his wife Martha Black, Joe from Flanders Fields. The remaining six books are displayed Boyle and Sam Steele are just some of the prominent resting on their respective altars around the room. These Yukoners who made a significant contribution to Canada’s books of remembrance commemorate Canada’s young war effort during World War I. Throughout the Great War, soldiers, nurses, sailors, merchant marines and airforce men particularly at the battles of Passchendaele, the Somme and and women who lost their lives during times of peace and Vimy Ridge, regiments from across this country fought conflict. These books are testaments to the valour, the valiantly and helped to create a new sense of what it means to sacrifice and the selflessness of those Canadians who have be Canadian. died in military service. The first book commemorates the Veterans deserve to be recognized and appreciated this First World War. It is the largest of the books and it contains week, not only because they have served our country, but more than 66,000 names on its pages. The second volume because of the work they do and continue to do in our commemorates the Second World War, and it contains more communities. We pay tribute to our veterans by proudly than 44,000 names. The third volume commemorates the men wearing poppies on our left lapels. The poppy is recognized and women of Newfoundland who gave their lives in defence around the world as a symbol of our shared history of sacrifice of freedom during both the First and Second World Wars, and commitment. We can also take time to remember by even before Newfoundland was a province of Canada. It attending a Remembrance Day ceremony, or visiting a local contains more than 2,300 names. cenotaph or monument, or by sharing our thoughts of The fourth volume commemorates those Canadians who remembrance on-line. gave their lives during the Korean War and it contains 516 We can also take time to personally thank one of the more names. The fifth book commemorates Canadians who died than 250 Yukon veterans who have served our country during the South African War and the Nile Expedition. It 4984 HANSARD November 5, 2014 contains almost 300 names on its pages. The sixth book Thank you all for your generous donations to the poppy commemorates the men and women of the Merchant Marine trust fund and all the work that it does as well. who gave their lives while serving Canada at sea during both the First World War and the Second World War. It contains INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS 570 names. The seventh book lists the names of more than Hon. Mr. Kent: I know that introduction of visitors 1,800 members of the Canadian Forces who have died while is a little later on, but I just want to thank the Minister of on duty in Canada or serving abroad since October 1, 1947. Education for allowing me to interrupt tributes to introduce Tragically, new names continue to be added to its pages. some special people who are in the gallery today. Of course, Together, these volumes commemorate the lives of more my wife, Ms. Amanda Leslie, is joining us — and her parents, than 118,000 men and women who, since Confederation, have Tom and Louise Van Soldt of Union Bay, British Columbia, made the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives for the cause and our new addition, Eli Timothy Aviugana Kent. I would of peace and freedom. These volumes contain more than three just ask members to join me in welcoming my wife, her times the population of the Yukon. Through their courage, parents and our son. determination and sacrifice, generations of Canadian veterans Applause have helped to ensure that we live in a free and peaceful In recognition of Take Our Kids to Work Day country. We owe it to them to learn, to understand and to be thankful for the tasks that they have undertaken and to not Hon. Ms. Taylor: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay forget the lessons we have learned at their expense. Lest we tribute to this year’s participants in the annual Take Our Kids forget.