Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I wish to nominate Vince Steen, Member for Nunakput, for a position on Cabinet. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Steen, do you accept the nomination?

Nominations. Are there any further nominations? Is it clear that nominations are closed? There will be two ballots; one for the East and one for the West. Starting with the East, there will be Mr. Arlooktoo, Mr. Ng, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Picco, Mr. Steen, Mrs. Thompson and then Mr. Todd. From the West there will be Mr. Antoine, Mr. Dent, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Kakfwi, Mr. Krutko and Mr. Miltenberger. That is the order in which they will be called upon to do their 10-minute presentation.

According to the rules, it will go in alphabetical order. So the first one will be Mr. Antoine. Mr. Antoine, you have 10 minutes to make your presentation.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Madam Commissioner, elders, Mr. Premier, congratulations on your election yesterday, ladies and gentlemen of the 13th Assembly, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to thank the honourable Member for Nunakput for nominating me for this Cabinet position. I am very honoured that the people of Nahendeh have sent me to the Legislative Assembly again; this time by acclamation. Mahsi for your confidence and support. I will, once again, try the best I can to represent you in this House.

Mr. Chairman, I became a Member of this Assembly four years ago. At that time, I sought election as a Member for Cabinet. Fortunately, I was not selected at that time. I say "fortunately'' because looking back, I know that I gained valuable experience throughout the last Legislative Assembly by sitting as an ordinary Member of the Legislative Assembly. I learned a lot about how this system of government works. I gained valuable experience as a Member of several committees and as the chairman of the powerful Standing Committee on Finance in the last Assembly. I needed this experience in the Legislative Assembly and government in order to work effectively as a Member. I now know that this experience will be an asset if I am given the opportunity to serve this House as a Member of Cabinet.

Last time I stood as a Cabinet candidate, I went into my background: my university education and experience at the community level as chief of the Fort Simpson Dene for 14 years, as well as my involvement in the Dene Nation organization since 1973. Therefore, I know the issues and concerns at the grassroots level in the Northwest Territories. This knowledge is what I have to offer to this Cabinet.

This time I am going to focus more on the issues. I represent a riding where there has been the powerful and fundamental concerns raised about the legitimacy of this government. Most of you are familiar with the Deh Cho proposal. Many of my constituents feel the same way that the Inuit do in their pursuit for division. They do not feel that a centrally-based government in Yellowknife can reflect their needs and aspirations. They are committed tobringing government closer to home. They believe that to do so effectively, their inherent right to self-government must be recognized and protected. I believe that it is possible to construct the constitution for the western NWT that does reflect this distinct right of aboriginal people, as well as building on the distinct forms of government found in the aboriginal cultures. The greatest challenge of the new government and all MLAs is to build this constitution. We can no longer fail to come to an agreement on a western constitution. Should we fail, we are raising not only the possibility of further divisions within the West, but a less smooth division in the East.

I offer you my skills and commitment to making the positive contribution to this challenge. I offer you my ability to work as a key Member to bring about the critical consensus that is essential to good government. Our time may be limited. The federal government has launched its aboriginal self-government policy, but there are only two years left in Mr. Chretien's Liberal Party's current mandate as the Government of Canada. The red book, which sets the policies for this government, lists the inherent right to self-government as one of the key policies and we are running out of time on that.

The Royal Commission on Aboriginal People is moving ahead with consideration of new concepts and now is the right time totake advantage of the enthusiasm and commitments that will be generated when the final report is released.

We also need to set the stage with the significant changes that will be coming when Nunavut is formed in 1999. I fully support the division of the Northwest Territories, but I am concerned that the Government of the Northwest Territories is not well prepared for the transition that is going to take place. As the former co-chair of the Special Joint Committee on Division and chairman of the Standing Committee on Finance, 1know that

In education, we need new approaches. The infrastructure is in place, the schools are there, the teacher education program is initiated and working and the new Education Act has been passed. Now it is time to concentrate on quality of education. We can achieve this by giving communities, not only bureaucrats who work in this department, but the people in the communities, greater control of how schools are run and about what happens in the classrooms.

We have to continue to work towards changing the level of violence in our society as well in our schools, in our homes and in the workplace. We have to boost our local economies through northern preference programs, buy-North initiatives and acompletely revised and more effective business incentive policy; one that doesn't conflict with the terms of the land claims agreement in the West, as well as the Nunavut agreement.

Mr. Chairman, there was an economic conference in Fort Simpson for the Deh Cho region right after the election. We looked at ways to improve the economy of the Deh Cho. The number one priority identified was for healing of our communities. Way up as priority number two was the need for people to be better educated. Without capable, healthy, educated people, the best business incentive programs in the world will have little or no impact.

Mr. Chairman, we have to think about change within this Assembly as well. Our constituents must have been shocked and probably dismayed when they saw the goings-on in the Chamber the last time. Our relationship with each other has to be based on respect. I have always tried to be fair, honest and open with all the people I deal with. That wouldn't change if I'm elected to the Cabinet.

I believe that I can offer a lot of strength by working with all this government is not making enough progress. We have to honourable Members,, .1aking sure that the necessary changes pick up the pace in our discussions about dividing government assets and resources. We have to pick up the pace in our dealings with Ottawa to make sure that the financial arrangements are sound. We have to pick up the pace with the western constitutional process and the aboriginal bilateral talks.

To arrive at a new constitution, we need to work closely with organizations that represent aboriginal people. Too often, the position of the past government pushed these groups away. Too often, it resorted to insults and finger pointing. That has to change.

As the chairman of the Standing Committee on Finance, I pushed hard to make sure that the Deficit Elimination Act had real teeth and offered real solutions. Without a doubt, the GNWT is going to have to change the way it spends our money. Our bureaucrats are going to have to downsize, consolidate and reduce duplication. It is time to fight the focus on cost-efficiency.

With our small population base, I can't agree with any of the taxation proposals I heard before and during the election. I voted against the payroll tax when it was brought forward in the last Assembly and I still think it isn't a very good idea.

are made and that they are made in a way that benefits all the people of the Northwest Territories. I am pleased to ask you to consider me as a Member of the Cabinet for this 13th Legislative Assembly. Mahsi, Mr. Chairman.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Also, in alphabetical order again, but before we go to Mr. Arlooktoo, I would like to recognize in the gallery a former Member, Mr. Richard Nerysoo.

---Applause

Mr. Arlooktoo, 10 minutes.

Mr. Chairman, I'll speak first in my first language.

(translation) Mr. Chairman, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Morin on his election as Premier, and commit my full support to him whether I should be selected to join Cabinet or stay as an ordinary MLA. I would also want to congratulate Jane for her admirable performance yesterday during the question period. Also, I would like to thank Jim Antoine for nominating me for the important position of being a Minister in the government. Also, I would like to begin by thanking the people of Baffin South who have put me here in this Assembly.

I was very happy when I realized on election night that I had won the confidence of the people. I will work very hard to show respect for the trust they have placed in me. The election campaign was a very emotional experience for me because my dear mother was very ill at the time. Although she passed away shortly after the election, I knew that she was very proud of me and it gives me great strength. I also want to thank my father who was a Member of this Legislative Assembly, and he had helped me out a lot, and also my wife Dorothy, and also her family for the support they have always given me. (translation ends)

Mr. Chairman, however, I've learned a great deal training in Arctic College in the area of renewable resources and then working in many communities in both the East and the West. I've also worked as a staff person, as many of you know, here with MLAs, committees and the Nunavut Caucus. Whether it was researching issues of the day for Nunavut MLAs or helping them to formulate statements and questions, working for over five years in this Legislature was a very positive experience which I thoroughly enjoyed and learned from. Travelling throughout the Territories with special committees of this House taught me a great deal of the concerns that people in the communities have.

I have attended community consultations with the Special Committee on Northern Economy, with the Special Committee on Languages and also the Special Committee on Health and Social Services. I recently worked as an alcohol and drug counsellor in my home community of Lake Harbour.

In my election campaign, I promised my constituents that I would serve them as a sober, responsible leader. I want to be a good role model for our youth in everything I do in this Assembly.

My constituents are excited about the establishment of Nunavut. They are looking forward to a government closer to home; a government which will give them more say in how they are governed. During this Assembly, many important decisions will be made as we move towards implementing Nunavut and the new western territory in 1999. This is a time when the people of the North most need leaders who are responsible and fair. As we face the difficult decisions moving toward the division of the Territories, our people also want us to be able to compromise rather than fight. I think this is an ongoing theme and I'm happy about that.

Even as we plan for new governments in the North, we must tackle the grievous social problems which are crippling our families and our communities: suicide, family violence, sexual and alcohol abuse, drug abuse and many others. We must have healthy communities if we are to be prepared for the new challenges of self-government in Nunavut. I am committed to dealing with these social issues as a priority in our new government. I believe that we can confront these issues through the community wellness approach, healing workshops, alcohol and drug treatment, improved education, self- awareness and self-esteem.

Our people are also crippled with a very high cost of living and serious shortage of affordable housing. Our young people are expecting to find new job opportunities after they have finished school. These are pressing issues I believe that our government must focus on as priorities. I am well aware of the financial pressures which our new government will face; greater pressures than ever before. I know that we will have to spend less than before. However, I believe it will be a challenge but we'll be able to find ways to do more with less. Whatever we do, we must act so as not to hurt the little people: the ordinary folks who are struggling to live and survive in our communities.

If I should be given the honour of being elected by my fellow MLAs for Cabinet, I promise that I will be approachable, open and honest. I promise that as a Member of Cabinet I will be a team player, loyal to the leader and respectful of the decisions we make. I am willing to work hard to be an effective Minister.

Honestly, Mr. Chairman, if I'm not elected to Cabinet, you can still count on me to give my full support to the new Cabinet and to my fellow MLAs. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Arlooktoo. Mr. Charles Dent is next.

Thank you. Before we proceed to Mrs. Groenewegen, I would also like to recognize in the gallery the president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council, Mr. Willard Hagen; and, a member from the council, Chief James Firth. Welcome to the Assembly.

---Applause

Mrs. Groenewegen, you're next. Ten minutes.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. I would also like to recognize in the gallery the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, Helen Maksagak.

---Applause

The next, in alphabetical order, Mr. Stephen Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. We have Mr. Krutko, followed by Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. We're about half-way through the list now and I don't know what the wish of the Members are, whether they wish to take a short break or just continue.

---Interjection

Okay. There is general consensus that we continue, so I have next on my list Mr. Miltenberger and then Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. didn't put on the time when you started speaking so we just sort of based it on what we thought the time was before we started the time. But I know a lot of Members have been talking about honesty so if I do miss a time, to the rest of the Members, when your time is up say that your time is up, okay?

I have next on the list Mr. Ng and then Mr. O'Brien. Mr. Ng, you have 10 minutes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to first congratulate the Premier-elect, Mr. Morin, and also Mrs. Groenewegen for letting her name stand for Premier. I would like to thank my constituents who gave me such a decisive mandate to represent them. I would also like to thank and recognize my family, particularly my wife Susie for her support and understanding over the past two and a half years for all the times I've been away from home. I would also like to stress that we all recognize the running of a campaign how stressful it is to us, but a lot of people don't recognize that it's just as stressful to our family members or even more so, so I think it was important for me to point that out. I would also like to thank my colleague, Mr. Ningark, for nominating me today.

I've known him for a number of years and have worked with him in the past.

Today, honourable Members, I'm seeking your support to represent you as one of the Members on the Executive Council. I want to outline some of my background and experience which I think I can bring to the Cabinet table.

In 1978, I graduated from Vancouver Community College with an accounting diploma. Shortly after that, I was shipped north to Cambridge Bay to begin my career. Between that time and 1986, I held various positions as settlement secretary for the municipal council and on separate occasions as office manager and also as executive director for the Kitikmeot Inuit Association. I also served for two and a half years as the executive officer for the Kitikmeot Regional Council. From 1986 up until my election as MLA in 1993, I was in private business primarily involved in real estate and construction.

Some of my political experience before coming to this Legislature includes serving numerous terms on the Cambridge Bay municipal council. I also served as mayor of the council in 1988 and 1989. At that same time, I also served as president of the NWT Association of Municipalities. Finally, I did serve a term as deputy speaker of the Kitikmeot Regional Council as well.

I have also been involved as both director and chairman of the Cambridge Bay Housing Association. I served terms as vice- president and president of the Cambridge Bay Chamber of Commerce and a term as vice-president of the NWT Chamber of Commerce.

In May, 1993, as I said earlier, I was elected in a by-election as the Member for Kitikmeot. During that time, shortly after my election, I served as a Member and I was also fortunate to serve as the deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Finance. I also served as a Member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Special Joint Committee on Division. I found that these committees gave me valuable insight into the financial workings of our government.

In February of 1995, I was fortunate to be elected as a Member of Cabinet and given the responsibility for Municipal and Community Affairs by the Premier. During my relatively short tenure as Minister of MACA, I have been fortunate to be able to finish off some of the major initiatives of the department, such as establishing the settlement operating and capital assistance policies that helped out a lot of the smaller communities in the Northwest Territories.

We also were able to establish new funding for a by-law officer, firefighter, SAO and elected officials' training programs. We finalized the new block funding agreement with the city of Yellowknife and was very fortunate to pass new MEBA legislation through this House.

Two major issues facing us are the worsening fiscal situation resulting from our diminishing revenues and our escalating program demands placed upon us. I think we must deal with these issues in a constructive, creative manner to streamline the costs of delivering government, but we also have to recognize, while doing that, that we have to respect that any

changes must be carried out in a fair and equitable manner for the whole of the Northwest Territories and to the civil service.

The second major issue that we have to deal with is the creation of two new territories in 1999. We must all work hard to ensure that the process leading up to division is done in an orderly fashion. We have to ensure that the adequate financial resources are there for both new territories. In dealing with these issues, I think that they will dominate much of the territorial agenda of this Assembly. But having said that, I don't think we can disregard the other important issues which must be addressed; issues such as creating additional income- generating opportunities for our residents; the need for improving our social programs, including housing; and, the need to increase the educational and training levels of all our residents. To deal with these issues, I think we need a Cabinet that is hard working and experienced, and able to work together as a group. But just as importantly, I think the Cabinet has to be able to work effectively with all Members of this House. I believe I can do that.

Having served as an ordinary Member for almost two years, I quickly recognized the most effective and respected Cabinet Members were the ones with the open-door policies and the ones who respected the views of all Members of this House. When I ran for Cabinet earlier this year, I committed to operating that same way, as I was already doing that outside of this Assembly before I came here.

If I am chosen to represent you as one of the Cabinet Members, I will commit to continue being fully accessible and accountable while carrying out my duties. In addition to that, I will commit to continue fair and equitable treatment of all communities and constituencies, regardless of whether they are from the East or West, whether they are small or large or one region versus another.

I am asking for your consideration to support me as one of your Cabinet Members. I believe I have the experience, management skills, the work ethics and the honesty and integrity to contribute to the Cabinet team. Whether I am chosen or not, I would like to say that I will commit to continuing working hard and cooperatively with all Members of this Assembly towards improving the life of all residents of the NWT. After all, that is what we are here for. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. I have been getting little notes here and there to take a break. So I think we will do that at this time. Before we go on to Mr. O'Brien, we will take a 15-minute break to get Mr. O'Brien prepared.

---Laughter

---SHORT RECESS

We're back here in time, enough to hear Mr. O'Brien. Mr. O'Brien, you have 1Ominutes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, ullaakut, manna, honourable colleagues, Assembly staff, Madam Commissioner, Mr. Premier and all those listening via radio or TV across the North. Before I go on, I would like to say a special good morning and hello to my daughter Kelsey who is five, back in Arviat, and the girl who I haven't seen in the last two weeks. How are you, Kelsey?

I would like to give you a brief overview of my background and the challenges that I believe this Assembly will face over the next four years.

I come from a family of 13 and grew up in a small fishing and mining town in Nova Scotia. After high school I worked in various jobs· in the private sector, including mining and the construction industry. After five years of working, I returned to school to obtain a bachelor's degree from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia and a two-year master's degree from North Texas State University in Dallas, Texas.

I first came north as the SAO for the hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk. This was my first introduction to the North and to true northerners. I moved from Tuktoyaktuk to assume the position of the director of the NWT Housing Corporation for the Keewatin region. Here, I was responsible for the supervision, directly and indirectly, of approximately 100 staff and a $28 million budget.

Living and working in both the Western and Eastern Arctic has given me a strong understanding of the many issues we have in common as northerners and also of the uniqueness of people from different parts of the North and their concerns.

Since being elected I have expressed interest in a Cabinet position. I believe strongly that I have a great deal to offer and that my background has prepared me to do a very good job on Cabinet. My experience .in municipal and territorial politics and government, my employment in the construction and mining industry, and my experiencing negotiating with federal government agencies has given me a broad view of how various governments operate.

There are many key issues facing the NWT that should be addressed now. One of the major challenges for Cabinet will be to guide the government toward division of the NWT. My · combination of experience in both the Eastern and Western Arctic would allow me to take a balanced approach to the issues relating to division, recognizing the distinct needs and aspirations of the people in different parts of the Territories. The government cannot wait for the federal government to make its final decisions. We must be preparing now to be sure

that we are not left to play catch-up or ill-prepared for what is ahead.

Just as there must be a great deal of effort and energy put into preparing for the division of the NWT, I believe that we must dedicate the same amount of energy to ensuring a strong union and relationship between the new territories. This is crucial since we are only dividing the pie. We will remain neighbours, trading partners, business associations and, most importantly, good friends.

In the West, we should facilitate the continuation of the western constitutional development process. One key factor in this is settling the self-government issues in the West. The Premier along with the other Cabinet Ministers must do what they can to get the federal government to the table with the various aboriginal. organizations. Until self-government and treaty issues are resolved, it is difficult for the western process to move forward significantly. Without knowing what forms of aboriginal government will take place, it is hard to determine what form of public government is appropriate.

Another critical issue for the government is the financial situation. In years past, money was plentiful and the government could provide whatever programs it wanted to. Now we have entered a time when there isn't enough money to go around and to carry out the programs that we wish. Hard choices will have to be made. There will be a need for strong leadership from Cabinet to make the hard choices guided by the needs of the people of the North. We will need to actively explore both revenue initiatives and cost-cutting strategies to make sure there's no deficit in the territorial budget. We have a good start in the formula. financing agreement just negotiated by the outgoing Minister of Finance, Mr. Pollard. It is up to us to take a hard look at how we do business and make some meaningful change which will allow us to provide the level of services northerners need by living within our means.

There are serious social problems in many of our communities which is tearing at our social fabric, we all know about them: family violence, alcohol and drug abuse, suicide, child and elder abuse, et cetera. In the 12th Assembly, the Special Committee on Health and Social Services brought many .of these problems to the forefront and into the open. The previous government began a program to address these concerns at the community level. We need to make sure this program is more than just words. Communities need the resources and the support to decide what their social priorities are and how to best address them.

The next Cabinet must ensure that the Cabinet works together to address the social problems from many different angles.

These include issues such as looking at the community options where communities can decide what punishment fits the crime and what will discourage repeat offenders and offences; encouraging local economic development opportunities so that people are working and feeling good about themselves; looking at the support for the front-line workers so they can remain strong and healthy for the good of their clients.

Education must also continue to be a priority for the new Cabinet. Northerners should be governed and cared for by northerners. In order to do that, northerners must have an education which prepares them for whatever they wish to do. We need to continue to promote education as the key to our future, both among our young people and those of us who take advantage of the adult education programs offered across the North.

Coming from a small community, I understand the desires of the people in the communities to take more control of government programs. We have to find a way to ensure that these programs are transferred to the communities, but with the support and assistance to ensure that they succeed in delivering the services. We also need to find a balance between local control and maintaining stems of service for all northerners. While there are many common threads, each community may need a slightly different approach to a similar problem. We must find a way to allow communities the authority and the responsibility to find their own solutions.

There are many other issues that I could speak about today that we will be faced with over the next four years. I think my time is coming to a close. 1 will close off by asking my honourable colleagues to consider my bid for Cabinet, and I assure you of my commitment to the Assembly, my loyalty and my promise to carry my fair share of the load over the next four years as we journey toward 1999 and Nunavut. Thank you, salamut, matna, mahsi.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Before I proceed to Mr. Picco, I would like to recognize in the gallery Mr. Dennis Lyall. Dennis is the chairman of the Kitikmeot Divisional Board of Education; also, Joe Attagutaluk, and he's a member of the Baffin Divisional Board of Education; Sandy Kusugak is the vice-chair of the Keewatin Divisional Board of Education, in the gallery. Welcome to the Assembly.

---Applause

We have next in alphabetical order, Mr. Picco and then Mr. Steen.